| For Immediate Release:
Dec. 23, 2003
WILMINGTON, VT. — When the region’s top amateur and professional snocross
racers arrive in Malone, New York, for the inaugural Northeast Snocross
Championships, they’ll find a host worthy of praise. The Malone Chamber of
Commerce has worked tirelessly throughout the holiday season to ensure that
two days of exciting snocross action, Saturday and Sunday Jan. 3-4, 2004, go
off without a hitch. Gates will open at 8 a.m. both days, and racing will
begin at 9:00.
The event marks the debut for Rock Maple Racing at the Franklin County
Fairgrounds, ushering in a new era of motorsports entertainment to the
scenic Adirondack region. Along with the Malone Chamber, The Press
Republican, based in Plattsburg, NY, has been a major sponsor and provides
valuable exposure for the event.
This will be round two of the 12-race 2003-2004 schedule for Rock Maple
Racing. Among the storylines to come out of Round One at Haystack Mountain
was Chad Luczynski’s two victories in the Pro classes (600 and Open) aboard
his new Ski-doo. Chad has adapted to his new mount very quickly after
campaigning Polaris sleds for several seasons.
Another highlight from Haystack was the impressive performance put in by
Simon Belzile aboard his Team Xtreme Ski-doos. Belzile passed fellow
Canadian Danny Poirier on the last lap to record wins in Pro 440 and the
all-important Winter X Games Qualifier. Belzile earned points titles last
year in Pro 600 and Pro Open.
In the hotly-contested Semi-Pro classes, Nick Kruger stole the headlines.
Kruger, of Granville, N.Y., a Sport division racer last year, held off
series regulars Neil Snyder and Tyler Webster to post wins in Semi-Pro 600
and Semi-Pro Open. A strong debut for the Western Slate/Harrison Motorsports
entry.
Among the other aggressive young guns in Semi-Pro are Jeff Arsenault and
Brian Whalley. Arsenault, of West Dover, VT, posted a win in Semi-Pro 440 at
Haystack aboard his new Xtreme Racing/Formula XPS Ski-doo. Arsenault
replaces CW Sirjane in the Semi-Pro ranks for the well-respected Xtreme team
after Sirjane signed with Warnert Racing to run the WSA National circuit.
The talented Vermonter is more than worthy of this ride and will do very
well with it as the season unfolds.
Whalley struggled slightly aboard his Polaris sleds at Haystack, citing
last-minute prep work as part of the problem. Whalley failed to post a
podium finish in the opener, surprising all in attendance but delighting
series rivals Arsenault and Kruger. Despite the slow start, everybody in
Semi-Pro knows that Whalley will be a contender in the points hunt
throughout the season.
An announcement made this past weekend in Hill City, Minnesota, will have a
direct effect on Pro division racers this season. South Hero, VT, native TJ
Gulla announced he has signed a deal with Polaris to remain on the Team
Industries entry for the balance of the WSA season. Gulla was originally
going to concentrate on the Rock Maple Racing schedule, with plans for him
to be number one replacement should a factory rider get injured.
With Levi LaVallee unable to race in the first few events due to a
dislocated wrist, TJ has been filling in — and that opportunity has put him
back on the national trail full-time. With Gulla out of the picture, the
points titles in Pro classes are up for grabs. Drivers like Belzile,
Poirier, Luczynski, and multi-time champion Jason Boron have legitimate
shots at the crown.
It’s beginning to look like a very competitive season ahead for Rock Maple
Racing.
For more information, please contact RMR Public Relations Director Phil
Whipple at (207) 782-0455, or via e-mail at philw61@netzero.com. For more
information on the Malone race or to see the full schedule, please visit our
web site at www.rockmaple.com.
On behalf of series’ owner Chuck Minasalli and the entire staff here at Rock
Maple Racing, we’d like to wish our racers, sponsors and dedicated fans a
very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! We look forward to
seeing you in 2004.
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