Orleans County Fairgrounds next stop for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

DERRY, N.H. (Feb. 23, 2010) – After a five-week stretch with little or no snowfall across much of the northeast, Mother Nature has lined up a one-two punch this week that will allow snowmobile enthusiasts in northern Vermont a chance to witness some exciting racing.

As trail clubs throughout the region grease their groomers and try to salvage a few more weeks of riding, race teams are preparing for the season’s final two events. Riders in the hunt for the coveted points titles are revved up, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) invades the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton this weekend, Feb. 27-28, for two days of high-flying snocross.

Spectator gates open at 8 a.m. each day, with racing getting under way promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $12 per day for adults, or $20 for a weekend pass. 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 Barton are Pro riders Bobby LePage and Mathieu Morin. LePage, of Hermantown, MN, has five wins to his credit and carries a slim three-point lead over Morin in Pro Open. In Pro Stock, LePage has a slightly more comfortable margin of 11 points. Defending champion Danny Poirier has been as solid as a rock in third all season, while Jason Stone and multi-time champion Jason Boron fill out the top five.

In the Semi-Pro division, riders to watch include Corin Todd, Lincoln Lemieux, Michael George, Lucas Brunelle and Chris Ackerman. Todd and Lemieux are tied atop the standings in Semi-Pro Open, while George sits just 14 points back. In Semi-Pro Stock, Todd has a seven-point advantage over George while Cody Flach is third. Lemieux, of. Johnsbury, is hot off a victory in last weekend’s prestigious Grand Prix de Valcourt and will be fired up in Barton.

Local favorite Rene Desrochers of Newport will battle against Joe Lemieux of St. Johnsbury in Pro Vet, while Joe’s daughter Steffanie will take on the competition in Pro Women’s action. Along with the high-flying action of Rock Maple’s Pro and Semi-Pro divisions, each day will also feature some great racing from the Sport, Women and Junior classes.

Last year in Barton, Stone earned his first career RMR Pro victory in the Pro Stock final. Poirier chased Stone for 14 laps but settled for second, while Boron finished third. In Pro Open, Poirier grabbed the holeshot and led from start to finish. Quebec invader Eric Belanger, a regular on the SCM circuit, finished second while Boron notched his second podium of the day.

In Semi-Pro action last year, Brunelle and George both earned big wins. Brunelle, of Boucherville, QC, won a wild Open final that saw several riders lose control. George, of Pine Plains, NY, claimed Semi-Pro Stock over Garret Mees and Brad Davis. Mees is now competing on the ISOC national circuit while Davis is out mending a broken leg.

The Orleans County Fairgrounds are easily accessible by and within sight of Interstate 91 in scenic Barton. Deep in the heart of Vermont’s rural but beautiful Northeast Kingdom, Barton and the surrounding communities offer some of the best snowmobiling, hunting and fishing in New England. A visit to this area in the fall can provide a glimpse of Vermont’s brightest colors.

For more information, visit RMR online at www.rockmaple.com.