New format in Pro and Semi-Pro classes starts this weekend
for Rock Maple Racing snocross series

DERRY, N.H. (Feb. 26, 2010) – In response to input from race teams and driven by a desire to satisfy fans who keep snocross thriving, officials at Rock Maple Racing (RMR) have announced a major change in the way snocross race weekends will unfold.

Starting at this weekend’s ( Feb. 27-28) event at the Orleans County Fairgrounds, Pro and Semi-Pro teams will compete in one class each day from qualifying races through finals.

On Saturday, teams in Pro Stock and Semi-Pro Open will run two rounds of qualifying, an LCQ (last chance qualifier, if needed) and a final. On Sunday, teams will compete in Pro Open and Semi-Pro Stock. The end result gives fans a chance to see Pro and Semi-Pro riders run a final no matter which day they attend.

From a racer’s perspective, this new format allows each team a chance to focus on their Stock or Open sleds on separate days. The mechanics will have more prep time, and even if a rider has a bad day on Saturday he can rest up and still salvage a good points day on Sunday.

RMR was the last sanctioning body in the industry to run qualifying races on Saturday and finals on Sunday. For many years, that format worked well and fans stayed all weekend. Yet in today’s climate, fans often have to choose one day or the other to attend the races. With this new format, they’ll get to see the top talent run heats and finals, no matter which day works best for their schedule.

“We feel this change in format will be beneficial to both racers and our fans,” said Tara Saxton, President of Rock Maple Racing. “Our racers came to us with this request, backed by reasons for the change. We listened to their concerns and want to make things better for them. We also want to ensure our fans see plenty of intense racing on both Saturday and Sunday.”

This weekend’s event is the first of two back-to-back points races at the Orleans County Fairgrounds. Recent snowfall and more in the forecast should bode well for successful shows. Unlike most winters when Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom would typically be covered with two or three feet of snow, much of region had been in a snow-less lull prior to this week.

Yet when the snowmobile racers needed it most, that white gold fell on the Kingdom. Only three points races remain (including this weekend) on the 2009-10 schedule, meaning it’s now or never for those looking to secure a title. Less than 15 points separate Bobby “The Rage” LePage and Mathieu Morin in the Pro classes, so anything can happen.

For racers in the Sport, Junior and Women divisions, your weekend will remain the same. While every team within these divisions is highly-valued by RMR, this change in format was primarily designed to make the weekend flow better for Pro and Semi-Pro teams. All support classes will still enjoy final rounds on Sunday as part of an exciting ‘Main Event’

format.
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. For more information, go to www.rockmaple.com.