ISOC Announces “Throw Out” Races For Regional Series

The 2008-2009 ISOC Snocross race season offers yet another unprecedented option for its competitors.  For all regional series, the Points Championships will allow “throw out” races.  For example, for a regional schedule of six or less races, you can throw out one score.  For a schedule with 7 or more races, you can throw out two scores.   Thus, if you have prior commitments, or simply have a bad weekend, this gives you a chance to throw out that score and remain in a competitive position in the battle for the class championship. 

ISOC Announces Points Championships For All National Classes

The 2008-2009 snocross race season will bring with it many changes under the direction of ISOC (International Series of Champions, Inc.).

One of the most exciting is an opportunity for all classes racing at the National level to compete for a prestigious National Points Championship.  Previously, only the Pro and Semi Pro divisions vied for National Points Championships.  This year, all National classes will be able to battle for a National Title.  
The Eastern National race will be a non-points event for all classes except Semi Pro and Pro.   

The Valcourt event is also only offered to the Pros and Semi Pros. Therefore, these two events will not count in the points chase for all the Sport and Junior classes.

Nine Wins for Yamaha in Snowmobile Grass Drags

Yamaha Press Release:

Yamaha snowmobiles stole the show with nine pro wins at three different grass-drag events in Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21. Most importantly, Hauck Power Sports driver Jim Jones gave the new 2009 FX Nytro XTX its first pro-racing victory at the third round of the 2008 NSRA grass-drag series in Douglas, Minn., then added three more victories on Apex and Nytro machines. Greg Omasta also contributed three wins for Yamaha on his Apex and modified SRX sleds in Ohio, New York, while Bryan Eckel racked up a pair of wins on his Apex and RS Vector in Presque Isle, Penn.

[Read more]

New “Team” class added for the U.S.C.C Red Lake I-500!

Now you can experience the thrill of competing in the legendary I-500, but at a fraction of the cost and with your friends. It¹s the result of a new “Team 600″ class, which joins 11 “individual” class options for the 2009 Red Lake I-500 (Jan. 16-18) at the Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Teams may consist of two or three members, with one person tackling each day. The team can opt to use one snowmobile for the entire event or a different sled for each day. Eligible snowmobiles must be no larger than 600cc two-stroke or 1050cc four-stroke, of any model year.

[Read more]

2009 Ski-Doo MX Zx 600 RS

Ski-Doo debuted the MX Zx 600RS last season on the new REV-XP chassis. Results weren’t as good expected as racers fought suspension calibration problems all year. But nonetheless, the company says the sled was a success, This season, Ski-Doo designed its 2009 to be easier to drive and service.

2009 Ski-Doo MX Zx 600RS

“The changes reflect our priorities of easier handling, better cornering and better suspension … along with the need for extreme durability to keep racing costs lower,” said Francois Tremblay, Ski-Doo’s director of marketing. Updates to the sled include:

[Read more]

Boyesen’s CHANGE OF HEART Rage Cage Reed System Giveaway!

The first drawing is to be held on October 30th!

Lenhartsville, PA (September 5th, 2008) — Team Rosko Power Sports has joined forces with Boyesen and will be using the Boyesen Rage Cage system complete with Triple Staged Power Reeds to gain the extra competitive advantage that they are seeking.

[Read more]

Jeff Moyle: Always looked for new challenges

By Lindsey Fontaine

Moyle Racing is a team that has become one that’s synonymous with snowmobile racing. Gary Moyle won Eagle River World Championship titles in 2005 and 2007. Certainly, there having been some crushing losses along the way, but none as devastating as the death of Jeff Moyle, 30, who was killed in a parasailing accident September 14 in Houghton County, Michigan.

Jeff Moyle began his snowmobile racing career in 1996 on the ice ovals. “He always had the most sleds in the trailer,” said brother Gary Moyle. Over the span of his ice oval racing career, Jeff Moyle raced in stock, sprint and champ classes. Soon after Jeff Moyle started racing on ice, he took up watercross racing.

September '07: Jeff Moyle in his Rally Car.

After one season of racing in semi-pro ovals on the water, Jeff Moyle moved up to race in the pro class. “He was an incredibly intense person who quickly got very good at whatever he was doing, then he would move on to another challenge,” Andy Moyle said of his brother. After Jeff Moyle had his fill on liquid and frozen water, he chose his next challenge: rally car racing. 

Jeff Moyle began racing in the American Rally circuit in 2006 and wasted no time mastering that sport. His rally car racing career highlight came just two years after his first season when he qualified to race at the ESPN X Games this summer in Los Angeles.

Jeff Moyle touched the lives of all those who knew him and will be greatly missed. “The three of us were best friends and it’s never going to be the same without the awesome force that was Jeff and his personality,” said brothers Andy and Gary. 

Moyle is survived by his wife, Kim and 10-month-old daughter, Gracie, parents, Tom and Denise Moyle, and brothers Andy and Gary.

RYDCO Now Accepting Race Resumes for 2009 Season

Monroe WA RYDCO PowerSports.com is now excepting resumes from 9/16/08 – 12/31/08. RYDCO PowerSports.com the new kid on the block is looking to sponsor riders all across the U.S. We carry all of the major brands of Accessories and parts.

RYDCO PowerSports.com team members can earn $ for their hard work promoting and use that money to buy gear, parts and accessories. Check out www.rydcopowersports.com for more information..

You can also enter to win a $100.00 shopping spree by sign our guest book. No purchase necessary to win, contest ends September 30 2008.

Send your resume to resume@rydcoracing.com

About RYDCO:
RYDCO PowerSports.com was started with the love of the sport in mind. Our mission is to provide the best on-line powersports parts and accessories experience in the U.S. By providing quality parts at low prices allowing our members/customers to get the best value for their dollar. We will strive to exceed our members/customers expectations on price and delivery and we always look out for our members/customers best interest. We want to make them members/customers for life.

Very Sad News

I am very sorry to report some very sad news.  Jeff Moyle was Killed on Sunday, September 14th in a tragic parasailing accident near his home in Chassell, MI.  Jeff was a very competitive racer on the ice oval  and watercross circuits until he retired from racing snowmobiles after the ‘05 racing season.

I first met Jeff and the whole Moyle family back in the Summer of 1996.  The Moyle’s had decided to start racing watercross that summer and I formed a friendship with the Moyle family that continues to this day.  I don’t have the words to describe how sorry I am to hear this news. 

Please feel free to share comments or memories of Jeff Moyle.

Jeff Moyle (#44) soaring over a jump at the X-Games this Summer

HOW TO: Set-Up A Grass Drag Sled

By Jeff Oberg

Perhaps the simplest form of snowmobile racing to get involved with is grass drags. There are many races across the Snowbelt every fall and most have classes  suited specially for beginners and their stock sleds. Even though grass drag racing is pretty straightforward, it¹s necessary to make sure you and the sled are prepared.

Older sleds with a good setup can still be competitive in grass dragging.

Chances are you or someone you know owns a late-model sled like a Firecat, EDGE, REV or SRX just like the ones professional drivers raced a few years ago. Your trail sled¹s carburetors need to be re-jetted, the clutches need to be tuned and the suspensions must be set-up to get the most traction on dirt. Many of these set-up tips apply to impromptu, laketop drag races, too.

It¹s up to you make sure your sled is safe and legal for competition. Most circuits follow rules set by International Snowmobile Racing (ISR). Sled manufacturers¹ race shops and performance shops have access to ISR rule books, or contact the race circuit for class-specific regulations.

Suspension And Chassis Prep
Weight transfer is perhaps the most important part of setup for a grass drag sled because it helps the sled hook up and accelerate. An ideal setup allows the sled to transfer weight quickly at take off with the skis 1 to 2 inches off the ground and hold them there until the end of the run. If the skis touch the ground, the drag will slow the sled. Too much transfer would raise the front too far and not allow enough of the track to touch the ground for traction.

To check weight transfer, the driver should sit in ready position while a helper lifts on the front bumper. The front of the sled should lift fairly easy until the skis are up to 2 inches off the ground. At that point, the lift should require more effort. If this happens, it means the sled will transfer weight correctly, but stop the transfer with the skis hovering above the ground.

The correct transfer is set by lowering the front end and the back half of the rear suspension. The sled should be set as low as possible. The front can be lowered by installing soft springs, short shocks or by compressing the shocks with chains or straps. Shock spacers are the best way to lower a sled, but the shocks will have to be disassembled. Expect to pay a shop about $100 to install a set of spacers. Using straps to tie down the front end is cheap and easy, but it reduces suspension effectiveness.

The rear suspension can be lowered with a limiter strap and a shortened rear shock. Adjust the length of the front limiter straps and spring to tune the weight transfer. When this is set, the sled will pivot on the center shock and spring.  Once the correct length of the center shock and front torque arm is achieved, make sure the spring is stiff to prevent compression and hold the skis off the ground during the run.

Pointed Studs Or Chisels

Your race sled¹s track will need the right traction products, too. The best studs and stud configuration will vary by racetrack conditions. For example, chisel point studs work very well for starts due to the big face of the stud that can grab more dirt for traction than a pointed trail stud. However, a chisel stud requires more power to pull it out of the dirt.

A 50/50 ratio of chisel studs and ice picks works well on racetracks with a clay starting line. Use as few studs as possible to reduce weight of the track but provide enough traction to eliminate slip. Most rules require the length of the studs cannot be more than one-half inch above the tallest lug.

Carb Jetting
Stock classes will usually run 87 octane fuel in a stock engine and most rules state that up to 10 percent

Spark plug insulators should be light brown and the center electrode should have s fine white ring around the perimeter.

ethanol is acceptable. Fuel from a gas station may state that it contains 10 percent ethanol, but it might actually have more, which could result in disqualification. Have your fuel tested before the race. Some circuits supply fuel, so check with race officials.

To achieve good performance on race day, the fuel delivery needs to be adjusted by installing smaller (leaner) jets in the carburetors. Follow the sled manufacturer¹s jetting chart that compensates for altitude and temperature. Not all jetting charts are right on the mark, so make a few test runs to verify good performance.

Keep in mind that your sled needs to remain stock, so don¹t remove any air delivery components such as air box dividers or filters. Trail and stock classes do not allow engine modifications.

Reduce Rolling Resistance
Hyfax cause a lot of resistance in grass drag racing, so they should be removed and substituted with idler wheels where the track clips would contact the slide rails. Idlers with a rubber contact surface will cause more friction, whereas metal or hard plastic idlers provide less resistance.

Thin idler wheels have less contact area and reduce rolling resistance, too.

Grease can be removed from the bearings to reduce rolling resistance.

Low-resistance idler wheel bearings might speed up the machine, but this can be a costly upgrade. An economical tip is to remove the seal from one of the stock bearings and wash out the grease with a lubricating spray. Re-install the seal to prevent dirt and debris from contaminating the ball bearings. Be sure to clean and re-grease the bearings before you hit the trail again this winter. A track aligned perfectly will be most efficient and keep the sled rolling straight.

Clutching And Gearing
A dialed-in drive train is key to get rock-solid performance and start a trophy collection. The only way to find the best setup is through trial and error. A good starting point might come from performance shops, however these setups will usually need to be fine-tuned. Pick a clutch performance shop that has grass drag experience.

The top-end goal for gearing should be 85 to 90 mph for a 600cc sled and 90 to 95 mph for an 800 at the finish line of a 500-foot run. Sled manufacturers provide information about the gear ratio that will meet this goal. In most cases, the top gear will need to be reduced by four to six teeth, which means a shorter chain will need to be installed.

A clutch setup is more complex and will likely require the most test time.

A correctly set belt is the first step to ensure a good holeshot

For a starting point, a clutch performance shop can provide a clutch kit. At a bare minimum, the engagement needs to be raised a few hundred rpm from a trail riding clutch combination due to the increased traction on the starting line. This can be achieved by installing a stiffer primary spring.

Engagement that¹s too low will cause the engine to bog at the start.

Belt slip is more likely due to more traction at the ground. Lightly scour the clutch sheaves and belt with emery cloth between each run. Remove the dust with acetone or clean water, reinstall the belt and adjust the deflection. Clutch alignment should be set, too.

Next Page »