Taylor and LaVallee win

From WPSA Racing

GAYLORD, MI — After a long night on Saturday, and fighting ever-changing track conditions, Steven Taylor (Pro Open) and Levi LaVallee (Pro Stock) won their respective finals during Sunday’s PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Michigan Snocross. The event was held on the ski slopes of the Otsego Club and Resort.

The duo also raced in the weather-delayed AMSOIL Duluth National, which was held on Saturday, as well as the early rounds of the Michigan Snocross, which followed the Duluth program, lasting until nearly 11pm. The Duluth event was postponed due to heavy fog.

Taylor (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) traded the lead with teammate Dave Allard twice before running away with the Pro Open final, winning his second career national event and the first of the season. Allard (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) finished second, ahead of Robbie Malinoski (Olah Racing/Arctic Cat).

“Our sleds are definitely the best out there,” said Taylor. “I followed Dave around for a few laps, and copied a few of his lines. He lost a little bit of ground halfway through, and I passed him. It was great to be up front with a teammate and a friend."

Allard also finished on the podium in the Pro Stock final, grabbing third.

“I’m really, really happy,” said Allard of his first Tour podiums. “Working with Blair Morgan Racing has been a great experience. This will give us good luck going forward.”

LaVallee, who sat out most of last season with a knee injury, proved his recovery was complete, winning the Pro Stock final. LaVallee took the lead from Kurtis Crapo (Arctic Cat), after making accidental contact with Crapo. Carl Schubitzke (AMSOIL/Polaris) finished second, followed by Allard.

“As I popped off that jump, Kurtis came across in front of me, and I saw him while I was in the air,” said LaVallee of the incident with Crapo. “I just clipped the rear end of his sled as he was trying to jump. It was just an accident. I spoke with Kurtis afterward. He’s a great guy and he understood.”

Other winners were: Semi-Pro Open, Phil Johnson (Kowalski Racing/Ski-Doo); and Semi-Pro Stock, Willie Elam (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo).