  he high-flying, exciting world of snocross racing is the perfect venue to promote powersports products. Avalanche Racing & Hentges Racing are the exceptional teams representing Parts Unlimited, Arctiva Performance Apparel, Z1R Helmets and Trukke Boots on the National Snocross Tour. Both teams had an outstanding race season. Hentges Racing was crowned “National Team of the Year,” for the second year running and brought home a case-full of hardware. T.J. Gullla and Levi LaValle finished the year second and third respectively in the National Pro Open Year-End Points Championship. T.J. missed the top spot by one heart-breaking point. In Super Pro Stock T.J. finished 4th and Levi 5th. It’s an outstanding accomplishment for both Pros to finish in the top 5 in both National Pro Classes. Levi LaValle won two gold medals in ESPN’s nationally televised Winter X Games and was crowned “Winter X Games Male Athlete of the Year.” Avalanche Racing was bestowed the “Team Sportsmanship Award” and powerhouse Andrew Johnstad “Semi-Pro Racer of the Year” dominated the Semi-Pro Open and Semi-Pro Super Stock Year-End Points competition. Plus Avalanche Racing’s Pro Women representative Kylie Abrahamson was awarded “Pro Women Rider of the Year” and took home Pro Women’s Year-End Points Championship for the second year in a row. These snocross race teams travel across the country in customized 53-ft. transport vehicles from Minnesota to New York, Colorado to Canada, meeting fans, signing autographs, making personal media appearances and of course, winning races. Winning races is of course the ultimate goal for both teams, however maximizing sponsorship exposure is also one of their highest priorities. They have appeared in numerous television and radio programs. They have been the subject of several magazine articles and have created unique programs and contests to continue to build excitement around the snocross racing industry. Avalanche Racing Team created and facilitates the “Crew Member for a Day” program. One lucky fan per event gets the opportunity of a lifetime to become a part of the team for a day. They meet the racers, spend time in the race trailer, see the races trackside and win great prizes. With Avalanche Racing’s tremendous success this year the Crew Member participants scored big prizes! This program has been featured by Sledheads and Sno-X Magazine and has created new and exciting interest in the snowmobile racing industry. Avalanche Racing’s Kylie Abrahamson is the spokesperson for Pink Ribbon Riders Breast Cancer Awareness group and her sled was auctioned at the end of the season. The proceeds went directly to Pink Ribbon Riders efforts to help people in need. The lucky owner of her sled also received a warm and cozy jacket courtesy of Arctiva Performance Apparel. Another Avalanche Racing program is “Young Guns.” It provides an opportunity for a young racer to participate in the season finale in Lake Geneva, WI. If the “young gun” shows promise they are provided with race equipment, a Z1R Helmet and Arctiva Racing Gear for the upcoming season. This is a great opportunity for a new racer to break into the national level. The program is an excellent way to keep the snocross circuit jammed packed with new young talent. Nate Hentges, Hentges Racing Co-Owner and Bonnie Glefke, Co-Owner of Avalanche Racing said, “We use Parts Unlimited Products–Arctiva Performance Apparel, Z1R Helmets and Trukke Boots because they are the finest products in the entire snowmobile industry…hands down. We win on the race track because we provide our racers with the best possible tools out there and Parts Unlimited Products are by far the best!” There is no rest time for these teams. They barely have time to admire their trophies. As soon as the season finale in Lake Geneva is over they are back on a track (typically made of wood chips for summer) testing and tweaking for next season. Their physical training never stops. Many of the snocross racers ride dirt bikes or run motocross to keep in top condition over the summer. Snocross racing is very exciting part of the continuing comprehensive Parts Unlimited promotional efforts to benefit dealers. It brings valuable demographics and 20+ million TV viewers. Each race is televised plus X Games is on ESPN and ABC, making for international exposure. Congratulaions to both race teams on an exceptional year!  |
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