Yamaha Race Report: USXC Round 8, RMSHA White Pine Hillclimb

Yamaha snowmobile racers had perhaps their most successful racing weekend of the season as Ben Lindbom clinched a championship with a victory at the USXC finale, while Ty Free and Chad Jorgensen earned four top-five finishes at the RMSHA White Pine Hillclimb.

Lindbom rode his Yamaha Nytro RTX to victory in the 100-mile Semi-Pro Improved event at the USXC Warroad 100 in Warroad, Minn. This was Lindbom’s sixth win of the season in the class – a personal record and also a record for the RTX.

Lindbom built a massive lead on the rest of the field over 10 laps to score the convincing win. The victory also proved a great confidence builder for the likable Yamaha rider as he moves from Semi-Pro to the Pro ranks next season.

“This was longest Semi-Pro Improved race of the year, twice as long as any other race this season,” says Brian Strawsell, Yamaha’s racing technical coordinator. “Two hours at race speeds over terrain this bumpy was a great endurance test for the riders – and a fantastic one for the sleds.”

In the four-lap Pro Open event, Yamaha’s Ross Erdman joined Lindbom, Re Wadena and Jake Muller in a wave start, which launched two sleds every 20 seconds. Though Wadena and Muller eventually withdrew due to the rough conditions, Lindbom and Erdman powered on, racing furiously for position. Hard charging by Lindbom and a quick spill for Erdman gave the teammates their well-earned 5-6 finishes at the checkers. As well, Kristy Schouviller added a top-five finished in the Pro Women’s class.

The 8,500-foot elevation at the RMSHA hillclimb event in Wyoming proved equally challenging for sleds and drivers alike – as did a particularly fast and technical course that followed the contours of a ski run rather than a mountain face. In all, the team contested nine different classes with six racers. Blue skies and pleasant temperatures greeted the teams and spectators on Saturday, setting up a memorable day for all. Aboard his Nytro MTX, Free set the standard for the rest of the team with a fourth-place finish in Pro 600 Improved first thing in the morning, with Jorgensen leading Free for a 4-5 performance in Pro 700 Improved a bit later and then Jorgensen returning for the team’s fourth top-five finish in Pro 700 Mod. Jorgensen, Free, Kody Malmborg, Kolton Malmborg and newcomer Greg Dana added additional top-10s before an epic day wrapped up.

“I am really happy with the results but not totally satisfied yet,” says hillclimb technical coordinator Troy Johnson.

“I think that podiums are in our future and maybe even the first four-stroke win in RMSHA competition.” Says Yamaha Snowmobile Racing’s Eric Josephsen. “I am really proud of all these guys. They have been training hard, improving their race setups in the shop, and then stepping it up on the track every weekend since the season started. But most impressive to me, every time they set a new benchmark they turn right around and beat it. Thanks guys!”