HAMPSTEAD, N.H. (Jan. 15, 2020) — With our widespread and record-setting January thaw now fading into memory as local meteorologists discuss two significant storms coming later this week, the time for snowmobile racing has finally returned here in the north country.
Cross country race teams from around the northeast will converge on the beautiful Gould Mountain Farms in Sherman, Maine, this Saturday, January 18, for Round 1 on the six-race 2020 Rock Maple Racing schedule. Spectator admission is just $5 for adults, while children age 12 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Racing will get under way at 10 a.m.
Leading the charge into Sherman is defending Pro champion Heath Bell. A motocross racer in the off-season, Bell is in top shape and will be factor to win at Gould Mountain. Other athletes to watch in the top classes are Remington Lessard, son of industry veteran Tim Lessard; Sherman native Casey Savage; Semi-Pro champion Scott Preston (now in Pro Am 40), and New York veteran Kenny Murphy.
Casey’s father Michael Savage returns to Masters class action, along with veteran RMR racer Rene Desrochers, of Newport, VT, who finished third in points last year. Derek Dawson will remain in Semi-Pro and be rock solid all season. The depth of talent extends all across the board, including Mandy Cole and Krysti Leach in the Women’s division. Young Toby Caron is on the rise in 2020, advancing to the ultra-competitive Semi-Pro class this season.
Last year at Gould Mountain Farms, Bell claimed the Pro Open Final in dominant fashion. He completed four laps on the six-mile course in just over 32 minutes, with Geoff Ingersoll (second) and Robin Deschenes (third) filling out the podium. Bell also won the Pro Stock Final over Ingersoll and Lessard.
Getting a new season started on the right foot in Sherman this Saturday is paramount for every serious points racer. Thanks to fickle (and often snow-less) weather conditions in New England since mid-November, most have had very little seat time. With Rangeley’s huge Snodeo event looming the very next weekend, getting a sled dialed in to win was never more critical than it will be this weekend.
Along with talent-filled and thrilling races in Pro and Semi-Pro, the day at Gould Mountain will also include racing in the Junior, Sport and Trail classes. The Trail class is the perfect place for the rider who always wanted to see what Cross Country racing was all about and give it a try for themselves.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank its many valued marketing partners, including Owens Corning; Ingles Performance, of Phoenix, NY; Woody’s Traction Products; Caliber Products, Inc.; Choko Design; Nitro Trailers; Ski-doo/BRP Snowmobiles; Certainteed; Grip-N-Rip Racing Products; Precision Marine & Motorsports; KTM Exteriors & Recycling; New England Racing Fuel; Voss Signs; Philbrick Motorsports; Curve Industries; PowerMadd and SledFreak.com. Without your continued support, this venture would not be possible.
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