Press Release –
Black Magic Powersports/Team Arctic racers Jim Wilson (#177 Pro), Nathan Potucek (#151 Pro), Arne Rantanen Jr. (#175 Pro), Jason Kangas (#24 Semi-Pro), Justin Morkin (#93 Juniors/Amateur), and Sara Larson (#6x 120 stock & mod) complete a successful season aboard their fleet of Black Magic Powersports prepared Arctic Cats in the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association (USCC).
Black Magic racers consistently finished very well at every event this year. In both the Pro and Semi-Pro classes, a Black Magic rider was the highest placing Arctic Cat in 6 of the 8 races. Jim Wilson was the top placing Pro Cat at 5 events and Nathan Potucek was the highest Pro Cat at 1 event. Jason Kangas was the highest placing Semi-Pro Cat at 6 of the 8 races.
Throughout the season Black Magic racers not only finished well, they took the overall win at many races. Semi-Pro Jason Kangas won 4 races this year, taking wins in Semi-Pro Stock, Semi-Pro Open and 440 at the Sno-Drifter 100 in Grafton and also taking home the win in Semi-Pro Stock at the Grand 400 in Garrison.
Our up and coming star, Justin Morkin had a very successful season taking home many wins. Justin took home wins in fan 600 at Munising, wins in amateur fan and junior 14-17 at the Grand 400 in Garrison, wins in amateur fan and fan 600 at the Full Throttle 300 in Garrison, a win in amateur fan at the Stallion 200 in Albertville, and wins in amateur fan and junior 14-17 at Minto. Sara Larson took home the win in 120 mod at the Full Throttle 300 in Garrison.
In the special “Triple Crown” events held in conjunction with the Sledhead 24-7 television show, Black Magic Powersports/Team Arctic racers showed very well. Our racers were the top placing Arctic Cats in 2 of the 3 events in both Pro and Semi-Pro.
We also were able to help Jason Kangas to the Semi-Pro stock class win at the Grand 400 in Garrison and put Justin Morkin in the winners circle at the Grand 400 in Garrison, the Full Throttle 300 in Garrison and the Stallion 200 in Albertville. Black Magic racer Sara Larson used her Black Magic 120 mod sled and cruised to a convincing victory at the Full Throttle 300 in Garrison.
The Black Magic Powersports/Team Arctic race team also took home 3rd place in Pro Stock and Pro Open points with driver Jim Wilson. Arne Rantanen Jr. finished 6th in Pro Stock points and 4th in Pro Open points.
Jason Kangas was 2nd in Semi-Pro Stock points and 3rd in Semi-Pro Open points. Justin Morkin took the top podium spot in Amateur Fan and Junior 14-17 points and a 3rd in Sport 85. In the 120 classes, Sara Larson took the points title in 120 Open and 2nd in 120 Stock. The “Triple Crown” was a three-race series, taking place in southern Minnesota and was televised on Sledhead 24/7.
Year end points and awards have also been awarded and Black Magic racers claim year-end points championships and a couple of awards. In the Pro classes, Jim Wilson was the highest Arctic Cat in points with his 4th place in both Pro Stock and Pro Open points. Jim was also voted “Rookie of the Year”.
Arne Rantanen Jr. puts 2 Black Magic riders in the top 10 with his 10th place points finish in Pro Stock and Pro Open.
Jason Kangas takes home the #1 plate in Semi-Pro Stock and the #2 plate in Semi-Pro Open.
Sara Larson earned herself the #2 plate in 120 Stock and 120 Mod.
Justin Morkin capped off a very successful year with points championships in Amateur Fan and Junior 14-17. He also took home a 3rd place points finish in the Sport 85 class.
Nathan Potucek was voted “Sportsman of the Year” by the USCC.
Black Magic Powersports would like to thank everyone who made this season a success both on and off the track. Special thanks to Russ, Mike, Al and Dawn at the Arctic Cat race shop. Thank you to Kim Chervestad, Dave Sabo, Greg Spaulding, Joel Hallstrom, Dean Lawrenz and many others at Arctic Cat for all your technical advice and help throughout the season.
Thanks to all the people at Woodys for your service and support and for the great traction products. Thanks to Mike, Barb, Jodie, and Arlen at Carver Performance for all the shock work and set-up. Thank you to Debbie Martin at SixSixOne. Also special thanks go to Smith Optics.
