This past Memorial Day weekend Team Highside was at the Flat Rock Inn, home to the New York State Watercross Championships, for the first official practice session of 2009.  Although work started in preparation for 2009 many months ago in the race shop, this was the chance to make it all pay off and do some real world testing to make sure everything is dialed in for the opening race.

Matt and Luke both took their time breaking in their fresh race motors before really getting into it and trying to put in fast laps.  Some clutching and gearing changes, as well as a new race number (#99) was in store for Semi-Pro rider Matt Schebaum and all proved successful as his laps were already faster than last year.

Luke played with a couple different clutch configurations in the early rounds of practice trying to find the RPMs he needs to compete at the Pro level.  Before the day was over, the combination of his fresh Crank Shop mod motor and perfect clutch setup got him turning Pro laps.

Following our philosophy of always looking to take things to the next level, Team Highside has their sights set on competing in the Snowmobile Watercross World Championships in Grantsburg, WI.  Sanctioned by the IWA (International Watercross Association) and the site of the 2009 East/West Challenge, this event could be considered one of the biggest in our sport, a good finish promising lots of exposure. 

What's different about racing out there?  Races go in the opposite direction around the course, an obvious difference many racers find challenging to master.

Once all our sleds were dialed in by the end of practice Memorial Weekend, Matt and Luke, in true Team Highside fashion, switched a few chassis parts and went right!!  How did it turn out?  "That was no big deal" commented Luke after turning about 5 right handers at comparable speeds.  "Going right is fun" said Matt after doing the same.

And so the course is set...Team Highside has their eyes on much success going into 2009 focusing on many wins on the EWA and NYSWRA, and now a goal to head to Grantsburg to compete with the sports best riders at the World Championships. 

Check back soon for more updates as we gear up for the season opener June 27th at Darien Lake Theme Park in Western New York.