As the leaves continue to fall and our thoughts turn to the coming winter, officials at East Coast Snocross (ECS) are pleased to announce their 2013-2014 event schedule. As the sanctioning body prepares for its fourth season, teams and fans alike can begin making their plans.
Technically, since ECS picked up where the former regional circuit (RMR) left off, this is the 23rd consecutive season for sanctioned snocross here in the northeast. RMR held its first races during the winter of 1991-92, and since that time – the sport has advanced by leaps and bounds.
ECS will kick things off at a wonderful new venue in mid-December, in an area surrounded by snowmobile enthusiasts. Race teams will converge on the friendly town of Rumney, New Hampshire, on Dec. 14-15, to contest Round 1. The track will be built on the grounds of the Riverbrook RV Resort on Route 25, just seven miles off of Interstate 93.
The facility provides amenities like a large heated building with bathrooms and showers; electrical hookups for race teams; groomed trail access for snowmobilers; and our hosts even have their own snow making equipment. Located on the banks of the scenic Baker River, Riverbrook Resort has it all. Our host for this year's season opener is Wicked Snocross, a group planning a full winter of activities, including a full-scale practice track for snocross, at this beautiful facility throughout 2013-14.
The actual race site for Round 2 is yet to be finalized, but it is tentatively slated for January 4-5 or January 10-11, 2014.
Round 3 on the nine-race schedule will be run on Jan. 18-19 at the famed Airborne Park Speedway, in Plattsburgh, New York. After two events at the Crete Civic Center, this event moved to Airborne last winter and was a big hit with fans and racers. With its ample pit area, large grandstands and beautiful 1/2-mile oval, Airborne is the perfect venue for snocross in upstate New York.
This event will change to a Saturday night and Sunday show for 2014, with racing "under the lights" on Saturday evening. Airborne will also mark the first of three Triple Crown races in conjunction with the Quebec-based SCM circuit. Last winter, the inaugural Triple Crown series produced high entry numbers and created exciting rivalries that thrilled fans on both sides of the border.
Round 4 will be held on Jan. 25-26 in Louiseville, Quebec, the second Triple Crown event with teams from SCM. Officials in Louiseville built a fabulous track last winter, and we believe they'll do the same again in 2014. This part of Quebec has ample snow and cold temperatures – ideal for snocross.
After two successful visits there last season, ECS will return to the scenic town of Lake George, New York, for Round 5 on Feb. 1-2. This area rolled out the red carpet when teams descended on the village last winter, offering warm hospitality and a big crowd to watch the action. Built on the site of the former Gaslight Village, the track was adequate to host a return visit just two weeks after the first race, as a lack of snow prevented the circuit from racing at a different venue.
Donovan Asselin en action
Round 6 will be run alongside the ISOC AMSOIL Championship Snocross national circuit on Feb. 7-8 in Salamanca, New York. Located in the western edge of the Empire State, Salamanca represents a long haul for teams, yet also offers a chance to compete in front of a huge crowd. Last February's inaugural ISOC event at the Seneca Allegany Casino drew thousands of eager fans. We have every reason to believe this winter's attendance will be equal or even greater.
The seventh event on the 2013-14 ECS schedule will take place on Feb. 15-16 during the prestigious Grand Prix de Valcourt, and include the Triple Crown finals for Pro, Pro Lite and Sport classes. The SCM teams will be on top of their game at Canada's biggest sled race; so ECS riders will have a strong challenge. Race fans are the big winners, with three days of high-stakes, big drama competition. The famed Grand Prix de Valcourt is a not-to-be-missed event for those who love snowmobile racing.
Round 8 will see teams visit a new site in western Massachusetts. On Feb. 22-23, the tour will descend on North Adams at a fine facility known as "The Range." This venue is Berkshire County's finest family recreation center. Offering an 18-hole miniature golf course, three batting cages and a 300-yard driving range, The Range will transform from a summer paradise into a winter hotspot for snocross.
A return visit to Rumney on March 8-9 is on tap for Round 9, marking the first time a venue has requested two races in quite some time. As mentioned earlier, the good folks at Wicked Snocross are planning a full season of activities at the Riverbrook RV Resort, and a second points race for ECS is part of those ambitious plans. With a shorter haul, great hosts and nice accommodations, this is a good opportunity for teams. It's also a chance for locals to witness more side-by-side snocross action.
The venue for Round 10 has yet to be named, yet the event is tentatively scheduled for March 22-23.
For the 11th and final round of competition, ECS will travel to the beautiful Titus Mountain Ski Resort in Malone, New York. When the series concluded its 2013 season this past March at Titus, everybody from race teams to fans had a wide smile. Titus Mountain keeps ample snow cover well into spring, so having a high-quality track for the event is a given. The 2014 season finale is slated for March 28-29.
East Coast Snocross, presented by AMSOIL and Woody's Traction, is the eastern regional affiliate of ISOC. ECS strives to maintain a healthy level of competition in grassroots snocross, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow's factory-backed national teams.
