January 2014 • Castle X Gear

Hibbert Makes it Seven in a Row in Aspen with 12th X Games Medal

January 27, 2014 – Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert captured his seventh consecutive Snocross gold medal Sunday afternoon with a dominant performance at X Games Aspen 2014. The 12-time medalist is the first winter athlete to win seven back-to-back gold medals and is tied with snowboarder Kelly Clark to hold the most medals in one X Games discipline.

Images by John Hanson

Hibbert immediately set pace on Buttermilk Mountain’s technical counterclockwise track by laying down the fastest lap(44.4 seconds) in Sunday morning’s timed practice giving him number one pick in the 12-rider, 8-lap qualifying race. He was quick off the line in his heat race and led every lap to earn a direct ticket into the final.

With temperatures in the mid-30s and a clear blue sky, 15 of the world’s top snocross riders lined up for the 16-lap final event. Hibbert pulled a massive holeshot down the start straight and nearly high-sided in the 180-degree left-hand turn but kept his sled under control to hit the first rhythm section out front. With every lap, he extended his lead while the track continued to deteriorate and become more challenging. With full control of the race, he backed down to ride the remaining laps smart and smooth to capture his eighth overall gold medal by 13 seconds.

Hibbert and his team will now travel to Deadwood, South Dakota for rounds seven and eight of the ISOC National Snocross tour. Stay connected to tucker-hibbert.com to follow him chase his eighth pro national snocross title this winter.

Images by John Hanson

Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“It’s rewarding to get another gold. X Games is a super fun race and an event I’ve been taking really serious for quite a few years. It’s the goal to have everything go as smooth as it did and I’m really excited about it. I felt really confident and comfortable on the track all weekend. I know that confidence comes from the hard work, practice and testing we put in as a team before the race. I strongly believe in our program and it pulled us through this weekend again. The racetrack was pretty technical. The timing sections up the hill were tricky and it was choppy coming down the hill. It was really a mix of everything and one of the more challenging tracks we’ve had at X Games. I’m a racer and I’m motivated to win. I have to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing. I believe I have more years of winning in me and am excited for what the future holds.”

X Games Aspen 2014 – Snocross Final Replay
http://xgames.espn.go.com/video/10356056/monster-energy-snowmobile-snocross-final

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Eagle River Race Results

One of our Castle sponsored racers really put the hammer down at Eagle River!

Michael Lehman placed 4th in Masters Sno Pro 340 IFS X (The trophy is taller than a seven year old!), and placed 9th in Sno Pro 340 IFS X – Both with his 1981 factory racer.

Michael also placed 5th in Semi-Pro Champ, and 5th in the World Championship Semi-Feature (top two go to back row of World Championship) at the derby this last weekend.

Way to go Michael, and keep the hammer down!

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