Dyrdahl Extends Win Streak to 4
Bryan Dyrdahl Wins Stallion 200 in St. Michael, MN

St. Michael, Minn. (Jan. 27-28, 2007) - Bagley, Minnesota racer Bryan Dyrdahl won the Sled Head 24/7 Pro 600 class at the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association's (USCC) Stallion 200 in St. Michael, Minn. Dyrdahl rode his Ski-Doo to a field-best time of 2 hours 30 minutes and 54 seconds to give him a lead of 1 minute 48 seconds over second place Polaris rider Gabe Bunke of Moorhead, MN. Third place went to Arctic Cat racer Jim Wilson of Thief River Falls, MN with a time of 2 hours 35 minutes and 47 seconds followed by Arctic Cat rider Josh Glendenning of Stillman Valley, IL.

Bryan Dyrdahl extended his win streak to 4 in the Sled Head 24/7 Pro 600 class. Dyrdahl ran flawlessly both days on the 6.5-mile course. Polaris racer Gabe Bunke said the track was fun, but his sled pushed through turns on the lake because the carbide runners became dull after running on frozen dirt in the woods. "We pulled out a few studs from the track so I could slide through the corners," the Polaris driver said Sunday before the race. "It wouldn't carve on the lake after one lap through the woods."

The Stallion 200 was a two day race combining driver's times for both days. Sled Head 24/7 Pro 600 drivers ran eight laps on Saturday and 16 on Sunday.

The 6.5 mile course was fast with 4.5 miles on Pelican Lake and 2 miles on land. USCC President Pat Mach said some drivers were clocked at 106 miles per hour. Racers battled severe cold and limited visibility caused by blowing snow on Saturday. The lake running tested rider's skills due to their carbides becoming dull after running in frozen dirt on the land section. The woods sections became icy as a result of more than 140 racers competing during the two-day event. The Foxtailers snowmobile club did an excellent job in preparing the course considering the lack of snow.

Dyrdahl also won the Stud Boy Pro Open class. Bunke finished second followed by Jeff Gruhlke of Wyoming, MN Cory Grant a Ski-Doo rider of Thompson, MB won the Action Graphics Semi-Pro class. Thompson also won the Woody's Semi-Pro Open Class. Chad Lian of Thief River Falls, MN won the Carver Performance Vet 30+ class aboard his Arctic Cat. Jon Arneson of Maple Plain, MN won the Scott USA Master 40+ class aboard his Arctic Cat. Jack Bakker, a Ski-Doo rider from East Selkirk, MB won the Yamaha Sport 85 class. Lewiston, MN Polaris racer Paul Anderson won the FXR Legends 50+ class. Chad Lian of Thief River Falls, MN won the Black Magic Powersports 440 class aboard his Arctic Cat. West Fargo, ND Arctic racer Valerie Schaleben won the PowerMadd Women's class. Brad Arneson of Corcorun, MN won the Arctic Cat Amateur 600 class aboard his Arctic Cat while Roseau, MN Polaris racer Spencer Wrightsman won the Ski-Doo Amateur Open Class. Brad Cierzon of Winona, MN won the TekVest Fan 600 class. Chris Klie of Grafton, ND won the SnowWeek Junior 14-17 class aboard his Arctic Cat while Minto, ND Arctic Cat racer Adam Mach won the SnowTech Junior 10-13 class. In the 120's it was Moorhead, MN Arctic Cat racer Stuart Brandt winning the Sno-X 120cc stock class with Sara Larson of Fisher, MN winning the Sno-X 120cc open class aboard her Arctic Cat.

Valerie Schaleben returned to cross-country racing after a five year absence. "It felt good to be back on a race sled," said the Arctic Cat racer from West Fargo, ND. "The race course was fast and I really enjoyed racing today. I am looking forward to the next race." Schaleben won the PowerMadd Women's class with a time of 38 minutes 46 seconds over Jenna Sobeck a Ski-Doo rider from Winona, MN.

USCC's next race is the Mille Lacs 300 in Garrison, MN on February 10-11.