Ironwood's Pallin finishes in top 3 in last two snocross races

By PAT KRAUSE

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Ironwood - Ironwood's Kyle Pallin, now in his 15th year of snocross racing, is once again enjoying considerable success on the Amsoil Championship Snocross eight race circuit, which features many of the best snocross racers in the world.

Pallin's first race of the season was Thanksgiving weekend in Duluth, Minn. at Spirit Mountain, but it didn't turn out the way Pallin was hoping for.

Pallin got off to what he called "a very rocky, rough" season-opener in which he crashed his sled in both races and needed help getting his sled out of the woods in the second race.

Not pleased with his results in Duluth, Pallin analyzed his situation.

"I felt I was pressing too much and putting too much pressure on myself," Pallin said. "I decided not to worry about expectations and have fun and keep it light."

Pallin's next race was in Jackson, Wyo. on Dec. 8-9 and Pallin said his races were filled with highs and lows, but he did manage to pick up a fourth place finish on Saturday, so he felt there was improvement.

On Jan. 5 and 6 in Shakopee, Minn., all of Pallin's hard work and new attitude began to pay off. On Friday, Pallin once again got off to a shaky start.

"There's 10 sleds bumping and banging at the start and I got pushed off the track," Pallin said. "When I returned to the track, I found myself in 13th place. I worked my way from 13th to 4th place. You want to win or get on the podium (places 1-3), but I was pleased with my riding."

On Saturday came Pallin's breakthrough. He had a great start in the final race and ended up on the podium with a second place finish. Finishing second against the best snocross racers in the world is quite an achievement and Pallin knew it.

"That was my first podium for this year," Pallin said. "That's what you and your sponsors shoot for. I was really happy with my riding. My riding has gotten a lot better since the start of the season."

At Deadwood, S.D., on Jan. 19-20, Pallin had another good start and another good run finishing in third place and up on the podium once again.

"We are in a good place right now," Pallin said. "My riding speed is back to where it should be. We are halfway through our season and we still have a lot of racing left. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate my season a 7 so far and an 8 or 9 in the last two races.

"In the last four races of the season, I have positive expectations to get more podium finishes. More podiums and a win in 2018 would be nice. Right now, I'm in fifth place in our overall race standings, but I'd love to get in the top 3. I've been in the top 3 overall twice before. I know its possible if I ride well and right now, I'm riding as well as I ever have."

This past week the circuit took a break and Pallin was home to see his family and friends, cross-country ski and of course, snowmobile.

Pallin is also a very popular rider in our area and on the snocross circuit. Locally, Pallin has an extroverted, friendly personality that appeals to people and others feel a sense of pride that a local guy has been so successful on the national stage.

Pallin appreciates all of the local support he receives each year.

"A lot of people have been so supportive and so good to me," he said. "When I'm on the podium and they ask you to speak, I could be up there for an hour thanking everybody. And I could never thank my parents enough for all they've done for me. I'm very lucky-how many people get to do what they really want in life?"

On the Amsoil Championship Snocross Circuit, Pallin was voted a Fan Favorite for two years in a row.

Pallin fans who want to make it three years in a row can go to snocross.com and vote during the week of March 12-18. Voters can vote once a day on different devices such as computers or social media.

Pallin races for Team LaVallee of Longville, Minn. and is the son of Steve and Sue Pallin.