Hunter Sherwood 08/09

Twin Lakes' Member

 Hunter with his 08/09 1st place championship plaques from the awards banquet.

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Hello, my name is Hunter Sherwood #444. I am 9 years old and a  4^th grader at Trumansburg Central School District. I have been racing snocross for 4 years now. I started at the age of 6 on 120’s. I currently race in the Junior 8-10 class, I ride a Ski Doo 300 Freetsyle. I mainly follow the Rock Maple Racing (www.rockmaple.com) circuit which is the premier snocross circuit in the Northeast with races from New York to Maine and all states in between. I will also compete in a National race this year in February (www.isocracing.com)

            My main sponsors are Spruce Row Campground and Ingles performance in Pheonix, NY. But I have had a lot of support from a bunch of local people also.

Thanks to:

Mikes Auto Repair

Trumansburg Auto Parts (NAPA)

Tims Barber Shop

Koskinen Signs and Graphics

NR Boyce in Ovid

And of course my Grandma and Grandpa who come to almost every single race with us.

Also thanks to Twin Lakes Snowmobile Assoc. for adding me to your website so everyone can see what I am up to.

RESULTS FOR 2008-2009 SEASON

December 19-21 2008  Ride With Robbie race school-

            This was the first ever snocross school instructed by Robbie Malinoski of Boss Racing Ski Doo. Robbie is a past pro national champion and races on the national circuit. He spent three days giving us tips on set up and riding styles. It was a lot of fun. I think I rode almost 200 laps this weekend. My dad and I learned a lot. We also had tips from Brett Bender who is also a pro rider on the national circuit and whose dad owns the legendary Bender racing. We had a surprise visit from Doug Henry also. Many of you who are into motocross know that Doug put 4 cycle bikes on the map winning the first national title on one for Yamaha.

December 27-28, 2008-

            Pit X snocross track in Verona. New Years Eve Clash. I was only able to race on Saturday because Sunday was my moms birthday and we had to be home for that. But Saturday was a great day. I won both qualifiers and the final.

January 3-4, 2009-

            Rock Maple race in Malone, NY. This was my first Rock Maple race this season. All the best kids in the Northeast were here. I had a pretty good weekend. Saturday I had a first and a second in the qualifiers. I got a pretty bad start in the final but made my way back to a 3^rd place finish. Sunday was even better. I won both qualifiers and the final. Sundays tend to be my better days…

January 17-18 2009-

            Rock Maple race at Pit X snocross track in Verona, NY. Saturday started out great. I won both qualifiers and was geared up for the final. I knew it was going to be tough because there is a kid from Vermont that has been real tough all year. He and I were battling in the final and I came off my sled going over a big jump. It hurt pretty bad but I was able to get back on and finish the race. After my headache went away and I had a good nights sleep I was ready for Sunday. On Sunday I won both qualifiers and the final. What a great way to end the weekend.

February 7-8 2009-

            Rock Maple Race in Stamford, NY

This race was put on by the Central Catskill Trails Association. This club did a great job putting this event on with a ton of support from local businesses and sponsors.
Saturday started out great with a win in the first qualifier, 2nd in the second qualifier. I had 2nd pick for the final and I was psyched and ready to go, so ready that I jumped the start. I had to line up in the third row for the start after that. With 14 kids in the  class starting from the third row I had my work cut out for me. I ended up 5th at the end which is ok considering where I started from.
Sunday morning we got up to very warm temps, alot of the snow had melted and the pits were a sheet of ice. Our truck and trailer moved on the ice during the night because it was so windy. That was pretty scary. So because of the poor conditions Sunday  morning we only got one round of qualifying. I got a good start and won that race. The feature was a little tough. A couple of kids really stepped up their game this weekend and my rear suspension was set too stiff (thanks dad) and I couldn't run through the mogul fields as fast as I needed too but I still ended up 3rd. Still a really good points day for me. I should still be leading the points for Sunday.
Up next is the ISOC Eastern National race in Farmington, NY. The weather has been crazy warm this week so hopefully the race will still happen. I will be racing on Saturday the 14th.

February 14-15 2009-

            Amsoil Championship Snocross Series by ISOC. National race at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. Farmington, NY

"2/11/2009
Arctic Cat Eastern National Race is On!
 

February 27& 28, 2009

Tug Hill Invitational at Cedar Pines Osceola, NY

When we got here on Friday it was pouring rain. We went early in the day hoping to get some practice. But because of the rain practice was cancelled to help save the track. The temperature Friday afternoon was 47 degrees. When we got up Saturday morning it was 1 degree. Quite a temperature change.  The sky was clear and it was a great day for racing. I won the first heat, the second heat I got ran off the track right off the start and fell off my sled. I still managed to catch up to the pack before the race was over. I got a terrible start in the final and came out of the first turn around 7^th or 8^th. I manage to fight my way back to 4^th for the finish. Sunday started out great, I won both heats. The final was one of the best races of the year. Got more laps than usual (6) and I lead all the way until about half a lap from the end. 3 of us were battling for the lead the whole race and me and another kid ran into each other. I got slowed up and he passed me. I still managed to finish 2^nd.

March 28&29, 2009

Peak & Peak Ski Resort Findley Lake, NY

Saturday was sunny and 60 degrees. It is hard to believe we are racing snowmobiles and people were in T-shirts watching us. Saturday was not a great day for me. I finished 4^th and 3^rd in the heats. I finished 2^nd in the final but with one race left I am 10 points out of the lead in 2^nd. Sunday I had a 2^nd and a 3^rd in the heats.  I finished 2^nd again in the final. I just can’t seem to get back on top of the podium. I am 10 points in the lead though for Sunday. Sunday was pouring rain all day. The starting line had a foot deep slush hole and I was soaked.

April 4 &5, 2009

Windham Ski Mountain, Windham, NY

This weekend was a Central series race with points for the West series junior classes. The West is the series I am running for points in. So we got to run two classes each day. One for the Central and one for the West. Saturday was awesome. In the Central  race I won the first qualifier, finished 2^nd in the second qualifier, and I won the final. In the West class for Saturday I was 10 points out of the lead, I needed to have a good day and the kid in first need to have a bad day. That is exactly what happened. I won both qualifiers and finished 2^nd in the final which was all I needed to win the points for Saturday. Sunday I had a 10 point lead so all I needed to do was finish in front of the kid in second and I would win the points. I won the first qualifier. I crashed in the second qualifier and that closed up the point gap to 6 points because the kid in second won that one. I finished 2^nd in the final and that was all I needed to do to win the points for Sunday also. I almost forgot, I ran the Central class on Sunday and won both qualifiers and the final again. I had a great weekend. I left with two points championships and two final wins on the weekend. What a great way to end the year.

I really want to thank all the people that helped me out this season. Without the help we would not be able to do this. We are already looking forward to the 2009-2010 season. I will move up an age group and sled size next year and  will be running two sleds.