The Snocross & Short Track Hotspot

ECS announces new Rookie of the Year program

2011-11-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Everybody knows that young snowmobile racers are a competitive bunch, always trying to outdo each other in qualifying, finals and just about everything else they do both on and off the track.
Officials at East Coast Snocross (ECS) have created a “race within a race” for first-year riders in the Pro division, as the new ECS Rookie of the Year (ROTY) program is initiated. The top rookie (combining points from Stock and Open) will receive a cash purse at season’s end, while the top Pro rider earning the most points overall will also earn a cash purse.
The fine folks at Island Water Sports and Malibu Boats have already committed to sponsoring these new purses, and invite all other ECS affiliate sponsors to participate. ECS officials will put all funds raised from affiliate sponsors towards these new year-end cash purses. Racing sleds can be expensive, so these new purses will help teams a great deal.
What makes the timing perfect for this program is the number of former Semi-Pro (now known as Pro Lite) class riders making the step up to Pro for 2011-12. Riders like 2011 Semi-Pro champion Jacob Muller, Vermont standout Chris Ackerman and Michael George of Pine Plains, New York, will all be battling for positions on the track to win the inaugural ECS ROTY title.
At every ECS points race, eligible riders will earn points towards the overall ROTY title in both the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes. The highest finishing rookie in each Pro final will earn 25 points, while the second highest finishing rookie will earn 20 points. The third highest finishing rookie will receive 15 points, with fourth and fifth getting 10 and five respectively.
At the end of the year, the rider with the highest combined (Stock and Open) point tally (or in other words, the one with the highest average finish throughout the season) will be crowned “2012 ECS Pro Rookie of the Year.” Along with the cash purse after the last race, the winner will also receive a prize package of goodies from various ECS product sponsors.
For many years, prominent sanctioning bodies in auto racing have implemented programs of this nature to showcase rising talent. Among all snocross riders, those who’ve just made the move to Pro are exciting to watch as they work to earn respect from the veterans. With this new rookie program, these “young guns” will also battle for bragging rights among themselves.
It all kicks off when ECS launches its second season Dec. 10-11 at the beautiful Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, Vermont. Several riders within the ECS fraternity will jump-start their season on Thanksgiving weekend, as they travel to Duluth, Minnesota for the mighty AMSOIL Duluth National. Riders look to shake off the cobwebs and get back into a rhythm, while mechanics strive to dial in new sleds and find that sweet setup to go fast.
East Coast Snocross, presented by Woody’s Traction and AMSOIL, is the new sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. ECS maintains a regional circuit intended to keep grass-roots snocross racing healthy in this part of the snowbelt, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed Pro teams.

ECS Reflections: Ackerman, George on the fast track

2011-09-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

As we approach the 2011-12 snocross season, I find myself reflecting on all the changes this sport has endured in the last decade. Sleds have advanced by leaps and bounds, riders that were stars in 2001 are long gone and have been replaced at the top by a fresh crop of talent.

Among the list of rising stars are two longtime veterans of northeastern regional snocross competition who now find themselves in an interesting position — as the Pro division riders for one of the most respected teams in the pit area.

I’m referring to Chris Ackerman, of Jericho, VT, and Mike George, of Pine Plains, New York. As the East Coast Snocross (ECS) circuit prepares for its second season, Ackerman and George are gearing up to compete in the Pro classes for Ingles Performance, based in Phoenix, New York.

It’s no secret that Robin & Mike Ingles run a solid organization, are well-connected with Ski-doo and have vast knowledge of how a successful team is run. Last winter, Quebec native Mathieu Morin won both the Pro Stock and Open titles aboard Ski-doo sleds fielded by Ingles Performance. Morin has since signed with BOSS Racing to compete on the ISOC circuit.

For Ackerman, who also operates 139 Designs and does a fabulous job with graphics, the chance to join this prestigious team was pretty much a no-brainer. When another deal he was pursuing turned out to be far less lucrative than it appeared, he wisely called Ingles to accept their offer.

“I’m more than excited about racing for the Ingles team this season,” the Vermont native said via telephone Sunday night on his way back from Hay Days. “They have a rock-solid team with a proven track record.”

Ackerman rode an Arctic Cat in ECS Semi-Pro classes (now known as Pro Lite) last winter for Nate Tatro’s Green Mountain Racing squad, and ran a Polaris prior to that. The 2011-12 season will be his first aboard a Ski-doo, but he doesn’t seem too worried about the transition. He had several great runs last season en route to second overall in points behind champion Jacob Muller.

“Even though I’ve never raced one before, I love Ski-doo’s new 600RS and feel I can adapt to it pretty quickly. It’s got tons of power and a world-class suspension, so I can’t wait to hit the throttle and see that green flag. I’ll be gunning to make both Ski-doo and my team owners proud on the ECS circuit this winter.”

George has been at this sport since the age of 10 when he first jumped onto a 380cc fan-cooled machine. Out most of last season with a torn ACL, the gifted young athlete is fully healed and ready to get back on the sleds.

“It was frustrating siting out so much of last season after the injury,” George said. “Yet it gave me new perspective, it made me appreciate my involvement in snocross and gives me new incentive to excel this coming winter. Racing for Ingles and Ski-doo is an honor, I’ve been training since early August and will be striving for solid finishes from Burke Mountain to Pico.”

And so, these two young yet highly experienced racers will head back to the gym Monday with a sense of dedication, a sense of pride. You can hear it clearly in their voices — they’ll put pressure on themselves to run well all season, because they take this sport so seriously. I admire their skills and commitment, so let’s wish them both good luck and success in the new season.

First Look: 2012 Factory Race Sleds

2011-09-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Every year as the mighty Hay Days rolls around out in Minnesota, those of us who live for snowmobiles and snocross starting frothing at the gills for pictures of the new sleds.

For 2011-12, all three of the major manufacturers that actively participate in snocross have released what are arguably the most technically advanced machines ever produced. Ready to hit the tracks this winter are:

From Ski-doo, the beautiful 600RS with its REV XP chassis and Rotax engine. You can bet pilots like Renaud Alexandre, Michael George and Chris Ackerman will be rocket-fast on these gems. The folks at Polaris have unveiled their sexy new buggy - a red, white and blue 600R number that is sure to have guys like Ross Martin rarin' to go.

Yet without question the most anticipated snowmobile in recent history was uncrated at Hay Days today - the mighty Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600. Green on one side, white on the other, and built on the all-new and MUCH lighter, repeat - slimmed down big-time, ProCross chassis. I can guarantee that the big dogs racing Cats here in the East (Matt Piche, for one) are super-stoked to go racing aboard this smokin' new Cat.

And so, I'll post photos stolen from various locations of these gorgeous new beauties for others to enjoy. My first up-close look at these machines will be October 7-8 in Fremont, N.H., at the famed NHSA Grass Drags and Watercross.

I'm sure ECS will have a booth there - so stop by and say "hey." And be SURE to grab a schedule for the 2011-12 season - it's gonna be huge!

Excitement starting to build for 2011-2012 ECS season

2011-08-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

While summer’s heat may be at its peak, a loud buzz is already building within snocross circles as plans for the 2011-2012 season begin to take shape.
For teams and riders within the East Coast Snocross (ECS) series, summer is when plans are made and new sleds are ordered. The month of July has already produced some big news, and more pieces of the 2012 puzzle will start falling into place on a weekly basis.
Headlining the off-season news is the announcement that 2011 ECS Pro champion Mathieu Morin has signed with Winnipeg-based BOSS Racing to compete on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) circuit. This swings the doors wide open for a new champion at ECS, with several skilled athletes lining up to take Morin’s place atop the mountain.
One of the big guns looking to claim those titles is Lake Shore, Minnesota, native Matt Piche. The veteran rider with national experience raced a Polaris for Hulten Speed Sports (HSS) last season, but will now pilot Arctic Cat sleds for Nate Tatro’s Green Mountain Racing squad. Piche is lightning-fast and silky-smooth on any brand of sled, so look for him to adapt to Arctic Cat’s mighty Sno Pro 600 with ease.
Another athlete with national experience returning to regional action this season is Quebec veteran Renaud Alexandre. The 21-year-old Val-D’Or native competed as a privateer on the ISOC circuit last winter, but is now a member of the high-profile Quebec-based Damexco Racing team. Alexandre has ridden Polaris the last four years, but returns to his roots at Ski-doo for 2012.
“I’m really excited to be part of Damexco Racing and am anxious to ride Ski-doo’s new race sled,” Alexandre said. ”I had surgery on my knee last Spring, but was able to start training again in early July. I think running ISOC last winter helped raise my intensity level, I plan to race at that level from the moment we go green. I’m also very excited to be running the new ECS series, I know the competition will be tough, but with more training, fast sleds and a great team, I’ll be ready for the challenge.”
Alexandre will compete in the Pro classes, while teammate Lucas Brunelle will race in the new Pro Lite class (formerly known as Semi-Pro).
Going into their inaugural season, nobody at East Coast Snocross could have predicted a rookie performance in the Pro division like the one put forth by Corin Todd. After riding BRP/Ski-doo products his entire career, the gifted athlete from Otego, NY, switched to Arctic Cat last season at the same time he advanced to Pro.
Most thought the challenge would be too great, yet Todd felt otherwise. He landed on the podium his first time out at Vermont's Burke Mountain Ski Resort, then astounded the most seasoned of fans as he went wire-to-wire and held off Morin to win the 25-lap Pro Stock final in Ossipee, New Hampshire, just two races later.
After finishing third in Pro Stock points and fifth in Open (he didn’t even have a Mod motor until Salem, NH) last year, Todd will return to ECS competition in 2011-12 as a member of Camara Slate Racing and will be riding Arctic Cat sleds. Todd’s teammates will include Chris Ackerman (Pro) and Jesse James Bonaduce, who will compete against Brunelle and many others in the new Pro Lite class.
While most talk in snocross centers around the Pro and Pro Lite riders, the importance of Junior classes is not to be overlooked. This is where the next stars of the sport hone their skills, and starting in 2011-12, many of them will do so aboard an exciting new sled. Arctic Cat has released its new Sno Pro 500 model that will be utilized for a number of Junior classes.
As for the 2011-2012 ECS schedule, that too, is starting to take shape. For its second season, the sanctioning body will once again present eight or nine points races, hosted at a mix of existing and new sites. While negotiations are still being finalized, six events are already locked in starting with the season opener in East Burke, VT (Dec. 11-12); Plattsburgh, NY (January 2012 TBA); Boonville, NY (with ice ovals, Jan. 27-29); Farmington, NY (Feb. 4-5, w/ISOC); Findley Lake, NY (March 24-25); and Killington, VT (Pico Mtn., March 31-April 1).
More details on team and rider plans, as well as news on the schedule as it develops will be released in the coming weeks. Don’t let summer’s heat get you down, the cold nights and deep snow will be here before you know it.

Morin closes in on Pro titles at Snow Ridge

2011-03-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Red-hot Mathieu Morin inched one step closer to locking up the 2011 titles last weekend, winning both the Pro Stock and Pro Open finals as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Round 7 on the 2011 schedule at the Snow Ridge Ski Resort.
Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Val-D’Or, QC, held off chief rival Danny Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) to claim Saturday’s 10-lap Stock final, while Poirier’s HSS/Polaris teammate Matt Piche filled out the podium. Morin’s margin of victory over Poirier was a mere 2.4 seconds.
In Sunday’s grueling 16-lap Open final, Morin prevailed once again to earn his 10th victory of the season. And just like the previous day, Poirier and Piche powered their “Red Sleds” to second and third respectively.
From a manufacturer’s standpoint, Ski-doo is clearly on top but Polaris sure isn’t far behind on any given weekend here in the east. It should also be noted the tremendous progress Arctic Cat has made this season, thanks to riders like Corin Todd, Chris Ackerman and Jason Boron. To see all three brands on the podium this year has certainly been refreshing.

Action in the Semi-Pro ranks produced a few surprises at Snow Ridge. Lucas Brunelle broke a long winless streak when he captured Sunday’s Stock final. New York native and veteran racer Adam Sedlmeier made his ECS debut with a solid second place run, while rising star Jacob Muller, of Richmond, MN, (Team Southside/Polaris) came home third.
Saturday’s Semi-Pro tilt went to ECS part-timer Kevin Morin, with New Jersey’s Jesse James Bonaduce second and veteran Dale Petrus third. Morin’s margin of victory was the least of any winner within the top classes, just 1.4 seconds over a hard-charging Bonaduce. Each week, fans get their money’s worth in Semi-Pro action as these rising stars reach for the spotlight.
In the Sport division at Snow Ridge, Leo Patenaude (Patenaude Pool Plasters/Ski-doo) put in an impressive effort. The young athlete from Hartland, VT, held off a hard-charging Mike Pilotte (by less than two seconds) to claim Saturday’s Super Stock final. Jarett Catlin made the long haul from Rochester, NH worthwhile with a fine third-place finish.
Pilotte bounced back to prevail in Sunday’s Super Stock battle, yet Patenaude was right there in second. Catlin capped a successful weekend outing with another third place run. In Sport 600, it was all Patenaude once again. Catlin stepped up his effort to claim the runner-up spot, while Bruce Gaspardi Jr. (Team Southside/Polaris) filled out the podium.

Connor Roscoe was the rider to beat in Junior division action over the weekend in Turin. The talented young athlete from Cheshire, CT, picked up three more final round wins. On Saturday, he held off Tyler Zuidema and Peter Yerden to claim the 16-17 Stock 600 final. He also out-gunned Jerry Field and Cole Fredricks to prevail in 14-15 Stock 600 action.
On Sunday, Roscoe powered his Ski-doo to victory in the Jr. 14-15 Stock 600 final, while Jayme Lynch took top honors in 16-17 competition over Yerden and Zuidema.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Turin include Jason Boron (Pro Vet); Steffanie Lemieux-Bell (Pro Women Sat. and Sun.); Joe Lemieux (Plus 35 Masters Stock); Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Sarah Acker (Women Stock 600 Sat.); Wade Acker (Jr. 10-13 Stock 380 Fan Sat.); and Hunter Patenaude (Jr. 10-13 380 Sunday).
East Coast Snocross would like to thank the entire staff at Snow Ridge for hosting last weekend’s event. With less-than-ideal weather conditions, it was a challenge to say the least. Having enough snow to hold up during heavy rains is something few sites could handle, yet the folks at Snow Ridge had us covered.
Next up for race teams here in the northeast after a much-needed rest is Round 8 at the beautiful Peek ‘N Peak Ski Resort in Findley Lake, NY, on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27.

Corin Todd dominates Pro Stock final at Ossipee

2011-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

OSSIPEE, N.H. (Jan. 15, 2011) — Rookie sensation Corin Todd fulfilled a lifelong dream Saturday, dominating the Pro Stock final as Day 1 wrapped up at the Ossipee Fire Department in Round 3 on the 2010-2011 East Coast Snocross (ECS) campaign.

Todd (JAC Racing/Arctic Cat), of Otego, New York, was competing on a sled borrowed from teammate Jesse James Bonaduce after his primary machine suffered mechanical failure. The 17-year-old athlete followed fellow Pro rookie Lincoln Lemieux into Turn 1, but led the field across the line for lap 1 and never looked back. What makes this win even more special is the fact it was 25 grueling laps, tough for even the most seasoned veterans.

“I’m just speechless right now,” Todd said trackside after the win. “We’ve worked so hard to get here, night after night in the shop and working out in the gym. My Dad has worked his heart out to make this happen, and I can’t thank him enough. This feels absolutely incredible to reward Dad, Mike Kolety at Cat and all of our sponsors for their valued support. “

Mathieu Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) worked his way past Danny Poirier to take over the second position just past halfway, and hung on for the runner-up spot. Minnesota native Matt Piche (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) came home third, another solid run for the man they call “the Bull-rider.”

In the day’s other big show, New York racer Dale Petrus (Polaris) earned his first final round victory since 2008. The cagey veteran went wire-to-wire in the Semi-Pro Stock Day 1 tilt, holding off the big guns for top honors.

“It feels fantastic to be back on top of the podium,” an elated Petrus said after the race. “The snow dust is making for limited visibility out there, and there are some gnarly square edges inside some of those big holes. It’s a tight little track here, but I kept it pointed in the right direction, and it feels great.”

Other highlights in Saturday action here at Ossipee include another victory for Connor Roscoe in Jr. 14-15 Stock 600, while Ed “The Bandit” Bandel powered his way to victory in a thrilling Sport Super Stock final.

We’ve got a little light snow falling here in Ossipee this evening, which will make for an ideal backdrop when we kick off Day 2 in the morning.

If you couldn’t make it out to join us today, we hope you’ll make plans to join us tomorrow. We’ll have Day 2 of Semi-Pro Stock, the ground-pounding Pro Open sleds, another freestyle show from Rave-X and a whole lot more.

For a complete wrap-up of the weekend, go to www.eastcoastsnocross.com Monday night. Our sincere thanks to everyone here in the Greater Ossipee region for hosting ECS Round 3.

Plattsburgh, NY next stop for East Coast Snocross Series

2010-12-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

After all of the presents have been unwrapped, some delicious meals enjoyed and laughter shared by families of all sizes, the focus will return to snowmobile racing for powersports enthusiasts throughout the region.
Race teams from around New York and New England are anxious to get back on the snow and fire the engines, as officials at East Coast Snocross (ECS) get set for Round 2 on the nine-race 2010-2011 campaign on Saturday and Sunday, January 8-9, at the Crete Civic Center in beautiful downtown Plattsburgh, New York.
Spectator gates will open at 10 a.m. each day, with racing getting under way at 11 a.m. Admission is $15 per day for adults, while children age seven and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes valid through the weekend will be available for an extra $10.
Along with riders from the ECS circuit, Plattsburgh will also feature teams from the Quebec-based SCM series in a combination race weekend. The addition of these teams will produce some of the most competitive racing witnessed in the northeast all season.
This exciting weekend of snocross is brought to you in part by the Airborne Speedway, Mohawk Casino, Camoplast tracks and Choko Design apparel. ECS and SCM officials ask fans to support these fine companies as they help make Round 2 an event to remember.
In addition to plenty of competitive snocross racing in the Pro, Semi-Pro, Sport, Women and Junior divisions, fans at Plattsburgh will also witness the biggest freestyle show of the season. The Maine-based Rave-X Outer Limits Tour is bringing in former X Games medalist Sam Rogers to attempt the jaw-dropping back-flip if wind conditions are favorable. The tricks and stunts thrown down by the folks from Rave-X will have New York fans talking all winter.

Leading the charge into Plattsburgh are Pro riders Mathieu Morin and Danny Poirier. The two highly-skilled veterans split the Pro finals at the season opener in East Burke, Vermont, and are expected to battle side-by-side all season for the coveted ECS championships.
Some of the other Pro division riders fans can expect to see compete in Plattsburgh include New York natives Jason Stone (Central Square), Corin Todd (Otego), Michael George (Pine Plains) and Jason Rudd (Rodman); former champion Jason Boron; factory-supported Minnesota natives Matt Piche (Polaris) and Matt Pichner (Arctic Cat); and Swedish rider Emil Ottosson (Arctic Cat).
In the talent-laden Semi-Pro division, fans should keep their eyes on athletes like Lucas Brunelle, Jacob Muller and Ash Woskob. Muller and Brunelle split the Stock finals at Burke, while Woskob posted second and third place finishes to start his sophomore season of snocross in impressive fashion.

The City of Plattsburgh is located on Lake Champlain in the northeast part of New York State roughly 20 miles south of the Canadian border. To the west of the city is a 6.1 million-acre tract of land called the Adirondack Park, which contains the famous Adirondack Mountains. With over 100 summits ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 feet in elevation, it is truly one of the most beautiful areas in the country.
With its warm charm and beautiful location, the city offers plenty to see and do during all four seasons. Thanks to strong support from the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Kasprzak and several local businesses, this event promises to bring loads of fun and excitement to all who attend.
East Coast Snocross, presented by Woody’s Traction and AMSOIL, is the new sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. ECS maintains a regional circuit intended to keep grass-roots snocross racing healthy in this part of the snowbelt, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed Pro teams.

COUNTDOWN: 1 Week to ECS opener at Burke Mountain!

2010-12-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

After all the hype, speculation and brand-changing, the time has come to fire the engines and wave that familiar green flag.
Snowmobile race teams from around New York and New England are packing their bags and loading the trailers, as officials at East Coast Snocross (ECS) prepare to kick off their inaugural season of competition on Saturday and Sunday, December 11-12, at the beautiful Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, Vermont.
Spectator gates will open at 10 a.m. each day, with racing getting under way at 11 a.m. Admission is $15 per day for adults, while children age seven and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes valid through the weekend will be available for an extra $10.
With 2010 regional champion Bobby LePage returning to ISOC, several athletes have their sights set squarely on the 2011 ECS titles. Led by pre-season favorite Mathieu Morin, of Val-D’Or, Quebec, these riders on all three major brands have trained for months and are on new sleds. Fans of Ski-doo, Arctic Cat and Polaris will have stars to support as a new seasons revs up.
Those same fans will witness the start of a new era in northeastern snocross, as ECS unveils their own style of racing and freestyle entertainment. Each day will feature the top Pro and amateur riders competing for points and purse, along with two shows by the high-flying Rave-X Outer Limits Freestyle Tour.
New this season are the Saturday and Sunday Featured Events, showcasing various classes throughout the season. The Saturday Featured event at Burke (Sport Super Stock) will be sponsored by our friends at Woody's Traction & Control, while Sunday's feature (Jr. 10-13 380 Fan) will be sponsored by the great folks at AMSOIL.
Some of the other Pro division riders fans can expect to see compete at Burke include St.. Johnsbury native Lincoln Lemieux, former champions Jason Boron and Danny Poirier, factory-supported Minnesota natives Matt Piche (Polaris) and Matt Pichner (Arctic Cat), and New York natives Jason Stone, Corin Todd and Michael George.
In the talent-laden Semi-Pro division, fans should keep their eyes on athletes like Lucas Brunelle, Cody Flach and Joey Stock as they battle the competition all weekend long. Add some great racing from the Sport, Women, Junior and 120cc (kids ages 4-10 on a separate small track) divisions, and Burke promises to deliver one fabulous weekend full of fun and excitement.
With 45 trails serviced by four lifts (two Quads) on 250 ski-able acres, Burke Mountain offers a variety of terrain for all ages and ability levels. Average annual snowfall exceeds 200 inches, providing plenty of powder days from mid-December through early April.
Ski racers know East Burke as home to Burke Mountain Academy (BMA), one of the nation’s premier ski racing schools. Founded by Warren Witherell in1970, BMA has an unparalleled record of success in producing National Team and top performing college ski racers.
To learn more about all Burke Mountain has to offer, visit www.skiburke.com.
East Coast Snocross, presented by Woody’s Traction & AMSOIL, is the new sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. As the eastern affiliate of the International Series of Champions (ISOC), ECS runs a regional circuit intended to keep grass-roots snocross racing healthy in this part of the snowbelt, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed Pro teams.

East Coast Snocross 2010-11 Competition Preview

2010-11-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

There’s room for a new face at the top on the northeastern regional snocross scene.
When it was announced earlier this fall that 2010 RMR Pro champion Bobby LePage had signed with Team Lavallee for an assault on the ISOC national title, racers across New York and New England let out a collective sigh of relief.
LePage’s move back to the national stage swings the door wide open for a new star atop the podium, and there’s a fine mix of talented veterans and fresh faces ready to take command.
Last season, Quebec native Mathieu Morin battled LePage every week and brought the title fight right down to the wire.
Morin returns to competition for 2010-11 with the powerhouse Ingles Performance Ski-doo team based in Phoenix, New York. With his national experience, great skills and top-notch equipment, Morin is the odds-on favorite to earn the 2011 ECS Pro titles.
Joining Morin this season on the Ingles squad will be Jason Stone (Pro); Michael George (first-year Pro); Lucas Brunelle and Chris Coleman (Semi-Pro); Whitney Coville (Sport) and Chris Ingles (Sport). This is Ski-doo’s flagship team in the east, with no shortage of talent.
There are several other young athletes anxious to battle Morin for that top spot. For the first time in several years, the folks at Arctic Cat are loaded for bear here in the east. Leading the green contingent from Thief River Falls, MN, is the new Green Mountain Racing (GMR) squad headed up by Nate Tatro. Headlining the team is Minnesota native Matt Pichner, a gifted rider with national experience at the Semi-Pro level. Pichner will advance to the Pro division here in the east, and will be joined by Swedish rider Emil Ottosson on the green machines. Veterans Chris Ackerman and Cody Flach will represent GMR in the Semi-Pro division.
Along with Pichner, one of the northeast’s most accomplished veterans has also joined Tatro’s new team. Nine-time champion (Pro and Semi-Pro) Jason Boron makes a return to Arctic Cat for 2010-11 after spending the better part of a decade on Ski-doo. Boron is a threat to win every time out, and those close to the sport know he’ll be fast on the new Cats.
As Morin and Pichner prepare to do battle, there is another new face looking to make his mark here in New England. Over at Hulten Speed Sports (the folks who won 10 class titles last year), a young man they call ‘the Bull-rider’ is training hard and ready to race. Matt Piche is now part of the HSS organization (fielding teams in ISOC and ECS this season) and brings a ton of national experience to the table. Former champion Danny Poirier will also return to action with the Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris squad and will be a threat to win each and every week.
While the three professional athletes with national experience (Morin, Pichner, Piche) may think the ECS sandbox is exclusively theirs, a handful of eastern natives have other plans.
Two graduates of the hotly-contested Semi-Pro division are making the move to Pro for 2011, and both have strong skills. On the Ski-doo side of the equation, Lincoln Lemieux has a new deal that will see him running as a full-time Pro on the ECS circuit and part-time as a Semi-Pro in ISOC. Lemieux won the RMR Semi-Pro Open title in 2010 and has matured a great deal in recent seasons. With fellow Vermont native Brennan Berardo stepping aside this season to focus on college, Lemieux is Ski-doo’s hot ticket (along with Morin and Stone) here in the east.
Another fine young athlete that battled with Lemieux in Semi-Pro last year is also making the move to Pro. Corin Todd, of Otego, NY, has a new team to introduce. JAC Racing is headed up by Corin’s father Mark, and will field Arctic Cat sleds for Corin, Jesse James Bonaduce and Ash Woskob. Bonaduce will advance to Semi-Pro after a strong season in the Sport classes last year, while Woskob will remain in Semi-Pro (the motocross expert from Tyrone, PA only has one season of snocross under his belt) and continue to hone his skills at that level.
With riders like Boron, Pichner and Todd riding green sleds this year, the balance could be about to shift in a region where Ski-doo has dominated through shear numbers in recent years.
Two other teams involved in our sport for many years are getting ready to go at it once again. Ruddman Racing, based in Rodman, NY, returns to action led by veteran Jason Rudd. The talented athlete had his 2009-10 season end early due to a broken leg, but has been training constantly and is anxious to get back on the sleds. Danny Graves will also be part of the squad, looking to run up front in the Semi-Pro division this season.
Along with the Rudd family, longtime snocross supporter Team Southside is also busy preparing for the first green flag. Bruce Gaspardi Sr. has fielded a multi-rider Polaris team since 1997. The team’s 2010-11 lineup will feature three Semi-Pro riders; Joey Stock, Dale Petrus and Todd Smith. Stock swept the Sport classes in 2009 but was sidelined early in 2010 by injury, while Petrus and Smith are seasoned veterans capable of podium finishes on any given day. Rounding out the 2010-11 roster for Team Southside are veterans Bruce Gaspardi Jr. (Sport) Melanie Acker (women) and Wade Acker (Junior).
Hulten Speed Sports, Ingles Performance, Green Mountain Racing, JAC Racing, the Lemieux, Patenaude, Rudd and Gaspardi families, along with several others are busy gearing up for what could easily be the most competitive winter of snocross northeastern fans have ever witnessed.
Along with all the talent and new faces in Pro and Semi-Pro, ECS officials are also excited about the riders planning to compete in the Sport, Women and Junior divisions.
East Coast Snocross will also continue the highly-valued 120cc program, where future stars of snocross learn how to race. This is the place where young racers compete with high intensity, while also learning the value of good sportsmanship.
With a big reduction in the number of classes and the addition of high-flying freestyle athletes from Rave-X for 2010-11, each race day and weekend will be more of a show.
East Coast Snocross kicks off the 2010-11 season on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12, at the beautiful Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, Vermont.

New venues, added value highlight 2010-11 ECS snocross schedule

2010-10-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

CHESHIRE, Conn. — As the days grow shorter and the overnight low temperatures start to drop, power sports enthusiasts around the northeast are turning their thoughts to snowmobiling. While fall chores may come first, it won’t be long before trails are cleared and signs are put up.
For those who love snowmobiles and racing, as well, there is exciting news out of southern New England. Officials from the East Coast Snocross (ECS) have announced their 2010-11 race schedule, highlighted by some new venues in new markets.
On Dec. 11-12, the season will kick off in a big way at the beautiful Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, Vermont. Burke is legendary among the ski crowd for ample snow, first-class trails and a level of hospitality unmatched at larger resorts. Nestled in Vermont’s scenic Northeast Kingdom, Burke is surrounded by some of the finest trails in North America. Located just a short drive north on Rte. 114 from Interstate 91, Burke is a snocross fan’s dream.
Round 2 on the 2010-11 campaign will also be at a site new to snocross. On Jan. 8-9, 2011, the city of Plattsburg, New York will host the ECS teams at the Crete Civic Center. With support from the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of Plattsburg, assistance of Airborne Speedway promoter Mike Perrotte, the Plattsburg event has tremendous potential for success.
For Round 3, race teams will return to the friendly confines of Ossipee, New Hampshire, to compete and entertain the many snowmobile enthusiasts in that area. The former circuit ran snocross events at the old Mt. Whittier ski area, and fans turned out in big numbers. On Jan. 15-16, 2010, the sleds and stars of ECS will compete just off Rte. 16 on land behind the Fire Station. There is ample room for a quality track, and local Chamber of Commerce officials are the hosts.
A trip across our northern border is required for Round 4, as ECS will compete in conjunction with Marcel Fontaine’s SCM circuit on Jan. 22-23, in Mirabel, Quebec. Last year, the event in Mirabel drew thousands of fans both days, thanks to its location just outside Montreal and excellent promotional efforts. The track was huge, the purse was strong and lots of food vendors kept everybody full and happy. The 2011 version should be just as successful.
On Feb. 5-6, teams and officials from ECS will join the International Series of Champions (ISOC) at the Eastern Nationals in Farmington, New York. The ISOC teams will thrill fans with their factory-backed riders, while ECS teams will compete for points, as well.
For Round 6, teams will travel to historic Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire (Feb. 26-27) for what officials expect to be one of the premiere events of 2011. With easy highway access, heated enclosed grandstand and fan amenities unmatched at most sites, "The Rock" is a perfect venue for snocross racing.
The next event on the 2011 slate is set for March 26-27 at the Peak ‘N Peak Resort in Findley Lake, New York. The Peak ‘N Peek Resort has been hosting snocross events for the last few years with a great deal of success. With first-class amenities, excellent snow conditions and eager fans, Findley Lake is an ideal home for snocross in western New York.
East Coast Snocross will wrap up the 2010-11 season on April 2-3 at the historic Pico Mountain ski area in Killington, Vermont. Pico is owned by and just around the corner from the world-renowned Killington Mountain Resort. Founded by the Mead family in 1937, Pico was one of Vermont's first commercial ski resorts. Bringing snocross racing to Pico is truly an honor for everyone at ECS.
ECS snocross action at Pico will join Killington’s 15th annual Freestyle competition to rock southern Vermont unlike any other weekend. Mountain officials will be offering a special dual-event ticket and offering shuttle-bus rides from Killington to Pico. It’s an incredible opportunity for snowmobile racing and skiing to come together at one of Vermont’s most famous resorts.
While eight race dates are now set in stone, the possibility of nine events overall exists.After a busy summer of working to assemble the best possible schedule in this tough economy, ECS Director of Operations Shawn Longbook is breathing a little easier now that the schedule has been released.
“I am proud to announce this schedule for the inaugural season for ECS,” Longbook said. “When Bob Roscoe bought the old Rock Maple circuit, he made a commitment to move the sport forward. With a solid schedule now in place, news of manufacturers supporting eastern teams, and the addition of the Rave-X freestyle team to our shows, I feel we're headed in the right direction. I hope our racers, teams and fans will be excited and come to the races.”
The Rave-X Outer Limits Freestyle Tour will be part of the excitement in Burke, VT; Plattsburgh, N.Y. (special show featuring a back-lflip by an X Games medalist); Ossipee, N.H.; Salem, N.H., and at Pico Mountain.
A great deal of work has been done behind the scenes over the summer to ensure the success of ECS. A new track builder/groomer was hired, new snow guns were ordered for when weather won’t cooperate, and a first-ever Race Advisory Board was formed to discuss issues important to the sport. It’s a thorough and professional approach to organizing regional snocross that should pay dividends.
For more information, please visit ECS online at www.eastcoastsnocross.com.

Thunder Road videos a real treat for race fans

2010-09-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

When I first got involved in this wonderful sport of stock car racing back in 1992, I met a man from southern New Hampshire named Bill Channel. As owner of Channel 1 Video, Bill was on a quest to record New England’s rich short track stock car racing history for all to enjoy.
Channel’s work not only produced several award-winning pieces, but got me hooked on videos of my favorite sport. I quickly realized how important this was to preserve memories of special moments in our region’s racing history.
Since those days, I’ve met several others who’ve carried camera equipment to the track each week. Mr. Channel has more or less retired from weekly recording, but there are several others who carry on his legacy. Thanks to one of them, I’ve even had the chance to design a track history DVD and played a big role in its production (Northeastern Speedway 50th Anniversary Celebration). My involvement in that project and the way it turned out is a source of great pride for me.
One skilled individual very active in the field of racing videography today is Carl Parton, of Montpelier, Vermont. Carl owns Central Sports Net (www.cvtsport.net), and is the man who records racing every week at the famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl.
I recently had a chance (finally) to sit down and watch some of his work. Since I’m a native Vermonter, I love the “down-home” feel of his videos. Having a picture of his adorable children in the intro with audio of them saying “my Daddy made this,” is absolutely precious.
Once the racing begins, Parton’s skills become evident. A high-quality camera on a solid tripod keeps everything steady and crisp, while Parton’s pan and zoom skills are excellent. As I’ve learned from professionals, a cameraman who has mastered the art of pan and zoom as he follows the action makes a huge difference in what we see on our screens.
Like other professionals in his field, Parton taps directly into the track’s PA system to ensure a quality audio signal is obtained. While you do hear the cars roar some (it wouldn’t seem right without it) it never overwhelms the announcer in any way. Clear audio and sharp video is what makes Parton’s work such a treat.
The two nights of racing at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” I’ve had the pleasure of watching were from June 19 and June 25 of 2009. Both DVDs are well-produced, and despite Thunder Road’s notoriously dim lighting — you can still see the cars clearly during the evening’s features. Parton has been recording races at the Barre, Vermont oval since 2008.
If you are a fan of that historic (opened in 1960) high-banked track atop Quarry Hill, or even if you just love to watch side-by-side short track stock car racing on your own TV, visit Parton’s Web site today and order a DVD from Thunder Road. It will be something to treasure and watch with friends for years to come.
As a longtime fan of Thunder Road (first race there: Firecracker 100 in 1976), I simply love to own video of races there. The two pieces from Mr. Parton join a DVD with footage of the pre-war Coupes (early 1960s) in my collection. Perhaps a joint venture between Vermont racing archivist Cho Lee, Carl Parton and myself to produce a two-hour, multi-chapter DVD of Thunder Road’s rich history is in order.
Of course we would need permission from and the blessing of Ken Squier, but I believe he would see the value of such a project. In 2009, he kindly participated in our Northeastern DVD project since he announced there early in his illustrious career. I am extremely grateful for his contribution.
Anybody in support of the Thunder Road history DVD idea can reach me via e-mail at philw61@yahoo.com.

Brackett closing in on second title at Oxford

2010-08-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Veteran short track racer Tim Brackett knows the quick way around Oxford Plains Speedway as well as anybody in the northeast. He won the track title back in 2005 when Pro Stocks were still the premiere division.

Now, he's getting a firm handle on Late Model cars and is leading the points standings with just two races left on the 2010 schedule. For the second straight week (Aug. 21), the margin between Brackett and 2004 Late Model champion Shawn Martin is a scant 12 markers.

Both Brackett and Martin got off to slow starts this year, but both turned the corner in a big way in late July. Martin has reeled off three podium finishes since his team was forced to dig out their old car. Martin's 2010 piece (built by Mitch Green) was destroyed on June 24 in ACT competition at Beech Ridge.

"The old car is serving us very well," Martin said in the pit area two weeks ago. "We took some items off the new chassis and converted this one over to race-ready, and it has been handling like a dream. In the first half of the season, we struggled trying to get the new car to stay fast on long runs. It fell off significantly after 25 or 30 laps, and our features are 40 laps. At least we had the old car to utilize, and to pull back up to second in points has been very gratifying. Now we'll just have to dig in these last few races and see if we can overtake Tim."

Brackett, of Buckfield, has had an extremely busy summer of 2010. Not only is he working to maintain his own No. 60 machine and secure a title, he also fields the equally-potent No. 61 entry driven by his talented son, TJ. And let us not forget his foxy daughter, Vannah, who is leading the points in Oxford's Ladies division. If the family manages to record three titles this year (Sat. Showdown & Wed. Acceleration Series points are separate for Ladies), it will be remarkable.

"We've had quite a season so far," Brackett said while working on TJ's car last week. "It took me a while to get up to speed this year, but the car has been consistent week-to-week. Shawn is a good racer, he will be right there these last two weeks and if I fall out early - he'll be right there to capitalize. The idea of a winning a second championship is pretty neat, so we'll give it our best and see how it all shakes out."

I must say, Oxford's Late Model division has been pretty entertaining in 2010. We started out with Tommy Ricker making the headlines, winning two straight features and vaulting into the points lead for several weeks. And when his on-track performance started to fade, we watched in awe as Lewiston's Corey Morgan began to shine. Morgan drew some attention with impressive runs in the ACT events on May 16 and June 19, then blew all of us away when he finished third in the 37th annual TD Bank 250 on July 18.

And as if Morgan's impressive runs weren't exciting enough, along comes nine-time Oxford track champion Jeff Taylor into the mix (late summer) with a sparkling new No. 88 Late Model to join the ranks. Taylor was the absolute King of the Pro Stocks for over a decade, but has been reluctant to make the switch. As owner of Distance Racing Products, his goal was to learn the Late Model's dynamics (chassis setup, handling characteristics, etc.) from a seat-of-the-pants perspective. On July 31, he won his first Late Model feature. Just three weeks later, he won again. If I was about to order a new car for 2011, it would be from DRP in Fairfield.

Regardless of who wins the 2010 Late Model championship, we've had a fantastic season at Oxford. Don't let those ego-driven clowns still clinging to their outdated, overpriced Pro Stocks fool you. Late Model racing is exciting, there are a lot more teams with a chance to win,. and the amount of side-by-side racing is about 10-to-1 over "Super Late Models." So boys, what makes them so "SUPER" anyway?

Don't miss the final two points shows at Oxford on August 28 and September 11. We're talking drama, action and a great story no matter who comes out on top. I'm just thrilled I've had the pleasure of watching these guys all season long. I hope to do it all again in 2011.

Folsom claims Late Model feature at Thunder Road

2010-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

BARRE, Vermont – Grant Folsom led from green to checkered to notch his second career Late Model feature victory, dominating the Safelite Autoglass Trophy Dash Thursday night (aug. 5) at Thunder Road International Speedbowl.

Folsom, of Waitsfield, started from the pole and held off a hard-charging Reno Gervais for top honors. After a caution-plagued performance the previous week, this 50-lap feature was completed with just one delay. Gervais, of Island Pond, settled for second, while Jamie Fisher edged out John Donahue for third. Phil Scott followed Donahue to the line to complete the top five.

Current Thunder Road Late Model point leader Dave Pembroke took sixth, followed by Nick Sweet, Rich Lowrey, Cris Michaud and last week’s winner Joey Becker in 10th.

Folsom's win makes eleven different winners in 11 Late Model races held this year at Thunder Road. The only repeat winners this season are Dave Pembroke, who won the point counting season opener at Devils Bowl Speedway along with a regular feature event; and Barre's own Nick Sweet, who won the ACT Late Model Tour Merchants Bank 150 and the Carquest Governor’s Cup.

Peacham’s Tony Rossi earned his first career Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen feature win. He worked his way from the 8th starting position and held off 2009 Tiger Champion Jimmy Hebert, Mike Ziter, Derrick O’Donnell and Eric Badore. Bobby Therrien, last week’s feature winner Matt Potter, Tom Therrien, Pete Ainsworth and current point leader David Finck completed the top ten.

Elmore’s Dave Whitcomb earned his second career Allen Lumber Street Stock feature win and his first of 2010. He outran Mike MacAskill who was looking for his third straight win. Gary Bashaw, Scott Weston and point leader Tim Campbell rounded out the top five. Ron Gabaree, Gary Mullen, Thomas Placey, Dave LaFleche and Sid Sweet all earned top tens.

The Junkyard Warriors saw Cabot’s Ken Christman take his eighth win of the 2010 season. He was followed by Kevin Wheatley and Tommy Elwood.

(NOTE: The NEAR cars and Bob Doyle Museum truck were also on hand at Thunder Road last night. More to follow (with photos) this weekend).

The Allen Lumber Street Stocks and the Junkyard Warriors will be back in action this Sunday, August 8 with a special 50 lap race as part of the M&M Beverage Enduro event. Post time is 6:00pm.

All four Thunder Road divisions will be back next Thursday, August 12 for Aaron’s Sales and Lease Night. The event will feature the Run-What-U-Brung. Post time is 6:30pm.

ACT New England Transmission 150 at Beech Ridge Notebook

2010-07-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

When I first learned the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) would be returning to historic Beech Ridge Motor Speedway after a 16-ear absence in 2009, I was thrilled.
Not only is the seacoast oval just 45 minutes from my home, I had many great memories of trips to Beech Ridge starting way back in 1988. I was there when Buzzy Bezanson won the New England 300 on one set of tires, and was fortunate enough to be present for every modern-day NASCAR Busch North Series race the place hosted,
as well.
Last year’s ACT return was exciting, with low-buck Thunder Road veteran Eric Williams almost stealing the victory from multi-time champion Brian Hoar. And when the Vermont-based tour rolled back into Scarborough last weekend for another show, fans got their money’s worth, and them some.
Having covered weekly racing activities at Oxford Plains Speedway for the Sun Journal since 2005, I’ve developed a deep respect for several Late Model teams who compete there.
When I arrived at “The Ridge” last Saturday evening, I was elated to see Ricky Rolfe, Tim and son TJ Brackett, Shawn Martin, Corey Morgan and young Ben Ashline on the entry list. Five-time Oxford champion Travis Adams, running a part-time ACT schedule for 2010, and nine-time Oxford Pro Stock champion Jeff Taylor were also among the entrants. Talk about supporting a local ACT race on an off-weekend for Oxford, those boys were out in force.
As most of you will have read by now, Ashline ran second for at least 70 laps before getting put to the rear for spinning somebody out. The young athlete from Pittston limped to a disappointing 15th-place finish, two laps off the pace.
Taylor absolutely blew me away when he took the lead from Polewarczyk on lap 83. The one-time King of the Pro Stocks is finally (and reluctantly, I think) making the transition to a Late Model way of thinking at Distance Racing Products.
To get a handle on what it takes to build Late Models that win, Mr. Taylor has wisely built himself an immaculate version and is learning the car from a hands-on, seat-of-the-pants perspective. He led 13 laps and unfortunately fell victim to a cut tire on lap 131. His position at 22nd in the final rundown fails to show his most impressive Late Model effort to date.
Along with my praise for the ACT race last Saturday, I’d also like to express a few thoughts on Beech Ridge itself. The place has a special feel when the lights come on, and that fog is the wildest thing I’ve ever seen at any track. Only once before had I seen it get so thick that cars looked blurry on the backstretch. How we ever got that entire 150 laps in is beyond me.
I am always amazed at the depth of Andy Cusack’s support divisions. And I must say, his NASCAR Pro Series machines (the last Pro Stock holdouts) put on a whale of a show. They went 40 laps green-to-checkered without a caution at blistering speed. A very impressive feature, for sure. The car count and caliber of racing in the Sport Series is strong, as well.
Overall, the place is clean, the food is tasty, and the racing is pretty tough to beat. Hats off to second generation owner Andy Cusack and staff for maintaining a tradition of excellence fans have come to expect for decades. And speaking of race fans...
For the second straight year, I had a verbal confrontation with one at Beech Ridge. Last year, I was insulted and asked to leave by fans when I sat in the wrong place in the pits. This year, the insults flew when I described the previous week’s 250 as an excellent race.
I realize the mental capacity and unwillingness to accept outsiders of fans who attend Beech Ridge is outside the promoter’s control. I guess all I ask is that folks respect the opinion of somebody who looks at racing from a different angle than they do. We all love the same sport.

ACT returns to Oxford: Final tuneup before the 250

2010-06-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the 37th annual TD Bank 250 is just four weeks from tomorrow?

Neither can I, but it's true my friends. And as Late Model teams from around the northeast start to think about what it will take to have a shot at "the big dance," a perfect opportunity to get 'dialed in for long distance' at Oxford is here.

Teams and officials from the Vermont-based American-Canadian Tour (ACT) are on their way to western Maine this morning. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. as teams file in to prepare for tonight's ACT 150 at the historic 3/8-mile oval. An amazing 53 cars showed up back on May 16 for the first ACT show (Oxford's season opener), and I'll bet the number will be pretty close to that today.

Almost two years ago to the day (June 21), ACT ran the Dunkin' Donuts 150 at Oxford and young Joey Polewarczyk Jr. drove to victory. Yet in 2010, the rising star from Hudson, N.H., is a bit off the pace. Polewarczyk failed to qualify for the feature on May 16, something I surely didn't expect to see. He was on hand last Saturday night to get a jump on tonight's race, but got stuck in traffic for much of the 40-lap feature and finished 11th.

As for a list of favorites to take down the win in tonight's 150-lap tussle, I'd have to start with the man everybody is watching after last year's 250 and another win in the May 16 ACT event. Eddie MacDonald has become "the man" at Oxford these days, with finely honed skills and veteran crew chief Rollie Lachance in his corner. I don't believe the K&N Pro Series East (E-Mac's regular gig for Grimm Racing) runs again until Loudon, so expect the rocket-fast No. 17 NEMO Pontiac (not many teams still running the Grand Prix body) to be in the pits this afternoon and near the front this evening.

Any sensible list of possible winners would have to include "Two Lap" Tommy Ricker, the 54-year-old veteran from Poland, Maine. Ricker has been on a tear all season, starting with an incredible second-place finish behind MacDonald on May 16. Since then, old Two Lap (Oakes isn't sure if it was Bob Walker or Dave Moody that first called him that for his habit of having trouble two laps into the race) has two wins and a third place finish in three starts.

The exciting charges up through the field Ricker has been making using the often-tricky outside groove have brought back memories of watching Jeff Taylor do the same thing. It has really been fun to watch, except perhaps for the rest of Oxford's regulars. I'd have to include Tim and his son TJ Brackett, Ricky Rolfe and Jeff White on my list of Oxford weekly warriors who could challenge the ACT touring teams tonight.

As for a few ACT mainstays I expect to be strong tonight, look for Brian Hoar, Randy Potter, Brent Dragon and Scott Payea to run up front. All have excellent equipment and know there way around Bill Ryan's famed oval alongside Route 26. I know it's going to anybody's game - especially with today's blistering hot temps.

One last tidbit as we prepare for another great ACT race at Oxford. This evening I'll have the pleasure of hosting a VIP guest. Legendary Maine short track pioneer Glenn Andrews will be on hand this evening to help kick off Oxford's 60th Anniversary celebration. Andrews competed at Oxford during the inaugural season of 1950, although he was only 15 when he ran his first race. The Oxford native raced there until 1970, and also won the 1960 track championship at Northeastern Speedway in Waterford, Vermont.

Mr. Andrews will serve as Grand Marshall this evening, speaking to the crowd before driver introductions and giving the command to fire engines. With the contribution this man and his family (two of his brothers, Rodney and Clyde Jr., as well as his father also raced) made to the sport, it's time to give a little back in the way of recognition and a good time. What a honor it will be to host this true gentleman of Maine racing history.

ACT opens 60th season at Oxford Plains Speedway

2010-05-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

OXFORD — I can almost smell the fumes and hear the engines roar.

This Sunday, May 16, is opening day for Oxford Plains Speedway - with a very full card of racing on tap.

Headlining the show is the Vermont-based American-Canadian Tour (ACT), the northeast's most competitive and talent-filled series. Oxford's Strictly Stock, Mini Stock and some Wed. night classes will also compete.

Each time the touring veterans come to Oxford, guys like five-time champion Travis Adams, 2004 title winner Shawn Martin, ageless Timmy Brackett, Shawn Knight, Travis Stearns and Tommy Ricker put up a fight.
We're blessed with a ton of rock-solid Late Model teams at OPS, which means this rivalry produces plenty of entertainment.

Led by second-generation star Brent Dragon (Beaver's son, Bobby's nephew) of Milton, Vermont, the ACT teams mean business. In the 20 previous ACT races at Oxford, Dragon has 11 top-10s in 18 starts. The defending race winner is Joey Polewarczyk Jr., a tremendously talented young man from Hudson, New Hampshire.

Add in defending series champion and six-time title holder Brian Hoar, seven-time champion Jean-Paul Cyr, Randy Potter, Scott Payea and recent Thunder Road winner (May 2 - ACT Round 1) Nick Sweet, and you've got the ingredients for an exciting battle. It'll be Maine vs. Vermont vs. NH vs. Quebec vs. Mass., vs, well, you get the idea. Talk about a mix of talent from a broad geographic area, ACT has that and more.

Hope to see tons of folks at the track this weekend. Looks like the weather is going to cooperate with us BIG-time on Sunday, with wall-to-wall sunshine and temps in the low 70s. Practice tomorrow (Sat. May 15) might be delayed slightly depending on any passing showers, but it appears s though all cars should have adequate on-track opportunities.

Travel safe - and I hope to see you at Oxford Plains Speedway this weekend. Let's wave that green flag!

Nick Sweet wins Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road

2010-05-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

BARRE, VT — Hometown favorite Nick Sweet is starting to make a name for himself on the American Canadian Tour.
The Barre native recorded his first career ACT win Sunday, taking the lead from David Pembroke on lap 116 and successfully holding off defending ACT champion Brian Hoar for top honors. Patrick Laperle was the event’s only other leader, holding the top spot for 15 laps before settling for third at the finish. Pembroke and Mark Lamberton rounded out the top five.
“This car was awesome today,” Sweet said in Victory Lane. “All these guys race with such respect for one another, I have to thank David (Pembroke) for running me so clean. I knew Brian was coming up fast in the closing laps, I’m just thrilled to be able to hold him off and win one of these things. It feels great, now we need to carry this on to Airborne and Oxford.”

Hoar started 13th on the 30-car grid, worked his way to seventh at halfway then made a terrific late-race charge to the front but simply ran out of time. Back with Rick Paya’s RPM Racing Engines/Gosscars.com squad, Hoar looks as strong as ever in 2010.
“I was just riding out there for the first half,” said Hoar. “I was trying to save the car for a big push in the late stages, and it was pretty fast at the end, just not quite fast enough. Nick (Sweet) is a great racer, I’m happy to see him get that first win. We’re happy with this run today and will get ready for the Spring Green at Airborne.”

Laperle, of St. Denis, Quebec, started sixth and kept the huge opening-day crowd cheering as he worked the outside groove. On a mid-race restart, Laperle used that high line to his advantage to wrestle the lead away from Pembroke. He led from lap 81 to the 96th circuit when Pembroke drove back by on the inside. This battle was one of the best witnessed at T-Road in quite some time.
“I jumped at the chance to lead when I realized the car was so fast on the outside,” Laperle explained. “David was hooked up on the bottom, but my car got great forward bite on the outside. I wish we could have stayed up front and won this thing, but David and Brian were very fast today. We’ll take a solid third place run and move on from here.”
Finishing sixth through 10th in the 12th annual Merchants Bank 150 was Craig Bushey, Joey Laquerre (he’s 67 years old), Chip Grenier, Scott Payea and Mark Hayward. Eight cautions slowed the pace, two of which came out at lap 73. Only one incident involved multiple cars, most were for single-car spins.
Forty-four cars attempted to make the show, a strong sign despite the struggling economy. Other notable drivers in Sunday’s ACT opener include Senator Phil Scott (11th); young Joey Pole, who wound up 12th; defending track champion Jean-Paul Cyr, who is driving the No. 22 machine for Gary Caron this year (13th); second-generation driver Brent Dragon, who came home a disappointing 14th; Groveton, New Hampshire’s Randy Potter (15th); and Tracie Bellerose, the 2000 Thunder Road track champion, who finished 16th in her return to ACT competition.
Weather conditions were more like summer than early May, ironic given the fact that Thunder Road was buried under 10 inches of snow the previous Wednesday. With temperatures hovering in the mid-to-upper 70s and high humidity, drivers and crew members weren’t the only ones sweating atop Quarry Hill on Sunday afternoon.
A handful of Maine-based teams made the haul to Vermont last weekend. Multi-time Oxford Plains Speedway Late Model champion Travis Adams took his bright green No. 03 entry to Barre, but failed to qualify. Windham’s Bradley Babb was also on hand, as was Glen Luce of Turner and TJ Watson of Cundy’s Harbor. Watson qualified 15th and came home 24th after getting involved in an altercation. Luce was the only other Mainer to qualify, working his way from 17th on the grid to 20th at the finish.

Unofficial Finish:
ACT Merchants Bank 150
Thunder Road Int’l. Speedbowl
May 2, 2010

1. Nick Sweet, Barre, VT
2. Brian Hoar, Williston, VT
3. Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC
4. Dave Pembroke, Montpelier, VT
5. Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NH
6. Craig Bushey, Cambridge, VT
7. Joey Laquerre, E. Montpelier, VT
8. Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT
9. Scott Payea, Milton, VT
10. Mark Hayward, Newport, NH
11. Phil Scott, Montpelier, VT
12. Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH
13. Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT
14. Brent Dragon, Milton, VT
15. Randy Potter, Groveton, NH
16. Tracie Bellerose, Gorham, NH
17. Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
18. Michael Kenison, Groveton, NH
19. Derek Lynch, Warkworth, ON
20. Glen Luce, Turner, ME
21. Pete Potvin III, Graniteville, VT
22. Reno Gervais, Island Pond, VT
23. Joey Becker, Jeffersonville, VT
24. TJ Watson, Cundy's Harbor, ME
25. Jeff Zuidema, No..Brookfield, Mass.
26. Eric Chase, Milton, VT
27. Tony Andrews, Northfield, VT
28. Matt White, Northfield, VT
29. Tyler Cahoon, St.Johnsbury, VT
30. Cris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT

LePage sweeps Pro finals at Rock Maple Racing snocross finale

2010-04-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. (Mar. 29, 2010) — Veteran snowmobile racer Bobby LePage had only one option heading into last weekend’s season finale. Trailing his weekly rival Mathieu Morin by just one point in Pro Open and two in Pro Stock, his goal was to win both finals.
With determination in his eyes and well-prepared sleds in his grasp, LePage went out and swept the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed the ninth and final round on the 2009-10 snocross series Sunday afternoon at the beautiful Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa. With his impressive come from behind charge, LePage locked up the 2010 RMR Pro championships.
In Saturday’s grueling 20-lap Pro Open final, LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of Hermantown, MN, grabbed the holeshot and led all the way. Poirier slotted into second at the start and stayed there until Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) powered by at the end of lap five. Morin, of Val D’Or, QC, tried to reel in LePage but settled for second (by an 18-second margin), while Poirier filled out the podium. The final point tally and class champions are now official. Congrats to all of the 2010 champs!
LePage grabbed the holeshot again in Sunday's Pro Stock final (15 laps) and never looked back. Morin challenged LePage on the outside at one point, and the two sleds made contact. Morin's sled lost a side panel, which led to a disqualification after 10 laps. Danny Poirier took over the second position and hung there to the end. Multi-time champion Jason Boron (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo) capped another solid season with a strong third place finish.
Defending Pro Vet champion Joe Lemieux made it back-to-back titles as he claimed Sunday’s final. Fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers chased Lemieux across the line in second, while Hubbard, Ohio-based rider Jason Riffle was third on an Arctic Cat. Desrochers bounced back to claim Sunday’s Plus 35 Masters final, while Riffle (second) and Scott Clauson (third) filled out the podium.
Morganne Sterl made the long haul from southern New Hampshire worthwhile Sunday, as she won the Pro Women final. New York native Paige Calderwood powered her way to second place at the finish, while Steffanie Lemieux completed the top three.

In Semi-Pro action at Findley Lake, Corin Todd and Ash Woskob both earned final round wins. Todd, of Otego, NY, led a stellar field across the line to win Saturday’s 12-lap Open final. Woskob settled for second, while Sport division standout Jake Scott made an impressive debut in Semi-Pro with a head-turning third place finish. Point leader Lincoln Lemieux took nasty tumble on the first lap, causing injury to his thumb and wrist. Yet by winning his qualifying heats earlier in the day, he still managed to clinch the title.
Woskob, of Tyrone, PA, made it a clean sweep for D&Z Racing on Sunday as he held off Todd and points contender Michael George to claim top honors in Semi-Pro Stock. Scott just missed another podium in fourth, while New York veteran Cody Flach rounded out the top five.
Once again, a young man from New Jersey stole the spotlight in Sport division action. Jesse James Bonaduce held off ‘Mongoose’ Mike Billow and Chris Ingles to win Saturday’s Super Stock final. On Sunday, Vermont-based veteran Leo Patenaude outgunned Edward Bandel (no easy task) and Chris Coleman for top honors in Super Stock, while Bonaduce claimed the Stock 600 final. With Jake ‘The Snake’ out of the picture, these young racers were anxious to showcase their talents.
Hunter Nelson was as hot as a blowtorch in Junior division action at Peek’n Peak. The gifted young athlete from Hamlin, NY, tallied an impressive five final rounds victories over two days. On Saturday, Nelson claimed three wins in 380cc and 600cc classes, then added two more on Sunday in Stock 600 classes. Connor Roscoe was impressive over the weekend, as well. The young racer from Cheshire, CT, earned a third in Saturday’s Jr. 14-15 Stock 600 final, then capped a successful outing with a solid second place run in Sunday’s battle. Roscoe started out on 120cc sleds in 2002 and is working his way up the racing ladder with determination.
Other final round winners over the weekend at Peek’n Peak include Josh Gessinger (Plus 25 Stock); Will Fletcher (Sport 500); Montana Jess (Jr. 10-13 Stock 380 & 600); David Camara III (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Saturday) Bradley Tatro (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Sunday); Chris Froio (Trail 600 Saturday); and Brandon Bell (Trail 600 Sunday).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the entire staff at the Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa for hosting the 2010 season finale. Running a race at such a first class facility is indeed a pleasure.
RMR would also like to thank each and every race team that filed an entry for any race during the last eight seasons. Without all of you grassroots racers, this sport would be doomed. There is also a long list of current and former sponsors who made it all possible, and we truly thank all of them for their support.
A special thanks must also go out to the manufacturers who provide sleds and technical assistance to several teams. Their support is vital to the sport’s future.
For complete results in all classes from Findley Lake, go to www.rockmaple.com. With last Saturday’s announcement that Connecticut businessman Robert Roscoe has taken over the helm at RMR, a new era is set to begin on the northeastern snocross scene.
The 2010-2011 race schedule will be posted online when it is completed by mid-to-late summer. Until then, we wish you all a safe and enjoyable off-season.

Season Finale this weekend for Rock Maple Racing

2010-03-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

As the last remnants of what turned out to be a mild and much shorter than normal winter quickly disappear, regional snocross teams are focused on the best possible conclusion to their season.

For some, a solid weekend will mean a class title, while the rest hope to pick up a win or podium finish. Athletes of all ages and ability levels will squeeze the throttle one last time, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) puts a wrap on the 2009-10 season March 27-28 at the beautiful Peek‘n Peak Resort & Spa in Findley Lake, New York.

Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m., with racing getting under way promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $12 per day for adults. Children age 10 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes valid through the entire weekend are available for an extra $10.

Leading the charge into Findley Lake are Pro riders Mathieu Morin and Bobby LePage. The two veteran racers with national experience have been dominating the circuit all winter, and will fight to the last lap for points titles in Pro Stock and Pro Open. Other hot riders to watch include multi-time champion Jason Boron, defending points champion Danny Poirier and rookie sensation Brennan Berardo as they look to steal the spotlight at Peek‘n Peak.

Riders to watch in the ultra-competitive Semi-Pro division include points contenders Corin Todd, Lincoln Lemieux and Michael George. These three have thrilled fans all season with their ski-to-ski battles and high-flying performances. Others to watch include Cody Flach, Ash Woskob, Tim Randall, Nate Leclaire, Danny Graves and Andrew Bailey.

Along with the exciting competition from Pro and Semi-Pro riders, fans at Peek ’N Peak will also enjoy plenty of great racing from RMR’s Sport, Women and Junior divisions. Children ages 6 to10 will also race their 120cc sleds on a smaller track, making for a fun-filled weekend of family entertainment.

Last year at Peek‘n Peak, Lucas Brunelle swept the Pro finals. The Quebec-based rider had been racing in Semi-Pro all season on Rock Maple’s Central circuit, but bumped up a division for what was actually the West series points finale for 2008-09.

Warren Achman prevailed in a hotly-contested Pro Vet final, holding off Joe Sickler and Clyde Peek for the win. Michelle Lemieux continued her impressive season with another win in the Pro Women final. Lemieux, of Cabot, VT, out-gunned Amanda Kirchmeyer and Janell Smith for top honors. Conveniently located just a short drive from several major interstate highways, the Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa is home to winter’s perfect playground. This multi-generational gathering place is ideal for families and groups looking to enjoy the snow on and off the slopes.

Along with a host of restaurants, a ski school, indoor pool and playground, the mountain offers 27 perfectly-groomed trails serviced by eight lifts. Peek’n Peak also features miles of cross-country terrain for skiing and snowshoeing. To learn more, visit them online at www.pknpk.com.

Boron sweeps Pro finals in Barton for Rock Maple Racing

2010-03-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

BARTON, VT (Mar. 8, 2010) — For more than a dozen years, Jason Boron has been racing snowmobiles all over the northeast. He’s won in just about every state that has ever hosted a race, and continues to add more victories to his region-leading statistics each winter.

Boron (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo) brought his winning reputation to northern Vermont last weekend, sweeping the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 8 on the 2009-10 schedule Sunday afternoon at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.

The nine-time champion (Pro and Semi-Pro classes) from Leverett, Massachusetts, got things revved up in Saturday’s Pro Stock final. New York native Jason Rudd grabbed the holeshot and led the first two laps. Boron found a better line through the rhythm section and sailed on by, then pulled steadily away to the checkered.

In Sunday’s Pro Open final, Boron launched off the line like a rocket and led every lap. Former RMR standout Adam Sedlmeier, now riding a Polaris for Team Southside, acted like he’s never missed a race and came home second, while Rudd capped a solid weekend in third. Yes, it was a throwback to the good old days with these well-known riders on top.

Action in the Pro Vet class brought back some memories, as well. Former RMR rider Todd Smith made a triumphant return to racing in Barton. Smith, of Derry, N.H., checked out on Joe Lemieux to claim Sunday’s final, while Maine veteran Jason Soucy filled out the podium. Steffanie Lemieux closed in on another title in Pro Women, as she held off weekly rivals Paige Calderwood and KC Anderson for top honors.

In Semi-Pro action at Barton, local favorite Lincoln Lemieux was on top of his game. The rising star from nearby St. Johnsbury grabbed the holeshot in Saturday’s Open final, with points rival Corin Todd right on his bumper. Todd had a rare off-sled experience in this one, allowing Michael George a chance to hunt down Lemieux. He came up short and settled for second, while New York rider Cody Flach worked his way up to third.

Flach had the race of his season in Sunday’s Semi-Pro Stock final. The number one qualifier slotted into second behind Ash Woskob, quickly moved into the lead and stayed there until a late-race bobble cost him the win. Woskob notched his first career RMR victory, while Todd and Lemieux claimed second and third respectively.

Chris Coleman is another one of those rising stars beginning to turn heads in the Sport division. The talented racer from Albany, NY, won Sunday’s Super Stock final ahead of some pretty stiff competition.

While weekly strongmen Jake Scott, Jesse James Bonaduce and Chris Ingles all missed the podium, Coleman was happy to rule the roost. Bruce Gaspardi Jr. (second) and Aaron Adams (third) comprised a different-than-usual top three. Scott won Saturday’s Super Stock final ahead of Bonaduce and Adams, then added the Sport Stock 600 final to his successful outing.

In Junior division action over the weekend, usual suspects Montana Jess and Ed Bandel recorded multiple victories. Jess, of Westminster, Mass., held off Hunter Patenaude and Wade Acker to claim Saturday’s 10-13 Stock 380 and 600 Fan finals, then repeated the feat Sunday to make it a four-win weekend. Bandel, of Mohawk, NY, surpassed those numbers with two wins Saturday and four more Sunday, while Abigail Catlin, Mason Pierce and Tucker Olsen also posted final round wins.

Other final round winners over the weekend in Barton include Joe Bishop (Sport 500); Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Masters); Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Mason Pierce (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Sunday); and Sam Potter (Trail 600 Saturday and Sunday).

Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the Orleans County Fair Association for hosting two back-to-back weekends of racing. Also deserving a special thanks are the Desrochers, Lemieux and Patenaude families for their efforts to make conditions more favorable last weekend. In a mild winter like this, adequate snow for racing and dry ground is tough to find.

RMR will conclude the nine-race 2009-10 snocross campaign on March 27-28, at the beautiful Peek N’ Peak ski resort in Findley Lake, New York. For complete results in all classes from Barton or to learn more, go to www.rockmaple.com.

Morin, LePage split Pro finals in Barton for RMR snocross series

2010-03-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

BARTON, VT (Mar. 1, 2010) — All season long, they’ve battled side-by-side and nose-to-tail for championship points, wins and bragging rights.

Veteran snowmobile racers Mathieu Morin and Bobby ‘The Rage’ LePage have thrilled fans in New York, New Hampshire and the province of Quebec. Last weekend, the dynamic duo took their high-flying war to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom for another amazing display.

Morin and LePage split the Pro finals again over the two days, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 7 on the 2009-10 snocross schedule Sunday afternoon at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.

Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Val D’Or, QC, slotted into second at the start of Sunday’s Pro Open final behind LePage, then powered by before halfway and pulled away to a convincing win. LePage hung on for second while defending champion Danny Poirier was third.

LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of Hermantown, MN, out-gunned Morin to win Saturday’s Pro Stock final, while multi-time champion Jason Boron filled out the podium.

Local favorites Joe and Steffanie Lemieux were successful at their home track over the weekend. The talented father/daughter team from nearby St. Johnsbury earned final round wins in Pro Vet (Joe) and Pro Women (Steffanie) on Sunday, while another local rider claimed the Plus 35 Masters final. Newport native Rene Desrochers claimed that class in front of friends and family, while Maine-based Jason Soucy and New York rider Leroy Walker filled out the podium.

In Semi-Pro action at Barton, Corin Todd and Michael George each recorded final round wins. Todd, of Otego, NY, out-gunned George and Lincoln Lemieux to claim Saturday’s Open final. George bounced back with a stellar performance Sunday, grabbing the holeshot in Semi-Pro Stock and running off to victory ahead of Lemieux and Todd. George, of Pine Plains, NY, has been on fire the last few weeks, notching his second career Semi-Pro win Sunday.

Action in the Sport division also provided some excitement in Barton. Jesse James Bonaduce looked to have Sunday’s Super Stock 600 final well in hand, until a bobble in the rhythm section with just two laps remaining allowed Jake Scott to take command and steal the win. Bonaduce, of Somerville, NJ, found redemption in the Stock 600 final, however, leading the entire race forcing Scott to settle for second.

Whether it’s “Mongoose” Mike Billow or the famed ‘Jesse James’ giving chase, it seems as if ‘The Snake’ doesn’t always get away unscathed.

In Junior division action over the weekend, Montana Jess and Edward Bandel continued their 2010 hot streaks. Jess, ( the famous Flyin’ Onion), of Westminster, Mass., held off arch-rival Hunter Patenaude in Saturday’s 10-13 380cc Fan and Stock 600 Fan finals, then won Sunday’s 600 Fan tussle over Nate Newland and Wade Acker. Bandel, of Mohawk, NY, won one final Saturday (14-15 Stock 600) and three more on Sunday (14-15 Stock 600, 16-17 Stock 600, 14-17 Stock 600 Fan) to cap a fabulous outing in northern Vermont.

Other final round winners over the weekend in Barton include Joe Bishop (Sport 500); Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Leo Patenaude (Jr. 16-17 Stock 600 Sat.); Katelyn Olsen (Jr. Girls 10-13 Stock 600 Fan); Kassie Thibodeau (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Sat.); Tucker Olsen (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Sun.); Sam Potter (Trail 600 Sat.); and Jared White (Trail 600 Sunday).

Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the Orleans County Fair Association for hosting last weekend’s event. Local support from good folks like Desrochers Construction of Newport who helped moved snow for the track is greatly appreciated. Without those efforts, the races would not have been a reality.

For full results in all classes from Barton or to learn more, go to www.rockmaple.com.

With a little cooperation from the weather, teams will return to Barton again this coming weekend, March 6-7, for the next to last points race of the season.

Inaugural ISOC New England Nationals this weekend at 'The Rock'

2010-02-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

DERRY, N.H. — For the last several years, snowmobile racing fans have had to travel north to Canada or out to the Great Lakes states to see factory-backed teams compete at the sport’s highest level.

Thanks to the growing popularity of snocross, an open-minded venue manager and the hard work of many individuals, all that is about to change.

Just two weeks after the sport took center stage at the prestigious ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, the top snocross riders from across the globe will converge on New England, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) plays host to the inaugural HK Powersports New England Nationals Feb. 12-14 at historic Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.

This event is sanctioned by the International Series of Champions (ISOC), and is the sixth of nine stops on the 2009-10 Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (ACSS).

Spectator gates open at 2:30 p.m. Friday, with National Pro and Semi-Pro qualifying races scheduled for the afternoon. At 7 p.m. ISOC will present their Main Event featuring finals for the world’s top snocross racers, along with a jaw-dropping show of back-flips and wild tricks by the freestyle riders of Slednecks.

Gates swing open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with racing getting under way promptly at 9 a.m. After a full day of qualifying races, the Main Event will begin around 7 p.m. with National finals and another high-flying freestyle display. On Sunday the gates open at 8 a.m., while the top regional riders from RMR will take the green flag at 9 a.m.

Admission is $25 for adults on Friday; $25 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Weekend passes are available for $40, while children ages 7-12 are just $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass. Children age 6 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult.

This will be a points race for National Pro and Semi-Pro teams, while RMR will also run separate points races for its own divisions on Saturday and Sunday. This unique combination event gives fans a chance to see the best regional and national riders hone their skills.

On the national tour, leading the charge into Rockingham are Pro riders Ross Martin, Cory Davis, Robbie Malinoski, Tim Tremblay and Brett Bender. Martin and Malinoski have won Pro titles before, while the other three are rising stars with tremendous talent. With the absence of Tucker Hibbert (his final snocross race of the season was Feb. 5-6), everybody will be striving to take his place atop the Pro podium.

In national Semi-Pro action, riders to watch include Logan Christian, Justin Broberg, Dylan Martin, Cody Thomsen and Matt Pichner. All five are silky-smooth and rocket-fast, looking to make their mark on the sport as they ascend the snowmobile racing ladder.

On the RMR circuit, riders to watch include Bobby LePage, Mathieu Morin, Danny Poirier, Jason Boron and Brennan Berardo. LePage and Morin have national experience and have been dominating the series in 2010. Poirier is the defending champion, Boron is the tour’s Iron Man with numerous titles, while Berardo is a rookie Pro with veteran-like talent and skills.

For more information on ISOC or the ACSS, go to www.isocracing.com. To learn more about the New Hampshire-based RMR regional circuit, please go to www.rockmaple.com.

LePage, Morin split Pro finals in Belmont for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

2010-01-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

BELMONT, N.H. (Jan. 25, 2010) — Ever since it was announced that Mathieu Morin and Bobby “The Rage” LePage were coming to New England to compete this winter, everyone who follows the sport of snocross figured they would steal the headlines on a regular basis.

Seeing these two well-trained athletes on top of the podium has become a familiar site, as they continue to dominate here in the East. Morin and LePage put on another exciting show Sunday afternoon in southern New Hampshire, splitting the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 4 of its 2009-2010 schedule at The Lodge at Belmont.

LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of Duluth, MN, grabbed the holeshot in Sunday’s Pro Stock final and led the first five laps. Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) powered his way into the lead on lap six and appeared to be headed for his fifth victory of the season. Yet as the two leaders entered turn 4 with just three of 24 laps remaining, Morin got caught behind Chris Chico on the outside, LePage blasted by on the inside and sprinted to the finish. Morin settled for second while multi-time champion Jason Boron claimed third.

In the Pro Open final, it was all Morin from start to finish. After the disappointment of losing in Pro Stock, he was determined to seal the deal on the mighty Mod sled. LePage slotted into second at the start, but came off his sled in turn 4 on lap six and had to fight his way back to fourth. Defending champion Danny Poirier was smooth all afternoon, piloting his Polaris to second while Boron once again filled out the podium in third.

Pro division rookie Brennan Berardo (DooTalk.com/Ski-doo) raced like a veteran on Sunday. The 17-year-old from Essex, VT, ran near the front for 18 laps in Pro Stock and came home with a solid top-five run. He got off to a strong start in Pro Open, as well and managed to secure another top five after completing 23 of 24 grueling laps on the tight and challenging track.

Joseph Lemieux (Pro Vet) and Paige Calderwood (Pro Women) earned final round wins in their respective divisions Sunday. Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, held off Maine-based Jason Soucy and fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers for top honors, while Calderwood, of Phoenix, NY, outgunned Melanie Acker and KC Anderson to notch her victory.

Corin Todd and Lucas Brunelle also thrilled the fans in Belmont with their victories in the Semi-Pro division. Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo), of Otego, NY, powered by early leader Ash Woskob on lap eight and went on to record his fourth win of the season in the Open final. Lincoln Lemieux finished three seconds back in second, while Michael George came home third.

Brunelle (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Boucherville, QC, capped a full day of racing as he held off Todd in Semi-Pro Stock. George made it an all-Ski-doo podium as he claimed third. All but nine of the 14 starters completed all 12 laps, while Brunelle’s margin of victory was just a tick over two seconds.

Jake Scott was the man to beat in Sport division action over the weekend. The young athlete from Port Jefferson, NY, claimed Saturday’s Sport Super Stock final over Chris Ingles and Mike Billow, then repeated the performance Sunday as Billow and Jesse James Bonaduce filled out the podium. Joe Bishop piloted his Ski-doo to victory in the Sport Stock 600 final, while Scott settled for second and Billow snagged another third.

In Junior division action over the weekend, Montana Jess registered a hat trick while Edward Bandel, Hunter Patenaude, Leo Patenaude, Wade McPherson, Jayme Lynch and Mason Pierce also earned final round wins. Jess, known in snocross circles as “The Flyin’ Onion,” piloted his Ski-doo to victories on both Saturday and Sunday.

Other final round winners over the weekend in Belmont include Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Masters); Glynn Desilva (Plus 25 Stock); Steffanie Lemieux (Women Stock 600 Saturday and Sun.); and Jared White (Trail Stock 600 Sunday).

Rock Maple Racing would like to thank event promoter Craig Harmon, Lodge at Belmont general manager Rick Newman, the Belmont Bogie Busters, Bobcat of New Hampshire and everybody who worked so hard to make last weekend’s event such a success. With perfect weather conditions on Saturday and sunshine for most of Sunday, fans turned out in big numbers to enjoy the high-flying excitement of snocross.

Teams and officials from RMR will now enjoy a weekend off before a trip to Farmington, NY, on Feb. 5-6, for the ISOC Eastern Nationals. For full results in all classes from Belmont or to learn more about RMR, visit them online at www.rockmaple.com.

Morin, Lepage split Pro finals in Malone for RMR Sno-X

2010-01-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

MALONE, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2010) — In almost every form of motorsports, when a talented rider, driver or team gets on a roll, they can be difficult to stop.

Just ask anybody in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series garage, as they try to figure out how to stop four-time champion Jimmie Johnson from dominating their sport. Momentum plays a huge role in week-to-week results, and snocross racing is no different.

Veteran riders Mathieu Morin and Bobby ‘The Rage’ LePage carried the momentum from last month’s season opener into Malone, splitting the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 2 of its 2009-10 season Sunday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Val D’ Or, Quebec, chased down early leader Danny Poirier and checked out to win Pro Stock. Poirier crossed the line four seconds later as the runner-up, while LePage settled for third. LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) used lapped traffic to his advantage in Pro Open to take top honors. Morin settled for second in this one, giving Ski-doo and Polaris a true split in the manufacturers battle for supremacy. Only three riders completed all 20 laps in the Open final, while seven completed all 20 laps in Pro Stock.

Perhaps the best show all weekend in the Pro division was the inspiring performance Poirier gave in the Open final. The defending champion got upside down in a major off-sled venture early on, then steadily powered all the way up to third at the finish. Poirier redefines determination when it comes to battling back from adversity.

Defending Pro Am champion Joe Lemieux continued his hot streak in Malone, winning the final over fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers and Jason Soucy of Sabattus, Maine. Jennifer Pare prevailed in a hotly-contested Pro Women final, with RMR veterans Melanie Acker and Steffanie Lemieux filling out the podium.

In Semi-Pro action Sunday, Garrett Mees and Corin Todd were the guys to beat. Mees, of Setauket, NY, piloted his All-Island Plumbing Ski-doo to victory in the Open final in dominant style. Lincoln Lemieux grabbed the holeshot, but he and Todd got together in the moguls and crashed. Mees carefully snuck through the snow dust and proceeded to check out on the field. Cody Flach made an outstanding return to RMR, coming from dead last to finish second. Ash Woskob stepped up big-time Sunday, as the motocross veteran from Pennsylvania claimed third ahead of Lucas Brunelle.

Todd powered his way around Mees with two laps remaining in Semi-Pro Stock and hung on for top honors. The young athlete from Otego, NY, was the pre-season favorite to win the Semi-Pro title in 2010, and he’s proving why every time the green flag is waved.

In Junior division action at Malone, Montana Jess and Edward Bandel each won multiple finals. Jess, of Westminster, Mass., rode his Ski-doo to victory in Jr. 10-13 380 and 600c action each day, while Bandel won Saturday’s 600 liquid final and two more races on Sunday. Max Burrier and Mason Pierce also earned wins in Jr. 8-10 action at Malone.

Other final round winners over the weekend in Malone include Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Masters); Joe Bishop (Sport 500); and rising star Jake Scott (Sport Super Stock Sat.& Sun., and Sport 600).

Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Steve Bailey and everyone at the Malone Chamber of Commerce for hosting last weekend’s event. Thanks to extra effort in providing snow, the track was one of the best seen in many seasons.

Next up is a trip north of the border for RMR’s Pro and Semi-Pro teams, as they travel to Mirabel, Quebec, for a joint race with Marcel Fontaine’s SCM group. This will be a points race for these teams while Sport, Junior and Women riders have the weekend off.

To see full results in all classes from Malone or for more information, please go to http://www.rockmaple.com/.

GREEN FLAG: RMR snocross revs up this weekend!

2009-12-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

DERRY, NH — With cold air in place and even some natural snow on the ground in parts of northern New England, snowmobile race teams throughout the region are anxious to load up their trailers and hit the road.

After months of securing rides, physical training and mechanical preparation, the chance to compete has come, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) gets set to kick off its 2009-10 snocross schedule this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13, at the beautiful Hickory Ski Center in Warrensburg, New York.

Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m., while racing will get under way promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $14 per day for adults or $20 for a weekend pass, $8 per day for children ages 10-18, while children age 10 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes valid through the entire weekend are available for an extra $10.

The Hickory Ski Center’s new owners are preparing to reopen the facility after four years of dormancy. Warrensburg is known as “the gateway to the Adirondacks,” and is easy to reach via US Rte. 9 off Exit 23 on Interstate 87.

Since this is a new host site for RMR, here is an overview of the weekend for first-time fans. Saturday’s activities will consist of qualifying races for all classes within RMR’s five major divisions (Pro, Semi-Pro, Sport, Women and Junior). These events offer points towards the coveted season championships, putting pressure on the riders as they earn their way into Sunday’s finals.

Sunday morning features the Last Chance Qualifiers (or LCQs, in snocross speak), the last opportunity to make it into the final round. After the traditional Parade of Flags and pre-race ceremonies, Finals for all classes will begin at approximately 1 p.m.

Leading the charge into Warrensburg is defending Pro champion Danny Poirier, of St. Theodore, Quebec. Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) won every Pro Open final he entered last season, and all but one in Pro Stock. The two-time title holder (won Pro 600 in 2004) has a new teammate in Ray & Lisa Hulten’s trailer, as talented Minnesota native Bobby LePage joins the squad. Renaud Alexandre will complete the Pro trio based in St. Johnsville, New York.

Other Pro division riders to watch at Hickory include Mathieu Morin, who joins the powerhouse Ingles Performance/Ski-doo organization for 2009-10; multi-time champion Jason Boron (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo); Vermont veteran Chris Chico (Amsoil/Arctic Cat); Jason and Matt Rudd (Ruddman Racing/Ski-doo); Brennan Berardo (DooTalk.com/Ski-doo) and Jake Melville (Ski-doo).

In the ultra-competitive Semi-Pro division, riders to watch include pre-season favorite Corin Todd, of Otego, New York. Todd is part of the D&Z Racing/Ski-doo squad and loves to shine in his home state. Other riders in a long list of legitimate podium threats include Trevor Bouchard (Team Bouchard/Arctic Cat); Robert Graeber, Brad Davis (Team Southside/Polaris), Garrett Mees, Lucas Brunelle, Lincoln Lemieux and Michael George.

Across all five divisions, there are talented riders returning to action for 2009-10.

Rock Maple Racing is the eastern affiliate of the International Series of Champions (ISOC), and is proud to be hosting the inaugural New England Nationals at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, on Feb. 13-14, 2010. For more information, please go to http://www.rockmaple.com/.

Rock Maple Racing 2009-10 Competition Preview

2009-11-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

DERRY, NH (Nov. 13, 2009) — If there’s going to be a new face atop the northeastern regional snocross ranks in 2010, that rider will need to get past one smooth, determined athlete.

After one of the most dominant seasons in series history, 2009 Pro division champion Danny Poirier will return to action, as teams around the region get ready for the 2009-10 Rock Maple Racing (RMR) season.

Poirier, of St. Theodore, Quebec, won all but two Pro finals last season, an amazing feat in such a competitive series. When the new season revs up just one month from now, Poirier will return with a new yet well known teammate in the Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris trailer. Bobby “The Rage” LePage will join the RMR ranks this season, and he’s not the only big name headed to New England for 2009-10.

Quebec native Mathieu Morin, who won the last RMR Pro final of 2009, will join the Ingles Performance/Ski-doo squad and should be among the top contenders. Both Morin and LePage are highly-skilled athletes with national experience, adding a great deal of excitement for race fans here in the northeast.

As Poirier looks to defend his 2009 title, a host of veterans and newcomers will be after his crown. Multi-time champion Jason Boron will be back aboard the D & Z Racing Ski-doos this season. While his brother Matt has retired from snocross, Jason isn’t quite ready to hang it up. He’s one of the most consistent, rock-solid athletes to ever climb on a sled, and will no doubt be running up front again in 2009-10.

Other riders to watch this season within the Pro division include Norwegian veteran Stale (pronounced Stolay) Eggen, who joins Bruce Gaspardi’s Team Southside organization; Jason Stone, part of the powerhouse Ingles Performance squad; Chris Chico, back for his second season on the mighty Amsoil/Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600; and Renaud Alexandre, back with Hulten Speed Sports.

Team Southside is also proud to announce the return of Alaska native Robert Graeber to RMR competition. Graeber turned a lot of heads when he joined RMR as a Semi-Pro rider two years ago. He’s recovering nicely from a serious accident in March of 2008, and everybody is thrilled to see this determined, talented young man with a big heart return this season. Team Southside will also support the Ackers (Melanie, Sarah and Wade) this season, and the whole team is headed for Duluth later this month.

While Graeber will compete in the Semi-Pro division for 2009-10, two other former Semi-Pro sensations are making the move up to Pro. Vermont-based veterans Brennan Berardo (Essex) and Jake Melville (Pownal) will be part of the hottest rookie class in recent memory, which will only enhance the competition. Think RMR’s Pro division will be exciting this year? Just wait until they throw the green flag Dec. 12-13 at the Hickory Ski Center.

Rock Maple’s Semi-Pro division is where future stars hone their skills, and they provide a ton of excitement as they rise to regional stardom. While defending champion Aaron Pfeifer won’t be back, there are plenty of athletes gunning to take his place. Among the top contenders is Corin Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo), who many feel is the favorite to secure a title.

Yet talented young guns like Trevor Bouchard (now on Arctic Cat), Brad Davis, Garrett Mees, Lucas Brunelle, Lincoln Lemieux and Michael George have other ideas. A newcomer to the Semi-Pro ranks this year is motocross veteran Ash Woskob, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Woskob (D&Z Racing/.Ski-doo) is a multi-time MX champion and finished sixth in his RMR snocross debut last spring at Windham.

One of the sport’s rising stars is making the move up from Sport to Semi-Pro for 2009-10. Joey Stock (part of Team Southside), of Bearsville, NY, won the Sport 600 title in 2009 and finished only one point shy of Joey Mosher in Sport Super Stock. Watching this young man take his program to the next level will also be entertaining this winter.

Jake Dasilva and Andrew Bailey are two more former Sport division stars making the move to Semi-Pro. These two will run part time on both the RMR and International Series of Champions (ISOC) circuits for 2009-10. When ISOC rolls into historic Rockingham Park for the inaugural New England Nationals Feb. 13-14, Dasilva and Bailey will be going all-out for wins.

While RMR’s headline Pro and hotly-contested Semi-Pro divisions are expected to have banner seasons in 2009-10, the Sport, Women and Junior divisions are full of talented riders, as well. Add those eager young racers (ages 6 through 10) on the 120cc machines competing on their own little track, and you’ve got the recipe for another fantastic winter of snocross fun.

Some of Rock Maple’s teams will get a jump on the new season later this month, as they travel to Minnesota to compete in the 18th annual Amsoil Duluth Nationals on Nov. 27-29. Look for a report on how these teams make out shortly after the event. Good luck to all as a new season of high-flying snocross competition get under way.

To follow all of the action this season or to learn more, go to www.rockmaple.com. Rock Maple Racing is the proud eastern affiliate of ISOC, the national sanctioning body for snocross.

ACT Fall 150 at Oxford Notebook

2009-10-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

While there might have been little drama as Brian Hoar locked up his sixth career American-Canadian Tour (ACT) title Sunday at Oxford Plains Speedway, the New England Dodge Dealers Fall 150 capped a strong 2009 season for the VT-based tour.
Eric Williams, who didn't know how often he would race this year after the loss of 2008 sponsor Unicel, notched the second win of 2009 and sixth of his ACT career with a brilliant drive. Joey Polewarczyk Jr. looked to have the car to beat inn the early laps, but his obsession with Oxford's often-slippery outside lane relegated him to a runner-up finish.
John Donahue was still on top of the world after winning the prestigious Chittenden Milk Bowl the previous week. The hotshoe from Graniteville led briefly and came home third in front of a cold, windburned crowd. A big atta-boy goes out to Buckfield's Timmy Brackett, who ran near the front all afternoon and brought the No. 60 machine home in fifth.
Fortunately, bright sun bathed the pit area and speedway all morning as teams rotated through practice and got ready to race. Joining the ACT warriors (53 strong in the season finale - with NO Canadian teams there) at Oxford Sunday were teams from every class that races at Oxford.
Somebody had the bright idea of combing the ACT 150, Little Guy 100s and the Acceleration Series Showdown into one rather lengthy show. In the defense of track owner Bill Ryan, time is rapidly running out this fall and temperatures are falling fast. Opportunities to race are about gone here in northern New England, so he rolled the dice and got it ALL in. I believe they completed the final 100-lap event around 8 p.m. last night, and keep in mind the pits opened at 8 a.m. THAT is one incredibly long day at the racetrack.
All in all, it was difficult to see it all end yesterday. I've enjoyed one of the best short track seasons in over a decade,. thanks to some great ACT racing and the company of Debbie Wilkinson. After 15+ years, she's still by my side at the track and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, she carries a Nikon D40, and her digital images look fantastic. My sincere thanks to Deb, Bill Ryan and Kalle Oakes at OPS, and the entire ACT & T-Road staff for making my 2009 season so very special.
I hope all of my extended family in stock car racing can now enjoy a well-deserved break. Now I shift my focus to the upcoming season of Rock Maple Racing snocross. As I prepare for my seventh year with RMR, I ask all snowmobile enthusiasts and race fans to consider attending one of our shows this winter. It's the most exciting thing on snow - and bring your camera! I'll be posting my preseason competition preview in the coming weeks. Happy Holidays folks! They will be here before you know it...

ACT Labor Day Classic 200 Notebook

2009-09-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

I can’t describe how lucky I feel to have been at Thunder Road on Sunday, Sept. 6, for the 31st annual Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200. I’ve attended literally hundreds of races at ‘The Nation’s Site of Excitement,’ but can honestly say I’ve never seen anything quite like that.
Some may find it hard to believe that 30 Late Model stock car drivers managed to go 181 laps around a tight little 1/4-mile oval without a caution. Yet I saw it with my own two eyes, and it was the finest demonstration of respectful, heads-up driving I’ve ever seen.
If it hadn’t been for Joey Polewarczyk’s spin in turn 2, Dave Pembroke would have never had to crack the throttle en route to his impressive wire-to-wire victory. And while Pembroke was building as much as a half-track advantage, all eyes were on Patrick Laperle as he charged toward the front.
Laperle started eighth on the 30-car grid and drew cheers from the Canadian fans as he powered his way to third behind runner-up John Donahue. Five-time ACT champion Brian Hoar, a two-time winner on the circuit this year, had the No. 37 machine dialed in and finished fourth ahead of Eric Williams. While only five cars completed all 200 laps, all 30 starters were running at the finish.
I’d like to draw attention to the efforts of Cris Michaud in the Labor Day Classic. As the only driver to have won a feature at Thunder Road in 2009 with the new Ford crate engine, Michaud is one-of-a-kind. He piloted the Kendell Legendre-prepared No. 6 to a solid sixth place finish, the first car one lap down.
Brent Dragon carried the momentum from winning two straight ACT events (the non-points Showdown at Chaudiere and last Friday’s ACT 100 at Twin-State Speedway) and turned it into a fine seventh-place run. I must say that Chip Grenier and Craig Bushey (finished 8th & 9th) were two pleasant surprises to see inside the top 10 for a 200-lap contest. Nick Sweet, who is on the latest list of invited drivers for the inaugural ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, rounded out the top 10 with another solid effort.
While some may feel a 200-lap race with only one caution and five cars on the lead lap is less than entertaining, I say just the opposite. How can you not respect the give-and-take it requires to go that long without wrecking? I thought about how tired their arms must have been after 150 laps or so without a rest. We all know how ACT president Tom Curley preaches respect in his pre-race driver’s meetings, but the guys took it to a whole new level last Sunday afternoon.
And after so much rain during the summer that affected so many events, it sure was nice to have wall-to-wall sunshine for the Labor Day Classic. With a crystal-clear view of the Green Mountains off to the West, fans at Thunder Road enjoyed a memorable day atop Quarry Hill.
As a proud member of the ‘gray beard’ club, I’m always pleased to see veterans like Jamie Aube show up at a racetrack. Sadly, Aube failed to put the No. 67 entry into the show, but in his defense, neither did nine other guys who’ve run at Thunder Road a lot more recently and often than he has. If Aube shows up at Airborne this weekend for the Fall Foliage 300, I’ll bet he makes the race. It never did take him long to adapt to a specific car or track, I’ve always admired his skills and knowledge of the sport.
All in all, the Labor Day Classic provided a great day of racing and a chance to share the passion we all have for this sport. I even had the opportunity to chat with Vermont racing historian Cho Lee, who is assisting Richard Lucas and me with a DVD documentary project on Northeastern Speedway. Even T-Road founder Ken Squire has agreed to tape a piece for us on his memories of the historic little 1/5-mile oval in Waterford. Look for details later this fall.

ACT teams will go for $250,000 in 30 days

2009-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

WATERBURY, Vermont – As their 2009 season starts to wind down, the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that over a 30-day period (August 27 through Sept. 27), there will be purses posted of over a quarter million dollars for Late Model race teams in the Northeast and Canada.

'Money Month' starts with the Coors Light Showdown of Champions at the 1/3-mile banked Autodrome Chaudiere near Quebec City. The top eleven (11) US ACT Tour teams will go head to head with the top (11) ACT Castrol Series teams, with the winner receiving $5,000 from the $35,000 in total posted purse.

Next up isl a return to the famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT, for the 47th Annual Bond Auto Labor Day Classic. A record purse and prize posting of $45,000 has been offered.

One of the most anticipated events of the year will follow the Labor Day Classic. The long-awaited return of the Fall Foliage 300 is back on the ACT schedule in 2009. The newly renovated and redesigned Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY will again host the historic ‘300’ weekend with a posted purse of $40,000. This fall classic event was held in many forms and different numbers of laps. The inaugural event was held in 1972 and was won by Bobby Dragon of Milton, VT. Catamount continued the tradition of a big fall event until it closed in 1987. After Catamount's demise, the race moved to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine, for a three-year stop.

The championship month will continue with what has become the most talked-about event in northeastern Late Model racing of any kind this season. The inaugural ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) is set for Saturday, Sept. 19. No championship title points, no pressure, just an historic day for Late Model racers throughout the region, as they race for $65,000 and a name in the NHMS record books. This year-long promotion will be the racing career highlight for many of the lucky 36 invitees. It will no doubt be among the highlights of Sylvania 300 weekend on the famed 'Magic Mile.'

Finally, the $250,000 month will draw to a close with the 47th Annual Vermont Milk Bowl. Thunder Road will cap its 50th season with a $10,000-to-win, $70,000 free-for-all. For the first time in years, this event will not be a points race for either Thunder Road or ACT teams. The three-segment format of the Milk Bowl provides the ultimate challenge for all ACT competitors, and has delighted fans for decades with its inverted finishes and wild side-by-side competition.

Without argument, 2009 has certainly been the year of the Late Model here in our region. It's been exciting to see so many blue-collar, regular Joe race teams get fired up as they pursue a chance to compete on the big stage. Let's all applaud Tom Curley and company for providing the spark that ignited such an entertaining season.

Northeastern Speedway Reunion Event Recap

2009-07-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

WATERFORD, Vermont — Despite a fierce effort by a few neighbors to prevent it from happening, the 50-year reunion celebration at Northeastern Speedway went off as scheduled last Saturday, July 18.
The event was heralded as a huge success by the promoter and race fans alike.
Speedway owner Paul Bellefeuille had worked for 15 months to ensure the event took place, cutting down trees, smoothing the soil, planting acres of grass and meeting with town officials. And although weather forecasts called for heavy rains lasting well into Saturday morning, they moved out earlier than predicted — giving all those in attendance a bright, sunny day to enjoy the variety of cars and large number of former drivers gathered.
“This turned out better than I had ever dreamed,” Bellefeuille said. “I did the best I could to prepare and hoped for the best. What I got was larger than life; the drivers all came, we drew cars from all over New England and everyone had a great time. We wanted to recognize and draw attention to those who made this such a famous track from 1959 to 1966.”
Former drivers and officials on hand for the celebration included 1959 track champion Johnny Gammell; 1960 champion Glenn Andrews; 1964 title holder Denny Dearborn; Charlie Ely, the man who built Northeastern back in ‘59; Skip Easter, Paul Martel (3J), Pete Racine, Russ Ingerson, Junior Coffin, Ken Robinson, Buddy Bardwell, Paul Belknap, Ronnie 'Satch' Hunt, Glen Gadapee, former race director Reg Garand, Alden Aiken, editor of the original Racing News; Charlotte and Alvin Fadden, widow and son of legendary driver Stanley ‘Stub’ Fadden; Pete Blackadar, widow of original flagman Archie Blackadar; and Ricky Marvin, son of former track champion Ronnie Marvin. This group represented the very finest of early short track drivers and race officials ever assembled in northern New England.
“Our driver recognition ceremony brought tears to the faces of many, including my own,” Bellefeuille added. “It was an emotional day I’ll never forget, and I hope we’ll be able to do this annually and help keep those great racing memories alive.”
What fans discovered as they entered the grounds was a pristine old racetrack in amazing shape after over 40 years of neglect. As those fans poured in, restored Coupes from around the northeast rolled in to help reproduce the magic this historic oval once held.
With nice weather conditions and plenty to look at, fans roamed the speedway grounds all day enjoying stories, getting autographs and taking lots of pictures. The Bob Doyle Museum was in the pit area, staffed by Vermont auto racing historian Cho Lee, who knows more than anybody else on the planet about the old Coupes. Lloyd Hutchins was on hand with his beautiful restored cars, drawing attention throughout the day.
They came from northern New Hampshire, Central Maine and even the west coast, all to celebrate the rich history if this 1/5-mile paved oval in the Northeast Kingdom. Ely flew in from California to attend the event, as did Aiken.
For Paul and Lise Bellefeuille, it was the ultimate reward for tons of hard work. But for those old drivers, car owners and their families, it was a show of appreciation and respect they’ll never forget. And neither should any good self-respecting race fan. Without the efforts of the men recognized last Saturday at that tiny little bullring in northern Vermont, short track stock car racing would have never evolved into the true giant it is today here in the northeast. We all owe them a tremendous debt for laying the foundation for the sport we know and love today.

Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road Notebook

2009-05-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

After driving four hours through varying degrees of rainfall, we were more than delighted to see the clouds depart and sunshine prevail last Sunday afternoon at Thunder Road.
Oxford’s regular Saturday night program ran as clean as we hoped, capped by a huge fireworks display for the holiday weekend crowd. That put us in a favorable frame of mind as we headed west, and the action at T-Road sure didn’t disappoint.
Along with David Pembroke’s thrilling win in the ACT 100, the big story of the day was obviously the tremendous heartbreak suffered by Joey Polewarczyk and team when he spun out of the lead at lap 82.
Fresh from his victory the previous Sunday at Oxford, Pole was working his way through traffic like a seasoned veteran. The 19-year-old New Hampshire native was using the outside lane to stay out front, much as he did the previous week at Oxford.
Yet this time, he got a little too far out carrying a whole lot of speed into Turn 3. The resulting spin and crash cost him a second straight win, one he dearly wanted at ACT’s toughest track. Pembroke took his gift from above and ran with it — straight to Victory Lane.
Another big attraction beyond the great racing Sunday at Thunder Road was the classy memorials that have been constructed at the speedway. Six large pieces of polished Barre granite are inscribed with the names of track champions and major event winners.
The three pieces put up in front of the track entrance feature track champions, from Ronnie Marvin in 1960 to Eric Williams in 2008. Located right behind the officials’ tower at the base of the banking is a new display featuring three more pieces. These are pink granite inscribed with the names of winners in T-Road’s three major races; Memorial Day Classic, Vermont Milk Bowl and the famed Labor Day Classic.
I took some time to look over these displays and must say they are very nicely done. Since Barre is the undisputed Granite capitol of the world, these memorials are quite fitting.
There are even two new signs welcoming fans onto the property made out of granite. The whole place looked absolutely outstanding in the bright sun Sunday afternoon. My compliments to Ken Squire and Tom Curley for these world-class tributes to the drivers who made Thunder Road one of the nation’s finest short tracks. I’d love to see more tracks follow suit now to recognize their own rich history.
I was a little disappointed to see the True Value Modified portion of Sunday’s holiday doubleheader turn so ugly. Twelve cautions and a red flag in a 100-lap race is a bit excessive. Yet I don’t get to see these ground-pounding machines often any more; not like the old days when the NASCAR Mod tour ran alongside the old Busch North Series at certain tracks. So I enjoyed the chance to see Chris Pasteryak, Kirk Alexander and eventual winner Steve Masse do battle.
One comment on the Tiger Sportsman division at Thunder Road. That is, without question the nicest-looking support class I’ve ever seen. Most of the cars are well-maintained and look a lot like a Late Model. The crews all wear nice uniforms and some even have digital wraps on their enclosed trailers. It’s a hot division that puts on a great show of its own. It’s the modern-day version of the old Flying Tigers, I guess, and they really are an added attraction.
After attending four of the first five ACT Late Model tour shows in 2009, it’s time to get focused on Oxford’s weekly action. We’ll have some terrific battles up there all season, and not just with the Late Models, either. Strictly Stock, Mini Stock, Outlaw, Rebels and even the Ladies all provide fans with plenty of pop. Get out and support your local short track this summer.

New England Dodge Dealers 150 Notebook

2009-05-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Whenever the Vermont-based American-Canadian Tour (ACT) rolls into Oxford Plains Speedway, one safe bet is that the ongoing rivalry between ACT’s touring invaders and Oxford’s regular weekly teams will provide ample entertainment.
Sunday’s New England Dodge Dealers 150, Round 4 on the 2009 ACT schedule, continued that tradition in fine fashion as Oxford veteran Timmy Brackett battled eventual winner Joey Polewarczyk Jr. for the lead. Brackett led for eight laps (99-107) but settled for third at the finish behind “Irish”John Donahue.
Known affectionately as “Joey Pole” in racing circles, 19-year-old Polewarczyk is ACT’s poster boy for the “new guard” of northeastern short track racing.
Former Oxford champion Ricky Rolfe, the man who dominated this race in 2008, was also a factor Sunday until carburetor trouble took him out of contention. Rolfe led twice for a total of 57 laps and finished 17th on the lead lap.
Turner, Maine resident and Aroostook County native Shawn Martin earned the pole Sunday and led the first 29 laps in his No. 94 BRP-Oxford Networks Chevrolet. Martin’s car tends to fade on long green runs, and Sunday was no different. He did, however hang on for a solid 10th-place finish.
Brackett has done just about everything a guy could do at Oxford over the years. He’s won in several divisions and is definitely one of the good guys. Like ageless Al Hammond, who will return to action at Oxford on July 4, Brackett converted his old Pro Stock machine over to a Late Model for 2009. I knew he was fast on practice day, and he sure was impressive in the ACT race.
Looking at the geographical breakdown from Sunday’s 150, we had only six drivers from New Hampshire (but led by a pretty sharp kid from Hudson) in the final rundown; 13 from Vermont and 11 Maine natives. The Pine Tree State can boast four drivers in the top 10; led by Brackett (third); Shawn Knight (fourth); defending Late Model champion Travis Adams (sixth) and Martin (10th).
One consistent thing we’ve seen through the first four ACT races in 2009 is plenty of long, green-flag racing. Sunday’s 150-lap tilt at Oxford was slowed by only two cautions, both for minor spins. In fact, 30 cars sprinted for the first 85 laps before fill-in flagman “Magic” Marvin Galarneau needed to unfurl the yellow.
Thanks to a rain-out on Saturday night in Quebec, the ACT staff was divided into two locations on Sunday. Galarneau does an excellent job providing information to the media at most races and will return to his normal duties this coming weekend at Thunder Road.
It was tough to see young Tyler Cahoon of St. Johnsbury, VT, struggle Sunday at Oxford. Cahoon is an up-and-coming sophomore on the ACT Late Model tour and is the son of veteran short track ace Stacy Cahoon. Tyler needed a provisional to get into the 150 Sunday and limped his way to a 29th place finish. Things will get turned around for the No. 38VT gang soon, but after not making the show on May 3rd at Thunder Road I can’t imagine he’s too confident about going back for the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic.
Interesting to note on Sunday was the fact veteran Bobby Dragon was driving Pete Duto’s No. 55 Subway Ford. Bobby’s son Scott piloted the No. 71 machine that he usually drives, and wheeled it to a solid seventh-place finish. Bobby finished 15th in the car Brad Leighton drove to victory in the season-opening NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA on April 19.
When teams and fans arrive at Barre, Vermont’s famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl, they’re all in for as special treat. ACT president Tom Curley told me what he an Ken Squire have invested in memorials and capital improvements, and I’m impressed. I can’t wait to see these tributes to the men who helped build Thunder Road’s rich 50-year history.

Next up: ACT New England Dodge Dealers 150 at Oxford

2009-05-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

As the 2009 short track season shifts into high gear here in the northeast, there are ample reasons for fans to be excited.
When the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) kicked off its new campaign at Lee USA Speedway on April 19, we saw some great side-by-side racing. And when we got to Thunder Road to begin its star-filled 50th anniversary season, we saw more of the same.
Thanks to an open-minded arrangement between ACT and officials at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), the excitement level is at an all-time high within ACT circles this season. Thus far, Brad Leighton (Lee), Eric Williams (Thunder Road) and Scott Payea (Airborne) have all earned the right to compete in the ACT Invitational at NHMS on September 19. The desire to win an ACT race this year and qualify for “The Big Dance” is visible in driver’s eyes.
Next up for the ACT warriors is a trip to the famed Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday, May 17. The New England Dodge Dealers 150 will feature all the same ACT hot-shoes we’ve seen the last few weeks, plus a host of Oxford regulars hoping to defeat the invaders. What can we expect when this battle begins? More great side-by-side racing is pretty much guaranteed.
If this is one of the eight races Leighton is going to run for owner Pete Duto, expect the No. 55 NH to contend for the win. Leighton, of Center Harbor, NH, knows his way around the tricky 3/8-mile oval and is coming off a strong run last Sunday at Airborne. After battling with fellow Granite State native Randy Potter all day, the two-time NASCAR champion finished third.
Potter is my pick to win at Oxford, and not just because he had a solid run last time out. The veteran from Groveton blew us all away on April 28, 2007, when he won the ACT race at Oxford. Potter is a guy with good equipment, a smart crew chief (Pete Knights) and the talent to get the job done. If he doesn’t get caught up in somebody else’s mess, he’ll be a factor.
Scott Payea has finished second the last two years in ACT final points. The easy-going driver from Milton, VT (a pretty famous town for racers) fell just one point shy of Patrick Laperle in 2008, and was runner-up to Jean-Paul Cyr in 2007. This season, Payea has made his intentions clear with a win (Spring Green 100 at Airborne) and two third-place finishes. Payea finished 17th (he started 30th) in last year’s season opener at Oxford on April 26, and will be gunning for a much better outcome this time around.
Glen Luce is a Maine native now competing full-time on the ACT Late Model tour. In the season opener at Lee, the Turner native started 29th and finished in the 20th position. At Thunder Road, he rolled off in the eighth spot and was 10th at the finish (one lap down). Last spring at OPS, Luce had a dismal outing and came home 25th. Luce has the skills and experience to race up front at Oxford, proven by his second-place finish in last year’s TD Banknorth 250.
Looking at the rundown from Airborne, there are a half dozen names that could be up front when we get to Oxford. Veterans like Brent Dragon, Brian Hoar, Mike Olsen and Jamie Fisher all have great equipment and experience on the western Maine oval. Young Joey Pole is another driver that could be a factor at Oxford, having won there on June 21 last year. Pole (short for Polewarczyk) finished third behind NASCAR superstar Kevin Harvick and Luce.
And let’s not forget the Oxford regulars like Shawn Martin (two ACT wins), Tim Brackett, Tommy Ricker, Shawn Knight, Nick Brown and a host of others who were all fast in last Saturday’s open practice session.
Also in action when Oxford’s gates swing open on May 17 will be the Strictly & Mini Stock divisions, along with the Outlaws and Rebels from Oxford’s Wednesday night program. It promises to be another action-filled day of racing alongside Route 26.
As the Oxford beat writer for the Sun Journal, I’m ready to set up the laptop and see that green flag wave.

Merchants Bank 150 Notebook

2009-05-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sunday’s 11th annual Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road delivered some of the best green-flag Late Model racing I’ve had the pleasure of watching in quite some time.
While some fans prefer a caution every 20 laps or so to stir up the mix, I’ve always loved long green-flag runs because it shows you two big factors in racing - car preparation and driver skill. To run up front or work your way there (like Patrick Laperle did last Sunday) during a 106-lap sprint takes a well-prepared machine and a driver that doesn’t lose his cool in lapped traffic.
In addition to the clean race we enjoyed, there were a number of other stories worth noting from the second ACT Late Model Tour event of 2009.
First up on my list was the big crowd at Thunder Road. I know, a big crowd for an ACT race at T-Road isn’t a surprise, but for that many fans to turn out during tough economic times is remarkable. Especially since Vermont has been hit hard by this financial downturn.
When teams showed up for the first practice session of 2009 on Tuesday, April 14, Nick Sweet was fast on everybody’s stopwatch. The sophomore driver from Barre backed that up in the season opener, easily qualifying for the 150 (unlike 12 drivers who did not) through his Heat (he was third in Heat 2 behind Joey Pole and Cris Michaud) and racing to a solid sixth-place finish in the feature. Sweet pilots the St. Jay Auto No. 88 Chevrolet and is one of the brightest among many rising stars in ACT competition.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is young Tyler Cahoon, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. His 17th place finish at Lee USA on April 19 doesn’t really reflect his improvement over 2008. Cahoon won his qualifying heat earlier in the day and appeared to have the car dialed in. Yet last Sunday, the R&R Fireworks/Alomax Technologies No. 38 entry failed to qualify for the 150. In three tries (Qual. Heat, Consi and B Feature), Cahoon could not get the car into a transfer position and had to load it up early along with 11 other teams. I hope this coming Saturday at the all-new Airborne Speedway goes a lot better for the dedicated team from the Northeast Kingdom.
Going in to the 2009 ACT season, Groveton, NH, veteran Randy Potter was on my short list for drivers to contend for the tour championship. Potter has matured a great deal the last few years and is now a legitimate title contender. On Sunday at Thunder Road, the No. 02 P&R Excavating/JML Trucking Chevrolet was on a rail as Potter finished fourth in Heat No. 2 to transfer into the feature. After starting 16th on the 30-car grid, Potter smoothly wheeled his way up to eighth at the finish, the first car one lap down to the leaders.
Other drivers of note in Sunday’s Merchants Bank 150 include Brian Hoar, who drove from 13th to fifth in the Goss Dodge/RPM Racing Engines Dodge; Maine native Glen Luce, who piloted his TK & Sons Concrete Chevrolet to a solid 10th place finish; former Oxford Plains Speedway champion Ricky Rolfe, who finished 23rd after struggling all day; and seven-time ACT champion Jean-Paul Cyr, now driving his own No. 11 Chevrolet, who wound up 27th after completing just 114 laps. While he isn’t chasing tour points in 2009, I really expected a better outcome for Cyr in the season opener.
And last but certainly not least, I was interested to learn about the memorials that will be in place when we all get back to Thunder Road on Memorial Day weekend. During the Driver’s Meeting last Sunday, ACT president Tom Curley talked about plans he and Ken Squire have to erect some very classy memorials (remember, Barre is the Granite Capital of the World) to recognize some of the pioneers and stars from Thunder Road’s 50-year history.
Having attended races at Thunder Road since 1976 and studying its rich history for years, I am very excited about these planned memorials. To me, any track with that much history is right on target when they recognize the men who laid the foundation for the sport we enjoy today.

NH Governor’s Cup 150 Notebook

2009-04-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

Along with Brad Leighton’s victory in the season-opening New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150, there were several interesting story lines to emerge from Lee USA.
First off, all this talk about gloom-and-doom regarding the economy didn’t have much effect on the car count. Forty-five Late Models filed into the pits for Saturday’s practice, and every one of them attempted to qualify on Sunday. To me, that’s a pretty good indicator of a healthy tour. I know, numbers will fall off some as the season progresses, but that’s still one heck of a way to kick off a new season.
Since most of my Saturday evenings are spent trackside at Oxford Plains Speedway during the summer, I was very pleased to see such a strong contingent of Oxford cars at Lee. Shawn Martin, Travis Stearns, Ricky Rolfe and Corey Morgan all made the trip to Lee. Luck wasn’t on their side, however, as Lewiston’s Morgan was the only one to make the show.
I know, Rolfe is technically an ACT guy now, but I’ll always know him as an Oxford regular. The veteran from Albany Township was in a qualified position when contact knocked him out of contention in a Consi. Martin struggled with an ill-handling car during qualifying, but started on th pole of the B Feature. Unfortunately, is was not meant to be on this day.
Stearns, of Auburn, Maine, never quite got up to speed at Lee. The 3/8-mile oval is vastly different than Oxford, and as it turns out quite a challenge to figure out. Hopefully, the next time some of our Oxford warriors venture out to a new track, things will be different.
Vermont veteran Brian Hoar and two-time NASCAR champion Mike Olsen are looking good in their new ACT Late Model rides. Hoar will run full-time in 2009 while Olsen has a part-time in place now and is working to secure funding for more races. I spoke with both drivers just prior to the Governor’s Cup 150 about their return to ACT competition.
“This is a new role for me as a driver,” explained Hoar. “I’m with a great team, one that has enjoyed success in the past, and I’m hoping to continue that tradition. Mike and I have strong cars here today, we just hope to keep them up front and be there at the end when it counts.”
Hoar led the 150 briefly, faded during the late stages and brought the car home to a solid ninth-place finish. Not exactly where he wanted to be after 150 laps, but a solid start nonetheless.
“This is definitely a good car,” explained Olsen before the race. “I was pretty nervous in the heat race, I knew I had to get in the show. I enjoy racing in this series, the atmosphere is fun and these guys race clean on the track. These cars (Late Models) are kind of difficult to drive, they have be dialed in perfectly to run up front. With spec shocks and spec engines, there isn’t a whole lot of adjustment to them. But it’s all about controlling costs for the teams, and judging from the field of cars and today’s crowd, I’d say it’s a successful combination.”
Indeed, ACT president Tom Curley does have a winning formula with the ACT Late Model tour. And isn’t it ironic that Brad Leighton, the driver with the most wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in NASCAR’s Camping World East Series, becomes the first to qualify for the prestigious ACT Invitational to be held on Saturday, September 19 on the famed “Magic Mile.” Leighton loves to win big races in his home state, so betting against him on that day might be a bad move.
Tyler Cahoon is a second-generation driver from St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The former standout at White Mountain Motorsports Park is starting his sophomore campaign in ACT, and is doing so with flair. Cahoon looked impressive in qualifying, winning his Heat in front of some experienced drivers.
“This is quite a difference from last year,” explained Cahoon, who failed to qualify last year at Lee. “We wrestled with a worn-our car all last season, and to drive a new one this year and have it run this good right off the bat is very satisfying. We think we’re in for better results in 2009, now I just have to go out and do my job in the feature and keep it near the front.” Cahoon finished 17th in the 150, a decent run for the young hotshoe from Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.
The 2009 running of the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 is in the books. We learned the depth of talent is almost endless on the ACT circuit; with a fine mix of veterans, newcomers and locally-based talent. We expect a different crop of drivers to excel at Thunder Road on Sunday, May 3, since the Barre high-banks can be a totally different animal to conquer.

Next stop: ACT season opener at Lee USA

2009-04-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

With the 2008-09 snocross season fading into memory, it's time to shift gears and get ready to kick off the 2009 local stock car racing campaign. For many years, we did this by making the trek to Red & Judy MacDonald's beautiful Lee USA Speedway in Lee, New Hampshire. For most of the 1990s, the old NASCAR Busch North Series (now known as the Camping World Series East) got its season rolling with a 150-lap contest at Lee. These days, it's the ACT Late Model tour that draws us to Lee, and we're mighty excited to go.

Following the news of an ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in September, Late Model drivers around the region perked up and took notice. Drivers who win an ACT tour event (both the US circuit and Serie ACT Castrol in Canada) will be eligible to compete in Loudon. I expect close to 50 entries on hand at Lee this coming Sunday (April 19), all gunning to be the first qualified driver for the Invitational. Hudson, NH, native Joey Polewarczyk won the 2008 version of the New Hampshire Governor's Cup, with Eddie MacDonald second and Cris Michaud third. Who will come out on top this Sunday? Join us to find out. I guarantee a day filled with side-by-side racing and high drama. The ACT tour delivers that every race, and those Late Models are not only fast but semi-affordable (compared to a Pro Stock) for those who race them.

After our trip to Lee USA this Sunday, we'll get ready for a trip to Vermont as Ken Squire's famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl kicks off its 50th season. The Merchants Bank 150 is set for Sunday, May 3. A lot of news has been flowing out of T-Road lately, first with Tony Stewart coming to race one of Joey Pole's cars in the Vermont Governor's Cup on Thursday, June 25. Next came the news that Bobby Allison will visit the track on Thursday, June 18. Allison last visited the track in 1999. And yesterday (April 13) the ACT office announced that "King " Richard Petty will also visit Thunder Road on July 30 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. As you can see, fans are in for some real treats this year at "The Nation's Site of Excitement."

Congratulations to Turner's Ben Rowe for his victory this past Saturday night in the 4th annual Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. Hickory was Round 2 on the 2009 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South schedule. Rowe also claimed the season opener at Dillon Motor Speedway in Dillon, SC. Rowe is on a real hot streak this Spring, and will attempt to make it three straight wins this Sunday at Speedway 95 in Hermon, Maine as PASS North kicks off its 2009 campaign. Richard Moody Racing (RMR) puts a fabulous car under Ben every time out, and he certainly has the skills to get the most out of good equipment.

We have a great deal to look forward to in the 2009 short track season. From all the excitement surrounding the ACT tour, to the three Wallace family members (Rusty, Kenny & Steven) coming to the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford, race fans in the northeast are jumping for joy. While they may have already been racing for weeks down south, we'll have our turn in short order.

RMR wraps up 2009 season at Windham Mountain

2009-04-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

Boron, Morin split Pro finals in Windham for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

WINDHAM, NY (April 6, 2009) — Multi-time champion Jason Boron and Quebec veteran Mathieu Morin split the Pro finals on Sunday afternoon, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed the final Central series snocross event of the 2008-09 season at the Windham Mountain ski resort.
Boron, of Leverett, MA, piloted his Outdoor Performance/D&Z Racing Ski-doo to victory in Pro Open, with John O’Malley second and Kenny Murphy third. Other than Jason’s brother Matt (Malone, NY) and Jason Stone (Barton, VT), O’Malley (Verona, NY) was the only other rider besides Danny Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports Polaris)) to post a win all season.
Morin (XP-S Ski-doo), of Val D’or, Quebec, earned a rare RMR Pro victory with a convincing performance in Pro Stock. Morin, who recently concluded his season for Warnert Racing on the ISOC national circuit, held off Boron and Renaud Alexandre for top honors.
Defending Pro Vet champion Joe Lemieux (Ski-doo) scored another final round win over Joel Santy and Rene Desrochers. Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, was on top of his game with fast and consistent runs all season. Joe’s niece Michelle also capped a strong 2009 effort with a win Sunday, holding off Janell Smith and cousin Steffanie Lemieux in the Pro Women final.
In Semi-Pro action Sunday, Aaron Pfeifer and Jake Melville both recorded final round wins. Pfeifer, of Blossvale, NY, converted the momentum built from his victory in the Shootout at Findley Lake into a win in Stock 600. Pfeifer out-gunned fellow New York rider Cory Ostrander and Melville to earn the win. Melville, of Pownal, VT, helped his chances in the final point standings with his win in Semi-Pro Open. Pfeifer finished a close second, while Nick Kelley came home third.
In Sport division action at Windham, Joey Mosher and Joey Stock each registered wins. Mosher, of Salem, NH, rode his Team Explosive Ski-doo to victory in Saturday’s Super Stock final, with Stock second and Travis Brisbin third. Stock, of Bearsville, NY, claimed Sunday’s Super Stock final over Simon Taillefer and Dylan Bisson. Stock also claimed the Sport Stock 600 final over Chris Ingles and Brisbin on Sunday.
Will Fletcher (16-17 Stock 600 Fan) and Whitney Covill (16-17 Stock 500) led a long list of winners in Junior division action in Windham. Jake Scott won the 14-15 Stock 600 Fan final over Nick Zielinski and Trevor Boutin. Maine-based rider Nick St. Amand rode his Arctic Cat to victory in the 14-15 Stock 500 final, with Scott second and Boutin third. Other Junior division winners include Leo Patenaude (10-13 Stock 380 Fan) and Hunter Sherwood (8-10 300 Freestyle Saturday & Sunday).
Other final round winners in Central series action over the weekend in Windham include Kory Bouthillier (Sport 500); Joe Klimas (Sport Stock 600 Fan); Joel Santy (Plus 35 Masters); Christian Ellsworth (Plus 25 Stock); Amanda Kirchmeyer (Women Stock 600 Sat.); Steffanie Lemieux (Women Stock 600 Sun.); Sarah Acker (Women Stock Novice & Jr. Girls 10-13 Stock 600 Fan); and Ian Liebmann (Trail 600 Saturday).
Some of RMR’s West series teams also concluded their 2008-09 season in Windham over the weekend. Riders in the Sport and Junior divisions took center stage, with several young athletes rising to the occasion.
Simon Taillefer piloted his Ski-doo to victory in Saturday’s Sport Super Stock final, while Nathan Leclaire claimed Sunday’s battle. Michael Sickler made the long haul from Harvey’s Lake, PA, worthwhile with his win in Sport 500. Ryan Jabs completes our list of Sport division winners after out-dueling Leclaire and Trevor Day in Stock 600.
In West series Junior division action, Montana Jess and Matt Cameron were up to their old tricks. Jess, of Westminster, MA, won the 10-13 Stock 380 Fan final on Saturday and Sunday, while Cameron, of Redfield, NY, won the 10-13 Stock 600 Fan final on Saturday. Other final round winners include Jesse Bonaduce (Jr. 16-17 Stock 500 Sat. & Sun.); Leo Patenaude (Jr. 10-13 Stock 380 Fan); Tyler Zuidema (Jr. 14-15 Stock 500 Sat.); Michelle Lemieux (Plus 25 Stock); and Hunter Nelson (Jr. 14-15 Stock 500 Sunday).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the entire staff at the beautiful Windham Mountain for hosting our 2009 season finale. Snow conditions held up for the weekend despite heavy rains on Friday. To conclude our racing season at such a fine facility is very rewarding.
RMR would also like to thank its many fine sponsors, including Amsoil, Choko, Ingles Performance, Scott Goggles, Woody’s Traction & Control, Pump-X, TekVest, Camoplast, Al’s Snowmobile Parts Warehouse, PowerMadd, The Crank Shop, Sled Wraps, R.U. Outside, Ontario Snowmobiler Magazine, Marland Enterprises and Sunoco Race Fuels. The 2008-09 season would not have been possible without your support.
For full results in all classes from Windham or to learn more, please visit www.rockmaple.com.

RMR riders Rock in Lake Geneva

2009-03-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

When I first read about the regional "Showdown at Sundown" concept that ISOC had planned for tonight, I was pretty excited about having representation from Rock Maple competing in the event. What I did not expect, however, was just how successful the eastern contingent would be.
For starters, defending Pro Vet champion Joe Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, won the Plus 40 final against some pretty stiff competition. Newport's Rene Desrochers helped RMR riders dominate the podium with a solid third-place run. Congratulations to Joe & Rene for their stellar performances in Lake Geneva.
Former RMR regular Darrin Mees also had a great Friday night. Mees won the Pro Open final, while current RMR Pro Jason Stone (just notched his first Pro win last Sunday) finished sixth. In Semi-Pro action during the Showdown, our own Jake Melville (Pownal, VT) claimed fourth in the Open class, while Lucas Brunelle came home seventh. Brunelle finished fifth in the Semi-Pro Stock final.
I've always felt that Rock Maple has cultivated some talented riders over the years, and tonight's results certainly suggest that is true. Just as it has in short track stock car racing, the mighty Northeast has produced some championship-caliber snocross racers. To somebody like me who has toiled behind the scenes promoting snocross and racing in general, that fact is extremely rewarding. It means that people across the country will recognize just how much talent comes from places outside Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada.
Again I offer a big congratulations to all the Rock Maple regulars who made the long haul out to Lake Geneva, WI, for the first annual "Showdown at Sundown." You've made us all very proud. I'll be back with another post later this weekend after we see how the big boys make out on the track. ISOC has some terrific point battles coming down to the wire in Lake Geneva.
Who will claim the 2009 Pro & Semi-Pro crowns? (I'll say TJ Gulla in Pro Open, Levi LaVallee in Pro Stock, with Quebec sensation Tim Tremblay sweeping Semi-Pro) It's going to be a thriller to see it all shake down.

Thoughts on Hayward; All eyes on Barton, VT

2009-03-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

March is always an exciting time of year for me. On both the national and regional snocross scenes, it's getting down to the wire. We're about to crown new champions in Rock Maple Racing (RMR) and on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) Amsoil Championship Snocross Series.
While RMR teams enjoyed a much-deserved rest last weekend, ISOC completed Round 7 of its 8-race 2008-09 schedule in Hayward, Wisconsin. Making headlines in Hayward were TJ Gulla (Pro Stock); Brett Bender (Pro Open) and Tim Tremblay (swept Semi-Pro Stock & Open). After watching Bender notch his first career Pro victory in Valcourt last month, I know he has matured and improved remarkably this season. But to win the top class again this quickly is even more impressive. And I believe he chased down and passed early leader Iain Heyden and Iron Man/former champ Robbie Malinoski to prevail. Tell me Hentges Racing team manager/ice oval veteran Tim Bender isn't SOME proud of his son. The boy is a rising star in snocross, no argument.
Back at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN, we learned just how fast & smooth Quebec native Tim Tremblay can be in Semi-Pro action when he scored his first national win. He backed that up with an impressive run at Brainerd to win Semi-Pro Open, and now proved those two wins were no fluke with a clean sweep in Hayward. I offer a hearty congratulations to Tim and the entire No. 127/NSK Ski-doo team for that kind of success. Fresh faces atop the podium are what keep this sport attractive to more fans.
And now, let's look ahead at one of my favorite regional events of the season. It's Rock Maple's annual visit to the Orleans County Fairgrounds in scenic Barton, VT, deep in the heart of the beautiful Northeast Kingdom. Having been born and raised up there in "God's Country," the opportunity to return for some GREAT trail riding on the internationally-renowned VAST system and some RMR snocross brings a broad smile to my face. I LOVE the Kingdom in winter; as any true native and snowmobile enthusiast would.
In the Pro division, we'll all watch as Danny Poirier continues his incredible dream season. As mentioned in my previous post, Poirier has won 10 of 12 finals completed this season. Will he sweep again in Barton? Come join us to find out. And who should we watch in Semi-Pro, you ask? Keep one eye on young Lincoln Lemieux, of nearby St. Johnsbury, VT. This third-generation racer may be a rookie in Semi-Pro, but you wouldn't know that from reviewing his results. He's already been on the podium, and if young hotshots like Lucas Brunelle, Aaron Pfeifer, Jake Melville and Shaun St. Onge aren't careful, this kid might steal the spotlight.
I'll be in Barton on Sunday (Mar. 15) to cover all the action and will try to post a review right here early next week. Until then, keep that sled to the right on the trails (ALWAYS play it safe) and don't let a chance to ride escape. Winter will slip away soon, and we need to savor the flavor before it's gone.
One last thought: Vermont offers the world's BEST maple syrup, so keep that in mind this Spring! When those old sugar-makers get to boiling, hey, man! It's time to celebrate!

Valcourt & Ossipee Notes - Looking Ahead

2009-03-02T17:26:00.000-08:00

Hey, snocross fans!
I'm sorry this update has been so long in coming. I can't believe that Valcourt and Ossipee are already over, in fact, RMR West teams finished the finals left over from Stamford this past weekend (Feb. 28-Mar. 1) at the Tug Hill Invitational in Osceola, NY. In Ossipee, the BIG news was that Danny Poirier's dream season of domination rolled on - with FOUR wins in four starts.
That's right, you read it right - the guy won both Pro Stock and Open makeup races from Stamford on Saturday, then proceeded to sweep both Pro finals again on Sunday. What a roll he and the entire Hulten Speed Sports (St. Johnsville, NY) Polaris team is on this season. With Ossipee in the books, Danny has now claimed an amazing 10 of the 12 Pro finals completed this season. Can he be stopped? Probably not - but John O'Malley is closer in the points standings than you'd probably think. O'Malley, of Ajax, Ontario, is currently just 21 markers behind in Pro Stock, but trails by a seemingly insurmountable 82 points in Pro Open.
Multi-time Rock Maple Pro champ Jason Boron is third (both classes), yet time is running out for the "Iron Man" from Leverett, Massachusetts. Next stop for the mighty RMR warriors is the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton, Vermont. Just like last winter, they've had a ton of snow up there in "The Kingdom" this year, so Chris Wilk should be able to build a nice track. (Keep it soft, Chris).
Now, as for my day at the Grand Prix de Valcourt, wow! After five years away, it was AWESOME to get back up to the biggest snowmobile racing event in North America. I didn't get out to New York to see the ISOC Eastern Nationals, so this was my only chance to see the stars of ISOC do battle. And what excellent racing I witnessed! A big congratulations to Brett Bender on his first career Pro win in Sunday's Pro Open final. I'll be honest - like a lots of fans in attendance, I was hoping that Robbie Malinoski (Boss Racing/Ski-doo) could hold off Bender ands give Ski-doo a big win on their 50th anniversary celebration. Yet it was not meant to be...Malinoski's engine began to go away and Bender sailed on by with five laps remaining. The Semi-Pro Stock final was exciting, as well, as Dan Ebert, Cory Davis and Sweden's Christian Salemark made it 1-2-3 for Arctic Cat. Without argument, the biggest heartbreak of the day came during the 15-lap Champ 440 final, when legendary ice oval veteran Jacques Villeneuve came up short. On the second restart (third start overall) eventual winner Dustin Wahl got the jump. Villeneuve had led into Turn 1 on both the original and first restart, but the 60-year old (injured, too) athlete couldn't quite pull it off a third time. The ageless veteran ran second for 14 and three-quarter laps, then suffered engine failure coming through turns 3 & 4 on the final circuit. The loud "oh no" from thousands of his loyal french fans was moving, to say the least. They really love that man up there and I must say, I do, too. Villeneuve is a living legend in snowmobile racing and will be on my "top 10" list of great talents forever. Between the high-speed action on the famous ice oval, the always-exciting motorcycles on ice and the high-flying antics of ISOC national snocross, it was a day I won't soon forget. A big thanks to bus trip coordinator Paul Bellefeuille and veteran driver Ron Young of Premier Bus Lines (safe trip in near-whiteout conditions) for a great day in Valcourt. I've been to that world class event four times now, and I'm impressed with fan attendance and the quality of competition every time.
And now, a look ahead. ISOC gets back in business this weekend, Mar. 6-8, at the Hayward (Wisconsin) Power Sports/Johnson Bank Hayward 300, Presented by the LCO Casino, Lodge and Convention Center; while RMR is off until March 14-15. Only two more points races remain on the Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (ACSS), and the points standings are tight. Launchin' Levi LaVallee (Polaris) leads Garth Kaufman in Pro Stock by 17 points, while Vermont native TJ Gulla leads teammate LaVallee by just 10 points in Pro Open. Yes, it appears as though Hentges Racing is gonna have a title one way or the other! They've done a fantastic job of preparing their sleds all season, and their riders are running fast and smooth. It's going to be an interesting conclusion to the season - on both the ISOC national and RMR regional fronts. If you have a prediction on how these championship fights will turn out, drop me a line at: philw61@yahoo.com. I'd be interested to know your opinion.

Big weekend for Snocross Feb. 21-22!

2009-02-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

As I look out my office window this fine Thursday morning, the snow is falling at a pretty good clip. It's right on cue, because this coming weekend is without question a BIG one for snocross racing here in the Northeast.
For starters, Rock Maple Racing (RMR) is headed for the old Mount Whittier ski area in West Ossipee, NH. This is a points-paying event for Central & East series teams, PLUS, fans who attend on Saturday are in for an extra treat. Warm weather and deteriorating track conditions two weeks ago in Stamford, NY, forced RMR officials to postpone the Pro & Semi-Pro finals. These final rounds will be completed in Ossipee on Saturday! That's right, a Pro Stock FINAL at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday. Plus, there will be a raffle for two new Yamaha sleds and a trailer (a $20,000 pkg) with ticket quantity limited to just 2,000. Plus, the good folks from the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce are bringing in the popular Rave-X Aerial stunt/display team in from Maine. These cats do some CRAZY tricks on sleds; they've become the "Slednecks" of the East if you will. It's a natural fit with snocross and I applaud the Chamber for this move. So TONS of great racing all weekend, a killer raffle, lots of delicious food (I've had pulled pork down there from a local vendor that's to die for) and some of the nicest hosts I've ever met.
Next up: The Grand Prix de Valcourt, just outside the tiny town of Valcourt, Quebec. This is the 27th edition, and it's the most impressive gathering of snowmobile race teams (both Pro sno-x and ice oval) held annually anywhere on the planet. ISOC put on a FANtastic show last weekend in Farmington, NY, with the Arctic Cat Eastern Nationals, now it's time to bring the BIG show to Valcourt. This is Ski-doo's 50th Anniversary celebration, and it's going to be huge! A big presentation before Sunday's finals, the great Yvon DuHamel will be there - a NOT TO MISS gathering if you're a fan of snowmobile racing. I hope you'll have a chance to attend one of these two events - both will offer excellent winter-time motor sports entertainment. It's great to watch those NASCAR races on TV, but once in a while we must rise up off the couch, put on some warm clothes and actually get a life. I'll see you at the track!

Finally! It's time to go racing at Daytona

2009-02-12T20:23:00.000-08:00

After a long off-season and rather cold and snowy first half of winter, the time has finally arrived to wave the green flag at Daytona International Speedway. We've dispensed with the formalities of the Bud Shootout (Kevin Harvick, winner), the Gatorade Twin 150s (Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch) and have established the starting lineups for Friday night's NextEra Energy Resources 250 Camping World Truck Series race and the 51st annual Daytona 500.
The truck race promises to be a real barn-burner, and it's hard to believe they've been competing at the World Center of Racing for a decade now. Qualifying for the Camping World 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race (Saturday, 1 p.m. on ESPN2) is set for 3 p.m. Friday. Daytona is always full of drama and excitement; human interest stories and jubilation. Grab your favorite snacks and fluids (preferably non-alcoholic) and gather 'round the TV this weekend. It's gonna be BIG....
And how 'bout that ol' Bill Elliott? Great to see the veterans like Bil and Mark Martin (starts outside the front row for the 500) running so well in 2009. Go get 'em on Sunday guys! Mark is as stoked as I've ever seen him going into Daytona. Talk about a guy who has paid his dues...

On the snocross side of things, Rock Maple Racing has no official points race this weekend, but several RMR teams are headed for the Finger Lake Gaming Center & Resort in Farmington, NY, to participate in the ISOC Eastern Nationals. Good luck to all of our northeastern riders as they battle the best from the Great Lakes region and points beyond! For more information, go to www.fingerlakessnocross.com.

Last weekend was another mellow, relaxed one spent away from a race track. Instead, it was time to finish removing snow and ice from the roof before the big thaw (and rains) hit this past week. Luckily, the task was completed without serious bodily injury. Wednesday (Feb. 11) I was actually up on the roof in my short with big winter boots removing the last of the ice ridge. But alas, as this post is being written, the temp is dropping and we'll be returning to more winter-like conditions for the foreseeable future. Oh well, with a trip to Vermont scheduled for next Friday through Sunday (Feb. 20-22) to snowmobile, I welcome this change! I can't wait to get back out on those Fabulous VAST trails in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom. There is NOTHING better than riding a nice sled on a groomed trail through the Vermont countryside. Try it once and you'll see why I could elaborate on this subject for days...

Final note for tonight: on Sunday, Feb. 22, I'll be spending the day at one of, if not THE biggest snowmobile racing event in North America. It's the annual Grand Prix de Valcourt, in Valcourt, Quebec. Valcourt is the birthplace and home to Ski-doo, the brand that started it all back in 1959. Ski-doo is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special display at the Museum J. Armand Bombardier (the bus is topping there!) and special activities at the Circuit Yvon Duhamel. I covered this prestigious event for three straight years (2001 through 2003) for George Campbell's www.neracing.com, and loved every minute of it. I had always heard about the Gran Prix and wanted to catch the excitement for myself. It is EVEN bigger and more action-packed than you can imagine. Just a FANtastic weekend filled with the TOP snocross and ice oval racers on the planet battling for BIG trophies, good purse and of course bragging rights for a whole year. If you EVER have a chance to attend the Grand Prix de Valcourt, do it! You'll be blown away.

Great off-weekend close to home

2009-02-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

After a great day down in Epping, NH, last Sunday, this past weekend was spent close to home. Saturday brought a trip over to Lost Valley to view the ice sculptures being prepared as part of the annual Auburn Winter Festival. The Boston-based artist who creates these beautifully-crafted pieces absolutely outdid himself for 2009 - several excellent pieces including a sea serpent and a unicorn. The afternoon was spent removing snow and ice from the roof - oh, boy, what fun! Sunday was certainly a fun day, with a ride in the Pisten Bully at Lost Valley, followed by a trip to Sabattus Lake for the radar runs (local sled club) and automobile racing (New Meadows Ice Racing Assn). Took a ride in the "Centaur," a twin-tracked grooming machine built in Ontario and powered by a 38-hp four-cyl. Isuzu diesel. A short while later, Debra took me for a nice ride up the lake in an "Argo" amphibious ATV (with tracks), one of the most unique and FUN vehicles I've ever seen. Of course, the fun had to end and we came home to do a few household chores, start the fire, etc. Overall, a great weekend - but I'm THRILLED that NASCAR is back on track this coming Friday for Bud Shootout (Sat. night on FOX) practice at Daytona. PLUS, Rock Maple gets back in action in Stamford, NY (Feb. 7-8), and ISOC is running at the famed Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. RMR, ISOC and NASCAR all in action on the same weekend. Is life about to get Revved up, or what? Bring it on!

Introduction

2009-01-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hello race fans and snowmobile racing/riding enthusiasts! I've created this blog to express opinions and provide a little insight into the worlds of Rock Maple Racing snocross and stock car racing, in which I am involved. You're going to read some things on here that may upset you; but please realize I'm not out to offend anybody. Ever since I wrote my first column for the now-defunct Speedway Scene in Jan. of 1992, I've simply given my views according to how I perceive the issues. I'll also try to deliver racing-related news in a timely fashion, although there are HUNDREDS of places to find that information online. So thanks for taking a few minutes out of your busy day or evening for me. I welcome contact from fans to discuss news, current hot-button issues (like E10 gas here in Maine causing engine failure in several sleds) and misc. topics. Now get out on those sleds, and have that stock car ready for the 2009 season opener!