Longville, MN (January 11, 2022) - The highly anticipated 2022 Snocross Season Opener began this past weekend at Canterbury Park, in Shakopee, Minnesota. After a one-year hiatus, due to the pandemic, the series returned to the “Daytona of Snocross” for two days of bar-to-bar racing. Despite the freezing temps, race fans packed the stands (indoors and outdoors) to cheer on their favorite racers and race teams.
PRO / PALLIN
Team LaVallee’s Pro Rider and series Fan Favorite, Kyle Pallin started the 2 Day National with awesome qualifying rounds, taking two 2nd place finishes. With the inverted start now eliminated for the 2022 season, Pallin’s two 2nd place finishes allowed him a great gate pick in the Pro Round 1 Final. Off of the line of the Pro Final, Pallin had a tough start but with much determination Pallin continued to charge hard in the 10 minute plus 2 Lap final, and worked his way up from 10th place to a solid 5th place finish!
On Saturday, for Round 2, Pallin had a couple of hard qualifying rounds but with a 2nd place finish in the LCQ (last chance qualifier) Pallin was able to make the Pro Round 2 Final in the back row. In the 10 Minutes plus 2 lap Pro Final, Pallin was charging hard when a Red Flag caused the Pro Final to pause and re-start in a staggered line up. Pallin continued to navigate his way throughout the remainder of the final and finished in the notable 8th place position.
Pallin is currently sitting in 8th place overall in the 2022 Snocross Pro Class.
PRO / PETERSON
Rookie Pro Rider (and 2021 Pro Lite Champ) Adam Peterson was eager for his Pro debut at Canterbury Park. Peterson started out the 2 Day National with a bang, taking 3rd place in both of his respective qualifying rounds. Under the lights Friday night, Peterson got pushed off of the track on the first lap of the 10 minute plus 2 lap final, but was able to regain his momentum and finish his first Pro Final in the 8th place spot.
On Saturday, for Round 2, Peterson started the day out with a 4th and 5th in his qualifying rounds, allowing him into the front row of the Round 2 Pro Final. Off the line of the final, Peterson ripped an amazing holeshot and continued to ride strong and smooth. Peterson was running a solid third place prior to the red flag and was able to get back into that position after the staggered restart. Peterson continued to push hard and pulled away from the pressure of the 4th place rider and earned his first podium in the Pro Class, with an excellent 3rd place finish! “Everybody in this class is just super-fast,” said Peterson. “So, any little bauble makes a difference. I’m just happy to be up here and a big thanks to everyone for helping me get here.”
Peterson is currently sitting in 4th place overall in the 2022 Snocross Pro Class.
PRO LITE / BESTER
Pro Lite Rider, Ryley Bester started out the Shakopee National (a home-town race for Bester) taking a second and sixth place finish in his qualifying rounds and with winning the Pro Lite LCQ (last chance qualifer), Bester was able to make the Round 1 Pro Lite final in the back row. Under the lights, Friday night, Bester was charging hard in the 8 minute plus 2 lap final, when a tough off caused him to fall back and finish out in the 13th place position.
On Saturday, Bester was ready to put the pressure on again for Round 2. Bester started the day with great qualifying rounds, taking a 1st and 4th which allowed him a nice gate pick for the Pro Lite Round 2 Final. Off of the line, Bester on his Polaris, Red Bull, Walker Evans Racing sled ripped out of the gate and was at the front of the pack. With riding smooth and consistent lap times, Bester earned himself his first podium of the 2022 season, with an excellent 3rd place finish! “All I was just trying to do was focus on that (green) light,” said Bester. “That’s one of the biggest things in this Pro Lite class, that starts are key, so I was just all focused on that light, and I hit it right on, so it was awesome."
Bester is currently sitting in a 3-way tie for 5th place in 2022 Snocross Pro Lite Class.
PRO AM PLUS 30 / LIEDERS
Pro AM Plus 30 rider, Andy Lieders raced in not one, but two different classes over the 2 Day National in Shakopee. WIth the Pro Plus 30 Class only racing on Saturday, Lieders signed up for the Pro Lite class (Round 1) on Friday. Lieders (a 34 year old veteran to racing) proved the power of positive thinking. Lieders took a 4th and 3rd in his Pro Lite qualifying rounds and ripped an incredible holeshot off of the start in the Pro Lite Round 1 Final, maintained his momentum, and finished in the amazing 2nd place spot, Friday night! "I kind of just lasted out there,” said Lieders. “It was kind of surreal, I mean I had two days on my snowmobile before this race. I’m 34 years old and I never imagined I’d be up here with these kids. But let me tell you, your mind is a powerful thing and I just believe l can still do good. I just went out there and had fun.”
For Saturday, in the Pro AM Plus 30 Class, Lieders picked up right where he left off, winning both of his qualifying rounds and continued his winning ways with a 1st place finish on Saturday night. Huge congrats on a successful weekend in Shakopee, Andy!
Lieders is currently sitting in 1st place overall in the 2022 Snocross Pro Plus 30 Class and in 15th for the Pro Lite Class.
“It feels good to be back at Canterbury Park! This has always been one of my favorite stops on the series and this 2022 season opener did not disappoint! Huge congrats to our team on a successful weekend, excited to carry this momentum at Dubuque! " - Levi LaVallee
UP NEXT: DUBUQUE NATIONAL - JANUARY 14-15, 2022
