Tate and Eckstrom
Down Competition in Upstate New York
Team AMSOIL Snocross Wins Again
February 11,
2002
Vernon, NY ~ Team AMSOIL snocross
had one of its best overall showings at the
World Snowmobile Associations Yamaha Eastern
National. The races were held last weekend
at the Vernon Downs racetrack near Syracuse,
New York. Justin Tate won for the second time
this season taking the Pro Open final. DJ
Eckstrom stood on the podium twice for finishing
third in the Pro Open and second in the Pro
Stock finals.
Tate was not one of the top
qualifiers for the Pro Open final, but he
and Team Owner Steve Scheuring knew he had
a very quick sled. Eckstrom was one of the
faster racers on the course and was a favorite
in the final. Team AMSOIL was strong off the
start. Eckstrom was second and Tate third
for a long while. Tate then surprised his
teammate Eckstrom and moved into second. When
the race leader threw up his arms because
of an engine failure, it was Tates race to
win. A late race pass moved Eckstrom back
to third. For the first time since becoming
teammates Tate and Eckstrom stood together,
surrounded by their crew, on the podium of
a WSA final.
Eckstrom seemed determined
in the Pro Stock final. Again, he was a top
qualifier. Tate had a run in with another
sled and was forced to move to the final through
the last chance qualifier heat. Eckstrom had
a tremendous start. He came out of the gate
in second place. It was a two-person race.
At the end he finished no better and no worse
for his second podium of the day. Tate finished
in eleventh place.
Tate began the year by winning
the Pro Stock final of the Duluth National
Snocross. Eckstrom has had a steady diet of
podiums this season. Current point standings
have the AMSOIL team firmly placed in the
top ten in both classes with legitimate chances
for both riders to finish in the top three
overall. The next WSA will be February 15-17
in Valcourt, Quebec, Canada.
For more information on AMSOIL
and Team AMSOIL racing go to www.amsoil.com/racing.aspx
News Contact:
Jeremy Meyer
Racing Coordinator
(715) 392-7101 ext. 220