The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page
LOCAL RACER PUTS PRINCETON ON MAP
Cody Robinson who races under, Robinson Racing (Reichert Sales & Service Ski-Doo) in the Mountain West Snow-X Racing circuit had a great year. In his first year as a pro rider Cody finished 4th overall in the 440 stock and 5th overall in the 800 open classes. Mountain West Racing is based entirely in the USA and that means a lot of traveling to places such as Yakima Washington, McCall and Driggs in Idaho, West Yellow Stone, Montana, Jackson, Wyoming just to name some of the race venues on the circuit.
Mountain West Racing has been hosting snow-x racers for 20 years and is considered the premier race circuit in Western North America. Racers come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northern California, Oregon and Colorado to race against the best in the west.
Cody is the youngest rider (16) and the smallest, and as a first year Pro knew that it was going to be his toughest challenge yet in his snow-x racing career. In the Pro division there were over 30 riders at times. Before you can race for the money you have to go through 3 qualifying Motos, then they take your results and put them into a points system especially designed to rank you. To make the front row in the mains you have to qualify in the top ten. If you don't qualify you have one last moto to make it to the main in what they call a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) if you win the LCQ moto you then have to line up behind the front row qualifiers.
As you can see it is no easy task to make it to the mains and Cody was able to qualify for every main this season. In West Yellowstone at the Snow-X Expo where all the top riders from all over the United States and Western Canada race and the final race of the year Cody placed 3rd in the Stock 440 and 2nd in the 800 open class. A great way to end his first season as a pro and against some of the best riders in the sport of snowcross racing.
Cody would like to thank his local sponsors who without their help he would not be able to pursue his passion, racing snowmobiles. Ed and Marg Reichert of Reichert Sales and Service, Princeton Castle Resort, Arcat Industries, Paul Bunyan Tree Service, Aunty Jeanine, Jebway Contracting, Osoyoos Signs, Diane & Arnie Willis, Uncle Noel & Aunty Gloria, Arnie & Lorie Powell, Kelly & Heather Herrick and of course Gram & Gramps Robinson.
Also a big thanks to Tom Reichert who made sure the sled was ready to go, Bob Reichert for a great job on setup and of course Mom and Dad for always being there. With out them I would not be able to pursue my dream. To all of those who were always with me in spirit and the ones who always had words of encouragement.
Cody was the only Canadian on the circuit and was always referred to as that Canadian Racer and because he was the only Canadian his team was able to stand proud when our own National Anthem was played to start every day of racing. He was asked many,many times where he was from, he would proudly say Princeton and they would say where the heck is that? So the story was told over and over. He not only brought recognition to our great country and our beautiful province. Cody and his racing team promoted Princeton with pride and made sure that they presented themselves in a professional manner at all times. You can bet they all know where Princeton is now.
Cody is looking forward to the 2005/2006 Mountain West snow-X season where he will be gunning for the top spot in both the Pro 440 stock and Pro open classes. His goal is to race on the World Snowmobile Association (WSA) Snowcross Circuit where the best in world compete to be the top racer in the world.
