Snocross at Blackjack Ski Resort
T
he ISOC AMSOIL Blackjack National Championship Snocross event returns this year to the Gogebic Range. The event is set for Dec. 6-7 at Blackjack Ski Resort, which is located off U.S. 2 between Bessemer and Wakefield. National snocross racing has been a hit the last two years at Blackjack. Local driver Kyle Pallin,
of Ironwood, made his first professional final race at his home track two years ago. He won his first heat race last year. Some of the sport’s biggest names have taken part — Tucker Hibbert and Ross Martin, among others. There are eight national events across the country — Duluth, Minn., Blackjack, Shakopee, Minn., Deadwood, S.D., Salmanca, N.Y.,
Traverse City, Mich., Fargo, N.D. and Lake Geneva, Wis. Snocross racing takes snowmobiles around the mountain on hairpin turns and big-time jumps. Riders at Blackjack soar above the ski hill’s main building. Snocross is a popular X Games sport. Visit isocracing.com for more information.
Snowmobile racing at fairgrounds
Snowmobile racing fans will get a double dose of action at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds in January. In addition to the traditional Pro Vintage Racing series on Jan. 3-5, professional racing from the U.S. Snowmobile Association is scheduled for Jan. 11-12. Organizers expect the events to bring a lot of people into town. For the vintage sleds, testing is set for Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Racing will be Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, Page 30 – Winter Fun & Dining Guide
starting at 10 a.m. Pro Vintage Racing is described as “a group of individuals dedicated to keeping vintage modified racing snowmobiles on the track.” The USSA pro series returns to the fairgrounds after a long absence. The Ironwood track is described as a “historic and very fast halfmile.” The races debuted a new website recently, ironwoodsnowmobileolympus.com.