City Commission Congratulates Kyle Pallin for Qualifying for X-Games

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - Kyle Pallin began SnowCross racing when he was only twelve years old. Now at age 15, he has been winning nearly every race he in which he participates. In one season alone, he had national wins in four different classes. This year he's finished on the national podium ten times. He took a first place at Fargo along with a second place finish. On January 27-30, 2011 he will be participating in the National X-Games in Aspen, Colorado. Mayor Bob Burchell presented Pallin with a plaque congratulating him on making it to the X-Games.

"I'll be doing the SnowCross again. It's kind of like the Super Bowl of the sport." Pallin said to Commissioner Corcoran after she asked what competition he would be involved with at the Games.  "It's the biggest race of the year and everybody gets hyped up about it. It's the only event out here that had a qualifying entry. It's mainly pro drivers -- there will be 21 pro drivers and 3 semi-pro drivers -- and I am fortunate enough to be one of the semi-pro drivers to participate this year. "

"It's always been a goal of mine to go." Pallin said, "It is a really big honor to be representing the area and it feels really good that all of my hard work is starting to pay off a little bit." He pointed out that he has had many people supporting his efforts and he thanked them for everything they have done.

Mayor Burchell asked Kyle what kind of sled he used. Pallin told Burchell that he switched back to Arctic Cat. He said he was driving a Ski-Doo previously. He said the machines he is racing are 600 cc and in the semi-pro stock class. Pallin indicated that modified machines are used in Aspen so Arctic Cat is building him a new mod machine. "It should be a lot of fun out there!" Pallin said.

The X-Games SnowCross competition will be aired on ESPN on Sunday, January 30, 2011.