Team LaVallee’s Ryley Bester takes a podium in Elk River

   February 21, 2023 - As we reach the halfway point for the 2022/2023 Snocross Season, Rounds 7 and 8 were supposed to be held in Salamanca, New York, however with unseasonably warm weather, rain, and no snow within that entire area - Snocross made the decision to cancel that location and move the race to ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota. With about a week of notice, ERX had more than enough snow to host Rounds 7 and 8 which boasted a very large track with left and right turns, technical whoops and huge air. 

PRO / PETERSON

   2022 Rookie of the Year; Adam Peterson (PRO) was coming off of a second place finish in the race prior in Deadwood, SD and was ready to hit the track in Elk River. Peterson started out Round 7 on Friday with consistent qualifying, with taking two fourth place finishes in his respective qualifying rounds.   

   Under the lights, Friday night Peterson shot out of the gate into the top five. Peterson was hunting down fourth place the entire 10 minute plus 1 lap final and as the clock was winding down, Peterson continued to put on heavy pressure, ride strong and smooth and finished out the Round 7 final in fifth position.

   On Saturday, Round 8, Peterson started the day off with good qualifying, taking  fifth and third place finishes in his qualifying rounds, enough to allow him a front row gate pick for the Round 8 Final, Saturday night. As the sleds lined up for the final race, Peterson rocketed out of the gates into third place. Peterson was pushing the limits and ready to make some moves, but mis-timed one of the jumps and came down hard. Peterson regained his composure and reentered the race, and as the clock was winding down he continued to push hard and finished out the weekend in ninth place.

PRO LITE / BESTER

   Pro Lite rider, Ryley Bester who had an impressive start to his 2023 season, was ready for the Elk River National. In Pro Lite qualifying, Bester took a third and first place finish. 

   Under the lights Friday night, Bester had a good start and was sitting in the top five. As the race pushed on, Bester continued to run consistent lap times and smooth riding, Bester finished out day one, Round 7 in fifth place.

   On Saturday, Round 8, Bester started the day off with a bang, winning both of his qualifying rounds and earning the number one gate pick for the Round 8 final Saturday night. For the final Pro Lite race, Bester ripped a massive holeshot and was sitting in first place. Bester, who was riding strong lead nearly the entire race, but as the clock was winding down and navigating lapped traffic, he was eventually passed finishing in second place. This marks Bester’s fourth podium of the season.

PRO AM PLUS 30 / LIEDERS

   PRO AM Plus rider, Andy Lieders, signed up for the Pro Lite and Pro AM Plus 30 class in Elk River. With no Pro Plus 30 class on Friday, Lieders entered in the Pro Lite class, as he has done various times throughout the past seasons. Earning a fourth and second place finish in qualifying rounds, Lieders had a nice gate pick under the lights for the Round 7 Final. Off of the line, team-mate Bester ripped out of the gate, and Lieders came out mid-pack. As the time counted down and the laps pushed by, Lieders rounded out the night in 11th place.

   On Saturday, Lieders was back to his Pro AM Plus 30 class and continued his winning ways, dominating all day. Earning two wins in his qualifying rounds and under the lights Saturday night Lieders was the number one qualifier. Off of the line of the Pro AM Plus 30 final, Lieders was able to take the holeshot and continue on to victory.