During a day of multiple crashes and hazardous conditions, Ski-Doo rider Tim Tremblay won his first national podium during the Semi-Pro Open at Hayward, Wisconsin on March 8, according to an AMSOIL press release.
Warm temperatures earlier in the week that were followed by a freeze created major difficulties on the technical track at the Hayward 300.
"Semi-Pro Open proved to be the race of the day, as multiple crashes and a mid-race accident characterized the outcome," AMSOIL representative said.
The race started with Arctic Cat rider Dan Ebert in the lead with Paul Bauerly (Ski-Doo) and Darrin Mees (Ski-Doo) following close behind.
"While Ebert grabbed the immediate lead, he soon began to fade and Bauerly went to the front of the pack with Darrin Mees in second," AMSOIL representative said.
Halfway through the race Bauerly was looking like the clear favorite to win, but his hopes were dashed when he crashed in a rutted turn. Mees slammed into him with a viscous "t-bone."
That opened the door for then third place rider Tim Tremblay (Ski-doo).
"Tremblay had come oh-so-close to capturing his first National podium several times earlier in the season, and now the opportunity was upon him to capitalize," AMSOIL representative said.
Tremblay finished the race with first place with Ebert, and Christian Salemark (Arctic Cat) following.
Pro:
Polaris rider TJ Gulla was able to capture a win in the
Pro Super Stock with the number one qualifier, Garth Kaufman (Arctic Cat), unable to catch him.
The start of the race was marred with a red-flag incident, which saw DJ Eckstrom (Polaris) unable to continue for the day due to a damaged race sled.
Gulla shot out for the early lead after the green for the second start.
Following the Vermont rider was Kaufman in second and Shaun Crapo (Polaris) in third.
Point leader, Levi LaVallee (Polaris) found himself in the middle of the pack and dealing with a swarm of riders.
"Kaufman made several runs at Gulla but was unable to complete a pass. Crapo held fast to the third place position, and crossed the line 2-seconds behind Kaufman," AMSOIL representative said.
"Gulla made it a victory sweep and solidified his place near the top of the standings by winning the Pro Super Stock class," said Polaris representative in a press release.
During the Pro Open, Polaris rider Brett Bender took home first and earning his second straight Pro Open victory, according to a Polaris press release.
Iain Hayden grabbed the holeshot and started to have a slight lead over Robbie Malinoski (Ski-Doo) and Bender.
The crowd was anticipating the second time in history a four-stroke powered race sled would be in the top box, according to AMSOIL press release.
At the mid-race mark, Hayden bobbled and it was enough for Malinoski to fight for first. While they were fighting for first, Bender found another gear and slipped by the riders to move into the lead.
"It was a running order that would stick till the checker and it gave Bender his second national win in as many weeks," AMSOIL representative said.
Hayden finished third and marked Yamaha's first podium finish of the season.
"This is what we've been aiming for all season, to break into the top three and we finally did it," said Hayden. "Getting a front row start makes all the difference in the world. It would have been nice to keep that lead all the way through but a podium finish is a podium finish."
In the Pro Women's final Arctic Cat rider, J.C. Hupe, took home here second win of the national season, according to a Team Arctic press release.
Team Arctic left the race with injured riders, when Dan Ebert suffered a thigh injury in the Stock final and Carl Schubitzke's a heal injury in the Pro class.
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