Q&A WITH CHAMPIONSHIP OFFROAD’S CARL SCHUBITZKE

The inaugural season for the Championship Off-Road racing seres is just a few weeks away. The new series takes over short course racing in the midwest. Carl Schubitzke is President of the ISOC racng organization that will run the new series. We were able to catch up with him and ask a few questions about Championship Off-Road and the their future plans.

I grew up in Minnesota and my father was a World Champion in snowmobile racing so I grew up in racing. I raced my entire life both motocross and snowmobiles. I was able to become professional in both disciplines and had a good career. At the end of my career I went to school and received a degree in marketing. After owning a couple businesses, I started working for a company named ISOC and still am currently to this day. Under the ISOC umbrella we have a successful snowmobile series and we also produce television for jet ski racing, softball, over the road trucking, rallycross, and a few other projects. That is a very short overview, but we are involved with a lot of different things, but racing has always been our passion.

It is made up of a lot of people. Generally speaking, we have approximately 90-100 staff at some events and each person plays a role. I honestly view everyone as key. Every position is important and its takes a good team to make great things happen.

We are always looking to expand and event management is in our wheel house. We have a lot of great partners with our winter series and feel the summer series was a great opportunity. The Off-Road industry is one we have been paying close attention to because of our current partner relationships. Most of them work with us during the winter and are involved with racing during the summer. The off-road series is also one we are passionate. Everyone I know owns a truck, snowmobile, SxS, motorcycle, etc. and we all love racing so it was easy to get motivated.

We want to apply a lot of the same principles that has made our other series successful. That starts with treating the racers with respect and realizing it doesn’t happen without them. We also pride our selves in making great opportunities for our partners. We want to give it our all and do what is best for the racers, sponsors, venues, and spectators. If we grow great, but I just want to do a great job for the people that are here currently. Everyone I meet is very passionate about off-road racing and I think that is awesome. I want to have them DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM |27

CHAMPIONSHIP OFF-ROAD enjoy it even more by bringing more things to the table.

There is always going to be challenges and those challenges would be a long list. I think first and foremost is to navigate through this current pandemic. How do we race and what precautions we take is what we are currently working on.

I think the big changes you will see is organization and communication. We want to glorify these racers and showcase them to the world. We want to make stars out of them because they are. They are extremely talented and the sport is super exciting. Standing trackside when the PRO4’s come by is amazing. We just want to highlight everything about this sport to the best of our ability.

I think so. There are series all over the United States with all sorts of disciplines. It is simple supply and demand. As long as there is enough racers, there will be two series, three or even four. I just think rather than trying to compete, everyone should just work together on getting people into racing. There is a lot this world has to offer individuals, and I want people to enjoy motorsport racing.

We look to grow and expand. We have goals set for 3-5 years out, but all of our focus is on the present. We want to make a good first impression and do a great job right out of the gate so we can achieve those long term goals.

I understand their doubts and I would have the same. For us it is a little bit different. All of our eggs are not just in this basket. We have other series and projects that will help our new adventure. We are not starting from ground zero. We want to be conservative and realize we have a tough road ahead. I’m not a risky person so we are not going to make decisions emotionally. We just need to stick with what we know and what has worked in the past.

We are trying to currently. Our tech director is the tech director for the west coast series. Again, I would always want to work together than work against anyone.

Yes and no. We do want to expand to new areas, but I don’t know when that will be. We have already had discussions for new events as soon as next season, but again I want the focus to be on the present. I want to do the best possible job for our current partners/venues and then make decisions based on those results.

That a good question. I think the biggest thing that would make me happy is them feeling respected and that we listen to them. I was once a racer and letting them know we are on the same team is something I want to instill in this community. We are here for them. Tell us if we are doing something wrong and we will try to fix it if we can. We need to work everyone and provide them a great series that they are proud to be a part of. At the end of the day they are spending the money to come racing with us and I just hope that they enjoy the experience. That experience keeps them coming back and getting more people involved. My family has always been involved with some form of racing and those are my best memory’s so our goals are to build that in future generations. Off-road racing is great and there is amazing people within it, so I consider myself lucky to be a part of it.