Hibbert stops Polaris sweep in WPSA opener

Racer Tucker Hibbert and his Arctic Cat spoiled what was an otherwise perfect weekend for Polaris as the World PowerSports Association kicked off its national snocross tour in Duluth, Minn.

After sweeping the podium in both the Semi-Pro Open and Pro Super Stock finals, Polaris was looking to complete the trifecta in the Pro Open. And it would have happened—if not for Hibbert.

With about 10,000 people watching the final event at the Duluth National Snocross at Spirit Mountain, Hibbert took control. He was third after the start, but passed leader Ross Martin more than mid-way through the 24-lap race and didn’t look back.

Hibbert, who finished sixth in the Pro Super Stock after being the top qualifier, was also the top qualifier for the Pro Open.

“The team and I sat down, talked about our mistakes and what we could do to improve for the Pro Open class,” says Hibbert. “Our hard work paid off and we’re walking away from the first race of the season with a win.”

Hibbert’s win should not take anything away from the impressive performance of the Polaris sleds. After Hibbert, Polaris riders took the next seven spots. Levi LaVallee finished second, while Martin was third.

“I’m extremely proud of our group,” Polaris race manager Tom Rager Sr. told Snormobile.com. “Our mechanics have just been non-stop getting these things ready to go. We asked our drivers to come into the season in the best shape of their lives, and they obviously did that.”

Two more Arctic Cat riders, Ryan Simons and Carl Schubitzke, were ninth and 10th, respectively, in the Pro Open. Blair Morgan piloted the first Ski-Doo across the finish line in 11th.

In the Pro Super Stock class, Polaris grabbed every spot in the top five. Martin took home the checkered flag, while Dennis Eckstrom and Mike Schultz finished second and third.

Bobby LePage won the Semi-Pro Open, followed by Brett Bender, Andrew Johnstad and Dylan Martin—all of whom were on Polaris sleds.

Polaris also captured five of the top six spots in Winter X Games qualifying, but despite the results, Rager doesn’t expect his team to spend too much time patting itself on the back.

“I told the guys we are going to celebrate this thing for a day or two and then we’re going to forget about it and we’re going to try to get ready for the next one,” says Rager. “I think if you don’t approach it that way you’re making a mistake.”