Recap: Steph Anderson
Photos: Lynnette Ross
There were a record number of spectators at this year’s Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial – Pine Lake Race. The Dyrdahl family and Five Star Productions gives back all entry fees, sponsor money, and registration fees to the racers. The record number of spectators and some very generous sponsors allowed the event to give out paybacks to every podium winner in every class.
To commemorate the 25 years since the passing of Gerald Dyrdahl they held a special race class. The 1997 440 Main. It was run in three stages, with two qualifiers and a final. The final was heads up with the winner getting $10,000. Each stage had a different driver. One of the drivers had to be a pro racer in 1997 or prior, and the sleds had to be from 1997 or prior. This year’s winners were Gunner Arlaund, Glen Arlaud, and Nathan Lindom. After the race Gunner said “Dad, Nate and I put a lot of effort into testing, and it really paid off. This was the most fun race I have ever run.” One of the conditions of this race is the winning team had to give their sled to the Five Star Productions and the sled will be part of the raffle in next year’s race.
Dan Revering won the Pro Factory 600. When receiving his trophy Dan said his Mom, who used to be a snowmobile racer, always wanted to win the Pine Lake Race and he was glad he could win for the Revering Team. Second place went to Gunner Arlaud, and Alex Hetteen took third.
Unity Gausen was the first-place winner in the Pro Factory Womens Class. Second place was Mckenna Cloose and Annie Olson took third.
Sharon Dyrdahl-O’Bryan said “The Dyrdahl family would like to say tank you to everyone who helped our family out this weekend. It was an awesome race. We couldn’t have done it without you! Remembering the man to who loved racing, Gerald Dyrdahl. He would be proud!” In all, the event paid over $62,000 to race competitors.
Mike Carver who raced in the this year’s Masters Classes used to race with Gerald Dyrdahl in the 1990’s said that “Gerald used to love racing on the ice. I thought of him while I was going around the corners during the races. I miss racing with my friend.”
Semi Pro Improved Stock Final had Evan Peppel, Jesse Hallstrom, and Boe Bunke running bumper to bumper and changing leads the whole race. Bunke started out in the lead, but in the end Pepple took the top place on the podium. After the race Jesse Hallstom from Christian Brothers Racing said, “The track was rough and choppy, but it was super fun!”
Gunner Arlaud Tops Pro Open
In the Pro Open Final Justin Tate was in the lead, but with in sight of the white flag he blew a belt. That allowed hometown favorite Gunner Arlaud to take the lead. The final top three of this race was Gunner Arlaud, Ross Erdman (who finished without his windshield), and Paul Brown. A fun side note is Gerald Dyrdahl used to race the #56.
Sport Stock first place winner was Adam Brandt, second place was Mckenna Cloose, and third place went to Cody Margelofsky. Other first place finishers were: Pro Vet 40+ Ross Erdman, Classic Kyle Grover, Expert 600 Limited Brady Wadena, Masters 50+ Mike Carver, Masters 40+ Mike Carver, Trail Adam Brandt, Boys 14 – 17 Brady Wadena, Girls 14 – 17 Unity Gausen, Boys 10 – 13 Rielly Clark, and Girls 10 – 13 Tayler Cloose.
