Return to Ossipee, NH next stop for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

       DERRY, NH (Feb. 13, 2009) — After a battle with spring-like weather conditions in central New York, snowmobile race teams around the northeast are ready for a return to snow and cold.
       With a little cooperation from Mother Nature, those teams will have that opportunity as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) gets set for Round 6 on the 2008-09 snocross campaign Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22, at the old Mount Whittier ski area in Ossipee, New Hampshire.
       Spectator gates open at 8 a.m., with racing getting under way promptly at promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $15 per day for adults, with weekend passes available for $20. Pit passes valid through the entire weekend will be available for an extra $10.
       Rock Maple’s return visit to Mount Whittier is part of the third annual Ossipee Mountain Blizzard Festival, presented by the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the fine local companies on board as sponsors are Monster Energy Drink, Samantha’s Inn of Tamworth, Ocean Bank, Eastern Propane & Oil, and the Northway Bank in West Ossipee. To learn more about one of the Granite State’s most scenic and active regions, visit the Chamber online at www.ossipeevalley.org.
       Leading the charge into Ossipee is Pro rider Danny Poirier, of St. Theodore, Quebec. Poirier, the 2004 Pro 600 and Pro Open champion, is enjoying the most successful season of his snocross career. Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) has six wins in eight starts.
       Trying to derail the seemingly-unstoppable Poirier train is the brother act of Matt and Jason Boron (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo), of Leverett, Massachusetts. Matt, along with Ontario rider John O’Malley, is the only other Pro to win a final this season. The 2006 champion missed most of last season due to injury, but is getting back to his old form as of late. Jason has won more titles in RMR than any other active rider, and is hoping to post a win or podium finish at Ossipee.
       In the Semi-Pro division, a window of opportunity has opened in recent weeks. With top-ranked riders Corin Todd and Brennan Berardo out healing from injuries, some new faces have come to the surface. Aaron Pfeifer, Jake Melville and Shaun St. Onge are just a few of the names you’ll see gunning for wins at Ossipee as they look to take command of this talent-laden division.
       Fans at Ossipee will enjoy some extra rounds of competition, as Pro and Semi-Pro teams will complete the final rounds postponed on Feb. 8 in Stamford, New York. Every brand of sled is represented in the Rock Maple pits, giving fans of Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-doo and Yamaha riders to support. Ossipee is sure to provide two days of non-stop snocross excitement.
       Last year at Mount Whittier, Poirier and Darrin Mees split the Pro division finals, while Joe Lemieux (Pro Vet) and Maine’s KC Anderson (Pro Women) also posted final round wins. Robert Graeber made a triumphant return from his Winter X Games trip to claim the special “Dash for Cash” event for Semi-Pro riders. From Pro, Semi-Pro, Sport, Junior, Women’s and Junior divisions, the second annual outing in Ossipee provided some great racing.
       Rock Maple Racing is currently in its 17th straight year of snocross competition. For more information, go to www.rockmaple.com.