snocross series
VERONA, NY (Jan. 19, 2009) - It's been said that momentum plays
a huge role in almost every form of motorsports. That rang true for
veteran snocross racer Danny Poirier last weekend in central New York,
splitting the Pro finals with John O'Malley as Rock Maple Racing (RMR)
completed Round 3 on the 2009 schedule at Bob Pawlowski's Pit-X track.
Poirier has been almost unstoppable this season, sweeping the
season opener and winning at least one Pro final in each of the
series' first three stops.
RMR's West series opened up its 2009 campaign at Pit-X as well,
providing teams from New York, Pennsylvania and points beyond a chance
to strut their stuff.
Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of St. Theodore, QC,
held off O'Malley and talented Pro rookie Jason Stone to record his
fourth win of the season in the Pro Open final. After days of practice
the previous week, O'Malley was No. 1 qualifier on a stock sled!
In Pro Stock, O'Malley, of Ajax, Ontario, jumped out to an
early lead and never looked back. Quebec native Renaud Alexandre
(HSS/Polaris) followed O'Malley across the line for second, while
former champion Matt Boron was just off Alexandre's rear bumper in
third. Poirier tangled with Stone in this one and had to settle for a
disappointing 12th place finish.
Defending Central series Pro Vet champion Joe Lemieux got back
on track in Verona, winning the final in convincing fashion over
fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers and Malone, NY, native Joel Santy.
Joe's niece Michelle kept the family atop the podium with her victory
in the Pro Women's final. Lemieux led Team Malone's Janell Smith
across the line, while Ingles Performance rider Paige Calderwood, of
Phoenix, NY, came home third.
In Central series Semi-Pro action Sunday, RMR veterans Jake
Melville and Aaron Pfeifer each posted a victory. Melville, of Pownal,
VT, claimed a wild Open final over New York native Shaun St. Onge and
Florence, Massachusetts-based rider Nick Kelley. Pfeifer, of
Blossvale, NY, led Kelley and St. Onge across the stripe in a
hotly-contested Stock 600 final. Three of RMR's top Semi-Pro racers
suffered injuries in Verona; Brennan Berardo, Corin Todd and Lucas
Brunelle. All of us at Rock Maple wish a complete and fast recovery to
these valued racers.
In West series action Sunday, Joey Stock registered a hat trick
with three final round wins. Stock, of Otego, NY, claimed the Semi-Pro
Open final over Cory Roman and Andrew Bailey. In the Stock 600 class,
Tim Randall chased Stock across the line with Kyle Becker a solid
third. Bailey and Clinton Ballou filled out the podium in Semi-Pro 400
as Stock capped a great weekend of racing in his home state.
Michelle Lemieux made her trip from Cabot, VT, worthwhile with
a second win of the weekend in the Pro Women final. Just as they did
in Central series action, Smith and Calderwood posted second and third
place runs respectively. Jason Riffle took top honors in Plus 35 Stock
Pro Am action, while Ballou bounded back to claim Saturday's Sport
Super Stock final.
On Sunday, it was Jake Lux's turn at the front in Super Stock,
with Chris Coleman second and Ballou third. Ryan Jabs notched his
first win of 2009 in Sport Stock 600, holding off a hard-charging Nate
Leclaire and Lux for top honors. John Kent prevailed in a wild Sport
500 final, with AJ Tornatore and Michael Sickler filling out the
podium.
Other final round winners in West series action at Pit-X
include Brent Herrmann (Plus 35 Masters); Adrian Colabello ( Plus 25
Stock); Amanda Kirschmeyer (Saturday's Women Stock 600 and Sunday's
Stock 500); Janell Smith (Women Stock 600 Sun.); Liz Storti (Women
Stock Novice); Jake Scott (Saturday and Sunday's Jr. 14-15 Stock 500,
Jr. 14-15 Stock 600 Fan, and Sunday's Jr. 16-17 Stock 500); Leo
Patenaude (Jr. 10-13 Stock Fan Sat. and Sunday); Matt Cameron (Jr.
10-13 Stock 380 Fan Sat. and Sunday); Hunter Patenaude (Jr. 8-10 300
Freestyle Saturday); Hunter Sherwood (Jr. 8-10 300 Freestyle Sunday);
and John Kent (Trail 600 Saturday and Sunday).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Bob Pawlowski of Pit-X
for hosting last weekend's West series opener. Cold temperatures
greeted race teams and fans on Saturday, while Sunday brought fresh
snow and slightly warmer air. Track conditions were excellent, which
made for a full weekend of close competition.
Up next for RMR is the debut of snocross at historic New
England Dragway in Epping, NH, this coming weekend, Jan. 24-25. For
full results in all classes from Verona of to learn more, go to
www.rockmaple.com.
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