With cool nights already here and talk of that first frost just around the corner, more plans for this winter’s race season are coming together.
One of the Granite State’s veteran teams has announced its rider lineup, and it’s loaded with talent.daSilva Racing will field a team comprised of five riders in 2011-2012, with entrants in the Pro Lite, Sport andJunior divisions.
Leading the effort will be Pro Lite rider Jake daSilva (No. 172), a longtime veteran of northeasternregional snocross competition. Jake finished fifth in Semi-Pro Stock Saturday points in 2011, and wound upsixth in Sunday points. His best finish in a final was fourth (Ossipee, N.H.), although he had been runningsecond until contact with another rider knocked him off his sled. His stellar march back through the field felljust short of the podium.
“I’m going to work on being more consistent,” daSilva said. “My goal of course is to win races andland on the podium as often as possible. If I can do that, the points will take care of themselves. We’ve seenthe new Ski-doo MX ZX 600RS, it is a fantastic machine plus we’ve just signed a deal with Fox to provideour shocks. I’m confident that we’ll have a strong season ahead.
”Joining daSilva on this powerhouse Ski-doo team is Montana Jess (No. 765); Brandon Ruggiero(No. 121); and Connor Roscoe (No. 150). Jess, of Westminster, Mass., affectionately known as “The Flyin’Onion” in snocross circles, is coming off a sensational 2010-11 season, winning numerous finals and twoJunior class titles. Roscoe, of Cheshire, Conn., had a dominant 2010-2011 season (15 wins in 23 races) andclaimed four Junior class championships. The talented young athlete earned his nickname of "The Rocket"week-in and week-out last season.
Ruggiero is another rising talent with a bright future in snocross. He’s been active on his ATV thissummer and daSilva says he’ll be a factor in ECS Sport competition this winter. Brandon’s younger brotherVinnie will also be part of the team for the coming season, competing in the new 8-10 Transition class.
“I expect my teammates will be right up there contending for the Sport class titles this comingwinter,” he added. “Connor, Montana, Brandon and Vinnie are all quick and help mold them into great racers. When we share informationand work together as a team, we’ll all benefit. I’m anxious to get our new sleds and start prepping for anexciting new season.”
East Coast Snocross has already announced six race dates for the 2011-12 season. Things get revved up on Dec. 10-11 at the beautiful Burke Mountain ski area in East Burke, Vermont. The snow comes early and often in Vermont’s scenic “Northeast Kingdom,” and East Burke is a true gem of Vermont.
daSilva Racing is a proud sponsor of the East Coast Snocross series, and through a cooperativeeffort with BRP, will be providing Can-Am ATV’s for officials to use this winter. Ski-doo is the official trailsled of ECS, and the sanctioning body is greatly appreciative of their support. To follow along with preseasonpreparations and week-to-week racing, be sure to visit www.dasilvaracing172.com.
