Don LaBean, Owner
Growing up in Michigan, I’ve enjoyed riding snowmobiles my entire life. As a kid, my family owned them and my siblings and I would ride on my parents’ property, through ditches on back roads.
My passion for riding did not stop there, I guess you could say, I’ve always had a need for speed.
Trail riding, in the greater north, was a weekend ritual between my buddies and I. For years, I dedicated every weekend to being on my sled. I’m dating myself now, this was back when snow was plentiful and there was no need to wonder if we would be riding the weekend. One of the first trail sleds I owned was actually one of Mike Staszak’s old race sleds, a full mod 800, what a rush!
There was nothing I found more relaxing, challenging and invigorating than to be on my sled racing through the trails with my friends. It was always a friendly competition, yet it was always a competition. Once I started my own family, I realized I needed to slow down. I have 3 boys who also shared my love for snowmobiling. We all trail ride whenever we get a chance. But racing is where its at.
In 1997, I partnered up with a friend of mine, Tom Shoemaker, who owned a race team, and began on his crew racing competitively. After 13 years with Tom, I decided it was time to branch out on my own and in 2010 I started the DL Racing team.
The driving factor behind starting my own race team are my 3 sons, Derek, Darren & DJ, who are all an essential part of our crew. They have contributed to making this team successful and there’s really nothing better than getting to enjoy one of your favorite pastimes with your kids. I’m proud of their drive and dedication to this team and I can only hope their love for this sport will encourage them to continue this legacy for years to come. There are two people who have been an instrumental part of this team from the beginning, Dana Hribek and Brad Weaver. They have spent countless hours, throughout the course of the years, building, rebuilding and dialing in these machines, dedicating their time on a weekly basis. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to our team.
A few of my proudest achievements with DL Racing, winning the pole for the 2016 Soo I-500 ranks right up there, but coming back in 2023, after a 5 year break, and tying for 1st place at the Soo I-500, was unbelievable. (Officially 2nd. Place due to tie breaker, qualifying 11th. to other teams 8th.) Something that I believe will never happen again. Another thing I’m proud of, is teaming up with legendary racer/sled builder Troy Pierce, to chase a World Championship at Eagle River in the FIII class. Our first year together, we put two sleds in the finals, with Joey Burch finishing 2nd., I can’t wait to see what this year brings and the accomplishments we will have as a team.
As the team owner, my career goal is continuous improvement and to remain competitive in the racing industry and in the near future, win the Soo I-500 & FIII World Championship multiple times!
Joey Burch, Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
It all began with my dad. He started out as a fuel man for a team, and they asked him if he wanted to race. He had ridden snowmobiles since he was a kid and had experience racing 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers and didn’t hesitate to jump at the opportunity. I was about 5 years old then, and he would often take me to work on the sleds with him, and my parents always took my sister and I to the races.
By age 15 I had spent a lot of time in shops and race trailers, and idolizing my dad the way I did, I wanted to start racing snowmobiles too. I remember being at the Soo I-500 in 2006 and sneaking into the pits to go see my dad. He was getting ready in the race trailer, and I finally asked him if we could get a snowmobile for me to race. His famous saying was “I’ll think about it” but I knew that really meant YES, it was just a matter of when he’d be able to make it happen.
I stayed in the pits to watch my dad get on the sled and stood on top of the trailer to watch the race for a while, excited that someday I’d be just like him and racing this track. I was coming down off the trailer, ready to head back up the hill where I was supposed to be, when I heard someone say “Joe B fell off the sled.” I went running to see what happened, but was stopped before I could see that my dad was lying unconscious on the back stretch. He’d had a heart attack and passed away that day.
My dad was well loved by many people, and those many people made my racing dreams come true in his honor. At the time of his death he was racing for Mike Otto, and Mike ended up asking me when I was 18 if I’d like to race the Rookie Roundup at the Soo, the next year I began racing the I-500.
I am thankful to have had the support to grow into the racer I am now, at the level my dad probably dreamed of.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
First and foremost, winning the Soo I-500 in 2022 with Tommie Bauer Racing was a dream come true, and in 2023 we came close to winning again but ultimately finished 2nd, still a great achievement. Teams I’ve raced with have finished in the top 4 in 2014 and 2019 as well.
I have won the MIRA points championships for three consecutive years from 2021-2023. In the same circuit in 2020 I won the points championship in Champ 440, a class I had always dreamed of competing in.
In 2021 I finished 2nd in the vintage world champ race at Eagle River, and in 2024 I finished 2nd in the Formula III world champ race there. Both years were my first to compete in those classes.
What is your career goal?
My goal is always to improve, as a racer and as a competitor and a mentor for others. Ideally I dream to be racing, building, and consulting full time. The closer goals are to win this years MIRA points championship, a win at Eagle River in Formula III, and another win at the I-500!
How did you become part of this racing team?
Over the years I have been lucky enough to be a part of some really great teams, each one has helped me grow in different ways. Before last season I got a call from Troy Pierce about racing Formula III sleds he built with DL Racing, truthfully I didn’t know a lot about the team but I looked up to Troy and was excited for the chance to race with him. After spending time with the whole DL Racing crew last year we grew to be close friends even off the race course, so when Donnie asked if I’d consider joining full time it felt like the right decision.
Ross Urdman, Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
I grew up riding just a bunch of old leaf spring junk from about 4-5 years old. My dad and brother were big enthusiasts, but we never had fancy stuff. We had a 74 Skidoo Olympic w/ electric start that I was able to go out and fire up on my own and do laps around the house until I ran out of gas. Mom would tell my brother Ryan to only put a gallon or 2 in at time so not to piss off the neighbors!
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
Wasn’t until I was 15-16 and I broke my elbow playing baseball not allowing me to play that summer and instead getting a job cleaning porta-potties and working my butt off that summer and buying a 96 Skidoo MXZ 440, that was a couple years old at the time, from my brother. Around this time also unfortunately, my dad had a stroke and was never quite the same. However… a bit of a silver lining about that was forcing me and allowing me to have more independence and thus no longer the ability for Dad to say no to me about going racing. From there, I had an older cousin, Mike Utley, who raced snoX in the sport class and hauled me to a couple races. The results weren’t there from riding a 2 year old sled, but I was hooked and determined to compete. The following year and summer before my senior year in HS I worked a ton more and was able to afford myself a brand spanking new 1999 MXZx 440. Very first green flag I took with that thing I pulled the holeshot and checked out! The rest is kinda history. Well maybe the rest was history the next year when I moved to the Semi-Pro Class and collected my first check for $600! Then I was really hooked!
My proudest achievement for sure is winning the USCC I-500 in 2007. I didn’t really realize it or grasp it all at the time how big of a deal it was, because I just thought at the time I was going to do it again dang it! It was just my second time racing the 500 and the first time on a 600cc where I just raced a 440cc against the 600’s the year prior finishing 5th. But I’ve certainly realized how difficult it is to do, and how fortunate I am to have won one. There was plenty of controversy at that race w/ guys getting lost out on the reservation, and a few different “stories” on how things went down. I’d certainly tell anyone my side – the true side – anytime. No doubt luck was on my side those few days, but no doubt in my mind I earned that victory and deserved it. But ultimately nobody can take it from me. And not to mention I’ve backed it up w/ a 2nd Place finish in that race in 2017, finishing between a couple guys named Herfindahl, and Christenson. Another 2nd in 2018 behind that Christenson guy, and a 3rd place in Pro Open on a Yamaha Nytro 4 Stoke in 2013. Obviously, I realize these aren’t wins… and no one remembers who finishes 2nd in these. It’s difficult for me to try and toot my own horn, but I’ve have enough of getting slandered by those that discredit me being a worthy one to have my name on the back of those shirts. I’m on there… and damned proud of it.
What is your career goal?
My career goal would to be one of a small group to have won both a XC I-500, and a Soo I-500. My first So obviously, I technically don’t have one of those wins checked off that list. To my eye, looking straight down at those ski tips, I thought I did by about 10-12”. But we all know how that went in 2023. Donny LaBean, DL Racing, gave me and my co-rider, Bobby Menne, everything we ever could have asked for w/ that 29 machine that day. It’s a hard deal how things shook out and I think about the 1000 different ways it could have gone and we’d have been the team celebrating at the finish line… and the one way in 1000 prevented that from happening. But I’m confident we’ll have what it takes to get the job finished off. I want it for Don, his boys, the crew, as much as myself.
How did you become part of this racing team?
Before Don and DL Racing went on a little break from the sport before 2023, I always had a desire to race on his team. I raced in the past for a good friend of Don’s, Tom Shoemaker. Tom and I became very close over the few years I’ve known him. Where I was at in my career knowing I still had enough in the tank, Tom and I knew I just needed the equipment and opportunity. Tom made it happen and hooked us up. DL Racing, it’s a first class deal, no corners cut, not stone unturned, no resource exhausted… all the cliches! He’s had a lot of good quality drivers over the years… but I just thought looking from the outside in it would be such a good fit for myself, and I thought I’d be a good fit for him… especially at this point in my career. I’ve been around the block and promised many things… but Don’s a guy that’s pulls no punches and no nonsense and good at his word. I appreciate it very much and appreciate the opportunity to accomplish our goals. Between Don, his wife Dawn, his 3 boys, Derek, Darren, DJ…..Dana, Brad and the crew, I could go on and on what a joy it is to show up for race week and the Soo. Knowing these guys have the confidence and expectations w/ me as I do myself. It’s everything a racer needs at this level. Thank you to all!
Also I’d like to say I’m looking forward to teaming up with the guy, Joey Burch, along with Nick Wickerham @ the Soo I-500….its 2 less guys I have to try and beat! Ha!
Nick Wicerham, Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
I have had many great mentors along the way, but my dad has been my greatest influence and introduced me to snowmobiles at a young age. He raced watercross, so my first introduction to sleds wasn’t even on the snow. We rode snowmobiles for fun in the winter while growing up but I did not start competing on them until I was in my late teens.
Majority of my racing background has been on the motocross track. I started racing moto when I was 5 and continue to do so now. The first snowmobile racing I did was some one lunger enduros. I then transitioned to the ice in the BEVRA series. I did this for a few winters and then started into the MIRA series in 2019.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
My greatest achievement so far is winning the Soo I-500 in 2023 and the MIRA Pro Enduro Championship that same year.
What is your career goal?
As far as goals are considered, I really just want to make steady progress with my racing. As a member of DL Racing this coming year, I feel we have the opportunity to race up front every week in Pro Enduro and at the Soo I-500. Additionally, I raced an F3 sled for the first time last year and I want to continue to build on this with DL Racing.
How did you become part of this racing team?
This year will be my first as a member of DL Racing. The past few years myself and Joey Burch were teammates racing Pro Enduro and the I-500. He rode for DL Racing last year on the F3’s and had some great success. Through multiple conversations with Joey and Don, I was offered the opportunity to join the team for this coming race season. I am excited for the year to come and can’t wait to get our sleds on the ice very soon!