Round 1 & 2: Tough Conditions at the Opening Rounds for 2021
January 11, 2021
After an abbreviated 2020 schedule and a long pre-season, the team was excited to get back to racing. The ISOC Snocross Nationals kicked off the 2021 schedule at the series opener, ERX in Elk River MN January 8th and 9th 2021.
On Friday after pro riders Daniel Benham #221 and rookie pro Francis Pelletier #220 posted practice times well within the top ten the team was looking forward to doing some racing. In round 1 heat 1 Pelletier lined up and cut a perfect light for the holeshot leading the first lap.
Unfortunately, the officials deemed his start as a “jump-start” black flagging Francis forcing him to the back of the pack and a 7th place. Benham had an uneventful heat with a 4th place finish. Round 2 heat one Pelletier redeemed his result with a 2nd, while in round 2 heat 2 Benham rounded to the checkers in third place. Both riders qualifying on the front row for the final had quite different first turn experiences. Pelletier managed to dodge his way around a first turn pile up with a top five exit. Benham was not so lucky, ending entangled in the 2020 defending champs’ snowmobile. Pelletier seemed as though he’d be bringing the #220 sled home to a respectable 5th place finish in his pro debut. But luck was not on his side, Francis experienced a premature expiration of his drive belt leaving him in a very disappointing 15th. Dan rode his way from the back of the pack to an 8th place finish. Dan was later quoted “those were absolutely the worst conditions I have ever raced in!” This comment after having his goggles ice up, impairing his vision from a freezing mist that rolled in just in time for the final.
Saturday the team rallied in qualifying with good results in a stacked field of competitors. Francis was able to qualify again on the front row for the final with a 2-4 result. While Dan went 4-3 in qualifying netting himself a front row start as well. Both riders ready to redeem themselves after the previous night lined up confident after qualifying. When the light went green it looked as though Benham was going to walk away with the Stud Boy Holeshot money. When the snow dust cleared it was not to be, Dan once again was hit from behind in the first turn. After the snow dust and carnage cleared both riders found themselves towards the back of the pack. Neither rider quit, they charged and passed their way through the pack at this treacherous venue. The track is very one-lined and unforgiving. Pelletier ran out of time in the end, narrowly missing fourth place on the final lap.
The team packs up and heads this weekend to Dubuque Iowa for rounds 3 and 4 of the ISOC Snocross Nationals.
Snocross – Elk River, MN - Results
Friday
8th - Daniel Benham (Pro Class)
15th - Francis Pellitier (Pro Class)
Saturday
5th - Francis Pelletier (Pro Class)
7th - Daniel Benham (Pro Class)
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Makita Tools, Rockstar Energy Drink, Ski-Doo, FVP, GMC, XPS, Baja Jerky, On X Offroad, Kwik Trip, SSi Decals, KYB-Enzo, CA Pro Skis, Stud Boy, Bell, Scott, ROX Speed FX, Mechanix Wear, Hayes, Speedwerx USA, Crowell Machine, Quadna Mountain Park
About Warnert Racing
Hill City, Minnesota-based Warnert Racing is the premier team in professional snocross racing and one of the sport’s pioneering “superteams.” The team is modeled after the most successful auto racing operations, managing the day-to-day operations of two snocross racers, including sponsorship, transportation, marketing, sled set-up, driver development, and technology development.
