Kyle Tapio Dominates Hillclimb World Championships

Kyle Tapio led Team Arctic to a hugely successful run at the 2013 Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb. Team Arctic riders earned seven wins, including the top prize – the King of Kings title.

The star of the weekend was perennial champion Tapio. Riding an Arctic Cat M800 HCR with the ProClimb chassis, Tapio tamed a gnarly course at Snow King Mountain, winning both the 800 Improved and 800 Mod finals. But that was just a warm-up. When all of the class winners competed in the final King competition, Tapio won the Improved, Mod and King of Kings titles in convincing fashion.

“There’s a reason that Kyle is regarded as the King of Jackson,” says Al Shimpa, Team Arctic Hillclimb Coordinator. “For the second year in a row, he won two class finals, two King-of-class titles and the ultimate King of King championship as best of the entire event. He is truly an outstanding hillclimb racer.”

Joining Tapio on top of the Snow King podium were two additional Team Arctic teammates. David McClure won the 600 Improved class in addition to finishing second in 700 Improved and third in 800 Stock aboard his Arctic Cat M800 HCR. Likewise, Jeremy Archibald led a Team Arctic podium sweep of the 700 Improved class. Team Arctic racers scored 19 podium finishes at the World Championships.

“I’m so impressed with all of the Team Arctic racers and crews,” says Shimpa. “Everyone came to Jackson with their best effort, proving Arctic Cat dominated the toughest mountain race of the year. With three races remaining on the RMSHA circuit, I expect we’ll see a lot more wins before the 2013 hillclimb season concludes.”