Stadick second in senior snocross

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Tim Stadick drew a deep breath and looked at his mother, Karen Stadick after finishing second in the Senior 30+ division of the District One South 2001 Series WSA Snowcross races at the Brown County Fairgrounds Sunday afternoon.

"I raced as fast as I could and stay on the track," the 35-year-old Stadick said. "I'm about shot, but it makes it worthwhile, placing this high in my home town."

Karen Stadick vividly remembered how her son was Saturday after racing in several preliminary races.

"He was speechless and sweating," she said. "We poured ice cold water on his head. This is a very physically demanding sport. More so than the snowmobile hillclimbing he does."

Tim said he expects most of his aches and pains to hit him tomorrow (Tuesday).

"I feel pretty good today, considering all the racing I've done the past two days," Stadick said. "I'll feel muscles I didn't even know I had by Tuesday. It takes that long for the body to catch up."

Stadick wasn't the only New Ulm racer to do well.

Twenty-year-old Mike Kral, in his first year of snocross, finished second in the Beginner Fan division.

"Mike is unbelieveable," one of his pit crew members, Dave Ubl said. "Some guys really take to it. I guess it's just natural for him."

Kral said he had a lot of fun racing and enjoyed the warmer weather over the weekend.

Kral's girl friend, 18-year-old Paula Krohn of Nicollet placed third among nine women in her first-ever race.

"It was scarey but I had a lot of fun," Krohn said. "It was a big rush. I just punched the throttle to the finish line and held on."

The trio and other top placers look forward to the National Amateur Snocross Championships March 24-25 at Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville.