McCall, Idaho - The world's first snowbike race, Ground Zero, last took place at the 2009 McCall Winter Carnival in Idaho. Known as "Ground Zero," the event was a huge success, pulling in more than 1,200 spectators and a number of national-caliber motorcycle racers, including former factory motocross champion, John Dowd, who wound up winning.
A sour economy derailed the event in 2010, but at 2 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2011, the snowbike race, now known as Flash Point, will return to the 50,000-person McCall Winter Carnival. It will take place on the McCall Golf Course, just off of Main Street, and is expected to draw several thousand spectators and a number of participants from across the United States.
Snowbiking is a relatively new form of winter recreation, where a ski and a lightweight, high-performance track are fitted to modern, off-road motorcycles. Snowbikes are easy to maneuver and are up to 300 lbs. lighter than a snowmobile. They are also much less expensive and allow a dirt bike rider to quickly and easily convert his motorcycle for use in the winter.
Flash Point will take place on a three-quarter mile, groomed track on the McCall Golf Course that will feature both right and left hand turns and five jumps. The trophy event will allow snowbike owners, from all over the U.S. and Canada, to compete against each other for trophies, prizes and bragging rights. The Legends event will put famous motorsports legends on the track together, including: Idaho's, Zip-Ty Husqvarna Racing-backed, David Kamo, Dirt Rider Magazine editors Jimmy Lewis and Chris Denison, as well as former pro moto-crosser, Oregon's Shane Donaca, International 6-Days Enduro racer, Chilly White and former pro moto-crosser and 2007 world champion motorcycle hillclimb runnerup Pete Treadwell from Boise.
The event is sponsored by Explorer, 2Moto, Timbersled, Fastway Performance, Pro-Moto Billet, Fly Racing, SnoXCycle, HMK Clothing, 2M Motorsports, Klim, WorkSmart and Hinson Powersports and is one of the signature events of the 46th annual McCall Winter Carnival.
Special, Flash Point snowbike prices will also be available through Explorer and 2Moto, from Jan. 10-28.
Admission is $5 for adults and free to kids 12 and under. Practice and on-site registration begins at 11 a.m., with racing starting at 2 p.m., right after the famous, 30,000-person Winter Carnival Parade wraps up. In addition to snowbike classes, there will also be a kids 12 and under mini snowmobile snocross, supported by the McCall Area Snowmobilers and a class for Snow Hawks, which are a unique hybrid, snowmachine.
Ron Dillon, event director, said, "We learned at our last snowbike event in 2009, that
when dirt and rocks are eliminated, motorcycle racing gets closer. Many of these guys will be riding inches from each other, fighting for a spot in our main events. This is a terrific platform for us to help introduce the public to this new sport. Ground Zero will also feature the one of the best lineups of motorsports legends that has ever been assembled in Idaho."
For more information contact Ron Dillon at (208) 573-4255 or visit www.flashpointsnowbike.com.