The Avalanche Racing Team finished out this weekend? s WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Air Force Canterbury Snocross at Canterbury Park with a victory and two podiums. Avalanche returns to Snocross action in two weeks at the WPSA season finale at its home track in Lake Geneva.
Avalanche? s Pro rider,? Monster? Mike Schultz (No. 5 Avalanche Racing Team/Polaris) was hoping to add to his impressive 2006-2007 season record of three podium finishes, including two runner-up efforts, here. However, the Pillager, Minn. native suffered a string of bad luck during the weekend, including mechanical problems and a nagging cold. Though Schultz missed the podium this weekend, he still sits in contention in both the Pro Open and Pro Stock standings.
? I guess everyone has to have a bad weekend,? said Schultz.? This was definitely ours. Right from the start, we had some mechanical issues and I wasn? t feeling in tip-top shape, either. It was a bad combination.
? We have a weekend off, and it will be well deserved,? added Schultz.? I? m going to take some time off, do some training and try to get my attitude back where it needs to be. Hopefully, that will put us back into the points.
? I set a goal at the beginning of the season to win five podiums,? concluded Schultz.? I have three, so I need to get two more at Geneva. I think I? m up to that challenge.?
Youth ruled the team? s efforts this weekend as Junior 10-13 rider James Johnstad (No. 154 Avalanche Racing Team/Polaris) won his second consecutive final.
? It felt great to win another one, and get a back-to-back victory,? said Johnstad.? This class is really helping me gain experience. I? ve learned a lot about jumping, cornering and starts. My Avalanche Team has helped me a lot. My brother (Semi-Pro rider Andrew Johnstad) always helps me with lines and preparing for the race. This is a lot of fun.?
James? older brother Andrew, known by the moniker? Hollywood? in the Snocross ranks, added one more podium to his already impressive three top threes scored earlier this season.
? It? s always good to get a podium, but I really wanted to win,? said the elder Johnstad.? Parts Unlimited, Arctiva and Z1R are always there, supporting us and it was great to give them another podium this weekend.?
Johnstad hopes to climb to the top step of the podium in two weeks at Lake Geneva. That event is considered Avalanche? s home race as team owners Michael and Bonnie Glefke live in suburban Chicago.
? I was just out ridden in the final, but we? ll get it next time,? said Johnstad.? I? m really looking forward to Lake Geneva. The weather is always nice, and it? s just a great event.?
The team? s Sport rider David Glefke (No. 147 Avalanche Racing Team/Polaris) remains upbeat after a difficult weekend.
? My Parts Unlimited/Polaris was really hooking up at the start, but the track was a little difficult for me,? said Glefke.? I finished third in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), and just missed the final. It was kind of a rough weekend, but I? m looking forward to Geneva. We? ll have plenty of friends and family there, so it will be a great weekend.?
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