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The stoke is building for the 2009/2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross season. ACSS is proud to present a series of stories to build on the pre-season excitement and take you through the entire series by featuring a variety of anecdotes from every level of competition and beyond. Keep coming back often to see what’s new and who is featured next. It could be you.
Rising star series: Ones to watch
Full Name: Cody James Tarald Thomsen
Bib No.: 682
Birth date: 10/27/91
Residence: Nisswa, MN
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Events: ACSS Nationals
Team: Arctic Cat
Sponsors: Arctic Cat, Speedwerx, Foxshox, APV Lubricant, RCS, Sportech, C&A Skies, Camoplast, VForce Reeds, Figgins Transporting, Smith Optics, Prosthetic Laboratories, Bledsoe, Brothers Motorsports, Russ and Joni Ebert, Mom and Dad
Awards: Sport Super Stock One Champion, Sport
Super Stock Two Second Place 2008/2009
School/grade level: Home Schooled, Senior
Meet Cody Thomsen
In a sport that has been evolving as fast as the racers themselves, there are many changes on the horizon.
Moving up the ranks for the 2009/2010 Amsoil Championship Snocross Series is Arctic Cat team rider 18-year-old Cody Thomsen of Nisswa.
Thomsen begins his fourth year of snocross racing this season. Thomsen’s enthusiasm and hard training paid off during the 2008/2009 season competing hard in the Sport class. With several trips to the podium and a pocket full of points he finished the season in top form placing high at Minnesota regional series. The National events earned him the Championship title for Sport Super Stock 1 and 2nd place for Sport Super Stock 2. With those epic achievements under his belt, Thomsen is moving up to compete in the Semi Pro Stock 1 and Semi Pro Open classes. He is looking forward to the challenges that come with the change and will be competing at all ACSS national events.
For many racers, snocross is both a team sport and an individual sport. Team Arctic Cat has had a history of producing outstanding riders. “My team is just a great atmosphere to be in,” Thomsen says. “ They are so positive and motivating. That’s why our team does really well.”
It is no surprise that Thomsen looks up to legendary riders such as Tucker Hibbert, Mike Schultz and Dan Ebert as his personal racing idols. “These guys are so awesome,” Thomsen says. “They have great personalities, are outgoing, and motivated to do their best even when things don’t seem to be going the right way.”
Thomsen says he tries to emulate the positive attitude of his favorite champions by surrounding himself with positive people. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive,” Thomsen says. “You just have to remember that it’s not about you and give the glory to God and remember what he has done for you.”
With that in mind, Thomsen says his goals for competing in the tougher class have not changed from his previous goals. He wants to focus on improving everyday — one step at a time. “By concentrating on one thing at a time I can make sure that I can hone that one step to perfection.”
Thomsen no doubt has high expectations for himself this coming season. While he gives a lot of credit to his teammates, the people who have supported him at every turn and tumble and have been the greatest influence on his career are his family, especially his mom and dad. “I just can’t thank them enough.”
When Thomsen is not on his sled, you can probably find him working out to stay in shape or doing his schoolwork. Because of his strenuous racing schedules both summer (motocross) and winter, Thomsen is home schooled and works hard to achieve his education goals.
His advice to fellow racers? “Never give up on your dreams. Stay focused. Life is short so have fun.”
When asked what he likes most about competing in snocross he simply answered, “I just like it all.”
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