by Jay | Dec 15, 2009 | Canada, New England
LePage, Morin split Pro finals at Hickory for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
WARRENSBURG, NY (Dec. 14, 2009) – Veteran snowmobile racers Bobby LePage and Mathieu Morin each earned victories in the Pro division Sunday, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) kicked off its 2009-10 snocross season at the Hickory Ski Center.
LePage, (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) of Duluth, MN, set a blistering pace as he dominated the Pro Stock final. Defending RMR champion Danny Poirier finished second to his new teammate, while New York native Jason Stone filled out the podium. Six of the 10 riders finished on the lead lap, while LePage’s margin of victory was 3.75 seconds.
Morin, (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) of Val D’ Or, Quebec, excelled in his debut with the Ingles squad, finishing over four seconds ahead of LePage to claim Pro Open. Poirier managed to salvage a respectable third with an engine that was about to expire. Only four riders completed all 20 laps, an indication of just how fast Morin can be when he’s dialed in.
Defending Pro Vet champion Joseph Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, kicked off his 2009-10 season in fine style, holding off Jason Soucy and Rene Desrochers to claim Sunday’s final. Joe’s daughter Steffanie kept up the family tradition, winning the Pro Women final over annual rivals Paige Calderwood and Melanie Acker.
In Semi-Pro action at Hickory, pre-season favorite Corin Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo) chased down and passed Lincoln Lemieux with four laps remaining to claim the Open class final by less than half a second. Trevor Bouchard got the holeshot on his new Arctic Cat, but Todd and Lemieux found some great lines and drove around him. Garrett Mees was consistent all weekend and hustled his way into third as the laps wound down.
Mees (All-Island Plumbing/Ski-doo) grabbed his time in the spotlight in the Stock final. The rising star from Setauket, NY, outgunned RMR veterans Lucas Brunelle and Michael George by over four seconds to capture a thrilling Semi-Pro Stock final. Eight of the 14 starters finished on the lead lap.
Competition in the Sport division was also intense on Sunday. JJ Kent earned a victory in the Super Stock 600 final, with Jesse James Bonaduce second and Jake Scott third. Scott also finished third in Sport Stock 600, an excellent first effort for the 2009 Junior division champion.
Bonaduce grabbed his opportunity for redemption in Sport 500, holding off Joe Bishop and Marshall Himes for top honors. Whitney Covill rounds out our list of Sport division winners with his victory over Bonaduce and Scott in the Stock 600 final.
In Junior division action at Hickory, Edward Bandel scored a hat trick. Bandel earned victories in Jr. 14-15 Stock 600 Fan; Jr. 14-14 Stock 600 and Jr. 16-17 Stock 600 Fan. Bonaduce added to his impressive weekend with a victory in Jr. 16-17 Stock 600, while Montana Jess, also known as “The Flying Onion,” picked up wins on both Saturday and Sunday in Jr. 10-13 Stock 600.
Other winners over the weekend in Warrensburg include Paige Calderwood (Women’s 600); Katelyn Olsen (Jr. Girls 10-13); Max Burrier (Jr. 8-10 Sat.); and Montana Jess (Jr. 10-13 Stock 600 Saturday).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank event sponsor Woody’s Traction & Control Products, along with Shawn Dempsey and the entire staff at the Hickory Ski Center. As a new host site, Hickory extended open arms to the Rock Maple family and went the extra mile to ensure the event took place.
For full results in all classes from Warrensburg or for more information about Rock Maple Racing, please go to www.rockmaple.com.
by Jay | Dec 5, 2009 | Canada, New England
Season opener at Hickory Ski Center set to go for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
DERRY, NH (Dec. 4, 2009) – 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 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 and 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 www.rockmaple.com.
by Jay | Dec 1, 2009 | Canada, New England, PASS
Naples Me (11/30/2009) Pro All Stars Series (PASS) President Tom Mayberry has announced the series’ tenth anniversary super late model schedule .The fastest full fender short track racers in the east will visit ten speedways in four states and the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The venues range from New England’s fastest short track, the 5/8 mile Thompson International Speedway, to the tight confines of the Riverside Speedway quarter mile.
Caribou Maine’s Spud Speedway is a new stop for the series, with an 8/21 race date scheduled. The season will open on April 18th at Speedway 95 and conclude at White Mountain Motorsports Park on either September 17 or 18. One additional race date is still under negotiation. A finalized schedule will be confirmed by January 1, 2010.
PASS will get the season off to an early start with the PASS Florida Winter Fest at New Smyrna Speedway on January 29 and 30, 2010. The Winter Fest 150 will award points toward the 2010 PASS National Championship.
2010 License forms and the entry blank and schedule for PASS Florida Winter Fest are available for download now at www.racewithpass.com and www.proallstarsseries.com .
2010 PASS North Super Late Model Schedule
(Tentative – Subject to Change)
DATE TRACK LAPS
4/17-18 SPEEDWAY 95 HERMON, ME 150
4/30-5/1 BEECH RIDGE MOTOR SPEEDWAY SCARBOROUGH, ME 150
5/22 WHITE MTN MOTORSPORTS PARK N WOODSTOCK, NH 150
6/12 SPEEDWAY 660 FREDERICTON NEW BRUNSWICK 200
7/3 CANAAN SPEEDWAY CANAAN, NH 150
7/10 BEECH RIDGE MOTOR SPEEDWAY SCARBOROUGH, ME 150
7/13 LEE USA SPEEDWAY LEE, NH TBA
7/31 RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY GROVETON, NH 150
8/14 SEEKONK SPEEDWAY SEEKONK, MA 150
8/21 SPUD SPEEDWAY CARIBOU, ME 150
8/26 THOMPSON INT SPEEDAY THOMPSON, CT TBA
9/9 -12 BEECH RIDGE MOTOR SPEEDWAY SCARBOROUGH, ME 300
(PASS 400 WEEK END)
9/17 OR 18 WHITE MTN MOTORSPORTS PARK N WOODSTOCK, NH 150
ADDITIONAL DATE TBA, FINAL SCHEDULE CONFIRMED BY JANUARY 1, 2010
by Jay | Dec 1, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Models from Thunder Road will open the newly paved Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont on Sunday, May 23, 2010. Track promoter Jerry Richards said, “This is going to be a great way to bring the new asphalt to life at Devil’s Bowl. It has been over 30 years since the track was asphalt, but we think having Thunder Road’s Late Models on the ½ mile will certainly give our fans at the “Bowl” a great opening event.”
Thunder Road Late Models will be joined by some of the regular ACT U.S. Touring teams for this grand opening of the original Champlain Valley Racing Association (CVRA), which was founded by legendary promoter CJ Richards.
Tom Curley, the President of ACT and managing partner of Thunder Road said, “When we learned that the “Bowl” was being returned to asphalt we really wanted our teams to be a part of it. Most of the Thunder Road Late Models have raced various tracks on the ACT, and this just seemed like a great fit. We have no races scheduled at Thunder Road from May 2 until Memorial Day weekend, so I am sure there will be great support from the Late Model teams.” When asked if there would be some ACT U.S. Touring teams in attendance, Curley concluded, “I am sure there will be a number of teams from Chittenden County and central Vermont who will want to give Devil’s Bowl a try, and this change the CVRA is going through is something ACT wants to support.” The sister track of Devil’s Bowl, Albany Saratoga Speedway, will host an ACT event on April 25th at the newly paved 4/10ths mile speedplant.
Some of the Northeast’s biggest names in Late Model racing are expected to attend this historic event at Devil’s Bowl. Defending Thunder Road Champion Jean-Paul Cyr, who started his Modified racing career at Devil’s Bowl, along with three-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, will bring his potent Ford to the ½ mile. “I think this is really great,” said ACT star Brent Dragon from Milton, VT. “My father (Beaver Dragon) and uncle (Bobby Dragon) were both a part of the five-track Northern NASCAR circuit back in the mid ‘70’s, and I am really excited that we have a “long track” back in Vermont”, said Dragon. Brent Dragon is noted for his dominant performances on most of the long tracks where the ACT participates.
by Jay | Nov 30, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England
Waterbury, VT – Officials at Waterford Speedbowl have announced an agreement with the American Canadian Tour (ACT) to close the 2010 season with a Fall Doubleheader stock car 300 lap spectacle. The Late Model stars of the ACT and the ‘Bowl’ will join the southern New England SK Modified division at Waterford on the weekend of October 09/10.
The event will feature 150 lap main events for each division. The ACT Championship will be decided at the fall event, and teams from throughout the northeastern United States and Canada are expected to make the trip to the historic coastal Speedbowl. The popular SK Modified division, which has become a staple of Southern New England racing at the Speedbowl, Stafford Motor Speedway, and Thompson Speedway will assure a large field of the powerful open-wheeled stock cars.
“This is going to be a very much anticipated weekend for our race teams. We plan on having a year-end get together with fans and teams at Mohegan Sun Casino, a 150 lap race for ACT Late Models, on what is arguably one of the most competitive and fun race tracks the Tour races at, and a championship crowning to our 2010 season. This should make for a great weekend,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.
The two-day event will feature Saturday practice and qualifying, and Sunday will be filled with 300 laps of championship racing for the ACT and SK Modified teams. Over $50,000.00 in posted awards will bring the best of both divisions to the “Bowl” to conclude their 2010 race seasons.
The addition of the Waterford Speedbowl event has required a change in the 2010 ACT schedule. The previously scheduled 48th annual Chittenden Milk Bowl at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT will now become a stand alone race, and will not be an ACT 2010 point counting event.
ACT will also visit the 3/8th mile Speedbowl on August 21st for a 100 lap event. The 2010 ACT traditional opener will take place at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on April 18th with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. The event was won in 2009 by Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, New Hampshire.
by Jay | Nov 22, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England, Thunder Road
DRUMMONDVILLE, QC – 2009 Série ACT Castrol Stock Car Champion Donald Theetge of Boischatel, Quebec was honored at the annual Série ACT Castrol Banquet of Champions at the Best Western Hotel Universel in Drummondville, QC on Saturday, November 21. It is Theetge’s second career Série ACT Castrol Championship, with his previous title coming in 2006. The top ACT teams, officials and fans were in attendance to help honor Theege and his team. Theetge beat 2008 ACT Tour Champion Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, Quebec in the closest point battle in Série history to become the first Série ACT Castrol repeat champion. With his two victories during the 2009 season, Theetge also became the all-time Série ACT Castrol wins leader with 14. Theetge’s championship earned him a point fund paycheck of $9,000.
Justin Holtom of Ottawa, Ontario received the 2009 Série ACT Castrol Rookie of the Year Award. Holtom was the only Série regular from outside the province of Quebec. The 19 year old picked up his career best finish (5th) at Autodrome Montmagny in August and contended for the win at several events during the season on his way to 12th place in the Série ACT Castrol Championship Standings.
St-Félicien, Quebec’s Karl Allard earned the votes of his fellow competitors and Série officials to win the Série ACT Castrol Sportsmanship Award for the second time in his career. Allard earned the award based on his competitive but fair nature. Allard finished the season third in the Championship Point Standings and finished an impressive 12th at the Inaugural ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
The 2009 Série ACT Castrol Most Improved Driver Award was also awarded based on driver and official votes. Earning the most votes was 19 year old Jonathan Desbiens of Levis, Quebec. Desbiens finished 10th in the Championship Point Standings in just his third season with the Série. He also improved his best career finish in 2009 with a 6th at Autodrome Chaudiere in August.
Drivers in attendance from the top 15 in the 2009 Championship Point Standings also received personalized award plaques as well as point fund earnings of over $35,000. Also awarded were certificates for product from Bassett Racing Wheels and Five Star Race Car Bodies.
The 2010 Série ACT Castrol schedule has been announced with 12 events throughout the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The season will begin on Saturday, May 22 at Autodrome Ste-Eustache. For more information visit www.acttour.com or www.laserieactcastrol.com.
2010 Série ACT Castrol SCHEDULE
# DATE DAY TRACK LAPS
1. May 22 Sat. Ste-Eustache 100
2. May 29 Sat. Montmagny 100
3. June 05 Sat. Chaudiere 150
4. June 12 Sat. Capital City 100
5. June 19 Sat. Riverside 100
6. June 03 Sat. Montmagny 250
7. July 10 Sat. Ste-Felicien 135
*** July 18 Sun. Oxford 250
8. July 26 Mon. Riverside 100
9. July 31 Sat. Ste-Eustache 100
10. Aug. 07 Sat. Chaudiere 150
11. Aug. 14 Sat. Riverside (Combo*) 200
*** Aug. 28 Sat Chaudiere (Showdown) 200
12. Sept. 26 Sun. Ste-Eustache 300
***non-championship point counting event
*Combination race with Série ACT Castrol and U.S. ACT Tour
