Elk River, MN - One of the most talented, up and coming snocross stars in the world is coming to race against the best of the best in the International Series of Champions (ISOC) National tour this winter.
Nineteen year?old Johan Lidman (pronounced, "leed?man") will join the Team Sportech Racing effort for the 2010?2011 season and will compete in the Pro ranks for the entire ISOC National tour.
Lidman is no stranger to success, having won both the Swedish National Championship and the Swedish Super Stadium Snocross Championship last season. But despite those impressive year?end accomplishments, North American snocross fans may best recognize Lidman for one race in particular during the FIM Snocross World Championship in Mala, Sweden this past April. It was here, where another accomplished racer, Tucker Hibbert, was abruptly introduced to the speed and ability of Lidman, when Johan rocketed past Hibbert for the lead in the second round of racing. While Hibbert eventually went on to win the race and the World Championship, Lidman finished second overall and almost instantly became a global snocross sensation with his impressive showing.
"Johan really captured our attention with his outstanding performance on the track last year," Team Sportech Racing owner and manager Chris Carlson said. "There's no question in my mind that this young man can compete with the best riders in the sport."
After several phone calls and discussions with Arctic Cat Race Manager Mike Kloety, Lidman and his father Leif made the journey to Elk River, MN, in late June to meet Carlson and his family; tour the facilities of Sportech, ERX Motor Park, which is also owned by Carlson; as well as the Arctic Cat headquarters in Thief River Falls.
Throughout the trip, Lidman met several people who proved instrumental in eventually making it possible for Lidman to fulfill his lifelong goal of racing in North America against the best riders in the world.
Hailing from Pitea, Sweden, a small coastal town in northern Sweden, Lidman started his racing career at 11 years of age. Now just 19, Lidman has demonstrated he has both the physical and mental abilities to win at the highest level in the sport. While it's unsure if Lidman will return to the United States in time for the SnoBarons Haydays World Championship Grass Drags and Swap Meet, which is often viewed as a kick?off to the winter season and a chance for snocross racers to meet fans and talk to members of the media, he definitely will be here in time to prepare for the first national race of the season in Duluth, MN, Nov. 26?28.
"We are ecstatic to have Johan join our team," said Carlson. "He's not only a gifted racer but also an outstanding person. His professionalism, strong family values and integrity fit the Sportech mold. Those values are just as important as winning on the track for us and our sponsors."
Helping Lidman adapt to the rigors of national competition in the United States will be Andrew Carlson, a fixture of the Team Sportech Racing effort for many seasons and son of Chris Carlson. After another successful season, where he captured a national win and finished second overall in the National Season Points in the Sport Super Stock 2 division, the younger Carlson will move up to compete in the National Semi?Pro ranks.