Polaris Snocross Racers, Freestyle Riders Cleared for Landing Atop X Games Podium
MEDINA, MN (January 23, 2007) – Polaris snocross racers – and snowmobile freestyle athletes – have been cleared for landing atop the podium at the Winter X Games, which will be contested – and broadcast – Friday through Sunday, January 26-28.
Eleven Polaris snocross racers are competing for slots in the X games final on the slopes of Aspen, Colorado, where they hope to win the coveted gold medal. The X Games are a non-points event, but they create the season’s most high-profile event with live broadcasts on ESPN and ABC.
“The X Games are something that everybody wants to win for the bragging rights and the exposure,” said Polaris Racing Manager Tom Rager, Sr. “Polaris race fans should be excited because we have an outstanding lineup of racers in the event, and their seasons are off to a great start on the Polaris IQ race sled.”
Along with the 11 Polaris racers in the snocross competition, three Polaris riders have qualified for the Snowmobile Freestyle event, which makes its Winter X Games debut this winter.
“While the snocross is intense and super-competitive, the snowmobile freestyle is really fun,” said Rager. “Polaris is extremely well-represented by some high fliers who have an excellent chance of winning the first Winter X Games gold medal in this event.”
THE X GAMES BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Here’s where and when to see the Winter X Games Snocross action on TV. All times listed are Central Standard Time (CST). (Schedules are according to the EXPN website; check local listings.)
• Friday, January 26 – ESPN
Snocross Racing Round One, 8:30-10:30 p.m. CST on ESPN
• Saturday, January 27 – ABC
Snocross Racing Round Two; the broadcast on ABC is scheduled for noon-3 p.m. CST
Viewer’s Note: Watch especially closely for snocross action between 12:30-1:00 p.m. CST
• Saturday, January 27 – ESPN
Snocross Racing Finals, 8-10 p.m. CST on ESPN
Viewer’s Note: Watch for the snocross action to run from 8:15 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
WHO’S WHO AMONG POLARIS RACERS
Here are the Polaris racers who have been invited and/or have qualified for the Winter X Games Snocross Racing (in alphabetical order by race team):
• Andrew Johnstad and Mike Schultz of Avalanche Racing
• Danny Poirier of Cycle Worx
• Brett Bender, TJ Gulla, Levi LaVallee and Bobby LePage of Hentges Racing
• Ross Martin and Matt Judnick of Judnick Motorsports
• Shaun Crapo and D.J. Eckstrom of Scheuring Speed Sports
• and Swedish snocross racer Johan Eriksson
HIGH-FLYIN’ FREESTYLERS ARE A MUST-SEE SHOW
The Polaris snocross racers launch into big air on their extreme race tracks, but they keep the shiny side up and the track down – unlike their snowmobile freestyle Polaris brethren!
Polaris is extremely well-represented in this inaugural Snowmobile Freestyle competition. Riding the Winning Performance sleds at the Winter X Games will be:
• Aleksander Nordgaard of Norway, who is setting the sport on its ear with his repeated, nothing-to-it backflips.
• Sam Carver of Valdez, Alaska, a freestyle pioneer and well-known star of several extreme snowmobiling videos.
• Ryan Britt of Valdez, Alaska, whose career parallels that of his friend Carver’s: a pioneer of the sport, an accomplished performer and competitor and star of numerous videos.
Plus, the first alternate for the X Games freestyle contest is Polaris rider Daniel Bodine of Sweden. So turn on the TV, crane your neck up high and catch all the action.
About Polaris
With annual 2005 sales of $1.9 Billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
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