Lundon wins MN North sno-cross overall title–again

Two years of racing on the MN North Sno-cross circuit. And two overall championships for local racer Johnny Lundon.
For the second year in a row, Lundon dominated the awards banquet in Hibbing, Mn. on Saturday, winning three second-place trophies and bringing home the overall points title over Minnesota’s Cory Pracher.
It was the finishing touch on another exceptional racing season.
“I didn’t expect it but it was a nice surprise,” said Lundon, 20, at Badiuk Equipment yesterday morning. “There’s a lot of competition and a lot of guys can beat you on any given day.”
But it was Lundon who beat the other guys on most days.
He placed second overall in the Sport 500, Sport 600, and Sport Open classes–all after making the jump from the Beginner to Intermediate division this past season.
And Lundon will continue to rise up the ranks after announcing he will move to the semi-pro class–competing in both the regional and national series races–for next season.
The sky’s the limit for Lundon but he admitted it won’t be an easy task.
“Next year will be really hard because the guys don’t give up like they do in the Sport class,” reasoned Lundon, who raced both a Ski-Doo MXZX440 and a MXZX700 model this past season.
“It will be difficult because there will be a lot of good riders and good competition but it’s definitely a goal of mine to move on to the pro ranks and compete at the nationals,” he added.
While he tore up the tracks on the U.S. side this past season, including going undefeated in the Sport 600 class at the Wisconsin regional, Lundon felt the highlight occurred right here in Fort Frances.
That’s when Lundon, in front of family and friends, won two out of three classes when Fort Frances hosted a race for the first time as part of the MN North Sno-cross circuit in February.
“Yeah, I’ve progressed really fast up to this point,” said Lundon, adding he’ll train during the summer months by going dirt bike riding.
Murray Cawston of Badiuk Equipment, which helped organize the race here and is one of Lundon’s many sponsors, said the young racer did a great job on the track this past season.
“Badiuk’s is extremely proud to sponsor Johnny in his endeavours,” Cawston said.
While Lundon had a plethora of sponsors and support this past season, including from his father, Steve, and mother, Livia, he admitted he’s already had preliminary talks with Ski-Doo about a possible sponsorship for next season.
“We’ve talked a little bit and there’s a very good chance [of signing with them],” he noted, adding sponsors make a world a difference competing at this level.
“It takes a lot of work out of the drivers’ minds and it helps them prepare for races and while out on the track,” he said.