Interview with Andy Thomas: RMSHA 2017 Racer of the Year

This past December 2017, we caught up with Andy Thomas, 2017 Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) Racer of the Year award recipient. Andy Thomas, a 22-year-old native from Afton, WY, began racing in the RMSHA circuit in 2013. For the 2017 season, Andy Thomas consistently finished in the top five. He faced some challenges head on, coming out ahead and finishing the season as a strong competitor. Apparently, he was strong enough to earn the respect of his fellow RMSHA racers, who voted him, “Racer of the Year.”  

Andy Thomas, a 22-year-old native from Afton, WY, began racing RMSHA circuit in 2013.

We met up with Andy in Jackson, WY, and headed for Togwotee Pass. As we climbed into Andy’s Ram truck, one item in his truck immediately caught our attention, was a bolt action .22 rifle. This might give the average person pause, but having rubbed shoulders with others from Afton, WY, we knew this was a standard operating procedure (SOP). Those born in Afton are issued an SOP, which instructs on proper tough guy techniques, such as the aforementioned Ram trucks, beards, and rifle next to the driver. There are more tough-guy techniques; that would require another article.  

As we drove past the Tetons we started discussing the RMSHA circuit, and snowmobiles. Andy started riding at the age of 14 on a Polaris Dragon, where he rode in the backcountry outside Afton with some of his friends. He was influenced by a local Afton racer, the former Team Yamaha hillclimber, Gavin Balls. At the age of 17, the lure to race was great, and during his high school senior year, he started racing in the RMSHA Circuit on Ski-doo sleds, where he competed in Semi-Pro 800 Stock, Improved, and Mod. After his first year, he switched to Polaris. After two years in Semi-Pro, he moved to Pro in the 600cc classes, then eventually to the 800 Pro class, where the elite of RMSHA competes. Andy stated that the transition from Semi-Pro to Pro wasn’t that difficult, however, in the Pro class, he was now competing against the racers that he looked up to.  

During the Winter on non-race weekends, he rides the backcountry and mountains outside of Afton, WY.

To stay in good hill climbing shape, Andy trains all year long. In the offseason, he rides dirt bikes and mountain bikes in his native mountains, which keeps his mind sharp as these backcountry activities require constant terrain and obstacles negotiation. Andy also hits the gym at least five times a week doing a lot of cardio workouts, including high repetitions with low weight, attempting to mimic the requirements of racing a 450-pound machine up a snowy mountain at breakneck speeds.  

During the winter on non-race weekends, he rides the backcountry and the mountains outside Afton. He says he loves to freeride because it is very laid back and fun with his friends. He stated he is a competitive person and racing eight weekends out of the year, allows him to challenge himself, and then when he excels at racing, there is no other feeling like it.  

During the last race of the year at Targhee in Wyoming, Andy was voted Race of the Year by his fellow racers. Andy said it was very humbling, yet he was honored to have such a distinction.

Andy stated racing has a way of sucking up all of his time when he is not working or exercising. He puts in a full day’s work then puts in almost another full day working on his race snowmobiles, which are all mountain-specific snowmobiles. His family and friends understand as they know how much racing means to him.  

When asked about getting sponsors, he had an interesting response, “the best way to get sponsors is to not do it for sponsors, but do it for yourself, do it because you love the sport, and the results will get the sponsors you need.”  

During the 2017 Jackson Hillclimb, Andy’s 600-mod seized, and then was demolished as it rolled down the mountain.

Andy’s favorite mountain to race on is on Jackson Hole’s Snow King Mountain. The hillclimb race famously known as the Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb motivates Andy as he likes the fans and the atmosphere. Also, the hillclimb in Jackson Hole, is a favorite for many racers, because it is by far the most attended race by both racers and fans, and it receives the most publicity. Snowmobile icons are usually seen at this event, also many vendors come to the event, including clothing manufacturers, aftermarket performance makers, and the snowmobile manufacturers.  

One big plus for Snow King Mountain is it’s on the edge of town and people can watch the races from many town locations. Snow King is also a steep mountain leaving little room for error. The event relies on many volunteers that act as hill help (snowmobile catchers). When a snowmobile gets hung up on rocks or spin out due to the lack of traction, the hill help attempts to rush in, grab the snowmobile and keep it from tumbling down a few thousand feet. If the hill help can’t secure the snowmobile before it starts its self-destructing path to the bottom, there is a safety net at approximately one-third the way up that is supposed to catch the snowmobiles before it rockets down into the crowd assembled at the bottom. YouTube is full of spectacular crashes of just such events.  

To stay in good hillclimbing shape, Andy trains all year long. In the off-season, he rides dirt bikes and mountain bikes in his native mountains.

Andy was a relatively unknown racer outside RMSHA, heading into the Jackson Hillclimb in 2017. During the 600-mod event, there was an incident that started setting him apart. On his way up Snow King Mountain, his modified Polaris snowmobile motor seized; there wasn’t enough snow on the course to keep the motor running cool. Due to the Snow King Mountain’s steep angle, Andy’s snowmobile began sliding down the mountain — backward. The hill help attempted to keep his snowmobile from careening down the mountain, but they couldn’t as they didn’t arrive in time to catch the seized 600 mod.  

As the snowmobile gained speed, Andy bailed from the snowmobile as it started to tip over, where it tumbled repeatedly down a good portion of the mountain until it was caught by the aforementioned the safety net. The snowmobile was virtually destroyed. The tunnel, bulkhead, A-arms, skid frame, and almost every single part was bent beyond repair. Andy said he had spent more time with that snowmobile — installing parts, tuning, and riding — than he spent with his own family. He said it was crushing to watch his snowmobile be demolished within a matter of moments.  

After this setback, back in the racer’s pit area, Andy said didn’t want to race anymore. Yet, his Polaris team Captain Tyson Thomas pulled him aside and made sure he was physically OK, then he said, “these are the moments that define us, you can use it as fuel, or use it as fear.” Andy then made his choice. With the 600 mod class wrapped up, 700 stock was his next class to race in. Andy, fueled by pure determination earned first place in 700 stock.  

After Jackson, Andy placed in the top five in almost every class he entered, with some top three finishes as well. During the last race of the year at Targhee in Wyoming, Andy was voted Racer of the Year by his fellow racers. Andy said it was very humbling, yet he was honored to have such a distinction.  

Andy stated that his success, strong season, and awards are directly related to the decision to get back on the snowmobile at Jackson, facing his challenges head-on.

Andy stated his success, his strong season finish, and his awards, are directly related to the decision to get back on the snowmobile at Jackson, facing his challenges head-on (also in the Tough Guy SOP).  

For the 2018 season, Andy said his goals are to not just get consistent top-five finishes, like he has done in the past, but to be a consistent top three finisher, with multiple first-place finishes; he wants multiple points-championships to go along with the top placing results. He is all in this year. Andy is on Facebook and Instagram.