Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - For the final race of the 2023-2024 Snocross National Race Season, a familiar stop was added back to the Snocross Schedule at Spirit Mountain in Duluth Minnesota. With a combination of a huge spring snow storm just a week prior and the crew at Spirit Mountain making and maintaining snow; the track at Spirit Mountain was the largest tracks we’ve seen this season; boasting huge uphills, downhills, deep rhythm sections and big air. With over 1000 race entries; race teams, families, and fans packed the stands for the 3-day season finale.
FRIDAY: Round 14 Triple Crown Round 1
To kick things off on Friday, in Triple Crown Round 1, a stacked field of Pro riders lined up and were ready to put on a great show in Duluth. Through qualifying, Peterson was able to earn a great gate pick in the front row. As the green light went for the first Triple Crown race of the evening, Peterson ripped out of the gates (earning the Studboy Holeshot award) and came into the first corner in the excellent 2nd place position and was pushed back to the 3rd place spot within the first few laps. As the clock was winding down in the 8 minute plus one lap final, Peterson was able to find smooth lines and maintain the excellent 3rd place spot.
Triple Crown Round 2
As the sleds lined up for Triple Crown Round 2, Peterson had a nice front row gate pick with taking third place in Round 1. As the green light went for Round 2, Peterson shot out of the gate and was within the top 6 after the first lap. At about the half way point, Peterson passed up to the 5th place spot and was riding very strong and consistent on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled. As the white flag flew for the last lap of the 8 minute plus one lap final, Peterson continued to charge and maintained the 5th place spot.
Triple Crown Round 3
For the final race of the night; Peterson came into the race sitting in the 4 place in the Triple Crown points. Off of the start of the line, Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled (earning another Studboy Holeshot award) and was sitting in the 2nd place spot. As the pressure was heating up, the race clock was winding down. Peterson continued to dig deep and search for fast lines and consistent lap times. As the checked flags flew, Peterson had one rider pass by, but was able to maintain the excellent 3rd place spot and finished 4th Overall in Triple Crown Round 14.
SATURDAY: Round 15 Triple Crown Round 1
After a solid day of riding on Friday, Peterson was eager for similar results for Day 2 in Duluth. As the green light went for the first Pro race on Saturday, Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled, came out in the fifth place spot and with a misjudged corner, Peterson was pushed back to 10th. At about the halfway point, Peterson continued to press hard and was able to move up to the 7th place spot in Round 1.
Triple Crown Round 2
Lining up in the front row of Round 2, Peterson came out of the gates strong and was sitting in the 6th place spot amongst the stacked field. As the 8 minute plus one lap race continued to push on, Peterson raced hard, consistent and smooth and was able to finish out in the notable 5th place spot.
Triple Crown Round 3
As the green light went for the final race of the night, Peterson came ripping off of the line on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and was sitting in the excellent 4th place spot. Peterson continued to push the limits and with a misjudged line, ended up going off-track. Peterson was quickly able to regain his composure and re-renter the race and finish out in the notable 6th place spot and finished 6th overall in Triple Crown Round 15.
SUNDAY Round 16 MOTO 1 & MOTO 2
For the final Pro Round 16 race of the season, it was a condensed day of racing turning the Pro Riders to a dual moto format. As the green light went for Moto 1, Peterson ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled and was pushed back to the 7th place spot. As the lock was ticking down on the 8 minute plus one lap race, Peterson was able to make two great passes, finishing out Moto 1 in the great 5th place spot.
As the Pro Sleds lined up for the final race (Moto 2) of the 2024 Season, Peterson ripped off of the line and started our mid-pack. Peterson put on ample pressure all throughout the 8 minute plus 1 lap final and was as able to make his way up the impressive 4th place position. As the checkered flags flew for the final time, Peterson held on the 4th place spot and secured the overall Round 16 4th Place position and finished out the 2023-2024 season in the exciting 5th place spot Overall in the Pro Class. Congratulations Adam!
YEAR END OVERALL:
PRO - Peterson - 5th
PRO - Bester - 13th
PRO AM PLUS 30 ROUND 9 & 10
PRO AM Plus 30 rider, Andy Lieders, had a stacked weekend ahead of him with signing up for the Pro AM Plus 30 Class on Friday and Saturday and ending out the 3 day weekend in Pro Lite Class on Sunday. To kick things off on Friday night in PRO AM Plus 30, Lieders took 6th in Round 1 and 1st in Round 2. Under the lights Friday night, Lieders ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled and on the first place; Lieders had an unfortunate crash which pushed him to the back of the field, finishing his night early and in the 19th place spot.
On Saturday, in the Pro AM Class in Duluth. Lieders was looking for redemption. Lieders started off the day strong with taking a 1st and 1st in his Pro AM Plus 30 Qualifying rounds and was the number one qualifier for the final. As the green light went for the final; Lieders ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris snowmobile (earning the Studboy Holeshot award) and was sitting in the first place spot. As the race continued to press on, Lieders rode incredibly smooth and consistent and made a nice lead amongst the field. As the checkered flags flew, Lieders earned another impressive win in Duluth. Congratulations Andy!
On Sunday, Lieders signed up for the Pro Lite Class and started things out with a bang, taking a first place finish in Pro Lite Round 1 and 5th place in Round 2, earning a front row gate pick in the Pro Lite final. As the sleds lined up for the last Pro Lite race of the day in Duluth, Lieders ripped out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled and was sitting within the top 5. As the pressure continued to heat up as the clock was winding down, Lieders had an unfortunate off that ended his race early on Sunday afternoon.
Big congratulations to Andy Lieders for another impressive season in the PRO AM Plus 30 class, taking the 3rd place overall.
YEAR END OVERALL:
PRO AM PLUS 30 - Lieders - 3rd
Photos ©CrystalWallemPhotography
Don't miss it!! Levi Tri 5 Giants Ridge, Biwabik, Minnesota - April 13, 2024 The most fun snowmobile race ever! Benefitting Wings for Life - Spinal Cord Research Foundation
Photos ©CrystalWallemPhotography
