NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (Jan. 8, 2020) — Just a few short months ago, the future of sanctioned snocross racing here in New England was uncertain. With the previous series owners electing to opt out, how or even if the sport would move forward remained a mystery.
Now, after a handful of longtime and devoted industry members jumped in to save it, sanctioned snocross returns as the all-new Eastern Snocross Tour (ESXT) opens the gates on its inaugural season on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, at Winchester Speedpark in Winchester, New Hampshire.
Due to a forecast of above normal temperatures and steady rain, the originally scheduled date of Jan. 11-12 was moved ahead one week. Damage to property, tow vehicles and the race sleds themselves would have been potentially severe and very costly. The decision to postpone was not taken lightly.
Spectator gates will open at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is $15 per day for adults or $25 for a weekend pass. Children age 7 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes are available for an extra $5 per day for those wanting a closer look at the teams in action.
Leading the charge into Winchester are a handful of veteran athletes returning to competition in New England. Among them is Otego, New York native Corin Todd (Team Southside/Polaris), one of the top snocross racers that state has produced in many years.
Fellow New York native Michael George (from Pine Plains/Green Mtn. Racing) also returns to action, along with veteran Jake daSilva (daSilva Racing/Ski-doo) of southern New Hampshire. It seems all the old stars want to come out and play in 2020.
Snowmobile enthusiasts from around New England love their favorite brands, and teams on all three active manufacturers in snocross will be represented. Whether you’re a big fan of Arctic Cat, Polaris or Ski-doo, you’ll have plenty of riders to cheer on at an ESXT event. All three make fast sleds.
Another exciting class to watch this season will be the mighty Snow Bikes. Once a novelty in winter motorsports, the mix of motorcycles into snocross racing is here to stay. This class not only adds a new dimension to the overall race weekend, it allows motocross racers to stay in shape in the winter.
Along with a full two-day points show for the thrilling Pro, Pro Lite, Pro Women and Snow Bike classes, the ESXT season opener at Winchester Speedpark will also include a full program of racing for the Sport, Junior and 120cc divisions. These classes are where future stars hone their skills.
The Eastern Snocross Tour was spearheaded in the fall of 2019 by longtime team owner Bruce Gaspardi Sr., of North Adams, Massachusetts. Gaspardi, who has been involved in snocross since the early 1990s, along with our host venues and partners, have stepped up to save the sport from extinction.
Longtime snocross supporters like Ingles Performance, daSilva Motorsports and New England Racing Fuel have also come on board. It is a collective of folks who refuse to lose when it comes to keeping a 27-year tradition of sanctioned snocross alive here in New England.
