Bracket Motorcycles, 150 Mile-an-Hour Snowmobiles in Unique Dual Event
Defending Pro Stock champion Louie Wirbel of Marion is among a host of snowmobile racers expected to swap one hard surface for another this week to compete in the 28th annual AMSNOW Super Sled Shootout at US 131 Motorsports Park.
Wirbel beat Tina Duncanson of Acton, Ontario in last year’s final, directing his Ski-Doo MXZ through the quarter mile in 8.557 seconds at a finish line speed of 153.95 miles per hour.
Other potential Pro Stock challengers include 2015 AMSNOW champ Glenn Hall of Gordon, Wis., winner of last month’s NHRA event at Brainerd, Minn., and Oxford’s Scott Hagen, who was runner-up in that same race.
As they have in the past, the snowmobiles will share the asphalt with bikes competing in a “Dash for Cash” event that honors the late Tim Mills, former IDBA World Finals-winning rider and motorcycle drag racing promoter who created the original “Dash for Cash” series in Muncie, Ind.
Structured to pay back 100 percent of the entry fees collected in the ET classes, the “Dash for Cash” rewarded racers with more than $6,000 in cash a year ago. This year, in addition to Pro ET and Street ET races on both Saturday and Sunday, the “Dash for Cash” also will feature Top Gas (8.20 target), Super Comp (8.90 target), a Midwest Hand Clutch Shootout and a pair of Quick 4 events.
The snowmobile action will begin during Friday’s 11 a.m.-5 p.m. test-and-tune session. During time runs for the bikes, Pro Mod snowmobiles will make two qualifying runs leading into Pro Mod eliminations at 5 p.m.
The snowmobile action heats up Saturday with the crowning of Pro Stock, Outlaw 1000 and Pro Index champions and the running of Bracket Challenge number one on the quarter mile.
Sunday, Bracket Challenge number two will be contested at the one-eighth mile distance, the Outlaws will run at the same distance and the Woody’s Traction Products Grand Champion will be crowned in a race between the bracket one and bracket two winners.
After racing is completed Saturday, fans and participants will be treated to live music.
Among other notables expected to compete are defending Outlaw 1000 champion Cody Levasseur of North Bay, Ontario, Canada and brothers Kyle and Kelly Shilts of New Richmond, Wis., who have credentials in both the Pro Stock and Outlaw classes.
Both were Pro Stock qualifiers this year at Brainerd but, in the past, they have focused on the Outlaw events at AMSNOW. Kyle Shilts won the Outlaw Eighth Mile two years ago while Kelly was runner-up last year to record-setting Todd Serra of Commerce Township. Serra also is expected back to defend his title.
During last year’s “Dash for Cash,” Pro ET racing was dominated by Hoosiers including race winners Jim Underhill of Ft. Wayne and Mark Musselman of Wawaka. Underhill beat Howell’s Jason Drnach in last year’s Sunday final.
Gate admission each day is $15 for adults, children ages 6-12 are $5, under six are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Free parking and pit passes are included with each ticket. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days, on the track at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.
