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Malinoski Of Team Olah Is Ready
Robbie Malinoski Of Team Olah Is Ready
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A WPSA Championship
by Scott A.Sumner
24 year old Robbie Malinoski of Team Olah is from Humboldt,
Saskatchewan, a town of 5000 people. He started racing in 2000 near
home, in 2001 did a national at Fargo and in 2002 Robbie did the
whole
national circuit. His dad owns a farm equipment dealership and also
sells Arctic Cats and mom just opened up her own funeral home. This
is
his fourth year on Team Olah and last year was the first as a pro.
Malinoski did the most with his season with 5 national pro wins.
“ We
had some break downs through out the year that meant I finished
fourth
and fifth in the points. It was a learning year and we got a lot
out
of it so I wouldn’t take anything back. Hopefully this year
we’ll come
out on top,” smiles Malinoski. “ This is my full time
job. In the
summer I race dirt bikes. I grew up about a hour from Blair Morgan
and
he has been a friend of mine for awhile. Riding with him has brought
me
up a level. Obviously he is the best in the world so you have to
look
up to him. I don’t practice with him so much on snowmobiles
but on dirt
bikes in the summer.”
“ You learn over the years of racing by getting the confidence
on
the track that you don’t really think injury much At first
it was
intimidating coming into the first corner at Duluth and the first
jump,
but you learn to put yourself in a good position and go from there,”
notes Malinoski. “ I have had a few minor injuries but nothing
that has
kept me out for long. I do fitness including lifting weights and
cardio. You base it on how you are feeling. If you are tired there
is
no point pushing it and putting yourself in a bigger hole. You play
off
your body feedback. I do some running and the pedal bike. You want
to
stay strong and not break down mentally half way through a race.
You
want to stay strong in your head. That is the biggest thing I think.”
“ I am a little bigger than the average snocross racer so
I have an
advantage. I can lose a little on the start but on the track you
can
take a little bit harder hit than the average guy for sure,”
says the 5
ft 11 inches ,200 pound Malinoski. “ It is a great sport with
a lot
of action. I grew up with snowmobiles but never really dreamed of
racing so I just started in 2001. I felt wow I could really go ahead
with it and do something. The competitive side of trying to get
top
the top or stay at the top is a lotta fun. There is some heavy
competition on the track. In the past it was Blair and Tucker but
now
there are 5 of 6 guys who can win. It’s more exciting for
the fans.”
“ Kirk Hibbert is good for technical advice and for anything
suspension Kirk is number one. He built the sled from the ground
up so
he knows. He is right there to help you out,” smiles Malinoski.
“ The
plan with the new WPSA people is to up the imaging of the sport.
It is
great, exciting to take it to the next level and have some good
races.
You can make a good living in the sport depending on your sponsors
and
which avenue you take. You get paid a salary and race for bonuses.
If
you have a good year you can make some money.”
How does Robbie like the 2006 SnoPro.
“ The sled is really good this year. They did some structural
improvements which helped stiffened the sled. Last year there were
some issues with the chassis flexing. It benefits me 100%.”
smiles
Robbie Malinoski.
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