Longville, MN (December 20, 2022) The 2022-2023 Snocross Season kicked off this past weekend at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in Fargo, ND. It was three full days of racing, with the Dominator race starting things off on Friday night. The format for the Dominator is a head-to-head event that features both Pro and Pro Lite riders with a winner-takes-all style of racing. Despite the frigid Fargo temperatures, Team LaVallee was on fire all throughout the season opener weekend.
DOMINATOR
Team LaVallee riders Adam Peterson (Pro) and Ryley Bester (Pro Lite) were both signed up and ready for the Dominator challenge. This was Ryley Bester’s first appearance in the Dominator race and during seeding, Ryley pushed hard and ended up in the 9th place spot, just missing his chances to go into Round 1 by one position. Adam Peterson, who had previously won the Dominator Race in 2021, won Rounds 1 and 2 in his head-to-head battles. In the third round, Peterson rode very strong but it wasn’t enough to move to the Championship Round. Peterson finished out 4th overall in the Dominator.
2022 Rookie of the Year; Adam Peterson (PRO) was eager to get back on the track for the 2023 Season. Peterson started out Round 1 on Saturday with good qualifying (7th and 3rd) and was able to make it into the first final of the season in the back row. Under the lights Friday night, and one of the largest and longest tracks we’ll see this season, Peterson pushed hard throughout the 10 minute plus two lap final and was able to make his way up from the eighth place position to the notable 6th place spot!
On Sunday, Round 2, Peterson started the day off with great qualifying, taking a 4th and 3rd place in his respective qualifying rounds. As the sleds lined up for the final race of the Fargo National, Peterson ripped an awesome holeshot on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled. As the clock was winding down from the 10 minute plus two lap final, Peterson was finding different lines allowing a few riders to slip by but he was able to maintain his spot and secured the 8th place position rounding out his weekend in Fargo.
Pro Lite rider, Ryley Bester was excited to hit the track in Fargo. In Pro Lite qualifying, Bester took an excellent 2nd and 1st place finish. With looking smooth and feeling very confident on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled, Bester was ready for the eight minute plus two lap final. Under the lights and when the light turned green, Bester was the first one out of the gate, ripping an impressive third holeshot of the day. Bester had one rider pass by, but was hunting down that first place spot the entire race. As the checkered flags flew, Bester was able to get his first podium of the 2023 season with an awesome 2nd place finish! Congrats Ryley!
On Sunday, Round 2, Bester had that first place spot on his mind. Despite the frigid temps and icy track, Bester dominated in his qualifying rounds, with ripping holeshots and taking two first place finishes, Bester secured the number one qualifying spot in the Round 2 Pro Lite Final. Off of the line on Sunday afternoon, Bester ripped the holeshot yet again and was sitting in the lead but was later edged out and pushed to the second place spot. As the time was diminishing in the eight minute plus two lap final, Bester continued to press hard, ride smart and maintained that second place spot, earning two 2nd place finishes at the Fargo National! Huge congratulations to Ryley for an impressive start to the season!
PRO AM Plus rider, Andy Lieders, picked up right where he left off from last season. Lieders ripped every single holeshot and swept the entire weekend, earning first place finishes in all of his qualifying rounds and won both PRO AM Plus Finals on Saturday and Sunday. With grabbing great holeshots and clean riding, Lieders start to the season is quite impressive! Congratulations Andy!
Up next for AMSOIL Championship Snocross: Pirtek Snocross National in Shakopee, Minn. on January 13-14, 2023. You can watch all 16 rounds of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross season plus the AMSOIL Dominator live on FloRacing with a subscription.
Photos: ©CrystalWallemPhotography
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