Swedish SX Champ Johan Lidman Joins Sportech Racing

Press Release-

Swedish Snocross Champion Johan Lidman Joins Team Sportech Racing

Lidman To Compete Against World’s Best in ISOC National Pro Division; Sportech Teammate Andrew Carlson Rises to National Semi-Pro Ranks for this Season

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.

Johan 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 Johan 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,” said Team Sportech Racing owner and manager Chris Carlson. “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, Minnesota 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, Johan met several people who proved instrumental in eventually making it possible for Johan 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, Johan started his racing career at 11 years of age. Now just 19, Johan 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, Minnesota, November 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 Johan 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, Andrew will move up to compete in the National Semi-Pro ranks.

With the addition of Johan Lidman to Team Sportech Racing, it will most certainly bring a heightened level of awareness and value to the partners and sponsors who are associated with the team.  According the Carlson, rumors of Lidman’s agreement have already captured the attention of some new partners to the Sportech fold. “There are only a handful of athletes in this sport than can generate huge levels of awareness beyond the track,” said Carlson. “Guys like Tucker (Hibbert) and Levi (LaVallee) can do that and we believe Johan is quickly going to become one of those top caliber athletes.”

To learn more about Team Sportech Racing and how your company or brand can partner and share in their success, visit their website at www.teamsportechracing.com

About Team Sportech:

Team Sportech Racing is a family of racers, mechanics and sponsors who are proud of our accomplishments on the track and off, and are driven to excellence in everything we do. Our racing organization is driven by a deep-rooted passion for the sport and an operational philosophy grounded in integrity. Sportech Racing is located at 10800 175^th Avenue NW, Elk River, MN 55330 and can be reached at 763-712-3965. Visit them online at www.teamsportechracing.com