September 1, 2022 – Longville, Minnesota Long-time Team LaVallee Snocross Racer and Ironwood, MI native, Kyle Pallin, has made the decision to end his professional Snocross racing career. Pallin, who’s been with Team LaVallee since 2012, comments about this decision . . .
“I’m sad to not be lining up with my fellow racers this coming year. But at the same time I am really excited for a brand new challenge, and seeing the value I can bring to my teammates as a coach. I am really happy to be able to continue being a part of the sport that has given so much to me.”
Kyle Pallin, known to the National Snocross circuit as Señor Smiley, started out racing at the young age of 12. Pallin caught his break as a professional Snocross racer by Team Arctic in the 2011/2012 Season. When Team LaVallee was looking for the next big racer to join their forces, team owners, Glenn Kafka and Levi LaVallee were drawn to Pallin for his fun personality and catchable sense of humor. Pallin made the transition from AC to the Factory Polaris team of Team LaVallee for the 2012/2013 season, riding as Pro and under the wings of Levi LaVallee, who was looking to transition out of racing.
“Kyle has that happy-go-lucky type of attitude and thought his personality would be a great fit on Team LaVallee. It’s hard to believe he’s been with us for 10 years as a racer. It’s always a difficult decision to stop racing professionally but with this coaching opportunity, I think it’ll be a great career transition for Kyle and we are really happy to have him.” – Levi LaVallee
Throughout his career, Pallin has earned multiple National Snocross wins, competed at the Winter X Games in both Snocross and Snowmobile Long Jump, and was named Snocross Fan Favorite four times.
CAREER STATS:
2011-2012: First Year Pro (Age 20)
2012-2013: First year on Team LaVallee
2013-2014: First Pro Podium (Duluth, MN)
and a total of 6 podiums that season.
2014-2015 Season: 8 podiums
2015-2016 Season: 4 podiums
2016-2017 Season: 3 podiums
2017-2018 Season: 2 podiums
2018-2019 Season: 2 podiums
2019-2020 Season: 3 podiums
2020-2021 Season: 5 podiums
2021-2022 Season: 1 podium
34 Total Pro Podiums
2 Pro Career Wins
Two- 3rd place overall in ISOC National Pro Open Points Championship
4 time ISOC Fan Favorite Winner
4th Place Finish: Snocross at X Games at 19 years old 2010-2011 season
4th Place Finish: Long Jump at X Games | January 2015
As Pallin’s racing goals became accomplished, a shift in his next chapter in life was ready to be turned. LaVallee, Kafka and Polaris Race Director, Tom Rager Jr., joined together and brainstormed the opportunity of being a Rider Coach for Team LaVallee, if Pallin was interested. After conversations, Pallin accepted the opportunity. Congratulations to Coach Kyle, we’ll miss him on the track but excited to still see him track-side at the races.
“Throughout my entire racing career I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by great people. Without them, I would have never been able to compete at the Pro level.” – Kyle Pallin
“Having the opportunity to be a rider coach has always been an idea that has excited me. I am really looking forward to passing on the lessons that Snocross has taught me over these last 19 years.” – Kyle Pallin
