With summer quickly fading away and the first chilly nights just around the corner, one of the northeast’s top snowmobile race teams is preparing for a new season.
Ingles Performance will return to East Coast Snocross (ECS) competition after claiming both the Pro Open and Pro Lite championships last winter. Returning to the high-profile Ski-doo squad is defending and four-time series champion Danny Poirier, along with fellow Quebec native Mathieu Morin. Both riders will compete in Pro Open with a goal of earning the 2015 championship.
“We’re very excited to have Danny and Mathieu back for another season,” team co-owner and general manager Robin Ingles said. “Danny was fast and consistent all winter long in 2013-14; and we expect more of the same from him this coming season. Mathieu is in better shape physically than ever; he was injury-free all summer, riding dirt bikes and watercraft to stay in shape. We should be poised to come away with another strong season in 2014-15.”
Vermont natives Leo and Hunter Patenaude are also back with Ingles Performance, yet will compete on the International Series of Champions (ISOC) circuit in the Sport class. Hunter won the 2014 ECS Pro Lite title last winter in one of the best rookie seasons witnessed in years. Both Ingles and Ski-doo are hoping for a championship from one of these two; and they’ve got the talent needed to reach that goal.
Poirier enjoyed one of the best seasons in his lengthy career in 2014, never straying far from the podium. A solid run in Malone last March locked up his fourth Pro title (2004, 2009, 2012, and 2014), giving Ingles and Ski-doo reason to smile. Morin also enjoyed a strong 2014 season, with five wins to his credit.
“I’m super happy to be back with Ingles for another season,” Poirier said. “Last year, they gave us everything we needed to win. Not just me, but the entire team. Mike and Robin want to see their sleds out front, and work hard to make that happen. I look forward to racing the 2015 Ski-doo; they’ve made several improvements. I think with a year under our belts, we’ll be in good shape this season.”
Even though the Patenaude brothers will focus their efforts on ISOC this season, they will try to run as many ECS events as possible when time allows. Hunter and Leo both love the series and racing in New England, but each will have a ton on their plate. The Sport class is loaded with talent in ISOC; so doing well in the points there won’t be a cakewalk, by any stretch.
“I’ve always wanted to be able to race full-time on the ISOC circuit,” Hunter said. “This is a great opportunity for me; one I’ll enjoy and take very seriously. I’m excited to be racing with a group of faster riders. I’m hoping I can prove to the bigger teams that I have the skills to compete in ISOC.”