Officials at East Coast Snocross (ECS) are working behind the scenes to put together a special high-purse race for riders in the Pro and Semi-Pro divisions during the upcoming event at historic Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.
The inaugural ECS $2,500 Challenge will be a non-points open format, with two rounds of qualifying planned for Saturday and the Final on Sunday.
This event is intended to pit rising stars against seasoned veterans in an exciting "Dash for Cash" style race. It will not only add excitement to a full weekend of snocross, but also offer any participating sponsor a chance to connect directly to thousands of consumers with disposable income. Becoming the title or presenting sponsor of this event guarantees strong branding.
Officials are contacting the three active snowmobile manufacturers (Arctic Cat, Ski-doo and Polaris) to gain support from them in the way of a $1,000 cash bonus to the rider who wins on their respective brand.
Since the inaugural ECS Challenge is scheduled on an off-weekend for the International Series of Champions (ISOC) national circuit, ECS officials are inviting any national team or rider to participate.
In the past, several national riders (like TJ Gulla, for example) would return to their eastern roots on a weekend off to battle the regional stars. It creates a friendly rivalry that makes for exciting on-track battles. With a high purse, it is hoped that a few national riders take the bait.
As high-profile riders in a regional race, the presence of national stars would ensure big exposure for their sponsors and brand of sled in the densely-populated northeastern market.
Similar to the famed Woody’s Challenge held in Malone, NY, this ECS Challenge will add drama and excitement to a weekend already packed with high-stakes action. After Salem, only thre0e more points races will remain on the 2011 schedule. The time to win or at least hit the podium is here, and Rockingham Park will go a long way towards crowning a new champion.
Round 6 on the nine-race 2010-11 ECS schedule is set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27, at the famed Rockingham Park facility in Salem, New Hampshire. The track is celebrating 104 years of racing in 2011. Even the legendary horse Seabiscuit raced there during his season as a two-year-old in the summer of 1935. He ran five races at The Rock, yet failed to record a win.
East Coast Snocross, presented by Woody’s Traction and AMSOIL, is the new sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. ECS maintains a regional circuit intended to keep grass-roots snocross racing healthy in this part of the snowbelt, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed Pro teams.
For more information, go to www.eastcoastsnocross.com
