Yamaha Racers Win Six Championships in Cross Country

Yamaha’s recent cross-country racing success continued as FX Nytro snowmobiles clinched six championships and four No. 1 plates in a triple-crown series in Cable, Wis. on Saturday, Mar. 3.

At the final weekend of competition in this year’s series, conditions and the Telemark Resort were absolutely perfect for racing over the weekend. With nearly two feet of recent snowfall translating into three or four feet of base around the seven-mile course, the conditions were as challenging as racers could want – especially when Supercross-size holes five feet deep developed.

Snocross specialist Ben Lindbom had a great introduction to cross-country racing in the Semi Pro Sprint and Distance classes, winning the Sprint race – and bravely finishing the Distance race after crashing – to capture the Semi Pro Sprint title and the Semi Pro No. 1 plate for the year. In the Pro class, veteran racer Nathan Titus took a third in Pro Sprint and a second in the Pro Distance races, wrapping up both titles and adding a Pro No. 1 plate to Yamaha’s laurels for the year. And finally, Titus and Jake Jorgenson also took the No. 1 plate in Team competition.

Although new to terrain racing, Lindbom proved he has the tenacity and resourcefulness to race with the best. His win in the Semi Pro Sprint event was straightforward enough. But after crashing hard in the Distance event and damaging an A-arm and the wiring on his sled, instead of quitting Lindbom hotwired the electrical system, restarted the engine and finished – while also earning the Semi Pro Sprint title and Semi Pro No. 1 plate for 2012.

“I could not believe how fast I was closing on the other guys,” says Lindbom. “But the FX Nytro worked so well I could totally pick my lines.”

But the most amazing feat of the day was still to come, as Lindbom moved up a class to make his Pro debut in cross-country racing, finishing second in the Pro Sprint event ahead of Titus and then scoring another second in Pro Distance – an incredible achievement in his first shot at the top ranks of terrain racing. But Titus quickly fired back, sweeping to the Pro Distance win and taking both class titles and the Pro No. 1 plate for Yamaha in the process. Like everyone who raced the FX Nytro this year, Titus was ecstatic with its newfound performance.

“This snowmobile works so well, and makes it so easy to go fast, that I found myself giggling in my helmet the entire time today,” says Titus.”

“I was happy to see our developments work so well in these super-challenging conditions,” says Yamaha’s Eric Josephsen. “The whole team came together to make it all work, but the wrench-turning of Seth Thorson and the dedication of our crew chief Brian Strawsell really stand out. Brian was truly the glue that held this team together and moved us forward. Thanks everyone!”

The last cross-country snowmobile race of the season comes up this weekend in Warroad, Minn., along with the second round of the RMSHA hillclimb series in Afton, Wyo.