Tucker Hibbert Race Report: ISOC Duluth National

Defending AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series Champion, Tucker Hibbert, gained valuable seat time on Arctic Cat’s all-new 2012 Sno Pro 600 chassis and left the opening round of the series in Duluth, Minn. sitting second in the Pro Open Points Championship chase. The Monster Energy/Arctic Cat rider showcased his ability to move through the pack on a difficult track, making him a force to be reckoned with this winter.

With the shift to only Pro Open racing this season on the ACSS Tour, Hibbert and his competitors will race 15 finals spread over eight stops to earn points for the title. The 20th Annual Duluth National featured rounds one and two.

Hibbert had an impressive run in Saturday night’s final. While battling for third place on lap one, a kicker near the bottom of the massive downhill pitched him off the steep backside of the track. Still on his sled, he re-entered the track in 14th place out of 15 riders. After regaining his composure, he put on a charge that moved him into striking distance of the podium. Twenty laps proved to be not enough, forcing him to settle for fourth.

Sunday afternoon, Hibbert struggled to find a groove in qualifying, making him the eighth pick for the 15-rider, 20-lap final event. He found himself in ninth place off the start with all the top contenders in front of him. He picked off riders each lap eventually moving into third and finishing only one second behind second place.

“I’m disappointed in my results but am happy that we (the team) were able to come out of the weekend with consistent racing and in second place,” says Hibbert. “We didn’t throw anything away but as far as our weekend performance, it’s not where I want to be. I want to be at the front battling for the lead rather than fighting through the pack to get on the podium. I know we have the ability to get there. I’m looking forward to a weekend off before the next race to test and tune. Working on my set-up will help me focus on eliminating mistakes. I’m confident we’ll enter Ironwood as a stronger race team.”

The ACSS Tour will take a weekend off before heading to Ironwood, Mich. Dec. 10-11.