HomeMy Public PortalAboutTitus, Nathanl� ter- 41er✓s- 5»//96
Titus cashes
in on pro
sled circuit
BY ROGER PHILLIPS
The Star -News
McCall's Nathan Titus is racing to
national recognition and big pay-
checks in his first season as a fully
sponsored factory snowmobile racer.
Titus, 22, recently finished third
overall out of 174 professional riders
in the Ultimate 500, the largest snow-
mobile race in the world, which starts
in Winnepeg, Manitoba, and ends in
Minnesota. That win alone earned
Titus a $14,000 paycheck.
Titus is also racing in the MRP
World Series, a six -race circuit that
covers Minnesota, Vermont, Wiscon-
sin and West Yellowstone, Mont. He
is currently ranked third for the 440
class and fifth in the modified class in
the series with one race remaining.
Titus will also leave for a two -
week trip to Finland on Monday for
two races there. He will represent
Polaris snowmobiles, which is cover-
ing all his expenses for the trip.
Such are the perks for Titus, who is
the son of Gordon and Judy Titus of
McCall, and also the youngest profes- .
sional driver on the world circuit right
now.
Titus works at Carl's Cycle sales
in Boise during the week, then flies to
races around the country.
"It's been a lot fun," Titus said.
"I've been making enough money to
pay bills this year."
He was named to the Polaris "A"
Team last year, the top factory team,
which means the company furnishes
him with snowmobiles and factory
support. "That's as good as it gets,"
Titus said.
Titus said Polaris executives have
also talked to him about moving to
Minnesota, but there have been no
formal offers yet.
He is also sponsored by several
Idaho companies, including Carl's
Cycles, Energy Release in Meridian
and Western Power Sports in Boise.
Titus said the factory support and
sponsorships allow him to compete at
a higher level, but it also requires a lot
more money. He flies to races, and
still has to pay for mechanic services.
Titus estimates he has . earned
$25,000 to $30,000 so far this season
from racing, which started around
Thanksgiving. Aside from the race
purses, he also earns "contingency"
money from Polaris when he places at
races.