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Kyle Johnson Heats Up The Ice It took him three years, but when Kyle Johnson, 16, of Twin Lake, Mich., finally got a straight-up shot at the AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships, he made it count. “My first trip to the nationals was two years ago, and I fell down in my heat race [and didn’t qualify for the main],” says Johnson. “Last year, we were rained out.” This year? Johnson won the 251cc500cc DTX and 450cc Modified classes and was named the AMA Racing Ice Racer of the Year, an award presented to the most outstanding amateur racer at the AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships Jan. 22-23 in Birch Run, Mich. Johnson says the event was a real test. He kept his composure, though, and put his Kawasaki at the front of the pack for the two big main event wins. “In the DTX class, I got the holeshot and then just checked out,” he says. “In the 450 Mod class, I came off the line
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second, ran probably two laps second, and then one of the kids slipped up and I got underneath him and didn’t see anyone after that.” Racing is a family affair for Johnson. “I enjoy just going out and riding,” he says. “Our whole family rides. My dad rides. He hasn’t been racing, though, with me and my little sister racing. My sister, Kaley, is 13. She got seventh in the 250 B class and fifth in the 85 DTX class. We’ll be back next year for sure.” Another standout rider at the 2011 AMA Racing Ice Race Grand Championships was AMA Racing Youth Ice Racer of the Year Jace Kessler. Jace pulled a sweep at the event, winning the 50cc DTX Senior (7-8) class, the 65cc DTX (7-11) class and the 65cc Modified (7-11) class. Kessler, who just turned 9, is from Eagle, Mich. “It was great,” Kessler says. “In my last class, I had a tight battle. I got the holeshot. I knew I could hold him off. I just protected my inside (line).”
Kessler is also an experienced motocross racer. He has qualified for the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships twice, most recently last year in the 50cc Senior class, where he got seventh. Kessler says he adapted well to ice racing. “This one guy, Matt Chick, told us about this ice racing, and my dad set up some tires, and we rode on the ice at my house, and I liked it,” he says.
Photo Corey Mays
Jace Kessler Goes Three-For-Three In Youth Ranks