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Todd, Poirier split Pro finals in Lake George for East Coast Snocross series,
Presented by AMSOIL and Woody’s Traction
Pilotte earns second straight sweep in Pro Lite
LAKE GEORGE, NY (Feb. 11, 2013) – Veteran snowmobile racers Corin Todd and Danny Poirier each claimed a Pro final over the weekend, as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Round 5 on the 2012-13 schedule in the famed resort town of Lake George.
Todd (Bailey/Hulten Polaris), of Otego, NY, earned his third win of the season in Saturday’s 18-lap battle. Lincoln Lemieux (Lemieux Racing/Ski-doo) grabbed the holeshot, yet Todd blasted his way past to lead lap two and held on to the finish. Poirier slotted into third at the start, moved past Lemieux on lap 11 to take second and crossed the line nine seconds behind his teammate. Lemieux settled for third after a strong effort.
“This was a challenging track with a lot of technical features,” said a beaming Todd after the race. “Lincoln got a great start, but once I got by him my sled ran like a charm the entire race. I hadn’t won since Plattsburgh, but knew we were still capable. This team works hard all season long.”
Sunday’s final saw the defending series champion return to his winning tradition. Poirier (Bailey/Hulten Polaris), of St. Theodore, QC, jumped out to an early lead and was never challenged. Lemieux capped another solid points outing in second, while Todd backed up Saturday’s victory with a fine third-place run.
In Pro Lite action, Massachusetts native Mike Pilotte (Team Southside/Polaris) notched his fifth consecutive and seventh win of the season Sunday after also winning Saturday’s final. The talented athlete started his season with a clean sweep at Burke Mountain and has been nearly unstoppable since. Fellow Massachusetts-based rider Montana Jess (Jess Racing/Arctic Cat) and Michigan native Kevin Wallenstein (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) are the only other two riders to win in Pro Lite this winter.
Jesse James Bonaduce (Miksen Racing/Ski-doo) and Leo Patenaude (Patenaude Racing/Ski-doo) followed Pilotte across the line Saturday, while Patenaude and Montana Jess filled out Sunday’s podium.
“I enjoyed the track more on Saturday than I did Sunday,” Pilotte said after a second straight weekend sweep. “No matter what kind of features they build into these tracks, I just try to put my head down, focus and run my own race. Once I get comfortable I get into a groove and it feels good. The sled runs perfectly every week; this winning streak is unreal but I’m very thankful. It will end someday, but we sure are enjoying it while it lasts. Seven wins in 10 finals is more than what any of us ever expected.”
Vermont rider Hunter Patenaude enjoyed a similar type of dominance in Sport class action at Lake George. The young athlete from Hartland swept the Super Stock finals, plus added a win in Sport 600 to cap a stellar outing. Weekly rivals Connor Roscoe (second) and Wade Acker (third) filled out the podium both days.
Competition in the Junior division was hard-fought in Lake George, as well. A new name has emerged as the “young man to beat” in these classes. Cody Paolella won the Jr. 16-17 final both days with solid runs, setting the tone as another season of competition moves toward a conclusion.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Lake George include Joe Lemieux (Pro Am); Rene Desrochers (Plus 25/35 Sunday); Joshua Wilson (Plus 25/35 Saturday); and Steffanie Lemieux-Bell (Pro Women Saturday and Sunday). Congratulations to all of our final round winners for a job well done.
East Coast Snocross officials would like to thank the Lake George Winter Carnival committee for making last weekend’s event a reality. This series was in a tight spot given the lack of snow in NH, yet thanks to great planning and a little help from the weather (finally) the event was a big success.
Next up for ECS Pro and Pro Lite teams is another trip to Quebec to participate in the 31st annual Grand Prix Ski-doo de Valcourt. Friday’s program will feature the Final in the high-stakes 2013 Triple Crown series. Valcourt offers the ultimate experience for snowmobile race fans, with an atmosphere unlike any place else on the planet. For more info, please go to www.grandprixvalcourt.com.
East Coast Snocross, presented by AMSOIL and Woody’s Traction, is the eastern affiliate of International Series of Champions (ISOC), the national sanctioning body for snocross. ECS strives to maintain a regional circuit intended to keep grass-roots snocross racing healthy in this part of the Snowbelt while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed Pro teams.
For complete results from Lake George or to learn more about the sport of snocross, please go to www.eastcoastsnocross.com.