ECS riders to perform on wood chip track at famed NHSA Grass Drags & Water Cross
CHESHIRE, Conn. (Aug. 27, 2013) — While the 2013-14 snowmobile snocross season may still be a few months away, several top athletes from the East Coast Snocross (ECS) series will have a chance to shake off the cobwebs a little early.
Officials from the northeastern regional sanctioning body have reached an agreement with directors of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association (NHSA) to add a “snocross on wood chip track” exhibition race to the annual NHSA Grass Drags & Water Cross, slated for Oct. 11-13 in Fremont, New Hampshire.
Competition will take place periodically throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, with a practice session planned for Friday afternoon. This event will include a “meet and greet” opportunity, allowing fans a chance to interact with ECS racers to gain insight on the exciting sport of snocross.
This activity isn’t new to snocross racers by any stretch, as several national and regional teams have used wood chip tracks for pre-season practice in the past. What is new, however, is performing in front of the estimated 40,000 snowmobile enthusiasts that are expected to gather at Peterson’s Brookvale Farm.
Every year since 1985, snowmobile riders and race fans have converged on Fremont (just outside of Epping) on Columbus Day weekend to share their passion. With exciting grass drag competition in a variety of classes, water cross action on the scenic pond, and a host of vendors selling every item a snowmobile rider would ever need – the event rivals the famous Hay Days show in North Branch, Minnesota.
Adding a snocross exhibition race on wood chips adds a new thrill for fans planning to attend. The sport of snocross has played a key role in the development of snowmobile technology; specifically today’s long-travel suspensions and “rider forward” style of design. It’s also extremely spectator friendly, with the sleds in the air more often than they are connected to the track.
Spending the weekend at this popular gathering has become the norm for many ECS teams. The NHSA event is an annual pre-season kickoff to another year of racing; a place where racers and fans meet to discuss plans, check out the new sleds and renew old friendships.
With its carnival-like atmosphere, the grass drags and water cross serves as the ideal venue for dealers to connect with consumers. It also provides the perfect arena for a snocross sanctioning body to expose the sport to new faces. For sponsors and aftermarket companies, attendance in Fremont is a must.
East Coast Snocross is the northeastern regional affiliate of the International Series of Champions (ISOC), the national sanctioning body for snowmobile snocross. ECS strives to maintain a healthy level of competition in grass-roots snocross throughout New England and New York, while at the same time cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed national teams.
Founded in 1969, the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association is an association of independently incorporated snowmobile clubs, working together as a unified voice to speak for the sport of snowmobiling and to promote it as a safe family recreation. The NHSA is made up of all segments of the snowmobiling community including clubs, club members, distributors, dealers, and contributors.