Debut at Black Mountain of Maine next stop for Rock Maple Racing,
Presented by the New England Dodge Dealers
DERRY, NH (Dec. 7, 2007) – Nestled in the picturesque hills of Western Maine sits a historic little ski area known for world-class skiing and warm hospitality. Located in the usually quiet mill-town of Rumford, this winter sports Mecca is preparing for an all-out invasion.
Hundreds of snowmobile race teams from around the northeast will converge on Black Mountain of Maine Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15-16, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) gets set for Round 2 on the 10-race 2007-08 Central series snocross schedule.
Spectator gates open at 8 a.m. each day, and racing will get under way promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $12 per day for adults, with weekend passes available for $20. Children age 10 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes are available for an extra $10.
In addition to a full slate of points races for all classes, Black Mountain will also host New England's only Winter X Games Qualifier, a special race in which the winner and second place rider become eligible to compete in the prestigious ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado.
Leading the charge into Black Mountain are Pro riders Danny Poirier and Darrin Mees. Poirier, the former champion from Quebec, started his season with a victory in Pro Stock at Whaleback Mountain. Mees, last year’s Semi-Pro champion and Pro rookie from Setauket, NY, was impressive at Whaleback when he claimed the Pro Open final. He led a 1-2 sweep for the Harrison Motorsports/XP-S Ski-doo squad. Poirier rides the ultra-light and super-fast Polaris IQ for New York-based Team Cycle Worx.
Other riders to watch in the Pro division include Mees' teammate, C.W. Sirjane; Maine's own Ryan Scripture, of Carmel; multi-time and defending Pro champion Jason Boron, of Leverett, Mass.; Poirier's teammate, Alex Moreau; Dale Petrus, of Copenhagen, NY, who came up from Semi-Pro with Mees this year; and Josh Keyes, of Rumney, New Hampshire.
The big story in Semi-Pro at Whaleback was the performance of series newcomer Robert Graeber. The native of Willow, Alaska, claimed the Semi-Pro Open final for Polaris and Team Southside, a major feat given the level of competition in RMR's Semi-Pro ranks. Other rising stars to watch in Semi-Pro include Trevor Bouchard, Nick Kelly, Cullen Howe and Shaun St. Onge. First-time fans will be amazed at the speed and sled control of these young athletes.
Along with the high-flying Pro and Semi-Pro riders, RMR also features a large number of Sport, Women and Junior division teams. These riders put forth just as much effort as the Pros, and enjoy a wholesome, family-oriented experience in the process. Add a special smaller track just for children ages 6 through 10 who compete on the 120cc machines, and you've got a fun-filled weekend for all ages.
Black Mountain of Maine opened in 1961 as the Chisholm Winter Park. The land and facility itself is owned by Maine Winter Sports Centers, while the ski area is a non-profit run by a local board of directors.
Rock Maple Racing is the eastern affiliate of the World Powersports Association (WPSA), the national sanctioning body for snocross and ATV racing. For more information, visit us online at www.rockmaple.com.