Racing
of the Lochsa Backcountry
Team Lochsa Racing
We are proud to participate, cheer, advocate, race, and always try to win in RMSHA’s snowmobile hillclimb races. Although many racers have come and gone, racing will always be a major part of who we are. Check out the the RMSHA schedule here.
VINTAGE SNOWMOBILES TAKE OVER THE LOCHSA!
This March the Lochsa Lodge and Team Lochsa hosted our 3rd annual vintage snowmobile meet with the great Western Montana Vintage Snowmobile Enthusiasts.
One of the highlights of the year is getting the privilege to spend a weekend admiring these vintage machines… but also putting them to the test! This year that meant some serious racing; both against the clock, and against each other. The course was a hoot, and it was truly a blast to push these old but mighty sleds to the limit…
In the end the winner of the Bledsoe Cup was the almighty Steve Clark on his 80’s Yamaha race buggy! Fastest lady went to Lisa Bailey!
An honorable mention goes out to our very own Matt Whetzel throwing down the second fastest time of the day on the 1967 Ski-Doo Olympic- the oldest sled on the snow that day!
Major shout out to the Grangeville Snowgoers for joining in on the event and making it a heck of a turn out on top of our usual group!!
For more info and photos check out Western Montana Snowmobile Enthusiasts on Facebook!!
NEW!!: Jackson World Championship Team Lochsa Hot Take:
This Year was my first time being at the big show without a race jersey on my back… Humbling indeed to by-stand and see Snow King in a whole new light. Instead of being fired up to put down fast times and make it through treacherous bomb holes and rock gardens, I sat back and really keyed in on our favorite riders and coaches. I watched the different riding styles, and the ways these pros have adjusted to the equipment that seems twice as good each new season.
The weekend started out really nicely as I got to see the new rockstar womens pro Iyla Pearl Edwards absolutely put on a clinic against the young men in the Juniors class as she was still too young to race the Women’s class at Jackson. At only 15, she is showing signs of pure professionalism in her aggressive approach to racing… entering every corner wide open! After that, it was a real treat to watch Lucas Conger- a Team Lochsa favorite- absolutely dominate in the Semi-Pro Class… winning 2 out of 3 classes and securing Semi-Pro King of the Hill! His riding ability quantum leaps every year and its downright fun to see!
On the pro side of things, the amount of action was simply as good as it gets… Team Lochsa racer Will Burgess threw down some incredible runs on his Arctic Cat, which was crazy to think they could be some of the last runs up Snow King on a factory Arctic Cat race sled. When it came to finals… things really got saucy. Some of the best racers to ever live faced adversity like I have never seen before, the day was filled with uncharacteristic mishaps as the course was extremely technical. It was a honor to watch so many Team Lochsa coaches of the past battle it out in high fashion for the King Of Kings title… Jay Mentaberry came in with two incredible wins in the 700 and 600 mod classes and left with the Racer of the Year award! Blaine Mathews raced up Snow King with perhaps more determination than ever securing a stock class win that enabled him to go on and win the Stock King title! This was the first time a ski-doo took the stock king title in 15 years! Then Keith Curtis layed down one of the most nail biting performances I can remember in Jackson. With two runs coming apart on him during the king battles… he had everyone on the edge of their seat with no clue who could end up winning it all. With only one run left, on an improved sled… it all came together, it was clear his mental toughness was tested like never before but he came away with King of Kings for the 9th time in his career! Congrats all you tough racers!
-Luke Bledsoe
To get a solid look at the action up close, follow Team Lochsa prized member Joaquin Trevolline on instagram- @expressive_medias. He was able to capture all the action and make some edits that put it all into perspective!!
ALY BLEDSOE #131
LUKE BLEDSOE #414
TYLER PIGHIN #812c
BEN CILENSEK #72
WILL BURGESS #541
COACH KEITH CURTIS #711
COACH BLAINE MATHEWS #230
COACH JAY MENTABERRY #411
COACH JON NORMAN #79
COACH GARRETT HOBBS
TEAM LOCHSA CREW
Background
It was all started when one of our Mountain rider members, Jon Norman, told us he had a lifelong dream to try racing out. Next thing we knew, we were deep in the racing business and supporting not only Jon but other outstanding talented racers who like ripping up crazy steep hills. It is an absolute ball and we hope to incubate some of the best new riders in the sport. Jon went on to take first place at Jackson Hole’s World Championship in Semi-Pro Improved Class and now coaches other Team Lochsa riders to go follow a similar dream.
The best part about racing has turned out to be the discipline it demands and the related skills and techniques it develops. The athleticism of this sport is hard to match and the mental part of the sport is most critical. The best part is, when you finally want to walk away from it, you’ve gained incredible new skills for life that translate to improved mountain riding and more fun on any hill in the future. We would love to see more women riders and youth in the sport.
Team Lochsa Race program includes helping train member racers, sharing racing tips, shop time at headquarters, working with the vendors for endorsements and sponsorships providing assistance, transportation, and support at the races, and many other benefits. In addition, we have our own contingency program for member racers.
If you are a member and in good standing and want to race, we want you to as well.
You will need to fill in a short application, telling us about your ability to commit to racing and commitment to the sport, and give us some background. Existing Racers in the circuit are also encouraged to join Team Lochsa and get on our TL racing roster. This organization will not only support you but you are also part of a bigger value ecosystem in Team Lochsa that spends money and time working to keep land open and the sport vibrant. Applications are approved or denied by a committee appointed by the board. Email us at teamlochsa@msn.com if you are interested in our team.
