| For Immediate Release:
Dec. 16, 2003
Belzile, Luczynski take top honors at Haystack for Rock Maple Racing,
Presented by The New England Dodge Dealers
WILMINGTON, VT — Simon Belzile and Chad Luczynski are two of the top
snocross racers in the entire Northeast. Belzile, of Fork Forest, Quebec,
kicked off the 2003-2004 season in fine style last weekend at Haystack
Mountain by winning the high-pressure Winter X Games Qualifier, along with
the final in Pro 440.
Luczynski, of North Adams, Mass., proved his ability to quickly adapt to a
new brand of sled by posting wins in the Amsoil Pro 600 and Woody’s Pro Open
classes. A long-time Polaris rider in years past, “Bad Chad” now sings the
praise of Ski-doo as his ride of choice.
Belzile gave the big crowd at Haystack something to cheer about with
dramatic, last-lap passes to record his two wins. In the Winter X Games
Qualifier, he ran down early leader Danny Poirier and made the pass for the
win on the next to last corner before the finish. Poirier, the famed
“Canadian Blast”, grabbed the holeshot and stretched out to a sizable lead,
only to be run down by a very determined Belzile. Both riders are now
eligible to compete in Aspen, Col. in what has become the biggest event in
the world of extreme sports.
In the first Pro class (440) final of the day Sunday, Poirier launched his
red-hot Ski-doo MXZ REV into the lead and appeared to be in a zone of his
own. Yet once again, a focused Belzile found some great lines on the track
and began to steadily close the gap. Just as the two racers were completing
the last lap, Simon shot out around the outside of Poirier and managed to
beat him to the line, drawing a tremendous roar from an excited crowd.
In the highly-popular Semi-Pro division, young Nick Kruger was the story of
the day. Kruger, who makes the jump from Sport to Semi-Pro this year, drives
for Harrison Motorsports and has given owner Jeff Harrison a great sense of
pride. The former motocross rider posted wins in Semi-Pro 600 and Semi-Pro
Open at Haystack, proving that Harrison’s faith in his ability was not
unfounded.
Local favorite Jeff Arsenault had a successful debut for Xtreme Racing at
Haystack, taking the final in Semi-Pro 440 over Nathan Lochiavo and Neil
Snyder. Arsenault, a long-time Arctic Cat racer, quickly adapted to his new
Ski-doo sled and should be a factor in the points season-long battle as this
season unfolds.
Other winners at Haystack last weekend include; Dave Stephenson in Pro Vet,
Brody Wilson in Semi-Pro 440 Fan, Amy Alderman in Womens’ Pro 600 and Mark
Chase in Sport Masters. A record number of entries were received at the
season lid-lifer, with 927 on the books by the start of racing on Saturday.
Yes, some racers enter multiple classes, but its safe to say that over 300
riders competed in 30 classes throughout the weekend, a true sign of a
healthy sport.
Among the three manufacturers of sleds, Ski-doo came out on top with six
wins in Pro and Semi-Pro competition, while Arctic Cat riders collected
seven wins in the support divisions.
Polaris riders struggled at Haystack, with just one win posted by Jake
Melville in the Lower Junior 600 class. However, when the Boron brothers get
their new mounts figured out, expect the “Red Sleds” to recover in fine
fashion.
Round two for the Rock Maple Racing snocross series will take place at the
Franklin County Fairgrounds in Malone, New York on Jan. 3-4, 2004. The event
will be presented by the Malone Chamber of Commerce, and will mark the debut
of professional snocross racing in the region. For more information on Rock
Maple Racing, please visit their web site at www.rockmaple.com.
RMR Official Results:
Haystack at Mt. Snow
Dec. 13-14, 2003
New England Dodge Dealers Pro 440
1. Simon Belzile Fork Forest, Que. Ski-doo
2. Danny Poirier Valcourt, Que. Ski-doo
3. Jason Boron Leverett, Mass. Polaris
Amsoil Pro 600
1. Chad Luczynski N. Adams, Mass. Ski-doo
2. Simon Belzile Fork Forest, Que. Ski-doo
3. Jason Rudd Rodman, N.Y. Ski-doo
Woody’s Pro Open
1. Chad Luczynski N. Adams, Mass. Ski-doo
2. Simon Belzile Fork Forest, Que. Ski-doo
3. Jason Boron Leverett, Mass. Polaris
Dayco Semi-Pro 440
1. Jeff Arsenault West Dover, VT Ski-doo
2. Nathan LochiavoBradford, VT Polaris
3. Neil Snyder Berne, N.Y. Ski-doo
Woody’s Semi-Pro 600
1. Nick Kruger Granville, N.Y. Ski-doo
2. Neil Snyder Berne, N.Y. Ski-doo
3. Todd Smith
New England Dodge Dealers Semi-Pro Open
1. Nick Kruger Granville, N.Y. Ski-doo
2. Tyler WebsterActon, Mass. Ski-doo
3. Luke Snyder Berne, N.Y. Ski-doo
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