A new national snocross team was announced the morning of August 10, and it includes the return of an X Games champion to the North American snocross scene.
The Skogquist Race Team will feature Petter Narsa as its Pro driver for the 2022-23 snocross season. Narsa was a mainstay for several years on No. 54 Polaris, competing for Hentges Racing. His first big breakthrough win came at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in March of 2016. The following year, he struck gold at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado. With Skogquist, Narsa will switch to Ski-Doo equipment. The press release photo above shows a No. 17 sled, but the team’s Facebook page says Narsa will rock the No. 27.
The Swede battled miscellaneous injuries that shortened some seasons, but finished as high as fifth in Pro points – that was 2017. His other top 10 seasons were when he finished eighth in 2014 and seventh in 2016 and 2019. He decided to leave the ISOC circuit after the 2018-2019 season and has raced exclusively in Europe the last couple of seasons. Narsa, now 30, will be reunited with one of his lead mechanics, Levi Ensrud.
The Skogquist team will also feature racers in six other classes — it’s going to be a busy trailer for sure. They’ll be based out of Ramsey, Minnesota. Here’s the full press release, as posted on the ISOC website:
NEW TO THE NATIONAL SNOCROSS CIRCUIT: SKOGQUIST RACE TEAM
Located out of Ramsey, Minnesota, owner Allen Skogquist delivers a new team to the National Snocross Racing Series. His team will consist of Pro, Sport, Sport-Lite, Junior 9-13, Transition 10-13 and Pro 206 riders.
The Skogquist Race Team (SRT) will be led and mentored by Pro Rider & X-Games Champion, Petter Narsa. Hailing from Sweden and traveling back to the U.S. to race, Narsa said, “I’m thrilled to be back racing in the U.S. on the National Snocross circuit. This whole deal with Allen, the new team with a super nice setup including the practice track will be so fun. Plus, I get to be back with my old mechanic and friend, Levi.”
Other riders on the team will include Drew and Brady Freeland riding Sport and Sport Lite. AJ and Wyatt Skogquist will ride in Junior 9-13 and Transition 10-13, with Gunnar Skogquist rounding out the team riding in the Pro 206 class.
The addition of new riders and teams to Snocross is a big deal for a small sport. ISOC President and Race Director Carl Schubitzke said, “We are very excited about the growth and the addition of new teams. We need them and appreciate what they bring to the series. This sport is great and it’s because of all the racers/teams that are involved. We are all in this together so we welcome and congratulate everyone that comes and races with us.”
Skogquist is excited to have a suite of racers covering various ages and stages in their racing careers. While he’s no stranger to the circuit, bringing riders from several levels to the track each weekend gives him so much joy.
“This has been a lifelong dream, so having it all come together this season is very rewarding,” Skogquist said. “Bringing Petter & Levi on board just makes it all that much more exciting! There is so much potential in this young group of riders. It will be fun to see them grow with the sport.”
The team will be managed by well-respected mechanic and former racer himself, Levi Ensrud. Ensrud’s experience at the Pro level will bring the discipline and acumen needed to be competitive at all levels.
Levi will be supported by Christopher Takacs, an experienced tuner in the series as well as the original Skogquist mechanic, Dave Olson. Olson has and will continue to work as Skogquist’s twin boys’ mechanic.
Levi said, “It’s always exciting when new teams come into our sport. When I met Allen, I could tell we were cut from the same cloth. When we discussed bringing a high-caliber Pro into the mix, there was apprehension at first. But helping Allen understand the benefits of adding such a natural talent and hard worker like Narsa to the program would only lay a solid foundation for the future of the race team. Especially to the young Skogquist and Freeland boys also on the team.”
Levi is eagerly awaiting the return of his friend and partner in winning an X-Games Gold medal, Petter Narsa. “I’ve known Petter since 2011. Not only is he a life-long friend but he has some unfinished business to take care of this season and I’m gonna make sure that happens. With my experience I couldn’t be more grateful to be the team manager of SRT!”
During the season, the team will reside at the Skogquist Race Team Compound utilizing the practice facilities and garage, giving them the opportunity to train and practice together.
When asking Snocross President, Carl Schubitzke, about the team’s arrival, he said, “I’m very excited for the new Skogquist team. I have heard nothing but good things and I think they will accomplish many goals with Ensrud at the helm. It will be a first-class organization and we are ecstatic to have them involved. They will be a premier team on our circuit and a force to be reckoned with for years to come.”
Skogquist Race Team is supported by Northland Concrete and Masonry Company, Ski-Doo, FXR, Woody’s Traction, C&A Pro Skis, Rox Speed FX & Enzo.
