For the week of April 24 - 30, 2002

Hill climber Farrow 
back in the saddle

Rookie year a good one

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Tracey Farrow’s retirement from snowmobile racing was short-lived.

And Bellevue resident Farrow’s learning curve was quite rapid during his first year of racing on the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) circuit.

Farrow, 37, adapted well to the new world of hill climbing after years of success and championships in cross-country snowmobile racing.

The Arctic Cat factory team lured Farrow out of retirement with the promise of better money, a longer circuit and a more seasoned crowd.

Farrow learned that hill climbing offers a lot less wear-and-tear on the body and sled. He got used to the sport’s demands and finished the season the way he wanted—winning.

Competing in six of the nine RMSHA events from January through April, Farrow finished third overall in Pro 500 Stock behind Steve Hill of Driggs and Lonnie Keller of Kalispell, Mont., also Arctic Cat racers.

Sunday, the Schweitzer Snowmobile Hillclimb on the ski runs near Sandpoint wrapped up the 2002 season. Farrow won the Pro 500 Stock final for the second straight week.

On a dreary, overcast day Farrow shot to the top of the 13-gate course in one minute and 27 seconds. He was less successful in his other class, Pro 600 Stock, running into trouble when he went cockeyed on a jump.

"Tracey had a strong finish and it was impressive he finished third overall in his first season," said his wife, Kathy Farrow. "He got some of the bugs out. He’s getting used to it."

Farrow also won his class at the Antelope Butte Hillclimb in Greybull, Wyo. April 14. During that event he was fifth in Pro 600 Stock, his best result in that class all season.

Other results: Fourth in Pro 500 at the Pine Creek Hillclimb in Cokeville, Wyo. March 17; second at the Preston Pride Jan. 26; plus no placings at the Soda Springs Hillclimb Feb. 3 and the Maverik Challenge HC at Afton, Wyo. Feb. 23.

He intends to pursue hill climbing again in 2003 in 500 and 600 classes plus 700/800 as well.

Farrow, a 1983 Wood River High School graduate who works full-time as a carpenter for Bishop Builders, is thankful for the support of many, with special thanks going to Ross and Jim Sutton of Sutton & Sons.

Also, Carl Browning of Brico for race fuel, Rocky and Terry Sherbine, Kristian Larese of Alpine Masonry & Tile, Bill Larson of Freedom Cycle, Uhrig Fencing, Tim Young and Burks Excavation;

Williams Motor Sports, Greg’s Electric, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Swanson Bros. Racing and Swanson Trucking, Thornton Heating and countless other family and friends.

Farrow’s major sponsors are Arctic Cat, Black Magic, Mountain Magic Racing and J & C Motor Sports.

 

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