January 31, 2023 Historic Deadwood, SD was the home to Rounds 5 and 6 on the Snocross National series. This was the 11th time that Snocross had come to Days of ’76 Event Complex in Deadwood. While the track is the smallest the riders will see throughout the season, this custom build track featured tight turns, steep jumps, and with limited areas of passing, the holeshot was key in Deadwood.
2022 Rookie of the Year; Adam Peterson (PRO) was ready for redemption in Deadwood after finishing in 5th and 6th the race prior in Shakopee, MN. Peterson started out Round 5 on Friday with great qualifying, taking a 2nd and 5th place finish in his qualifying rounds. Peterson came into the Round 5 Pro Final with the 7th place gate pick in the front row. For the final race of the night, Peterson ripped an incredible holeshot and came out of the gate first on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and came out third as he rounded the first corner. Peterson was hunting down the second place position and at about half way through the 10 minute plus 1 lap final, Peterson was able to make the pass and was sitting in the second place spot. As the clock was winding down, Peterson’s momentum and rhythm was strong and was turning the fastest lap time on the track and was able to secure his first podium of the season in the excellent 2nd place spot. Congrats Adam!
On Saturday, Round 6, Peterson started the day off with consistent qualifying, grabbing two fourth place finishes in his qualifying rounds and allowing him to be the ninth place qualifier for the Pro Round 6 Final. As the sleds lined up for the final race of the Deadwood National, Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and came out in the 4th place spot and went back one position to 5th within the first couple laps. As the clock was winding down from the 10 minute plus one lap final, Peterson rode with incredible speed and putting pressure on fourth place the entire race but wasn’t able to make any additional moves and finished out the weekend in the great 5th place spot.
Pro Lite rider, Ryley Bester was ready for what Deadwood would throw at him, after an impressive start to the 2023 season. In Pro Lite qualifying, Bester took an excellent 3rd and 1st place finish. With ripping holeshots and riding very confident on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled, Bester was ready for the eight minute plus one lap final. Under the lights Friday night, Bester shot out of the gate into the second place spot but an early off caused Bester to fall back to the 11the place spot. As the minutes passed by, Bester continued to ride hard and picked off riders as he went, finishing out Round 5 in the notable 7th place spot.
On Saturday, Round 6, Bester started the day taking a 6th and 3rd in his qualifying rounds and made it into the Pro Lite Round 6 Final through the back row. Under the lights for the Pro Lite Round 6 final, Bester had his work cut out for him but was ready for the challenge. Off of the line of the eight minute plus one lap final, Bester was able to sneak his way through a huge crash and came out in the 6th place spot. As the race pressed on, Bester was able to maintain his spot through the rough track with tough visibility and finished out the 2-Day National in the 6th place spot.
PRO AM Plus rider, Andy Lieders, had intentions of racing the Deadwood, SD National but inclement weather had caused Lieders to stay back at home in Wisconsin and miss Rounds 5 and 6 in Deadwood.
Up next for AMSOIL Championship Snocross: U.S. Air Force Snocross National in Salamanca, N.Y. on February 17-8, 2023.
You can watch all 16 rounds of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross season plus the AMSOIL Dominator live on FloRacing with a subscription.