Oskar Norum and Evan Christian opened the 2024 national snocross season with a pair of top 10 finishes under less than desirable weather conditions in Ironwood, Michigan.For Norum, the kickoff to the season meant getting back into race form after sitting out the majority of the 2023 season with an injury. It was also his first time lining up for the team after coming onboard during the off-season. Oskar and the crew made steady gains throughout the weekend going 5-4 in the qualifying rounds. Norum looked to continue the progress in the main event but was pushed off the track early on and faced with the nearly impossible task of moving through the pack on a mud sloshed course that had been battered with steady rain. A 10th place finish in the final left Oskar and the team hungry for more but confident they have all the pieces to get to the podium when the series returns to action in late January.
Oskar Norum –I am super happy with the new team and had a lot of fun during the weekend. I was struggling at the start of the weekend with the rain and the track conditions but I felt better and better each round.It felt really good to just finish a race again after missing so much last year and I know the results will come. I’m heading back to Sweden for the holidays, where we have a lot of snow and I have some places where I can ride or maybe build my own track while I’m there.
Like Norum, Evan Christian showed steady progress throughout the weekend going 6-4 in his Pro Lite heat races before winning the Last Chance Qualifier to advance to the main event.At start of the final Evan was among the race leaders heading into the first turn when the rider immediately in front of him came to a stop, blocking his line while the field raced by. Christian was able to race through the chaos and low visibility to climb back to eighth before a series of yellow flags in the closing laps limited further passing opportunities.
Evan Christian –The weekend wasn’t the greatest start but we got our feet wet, built confidence every time we were on the track and can really use it as a stepping stone for the next round. I liked the new format for the season opener this year with the Dominator on Friday and only one points race. Everyone had a chance to get back to racing mode but nobody is starting with two bad points days and the field is still pretty level heading into the new year.
Photos: Crystal Wallem Photography
