Kislowski Racing preps for 2016 ECS season; Seven-rider Arctic Cat team gets ready for battle
GLENVILLE, New York (Nov. 21, 2015) – With the national snocross opener now less than a week away, another of the northeast’s premiere race teams is busy preparing for a seven-rider assault on tracks here in the northeast.
Kislowski Racing, based in Glenville, New York, has assembled a group of seven experienced and talented athletes to compete for class championships on the East Coast Snocross (ECS) series.
The team will field a fleet of 2016 Arctic Cat ZR race sleds out of All Seasons Arctic Cat in Scotia, NY, for New York native Chris Coleman (Pro Open); Michael Newman (Sport), Justin Kretzler; Theresa Max (Jr. Women); the talented brother act of Ethan and Owen Gagne (Junior classes), of Clarksburg, Mass.; and Steven Max (Jr. 10-13 classes).
Team owner Jim Kislowski has been involved with both snowmobile and dirt track auto racing for many years. The 2015-16 season brings change for him with daughter Cassidy out after recent hip surgery, yet his passion for racing and enthusiasm for snocross bring a welcomed challenge.
“I’m obviously sad that Cassidy will miss the season,” Kislowski said. “But I’m also excited about the talent and potential of this team. I have to offer a special thanks to All Seasons Arctic Cat, New York’s oldest Arctic Cat dealer. We look forward to representing them and the Arctic Cat brand with pride here in the northeast. I think we’re poised to have a strong season across the board.”
With a mix of veterans, rising stars and a great depth of talent under his guidance, Kislowski says he’s excited about the goals this two-trailer squad of dedicated riders can accomplish.
Coleman, of Albany, New York, will advance to the Pro Open class after working his way up the ladder in a 10-year career. As if the intense competition in Pro wasn’t enough, Coleman will need to quickly adapt to a new brand of sled to make his challenge even greater.
“I’m super excited about the opportunity to ride for Kislowski Racing and Arctic Cat in 2016,” Coleman said. “I just returned from Minnesota where we picked up my new Mod sled. It’s in the shop now and is going to be a great sled. I’d love to have some seat time on it before we go points racing, and I’m anxious to get my feet wet in the Pro class. I think 2016 will be challenging yet rewarding.”
Newman, of Stamford, Connecticut, claimed four Junior class championships last winter in an impressive performance. For 2016, he steps up to the Sport class to further hone his skills against some faster riders. He’s one of the next generation of snocross athletes coming up through the ranks in ECS.
Kretzler, 19, of Rotterdam, New York, has been racing sleds for seven years. A former three-sport athlete, he got hooked on snocross and has been making great strides in recent seasons. Justin will make a strong team even stronger with his ability and passion for racing.
Teresa Max, 14, of Ottsville, Penn., has already been racing snowmobiles for nine years. She moved up to the full-size track after five seasons of competing on a 120cc sled, where most of today’s top riders got their start. Theresa earned second and third-place finishes in the Women’s 600cc Novice class in 2013-14 and received the prestigious “Women’s Rising Star Award” from ECS officials in March.
Kislowski Racing would like to thank its highly-valued marketing partners, including primary partner All Seasons Arctic Cat; along with associate partners Woody’s, MAC Tools, Camara Slate, Mike’s Towing and Recovery, J & J Holding, NAPA Auto Parts of Schenectady, ROX, Speedwerx, C&A Pro Skis, Desantis Remodeling, G.F.Y., Studboy, AMSOIL, VP Race Fuels, Gagne Mechanical, IAFF, Sharifipour Network, Clark Myers Paving, Speedwerx, Yorkmont Auto, Arctic Cat snowmobiles and Dragon Alliance goggles. Without their support, this team could not attempt such an ambitious schedule.
