Senior Gabe Killian competed in a snowmobile race called ERX Ditchbanger National on Jan. 30-31, 2026 at the ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minn. This was the sixth year of the race. 

Killian announced that he was going to step away from ice racing in the 2025-26 season. One of Killian’s good friends, who runs a company called GoLithium, pushed Killian to compete in the race. 

“His name’s AJ Arntz,” Killian said. “He said, ‘Hey, come run the Ditchbanger National, it’s a really good idea.’”

Killian first bought his 1999 Polaris XC 600 a few days before Thanksgiving from his dad’s co-worker, and has had to do a lot of repair work on it. 

“Its definitely fast in developing, but the more and more I’m thinking about it, the more and more I’m ready to take on this whole new challenge for me.” said Killian.

It is an endurance race of ten minutes for survival. Killian’s goal is to try to finish ahead of the other competitors after the ten minutes is up, and not leave empty handed with the losers.

“You’ve got to stay upright, you’ve got to keep your sled upright, and you’ve just got to have the endurance to be able to survive the ten minutes for sure,” said Killian.

Killian feels like he is prepared because of his experiences with ice racing and drag racing. 

“I got to be ready for that for sure. That’s kind of how that’s going to have to go,” Killian said. 

Killian raced on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 sometime after 3PM. 

Killian started in the Second Heat, where he finished 15th in the first round of heat two. Then finished 12th in the second round of heat two. Killian had to race in the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) where he placed 11th, falling five spots short of the finals ending his weekend.

For more info, visit: erxmotorpark.com/ditchbangernational

For results, visit: https://erx.snocross.com/live/results?season=24&circuit_id=12