Photos: Katherine Images
WARRENSBURG, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2018) – Connecticut native Dalton Jacquier notched his first career victory in Pro Lite on Saturday and finished a strong second on Sunday, as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Rounds 5 and 6 on the 2018 schedule at the Warren County Fairgrounds.
The weekend of racing was part of the famed Lake George Winter Carnival, now in its 58th year.
Jacquier (Kislowski Racing/Arctic Cat), 23, of East Canaan, led all 15 laps of Saturday’s final, edging veteran racer Jesse James Bonaduce by a mere .987 seconds for top honors. Dylan Roes (Kislowski Racing/Arctic Cat) fell back early but fought his way up to a podium finish in third.
“With this being my fifth season competing in snocross, I feel like I’ve learned a lot,” Jacquier said. “The most important thing for me was how to deal with the pressure of lining up with 12 other guys who are fast enough to win.
“On Saturday, my D & D Racing-backed Arctic Cat pulled off the line strong. I focused on hitting my marks and staying as smooth as possible around a pretty rough track. It paid off for me, and it sure felt satisfying. I have a great sled and solid team that made this a reality for me. I’m thrilled.”
Bradley Tatro (SBT Racing/Arctic Cat) earned his third Pro Lite win of the season on Sunday. The rising talent from Stamford, VT, led all 15 laps and outgunned Jacquier by over four seconds at the line. Jared Gessner (Team Southside/Polaris) filled out the podium with a strong performance in third.
In the premier Pro class, veteran racer Mike Pilotte (Team Southside/Polaris) notched his second victory of 2018 on Saturday. The gifted athlete from Fall River, Mass., went flag-to-flag up front and edged Leo Patenaude (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) by just under a second for top honors. Bonaduce made his return to snocross pay off with another solid podium finish.
On Sunday, Patenaude had enough of playing second fiddle. The Hartland, VT, native slotted into third at the start, took the lead on lap 12 and went on to claim his fourth win of 2018. Pilotte crossed the stripe two seconds behind in the runner-up spot, while Bonaduce bagged another podium.
In Pro Women action at Warrensburg, Alissah Ashline (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) and Kassie Thibodeau (Team Southside/Polaris) each earned final round wins. Ashline claimed her fourth win of the season on Saturday, beating Kassie Thibodeau to the line by nearly eight seconds. Theresa Max (SBT Racing/Ski-doo) was on her game as well and crossed the stripe in third.
On Sunday, Thibodeau found redemption with a convincing victory of her own. The 2017 points champion from Rumford, Maine, outgunned runner-up and local favorite Ashley Baird (Hudson Falls, NY) at the finish by over five seconds. Janell Smith capped a strong weekend outing with a third-place finish.
“That was my first win of the year, and it meant so much,” Thibodeau said. “I got bumped off the track at the start, yet somehow managed to avoid crashing. I only lost one spot, but had another scare when my ski hit another rider’s running board coming down off the table-top.
“I almost crashed again, yet kept it pointed in the right direction. Shortly after that, Alissah ran into the back of me and crumpled my tunnel before passing me. I was running second when she crashed in the rhythm section, so I stayed focused and was speechless when I saw the checkered flag.”
In Sport competition at Warrensburg, young athlete Brandon Lemaire notched his first career win in convincing fashion. The rider for Two Brothers Racing has shown big speed in 2018, and now has it pointed in the right direction. Lemaire held off Jesse Kirchmeyer and Gavin Fleury for top honors in Saturday’s Super Stock 600 final. On Sunday, Adam Levi (SBT Racing/Ski-doo) powered his way to victory over Nathan Bourassa and Anthony Paige.
The Sport division offers former Junior racers a place to develop the consistency needed to win. It’s where tomorrow’s Pro Lite stars hone their skills. Lemaire and Levi are examples of that big talent.
Adam Ashline stole the headlines once again in Junior action over the weekend. The young athlete from Hartland, VT, earned his third and fourth wins of 2018 in Jr. 16-17 action. Dillon Powles (SBT Racing/Ski-doo) crossed the stripe in second on Saturday, while Chance Tietjen (Team Southside/Polaris) filled out the podium in third.
On Sunday, Powles bagged another runner-up finish behind Ashline while Owen Gagne (Kislowski Racing/Arctic Cat) came home third. In Jr. 14-15 battles, Powles found redemption with his own victory on Saturday. Ashline settled for second, while Gagne claimed another podium finish.
Ashline bounced back to win Sunday’s 14-15 Final, with Tietjen powering his way to second. Gagne figured three podiums would suit him quite nicely, edging Bryce Little for third at the line.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Warrensburg include Nathan Bourassa (Plus 25/35 Sat. & Sun.); Aiden Reynolds (Jr. 7-14 Imp. 200Cc Sat. & Sun.); Chance Tietjen (Jr. Sport 12-15 Sat. & Sun.); Michael Bosch (Transition 8-10 Saturday); and Kamden Duffy (Transition 8-10 Sunday).
East Coast Snocross officials would like to thank organizers and volunteers from the Lake George Winter Carnival for hosting Rounds 5 and 6. The series was well received and plans to return in 2019. Officials would also like to thank valued partner ADMAR Supply for equipment utilized on site.
Next up for teams is a trip to western New York this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17, for the annual ISOC Eastern Nationals at the Seneca Allegany Casino & Resort in Salamanca.
The East Coast Snocross Conx2share Series, presented by Woody’s Traction and FXR, is an ISR-affiliated sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. ECS maintains a regional circuit intended to keep grassroots snocross racing healthy in this part of the country, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed national Pro teams.
For full results from New York or more information, please go to www.eastcoastsnocross.com.
