New York native Corin Todd powered his machine to victory in the last Pro final of the season, securing the 2013 championship as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed its season finale Saturday at the Titus Mountain Family Ski Center.
Todd (Bailey/Hulten Polaris), of Otego, passed Lemieux after the first of 14 laps and led to the finish. Lemieux (Lemieux Racing/Ski-doo) settled for second just a tick over three seconds back, while 2012 champion Danny Poirier (Bailey/Hulten Polaris) filled out the podium in third.
Friday evening’s Pro final was run under the lights at Titus, with Lemieux claiming the win to keep pressure on Todd in the points fight. Michigan native Kevin Wallenstein (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) stepped up from Pro Lite to run second in an amazing effort, while Poirier was rock solid in third.
“When I slotted into third at the start of Saturday’s final, I knew I had to make a move quickly,” Todd said. “I made a first-lap pass into second going over the finish line, then found a good line going up the hill to pass Lincoln for the lead the very next lap. Once I got out front, I had a choice of lines and brought it on home. It was an honor to earn this title for Steve Bailey, Ray Hulten, Utica National Insurance and this entire team.
Corin Todd, the Winner
To win the final race while securing the crown was picture-perfect.” Having already locked up the Pro Lite crown didn’t seem to slow Mike Pilotte (Team Southside/ Polaris) down at Titus. The accomplished ATV racer and now newly crowned snocross champ blasted to his 11th win of the season Friday night. Vermont sensation Leo Patenaude finished second after the 12-lap grind, while Montana Jess (Jess Racing/Arctic Cat) rode to a solid third.
Saturday’s contest produced a first-time winner, as Patenaude was the man to beat. Jess chased his weekly rival across the line in second, while Wallenstein settled for third. Jess locked up second place in the final point standings with another consistent weekend.
“This feels fantastic to win one of these races,” Leo said. “My dad has put so much effort into our program; he never stops working until things are just right and that paid off today. I want to thank my Dad for all he’s done, and I want to thank the whole Ingles team. I never could have done this without their help. It was an uphill battle all season, but in the end we got it right.”
Leo’s younger brother Hunter has enjoyed a strong 2012-13 season in the ECS Sport classes. He was on top of his game once again in Malone, sweeping the Sport Super Stock finals to clinch both titles.
Highlights of Sport action at Titus Mountain include fifth and second place efforts for Junior champ Cody Paolella. The finale also saw the return of Connor Roscoe (daSilva Racing/Ski-doo) to action, picking up a solid third place finish on Saturday.
“What a great feeling to lock up the Sport championship,” Hunter said. “I told my Dad at the start of the season it was my goal, and we made it happen. It would not have been possible without the support of Ingles Performance, my sponsors and entire family.It was a team effort, and I am so happy to be part of it. What a fantastic way to end the season for Patenaude Racing.”
Other final round winners over the weekend include Nykea Williams (Pro Women Fri. & Sat.); Todd Smith (Pro Am, Plus 25/35 Fri.); Dustin Blockson (Plus 25/35 Sat.); Cody Paolella (Jr. 16-17 Friday); and Jake Bishop (Jr. 16-17 Saturday). Congratulations to all of our winners and podium finishers on a job well done.
ECS officials would like to thank the management and staff at Titus Mountain for hosting our series finale.Your fine facilty made an ideal venue for not only a big snowy track, but to service our fans and teams, as well. We hope we drew attention to one of the real gems of upstate New York.
Among notable highlights of the 2012-13 season in ECS was parity among manufacturuers. Arctic Cat (Derek Ellis); Ski-doo (Lemieux) and Polaris (Todd, Poirier) all earned wins in Pro action, while Jess (Cat); Wallenstein (Ski-doo) and Pilotte (Polaris) produced wins for their brands in Pro Lite. That’s an ideal situation that keeps fans of all three brands interested in ECS competition.
The overall success and strong competition in 2012-13 was made possible by support from a large family of marketing partners, led by valued prersenting sponsors AMSOIL and Woody’s Traction. Along with these two fine companies, ECS officials would also like to thank Choko Design, Ingles Performance, daSilva Motorsports, New England Racing Fuels, Malibu Boats, EVS, AFX Helmets, C&A Pro Skis, HCP Designs and Street Diesel Performance. Your support of our series adds integrity and tremendous value to our product.
We hope to have you all back with us again in 2014.
For full results from all clases in Malone, please go to www.eastcoastsnocross.com.
On behalf of series owners Eric Scott, Bob Roscoe and the entire staff at East Coast Snocross, have a safe and healthy off-season, and look for the 2013-14 schedule to be announced in mid-September.
