While the Pro Open snocross final of the 27th Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt is only scheduled to take place only on February 22, racing fans are already in the mood, having followed the first races of the International Series of Champions (ISOC) as the winter was becoming a reality in Québec and its Eastern Township region. Everyone in the town of Valcourt now awaits the stars of jumps and moguls who have already been featured in the Duluth, Minnesota and Ironwood, Michigan events in late November and early December. The Tucker Hibbert, Ryan Simons, Ross Martin, Vermont’s T.J. Gulla and Quebec local favourites Mathieu Morin, Dave Allard and Dany Poirier are all expected in Valcourt, later this winter for the 6th and only Canadian leg of the international series. For the organizers, countdown has started a while ago with tickets now on sale and site preparation already in progress.
"This is no shortage of enthusiasm among our troops, says Denis Leclerc, President of the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. The objective is simple as always. We intend to maintain a high level of excellence is track preparation for the drivers in order to provide pure excitement to our spectators. And we have an additional incentive to achieve again the very best this year: our community celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Ski-Doo", added Leclerc.
In fact, the 27th edition will have a special festive touch, as Valcourt will commemorate the birth in 1959, of the popular brand of snowmobiles designed and commercialized by Joseph-Armand Bombardier. The makers of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, BRP inc., will take advantage of this unique annual gathering at home of thousands of fans to host special celebrations. More details will be unveiled at a later date.
Snocross will not be the only attraction at the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. Since 1983, the event maintains a great tradition of exciting sprint racing on the demanding ice oval of Circuit Yvon Duhamel. Here again the best in the field, the Eastern Pro Tour drivers of Eastern Ontario, Québec, New England and Upstate New York and most of their Midwest, Western Ontario and Manitoba counterparts will be on track. Currently injured, local hero Jacques Villeneuve is expected to be back for action before the February 20-22 weekend to face EPT regulars Jeff de Jong (Pembroke, Ont), Tony Pettinelli (Rome, NY), Jason Smith (Evans Mills, NY). Larry Day (Lyman, ME) and many others, including defending 2008 Pro Champ winner, Dustin Wahl of Greenbush, Minnesota.
One’s must know that Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt offers three full days of racing action. The Friday remains an interesting day since it will again feature an exciting snocross match-up opened only to RMP (North Eastern United States), SCM (Québec) and CSRA (Ontario) series riders. The Saturday and Sunday, many of these three circuits drivers will then enjoy facing the ISOC stars. Sprint oval snowmobile racing is also on the program for each of the three days as spectacular motorcycle racing for Saturday and Sunday.
"But our event isn’t only racing, says the President of Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. We have events going all around town. For example, our annual concert at the Arena on Saturday night, a snowmobile parade in our streets and family games during the day in the park next to the Joseph-Bombardier Museum who always worth a tour, but especially on this 50th Anniversary year of Ski-Doo. And should Mother Nature cooperates and drops plenty of snow; we are in the middle of a spectacular snowmobile trail networks."
Located a short 25 miles northwest of Sherbrooke, Québec, Valcourt is one and half hour away from Montréal and less than two and a half hours away from Plattsburg, New York, Burlington or Montpelier, Vermont and Laconia New Hampshire.
Tickets for the 27th Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt are now on sale at discounted prices until February 1, 2009. Prices currently range from $8.00 for general admission on Friday, to $120.00 for a weekend access to an heated trackside suite. General admission tickets are at $45.00 for the entire weekend and $ 20.00 daily, for both Saturday and Sunday. All prices in Canadian currencies include taxes. One’s can order now at the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt ticket office opened from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday at 1 866 532-7543. Packages including accommodations are also offered. More details are available at www.grandprixvalcourt.com
