LePage sweeps Pro finals in Salem for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

SALEM, N.H. (Feb. 15, 2010) – Veteran snowmobile racer Bobby LePage used a handy little broom on his trip to southern New Hampshire last weekend, neatly sweeping the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed another round of snocross competition Sunday afternoon at historic Rockingham Park.

Sunday’s card completed day three of the inaugural HK Powersports New England Nationals, which brought the excitement of Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) racing to northeastern fans on Friday and Saturday.

Tim Tremblay (Pro Stock, Friday night) and Ross Martin (Pro Open, Saturday) earned victories on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) national tour as thousands of fans roared in celebration. A combination of natural and man-made snow was used to build a long, challenging track for the world’s top riders.

LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of Duluth, MN, grabbed the holeshot in Pro Stock and checked out, while weekly rival Mathieu Morin gave chase. Twice during the grueling 18-lap final, Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) got up to the back bumper of LePage but saw no way around and settled for second. Defending champion and teammate to LePage Danny Poirier filled out the podium with another solid run.

In Pro Open, it was a one-two finish for the Hulten Speed Sports gang as Poirier followed LePage across the line. Morin had two wild off-sled experiences in Turn 3 that put him out of contention. Pro rookie Brennan Berardo (DooTalk.com/Ski-doo) earned his first podium with a solid third-place finish. On a track that favored big, muscular riders, Berardo seemed to excel.

In Semi-Pro action Sunday, RMR veteran Michael George enjoyed the success most observers knew was coming. The gifted young athlete from Pine Plains, NY, chased down and passed Corin Todd to win the Stock final. George tripled his way into the teeth-bashing, nine-mogul mine field, while others preferred the double, double, hope-for-the-best alternative. Todd settled for second while Lincoln Lemieux was third.

Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo) found redemption in the Semi-Pro Open final. He held off a hard-charging George for top honors, while Lemieux notched his second podium of the day. After a full weekend of high-flying, non-stop racing, RMR’s Pro and Semi-Pro riders somehow saved enough energy to cap the weekend with some terrific finals.

Joseph Lemieux (Plus 35 Pro Am) and Martha Wells (Pro Women) kicked things off on Friday evening as the good folks from ISOC mixed a little RMR into their program. Lemieux had come off his sled while leading during qualifying, adding a little extra incentive to win the final.

In Sport division action over the weekend, Jake Scott continued his run at the 2010 points championship. The rising star from Port Jefferson, NY, checked out on the competition in Super Stock 600 on both Saturday and Sunday. Both days, skilled rivals Mike Billow and Chris Ingles settled for second and third respectively. They try their best to chase him down every week, but “Jake the Snake” simply slithers away before their very eyes.

Edward Bandel continued his impressive season with multiple victories in Junior division action at Salem. The young athlete from Mohawk, NY, recorded five final round wins aboard his Polaris to cap a highly-successful outing in the Granite State.

Other final round winners over the weekend at Rockingham Park include Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Pro Am); Joe Bishop (Sport Stock 500); Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Paige Calderwood (Women Stock 600 Sunday); Shawn Smith (Trail 600 Saturday); and Jared White (Trail 600 Sunday).

Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Scott Lorentz and the entire ISOC staff for the hard work and cooperation that went into making the New England Nationals a reality. This long-awaited national event was well-received by fans and will hopefully be an annual tradition for both groups. A special thanks must also go to Ed Callahan and the staff at Rockingham Park for bringing the world’s top snowmobile racers to our own backyards.

For full results in all classes from Rockingham Park or to learn more about Rock Maple Racing, please go to www.rockmaple.com.
Next up for teams and officials on the RMR circuit is a visit to the famed New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for their inaugural Sno Bowl this weekend, Feb. 20-21. For tickets, go to www.nhms.com.