RMR Snocross News: 2008-09 Competition Preview

2008 champion Sirjane retires, Pro title wide open for Rock Maple Racing

DERRY, N.H. (Nov. 7, 2008) - With the 2008-09 snocross season
opener now just one month away, teams across the northeast are gearing
up for what could easily be one of the most competitive schedules in
recent years.
Officials from Rock Maple Racing (RMR) are busy preparing to
kick off their 17th season of competition on Saturday and Sunday, Dec.
6-7, at the beautiful Whaleback Mountain ski area in Enfield,
Hampshire.
C. W. Sirjane, last year's Pro champion from Whitehall, N.Y.,
announced his retirement from racing last spring. With that news, the
door swings wide open for a new face atop the point standings. Leading
the charge toward that 2008 title are former champions Jason and Matt
Boron. Both will return aboard the newly-refined Ski-doo 600RS for
Dana White at D&Z Racing.
Thanks to RMR's advancement policy, the Pro division is loaded
with talent as we hit the snow in December. Former Semi-Pro stars
Jason Stone, Chris Chico and Derek Graham will now battle ski-to-ski
against the Borons and Danny Poirier. Stone will ride Ski-doo for the
mighty Ingles Racing organization out of Phoenix, N.Y., while Chico
and Graham will pilot Polaris sleds in their quest for supremacy.
Anyone concerned about these moves hurting the quality of
competition in Semi-Pro can put those fears to rest. Trevor Bouchard
(D&Z Racing) and Brennan Berardo are among the favorites in a full
field of talented contenders. Other strong riders of note include Jake
Melville and Shaun St. Onge. Lucas Brunelle and Corin Todd move up
from the Sport division this year, adding even more excitement to this
division. And just as Sirjane will be missed in the Pro classes,
former Semi-Pro Dale Petrus will be missed here as he has also decided
to retire from the sport of snocross.
Intense battles will not be limited to the Pro and Semi-Pro
divisions this season. Jake Dasilva and Joey Stock will lead a full
field of up-and-comers in the Sport division, while former Junior
standout Lincoln Lemieux also joins the mix. Lemieux turned a lot of
heads last season as he became the first-ever Junior rider to qualify
for the prestigious Semi-Pro Shootout.
From a manufacturer's standpoint, the 2008-09 RMR snocross
season should be pretty competitive, as well. Manufacturer support for
snocross teams continues to be solid. With the absence of Harrison
Motorsports, D&Z Racing becomes the flagship team for Ski-doo, while
Chad Miller and David Duchnik (West series) will fly the colors for
Arctic Cat. St. Johnsville, New York-based Team Cycle Worx will lead
the Polaris effort, anchored by Pro division veteran Poirier. Yamaha
is also well-represented in Rock Maple pit area, as the Herrmann
family (Brent and Matt) proudly fly the bright blue four-stroke
machines with their distinct, rumbling sound.
Across the pit area, from Pro to Semi-Pro, Women and Juniors,
every division has its favorites. Yet every division is also full of
family-oriented teams just looking to enjoy quality time with loved
ones and share their passion for snowmobiles and racing. It's an
extended family like no other, bundling up against winter's cold to
enjoy the sport of snocross.
For more information, visit us online at www.rockmaple.com.