The 2023-2024 AMSOIL Championship Snocross series returned to ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota, the heart of Snocross country, for the second-to-last stop of the 15-round series on March 22 & 23.

The Triple Crown three-final format once again favored Emil “Moose” Harr who qualified first in practice and proceeded to win the first two races from the start, leading all 20 laps.

In the third race of the night, Harr started seventh and climbed to first by lap 16, putting the Polaris factory-backed Judnick Motorsports team out front once again for the overall. 

“Friday was a great night and I felt strong the whole day and my speed was on top,” Harr said Monday. “I did over jump a triple and smashed my head into the bar and stretched my neck pretty bad though.”

On Saturday, Harr extended his overall points lead with a 2-3-2 finish for second overall, adding that he woke up on Saturday “super sore.”  

“The whole day was painful, but I was able to stay consistent and get second,” he said. “Happy with the weekend overall! It meant a lot to have my mum and dad here on such a good weekend.” 

Judnick teammate Kody Kamm went 6-2-6-6 for fourth on Friday and 6-7-9 for ninth on Saturday. 

“The track was crazy,” Kamm said Monday, adding that he felt decent but wished results were better. “I don’t know how to explain it. Extremely rough but very easy.” 

For Kamm, “this winter has been rough and I can’t wait for it to be over. I won’t be back to what I want until next season. Get back onto the dirt bike and build all summer!”

Krajicek Racing’s Eleanor Schmidt earned her third national podium of the season in the Jr. Girls 9-13 class with third out of eight in Round 1 Heat 1, a second in Round 2 Heat 2, and third in the final. 

“This past weekend was challenging but fun,” Schmidt said Monday. “The track was full of large jumps, which we haven’t had this year. Consistency is what Dad says we always need to focus on. Can’t win if you don’t finish the race.”

Schmidt added that she focuses each week on riding fast but safe at the same time and tries not to take chances that are too risky and could lead to having an off. 

As for her gear, Schmidt said, “I honestly cannot say enough good things about the KLIM helmet and goggles. They never fog up and the helmet is comfortable and warm. I’ve been through three visors this year from hitting the handlebars but the helmet has kept my head safe. I love my KLIM gear!” 

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Thousands of spectators lined one of North America's steepest ski slopes to the summit of Snow King Mountain, 1,571 vertical feet above the town of Jackson for the 47th annual Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb and Round 5 of the 2024 Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Association series on March 21-24. 

Racers negotiated their 500-pound machines up the technically-challenging climb with hard-pack ice to heavy snow and near white-out conditions.

Montana’s eight-time Snowmobile Hillclimb World Champion, Keith Curtis, one of the oldest competitors in the field, won 900 Improved Stock by .03 seconds and Open Stock with the only clean run over the top, along with Stock King and Improved Stock King with the highest cumulative score from both classes. 

Dylan “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Hart, who earned his first Pro class win this year (his favorite moment), said the Jackson hill made for a great show with different features and sections. 

“For finals they had a super fast and flowy bottom section then the top was set super tight and we had to cross the old trench multiple times, which made the first couple classes super tough up there,” Hart added.” They changed some gates and got the course opened up a little bit. It still featured headwalls, rocks, ice and the ski moguls up top getting through the lights. These are the conditions that Toby Shepherd, Sam Peterson, Keith Curtis and I practice in all the time in the mountains and train for.”

Hart, who also made a King run, said his KLIM Race Spec gear performed excellent with great flexibility getting across the sled quickly with no hang ups. 

“Had no issues with running board traction with the Adrenaline GTX Boot I always felt stable. We had a smorgasbord of weather this weekend with rain, sunshine, snow, fog and flat light. I continue to be impressed by the KLIM Edge Goggle and the convenience of being able to swap lenses quickly and easily right before a run depending on the weather and how the light is. I switched between the yellow and smoke lens multiple times and never had an issue with fogging or vision.”

Montana’s Toby Shepherd, pictured above with Hart, said the Jackson Hole World Championships was an absolute hit with tons of people, good racing and tough technical racing for multiple days. 

“It was a tough hill to qualify on and I felt really good going into the weekend,” Shepherd said. “The hill on Saturday was very challenging with rock walls, moguls and ruts that could ruin your run in a hurry, but I was fortunate enough to qualify for all five of my classes for Sunday finals.”

On Sunday, Shepherd said the biggest challenge was navigating the rock walls and moguls with a tremendous amount of speed. 

“The course was open enough to be fast but had many obstacles that could throw off your plan in a hurry and the consequences are severe on Snow King, even with a small miscalculation or mistake. Reaching the top of Snow King is always a success in itself and having a huge crowd cheering you on at the top is always a highlight.” 

“The KLIM Race Spec Gear exceeded my expectations in all areas,” Shepherd added. “The last thing you want on a race course is issues with your equipment and the gear is comfortable, light and allows for great maneuverability on the track. The weather was also a bit challenging but the Aeon Goggle allowed for great visibility in low light, snowy conditions. The KLIM Adrenaline Boot is also a personal favorite providing, great grip, light feel and great support!

Fellow Montanan, Sam Peterson, said there was a lot of room for error on the course that could cost you a win pretty easily, but it was as fun as ever.

“My favorite moment was getting to run the 900 mod over the top because those sleds were made for that course! My gear performed great and looked amazing,” Peterson added. 

Idaho’s Riley Kincaid, who earned his first-ever Pro win at Jackson, said the hill was really technical with low snow and lots of rocks showing. 

“The biggest challenge was making it over the top for me because there were so many bumps and headwalls to keep a smooth run going,” he said. “My favorite moment was going over the top in 700 mod and everyone telling me that I won! My gear performed amazing and kept me at a perfect temperature to make my run! It also made me look very sharp for the crowd!”

Idaho Falls’ Chase Summers finished second in Juniors (Age 14-18) on a fast course with super tight racing. 

“The biggest challenge was qualifying with so many fast people in the class, we were all within tenths of seconds of each other,” Summers said. “The highlight of my weekend was celebrating with all my friends and family afterward. All my gear preformed great and kept me comfortable and warm all weekend.” 

Idaho’s Tanner Meyers, who competed in seven classes – 600 Improved Stock, 700 Stock, 700 Improved Stock, 700 Mod, Open Mod and Vintage – said getting over the top of the hill is an awesome feeling. 

“This weekend was pretty good,” Meyers said. “I had some really good runs! Qualifying was pretty tough as usual. Got a little bit of everything, weather wise. The gear performed great as always. Whether it’s sitting in the pit, spectating or going over the top of that hill through a blizzard, you're gonna be comfortable and warm.” 

Canada’s Brennan Mulvahill had his best performance yet at the world championships – his favorite moment capturing second place in 900 Improved. 

“I thought the hill was great, very challenging near the top,” Mulvahill said. “The biggest challenge for me was finals day with having gate changes at the top right before my first class, not having enough time to jump on the gondola and the weather blocking the view from a spotting scope. I kind of just had to go with my instincts and reactions.” 

Mulvahill said KLIM Race Spec gear worked great – “not restricting me in any way. When the weather rolled in, a quick change to yellow tint with my Aeon Goggle and I was set.”

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On the motorcycle side, KLIM athletes at West Round 3 of the AMA US Hard Enduro series in Page, Arizona, on March 23-24, faced a challenging mix of course and weather conditions at the Grinding Stone Hard Enduro – from rain, sleet and hail to strong winds and sunshine – along with slippery sandstone, deep slickrock slot canyons, breathtaking exposure and incredible hill climbs. 

Arizona’s James Flynn was the top KLIM athlete in fifth place overall – a career best finish – with six checks in 2:17:28. 

“The final was super gnarly and I loved it,” Flynn said. “My favorite part was probably the new section called Game Changer – the splatter at the top was so fun and I was able to clean it every lap, so I was happy about that.” 

“KLIM gear has been awesome,” Flynn added. “I’ve never seen pants and jerseys be so durable while also fitting so great and feeling comfortable. The F5 Helmet has also been my favorite helmet I’ve ever worn. So happy to be wearing KLIM gear.”

Branden Petrie finished seventh with five checks in 2:12:40 and said his favorite part of the track was the drop off/jump in the final. 

“I was a bit scared of it but it was fun,” Petrie said. “I was very pleased with the entire KLIM kit this weekend. I stayed cool and it held up very good, even while sliding down rocks.”

Factory Beta’s Danny Lewis finished eighth overall in the two-day, knockout-style race – his best Grinding Stone finish to date – and said he is stoked to keep improving. 

“I got off to a slow start but slowly figured it out,” Lewis said Monday. “Favorite part of the track was probably the sand track. It was so prime for all the races!”

Idaho’s Eli Hammons took third out of 43 in the A class and improved from last year’s finish. 

“My weekend was very good,” Hammons said after the race. “I had lots of fun and learned a lot. My favorite part of the track was all the really big hits and my least favorite part of the track was the transfer sections that were all sand. 

“I feel like the desert type is more of like big hits and the woods is more slow pace , I like both of them a lot, so I can’t choose which one I like better.

As for his gear, Hammons said, “It held up with the abuse and sliding down the sandstone very good. I really enjoyed running the Rage Goggle. They did not fog up and I didn’t have to take them off because my face didn’t get hot.”

In the Pro Women class, Montana’s Addy Albrecht was credited with a third-place finish and six checks in 3:52:36. 

“My weekend started out amazing,” Albrecht said. “I led the class for a while on Saturday until I hit a mental wall and the fields caught back up to me. I was able to get past that and get 1 lap and 2 checkpoints, which I never imagined I could. I qualified 140 overall, meaning I was in for Sunday race 2.” 

On Sunday, Albrecht said, “I had a really good start until I crashed right after the start hill climb and broke my wrist, finishing off my race. I love riding out there every year because of the awesome rock features and sand, however it is very consequential.” 

As for her gear, “My KLIM gear was amazing! It kept me looking good and staying cool with it being super breathable! My F3 Carbon Pro helmet kept me from hurting my head when I broke my wrist and I couldn't be more thankful!”

In the Women class, KLIM ambassador Reagan Stone finished second with two checks in 1:30:40 and said the track was killer as expected. 

“Super challenging and the weather couldn't have been better for Saturday's race. I had a few good spills but nothing compared to the carnage I took last year,” Stone added. “I switched out of the XC Lite gear and am rocking the Mojave set up as it's a little more durable.” 

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A few states away, Factory Beta’s Zane Roberts finished third at the 100-mile Round 2 of the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship in Murphy, Idaho, on March 24 and said Idaho has historically been a pretty tough round for him as he DNFed the last two years in a row.

“While I was eager to push for a win, I was also just looking to get this race over with,” Roberts said Monday. “For some reason my bike would not fire at all on the start so I took off quite a ways behind the main pack. I took my time and decided not to rush to get to the front since this place has caught me off guard before.”

On the first 94-minute lap, Roberts worked his way up to fourth and, with about 10 mites to go on the second loop, Roberts caught the leaders and it turned into a 3-way battle for the win.

“I got to them but came up short in the battle to the finish,” he added, finishing two laps in 2:43:11 and seconds behind first and second. 

One week earlier at the opening round of the AMA West Hare Scrambles in Doyle, California, on March 17, Roberts finished eight laps in 2:41:07 for third overall and seconds behind Dante and Mateo Oliveira on a gnarly high-speed course without many technical sections.
 

“I knew racing was going to be tight,” Roberts said Monday after “a long day in the sand whoops.”

“I’m super comfortable in these conditions as I train in very similar terrain since I live close to this event,” Roberts added.

“We went out hot in the beginning and I wanted to stick in with the group so that we could possibly break away from the rest of the riders and then let the pace chill out from there.” 

About 40 minutes in, the pace was just getting hotter and hotter, and the Nevada rider said he decided it was probably in his best interest to back off for a while and leave some in the tank for the 3-hour race.

“I tried to conserve energy until the last lap and then drain the tank, which worked decently as I closed a minute on both of the front runners and nearly got to second, but I just gave them too big of a gap with the mistakes in the middle.”

Roberts is slated to compete for Team USA at the 2024 FIM International Six Days' Enduro (ISDE) in Galicia, Spain, on October 14-19.

Longtime KLIM Women athlete Megan “Braap” Griffiths showed up to the Idaho NHHA – her first hare and hound race ever – and finished second out of six in the Pro Women class, seconds behind the leader after the 3-hour race, for 29th overall. 

“I’m happy with my results and am excited to show up again knowing what I know now after doing one of these races,” Griffiths said Monday. “I had some bike setup issues, which caused some horrible arm pump and a lot of crashes. I know I can shave loads of time off next time with proper setup, suspension tuning and an oversized tank and quick fuel system.” 

“My training prepared me very well for this race,” she added. “I didn’t get tired and I felt fast when I didn’t have arm pump. Once my arm pump cleared up, I charged hard all the way to the finish.”

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Up next: 

Snow: 

AMSOIL Championship Snocross - Spirit Mountain, Duluth, Minnesota, April 5-7

Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Association - Zbroz Beaver Mountain Bash, Garden City, Utah, April 12-13

Moto:

AMA National Hare & Hound Championship - Round 3, Jericho, Utah, April 6 & Round 4, Jericho, Utah, April 20

AMA West Hare Scrambles - Round 2, Jacksonville, Oregon, April 13-14

AMA US Hard Enduro - West Round 4, Moab, Utah, April 13-14

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Have a race report we missed? Email us at racers@klim.com! 

Ride hard, ride often, ride KLIM. #KLIMLife