Season wrap-ups from Polaris race teams

News from two Polaris snowmobile race teams trickled into the Snow Goer inbox today, reflecting on the 2010-11 season and looking ahead to next year.
Cross-country and Enduro team Bunke Racing took 11 podiums on the United States Cross-Country (USCC) circuit, including five wins and the USCC Sportsmanship Award. The Bunke Racing team is led by veteran racer Gabe Bunke, but it expanded this year by bringing in Bobby Menne IV to race in the semi-pro division.
Gabe Bunke led nearly half of the 500-lap Soo 500 race before co-driver Aaron Christensen had to make an unscheduled pit stop. The Bunke Racing 2 effort headed by Jeff Klein qualified near the back of the pack, it worked up to fifth place by the end of the race.
“That was a great weekend for us,” said Gabe Bunke, a two-time Soo 500 winner. “I really thought we were going to get the win, but that’s how that race goes. Anything can happen, and it usually does.”
The team plans to expand for next season. “… the way cross-country continues to grow it seems like now is the time to make that move. We’re looking to bring on a new rider and we have a few guys we’re going to approach,” Bunke said.
Snocross racer Ross Martin, the leading pro driver for Judnick Racing, was on the podium 13 out of 16 possible races this season. He had four wins, eight second-place finishes and one third-place tally. He was runner up to Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert in both International Series of Champions (ISOC) pro classes. Martin also scored a silver medal in the ESPN Winter X Games.
“It was a great year and I am proud of our team’s accomplishments,” said team owner Scott Judnick. “I have been doing this quite a while but after this year I feel a renewed sense of excitement and confidence.”