Bell, Lessard split Pro class wins in Sherman for Rock Maple Racing
Gould Mountain Farms kicks off 2020 in fine style
SHERMAN, Maine (Jan. 20, 2020) — Veteran snowmobile racers Heath Bell and Remington Lessard split the Pro class finals on Saturday, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 1 of its’ six-race 2020 cross country schedule at the beautiful Gould Mountain Farms.
Bell (Ski-doo), of New Gloucester, Maine, blasted his way to victory in the Woody’s Pro Open final over Casey Savage and Lessard. Bell crossed the stripe just 1.563 seconds ahead of Savage in a hotly-contested race. Twenty sleds ran the final, with battles for position all over the 5.2 mile course.
Lessard (Laflamme Racing/Ski-doo), of Monmouth, Maine, ran away from Bell and the rest of the pack in the Owens Corning Pro Factory Stock final. Lessard’s margin of victory was a whopping 24 seconds, while Savage filled out the podium in third. New York veteran Kenny Murphy and TJ Leach completed the top five.
Other winners in Round 1 at Gould Mountain Farms include Scott Preston (SOO); Toby Caron (Semi Pro Stock); Travis Brisbin (Semi Pro Improved); Cameron Young (Sport Stock 600, Sport Open); Frederic Morin (Trail 800); Tony Gravel (Trail 600); Michael Savage (Masters); Casey Savage (Plus 30); Martin Coutu (Plus 40); and Krysti Leach (Women).
Caron’s victory in Saturday’s Semi Pro Stock final was huge for two reasons; with one being it was his first start in this premier, factory-supported division having just advanced from Sport, and the other the high level of competition he outran for top honors, with the top five sleds within 30 seconds.
Congratulations to all of our class winners on a challenging day. It seems that bitter cold always greets us when we arrive in northern Maine, yet our racers toughed it out to compete at a high level.
A well-timed snowstorm last Thursday salvaged the day at Gould Mountain Farms. The area picked up roughly six inches of snow, nicely supplementing the limited snow cover that had survived a major warm-up only a few days earlier. Conditions were not perfect, yet they were acceptable to race.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the owners and staff at Gould Mountain Farms for hosting our season opener once again. When the Red Carpet is rolled out for the series, it makes race day go a whole lot easier. We hope we can return to Sherman again in 2021 for more great racing.
Series officials also offer a special thanks to the Savage family. Without the tireless efforts of Casey Savage, this event could not have been held. RMR is blessed to have such dedicated supporters.
Next up for RMR Cross Country teams is a visit to scenic Rangeley, Maine, this Saturday, Jan. 25, for Round 2 during the famed Snodeo celebration in the Pine Tree State’s premier destination for snowmobiling. For more information, go to https://www.rangeleymaine.com/calendar/event/5342.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank its many valued marketing partners, including Owens Corning; Ingles Performance, of Phoenix, NY; Woody’s Traction Products; Caliber Products, Inc.; Choko Design; Nitro Trailers; Ski-doo/BRP Snowmobiles; Certainteed; Grip-N-Rip Racing Products; Precision Marine & Motorsports; KTM Exteriors & Recycling; New England Racing Fuel; Voss Signs; Philbrick Motorsports; Curve Industries; PowerMadd and SledFreak.com. Without your continued support, this venture would not be possible.