It’s no surprise Protivin resident Mike Hudecek feels most at home when he’s on his snowmobile. After all, he was introduced to the sport before he even was born.
    Theresa Hudecek, the mother of 21-year-old Mike and an avid snowmobiler herself, said her son’s first trip out on the hills took place while he was still in the womb.
    He’s come a long way since then.
    He began snowmobiling on his own when he was old enough to walk, on a mini-snowmobile for kids. He began racing in 2004, and has since snowmobiled in numerous competitions, placing first in several of them. Mike currently races in the pro division in hillcross and semi-pro in snowcross.
    “When I’m on the track with that sled, that’s my zone. I can make that 450-pound snowmobile do whatever I want it to,” said Mike, a 2004 Crestwood High School graduate.
    During an average weekend competing in hillcross or snowcross, he will participate in six to eight races, depending on if he makes it into the finals. Mike said the races, which last about 10 to 15 minutes a piece, are exhausting, strenuous work.
    During a snowcross competition, racers ride at speeds of 35-55 miles per hour, and during hillcross races, snowmobiles soar to as fast as 75-80 miles per hour. Jumps can be up to 30 feet tall in snowcross competitions, so riders may travel up to 130 feet before they return to the ground. The snowcross season runs from Thanksgiving to mid-March, and hillcross runs from the end of February to mid-April. Because of these demands, strength, endurance  and practice are key to riding a good race, Mike said.
    “Being at the pro level, you have to be at the top level of game every time you go out,” Mike said.
    Mike devotes hours each week preparing himself both mentally and physically. He works out for about two to three hours three times a week at the Cresco Fitness Center, watches what he eats and attends the Skidoo racing school each October.
    He rides a dirt bike and four-wheeler in the summer for practice and has a track in his yard to help him stay in top-form.
    “He eats, sleeps and races,” Greg joked of his son.
    Snowmobile racing is more than just a solo pursuit for Mike. The sport is a family affair for the Hudeceks.
    Mike’s father, Greg Hudecek, who also raced when he was younger, accompanies Mike to all his races. He is in charge of the mechanics, always aiming to improve his son’s snowmobile and always present in case repairs need to be made. Theresa also stays involved in her son’s competitions. Among other things, she prepares meals for Mike and Greg before they leave for weekend competitions.
    “It’s in our blood. It’s definitely a family thing,” Theresa said.
    Last year, the Hudeceks received the family of the year award for hillcross racing.
    When he isn’t at a race or practicing, Mike spends a lot of time in the shop with his dad. Every day from October through April, Mike and Greg can be found in the shop, probably even spending more time there than inside the house, they joked.
    “You’re always looking for the edge,” Greg said.
    On Fridays of competition weekends, the Hudeceks set out on the road early, between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. He races throughout the Midwest and often have to drive long hours before they arrive. The Hudeceks don’t return home until anywhere from 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. But the neighborly atmosphere at the races helps Mike never become homesick.
    “A really neat part about our racing is how we're like a giant family. Everyone helps everyone with parts and tools, etc. And we also have giant cookouts for everybody each weekend that is put on by different race familys each weekend,” Mike said.
    In addition to the comradery, fun and hard work throughout his years racing, Mike has also experienced some not-so-smooth trips down the track.
    The very first year he began racing, Mike broke his ribs and suffered a collapsed lung. During year two, he broke his heel, and year three brought with it shin splints and major bruising.
    Then year four rolled around. April 15, 2007 presented Mike with the most injuries he had seen thus far.
    He was near the end of a race in Duluth, head-to-head with another snowmobile racer. He needed to win this race in order to move forward to the finals.
    Then it happened: As he came off a jump, his yellow Ski-doo twisted in the air. Mike tried to hold on as the sled slammed back onto the ground.
    It clunked down right at the finish line.
    Just as he rolled off his sled and onto his left side, another racer accidently rolled his snowmobile right over Mike.
    He was admitted to the hospital and had to undergo surgery. The resulting injuries included a broken femur that required inserting a metal rod with four screws in it into Mike’s left leg; a sliced bicep and a forearm which required inserting a plate with six screws in it into his left arm.
    Mike said the injuries themselves didn’t phase him and he has never considered quitting racing. However, last year’s injuries meant he could not race in the finals, even though he qualified.
    This year, Mike was able to make it through the season fully intact.
    “This year, I finally raced without hurting myself,” Mike said.
    During his first weekend back, Mike won two out of the three races he rode.
    Next year, Mike will team up with Dave Trygstad of Rochester, who builds motors for Ski-doo snowmobiles. Mike, who has raced alone so far, said he is looking forward to the partnership.
    When Mike’s not racing, he works full time as the herd manager at Hilltop Acres Farm in Calmar, a position he calls his “dream job.”
    “I’m living the dream. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, doing the job I’ve always wanted to work,” Mike said.
    Mike’s most recent race will air on Fox Sports Network this Sunday.