Levi Lavallee Wins First Ever Red Bull Snow Boundaries Race
Red Bull Snow Boundaries, a first of its kind race, looped a 13 km course crossing frozen swamps, tight wooded trails, icy chicanes, vertical climbs and Snocross-style jumps of up to 100′. The grueling course was designed to push man and machine to their limit—and it did, with nearly 20% of the Open (Pro) Class unable to finish the race.
It’s not every day that your average sledder has the chance to win a Red Bull event. But the “Ditchbanger” class of the inaugural Red Bull Snow Boundaries race offered up a chance for just that, and it was snatched up with the fastest time by one Anthony Smith. The amateur class rules allowed machines up to 800cc displacement with allowances for minor modifications, and was designed for first-time racers.

The Ditchbanger class offered a chance for Regular Joe sledders to race their own machines in a big-time event.
The Open class—which followed more strict guidelines in compliance with other race standards—was won by Snocross champ Levi LaVallee, who made a massive come-from-behind for the victory in the race that lasted 75 minutes. “It’s awesome to win the first ever Red Bull Snow Boundaries. I didn’t anticipate it at all,” said LaVallee. “[The win] caught me a little off guard, because the goal here was to go out and have fun – and I’m great at fun, so that’s what I was going to do. It’s a timed race, so I wasn’t worried about it while I was out there, but after I wheeled myself through that last lap and found out I won, I couldn’t have been more excited.”

Levi LeValle celebrates after winning Red Bull Snow Boundaries in Elk River, MN on February 20, 2016.
The Ditchbanger class win came as even more of a surprise to Anthony Smith who said, “I got really tired, was just trying to hold on to my lead. In the middle of the race I became exhausted, but as I closed in on the finish adrenaline kicked in and I gave it all I got.” Smith, a father of two, was honestly surprised he won, citing that “I’m the fastest of my friends, but I had no idea that this would happen. I know that my 12-year old son is going to be so pumped.”

Competitors compete at Red Bull Snow Boundaries in Elk River, MN on February 20, 2016.
Nearly 5000 people attended the event that was hosted at ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota, with over 200 racers participating.

Competitors line up at the start during Red Bull Snow Boundaries in Elk River, MN on February 20, 2016.
– MS