History! It was only a matter of time

History!


It was only a matter of time before the AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports team - snocross' version of the NBA's Miami Heat - put all three of their superstar racers up on the box in an AMSOIL Championship Snocross, presented by Traxxas, event.

And that time was Sunday at the AMSOIL Duluth National, presented by Bully Dog.

Wrapping up the CJ Ramstad Cup weekend at Duluth's Spirit Mountain in front of one of the largest crowds to gather for a snowmobile race in this hemisphere, Robbie Malinoski (AMSOIL/Ski-Doo) made it two-in-a-row by pulling the Stud Boy Holeshot and leading the weekend's final race wire-to-wire for the win. Malinoski was joined on the box by teammates Tim Tremblay (2nd), who also podiumed on Saturday (3rd), and a first-ever Pro Open podium finish for Darrin Mees (3rd).

Quite literally, there was no stopping Ski-Doo's Robbie Malinoski this past weekend at Duluth. The powerful veteran racer - who hadn't doubled up at an AMSOIL Championship Snocross weekend since 2006 - swept both Pro Open main events at Duluth in convincing fashion, taking the points lead into rounds three and four of ACS in Bessemer, Mich., along with making a serious statement in regards to whether Malinoski still had what it takes to win at snocross' highest level.

"With everybody up here from Scheuring Speed Sports - this is pretty exciting," said Malinoski. "Everybody came through. Darrin's up here with this first-ever podium. Tim raced great - again. My Ski-Doo pulled another great holeshot ... I'm speechless!"

When the green light shone on the start of the weekend's final even Malinoski was gone. Down the Spirit Mountain straight like he was racing against a field of stock sleds. Malinoski railed into the first turn and rode mistake-free, through countless lapped riders in the lack-of-snow-shortened race, and through cleanly to the checkers. There was never a doubt.

Behind Malinoski early were Mees and Polaris' Justin Broberg. Two relatively new guys up front in the pack, mainly because the usual front-running suspects - Martin, Hibbert & Tremblay - started outside the top four. Team AMSOIL/Polaris' Ross Martin, the winner of Friday's $10K AMSOIL DOMINATOR®, was all the way back in 12th qualifying position.

Tucker Hibbert (Arctic Cat) and Tremblay would collide on lap one, though both managed to rail back out of the turn where they got together. But this set the multi-time former ACS champ Hibbert back to 8th place early on in the 24-lap contest ... a position you don't want to be in on such a small track with so many sleds (15). Tremblay, who qualified back in the 9th position, had a much better run at it, moving up to 3rd before getting past Mees for 2nd on lap 13 of the roughly 24-second laps.

As the podium position leaders spread out, Martin put on the best charge at race's end as he moved past Broberg into 2nd and set his site on Mees. With two laps to go Malinoski had all but checked out and the fans' attention focused on Martin and Mees - with Mees holding off the hard-charging Martin for his first-ever podium. Hibbert then managed to round out the top ten.

"To get up here with my other two teammates - everybody crying - this is just so exciting," said Mees. "My adrenaline was going on the first few laps, then Tim (Tremblay) got by me and that was OK. But nobody after that was going to!"

"He (Mees) didn't let me get by him that easy. But no dirty stuff ... we're all teammates," said Tremblay. "I just held my line and the rest was pretty good."

Malinoski leaves Duluth with a 14-point lead over Tremblay in the standings. Martin sits third, with Tucker Hibbert and Mees roudning out the top five.

Rounds three and four of AMSOIL Championship Snocross, presented by Traxxas, will be at northern Michigan's Blackjack Resort, Dec. 7-8.

PRO PROFILE: Robbie Malinoski

Last season started with a bang for two-time AMSOIL Championship Snocross (ACS) champion Robbie Malinoski. After just missing out on victory in the inaugural AMSOIL DOMINATOR race, Malinoski took the checkered flag the next day in the first points race of the season. The two-time Winter X Games medalist carried the momentum through the winter, finishing the season third overall. At 31, Malinoski is considered an elder statesman in the world of snocross, but his passion to race is as strong as anyone’s. As he told AMSOIL Racing, his #4 Ski-Doo is dialed in for the season opener in Duluth, Minn. and he’s ready to hit the snow.

AMSOIL Racing: Ross Martin got the better of you in the DOMINATOR race last year. How difficult is that race and what are your plans to win it this year?

Malinoski: The race is not too bad; it’s heads-up racing, so your focus is just on one guy, which makes life a little easier. The plan this year is the same: wide open for two laps and let the rest fall into place.

AMSOIL Racing: Compared to some riders, you started in snocross at a later age. What were you doing until then and what got you into the sport?

Malinoski: I was at a crossroads in my life at the time I started. I had just graduated from high school and was searching for some direction, so my dad gave me an option to work at his shop in exchange for a season of racing, and I never looked back. Before that, motocross was all that I was doing.

AMSOIL Racing: Is there one victory in your career that means more than any of the others?

Malinoski: I think last year in Duluth was one that I will always hold on to. It took place in AMSOIL’s backyard, and I came out swinging. I have never experienced so much excitement from staff and sponsors than following that win.

AMSOIL Racing: You’ve won ACS championships and Winter X Games medals. What’s left for you to accomplish in snowmobile racing?

Malinoski: As a racer, you never feel like you have made it, and maybe that’s why I am still racing. I think if that feeling ever sets in, then I know that I have raced my last race. But I am more hungry than ever, and I still get nervous before every race.

AMSOIL Racing: Last summer you took on a unique role – fighting forest fires. How did that come about?

Malinoski: I had called [team owner] Steve [Scheuring] that summer and told him if he had some jobs that he needed done, I was his man. So he called and said there was a fire down south, and that [head mechanic] Tony [Clement] and I were leaving the next morning. Then I was gone, so I never had a moment to think about what I was getting into. That’s how it all came to be; it was a great experience.

The 2012/13 AMSOIL Championship Snocross season begins with the Duluth National November 23-25. Watch the action live throughout the weekend at www.amsoilracing.com.