Tate Qualifies Second AMSOIL Sled for Winter X Games

December 6-7 ~ Justin Tate doesn't have to wonder anymore. The talented Team AMSOIL snocross driver is in the 2004 ESPN Winter X Games. Tate finished second in the X Games qualifier at Park X at Quadna Mountain in Hill City, Minnesota. The top three positions of the Park X event move on to Aspen, Colorado for the games January 24-27.

This was Tate's second shot at getting into the X Games. At the Duluth National Snocross last month, he was well on his way to getting the pass until the brakes on his Polaris sled locked up. It was bad timing, but really not much concern to Tate and AMSOIL Team Owner Steve Scheuring. They knew the had two more shots to enter the prestigious national field of snocross racers. "Justin is far too talented to miss getting into the games. We had the sleds working just right this weekend. The rest was up to him," said Scheuring.

Joining Tate will be AMSOIL-sponsored racer TJ Gulla of So Hero, Vermont. He earned his entrance at Park X, too. Gulla is also the defending X Games Hillcross Champion and a veteran of the Rock Maple Racing circuit. Already in the field because of his Silver Medal performance last year is Tate's Team AMSOIL partner DJ Eckstrom. Tate and Eckstrom are expected to compete in the Hillcross this year as well.

Tate and Eckstrom had a busy weekend at Park X. They also competed in the Pro Stock and Pro Open events of a World Snowmobile Association Regional event. Tate finished second in Pro Open and fifth in Pro Stock. Eckstrom, still recovering from knee surgery, earned seat-time and cruised to a fourth in Pro Open and fifth in Pro Stock.

The next WSA National Pro event is the Canadian Open Snocross set for December 12-14 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

See AMSOIL/Polaris/Scheuring Snocross Team Page

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AMSOIL Racing Coordinator
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racing@amsoil.com

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