Ice oval racing with vintage snowmobiles is making a resurgence in North America. Woodstock, New Brunswick, is the home of the new Maritime Snowmobile Championship Racing (MSCR). It is one of the “newest” stops on a North American circuit that appeals to both long-time fans of older sleds and younger snowmobile enthusiasts. There was no snow in 2024—sorry to remind you—but there was plenty of ice, speed and sunshine that attracted large crowds to this festive event last February.
Family Day Weekend and Valentines are Together in 2025
The 2025 MSCR will be hosted at the Connell Park Raceway, which is located in the centre of New Brunswick’s first incorporated town, Woodstock. The races will span from February 14 to 16, which happens to be both Valentine’s and Family Day weekend. Therefore, almost everyone should have an extra day off to attend. These dates slot nicely after the long-running Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, in the province of Quebec. Indeed, this iconic event’s 40th anniversary is being hosted just the week before.
After competing in the MSCR, in Woodstock, many drivers and the top Pro Champ teams move west to the season’s biggest remaining events. Some of these include the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships, in Beauséjour (MB), and the World Series of Snowmobile Racing in Eagle River (Wisconsin, USA).
Maritime Snowmobile Championship—1967 to 1981
Snowmobile races in Woodstock were first held 58 years ago, in 1967. They were originally organized by the Woodstock Y’s Men’s Club. As per the memory of the individuals still with us today can attest, the Woodstock Y’s Men’s Club and the Connell Park Raceway hosted races for the next 15 consecutive years. The very last Maritime Snowmobile Championship—what it was called back then—ran in the winter of 1981. And then it was revived in 2024.
The 2024 Maritime Revival
There were some impressive numbers achieved in 2024. After 43 years since the last race at the same track, this was essentially a “new” venture. This bold attempt at reviving the past was immensely successful. Let me share a few statistics from this “first” edition:
- $51,135 in prize money from the 50/50 purse draw.
- Over 4,000 purchased tickets from fans.
- Over 100 volunteers contributed.
- More than 170 race entries.
2025 represents the second edition since its revival last year. This three-day event will have food vendors, a beer garden and merchandise for sale. Again, it will be held at the Connell Park Raceway, with grandstand seating and a warming room, along with other events happenings around Woodstock.
New Stars Program for 2025
In 2023–2024, at the MSCR planning, it quickly became obvious how much interest there was in reviving the oval races. Fans, sponsors, and potential racers flooded the organizers with enquiries. Many people want to try this type of racing but do not know how best to start.
Therefore, the New Stars Program was created to bring new local race drivers matched with existing race teams. Gord MacDonald, of Gord’s Garage Ltd., is the driving force behind this initiative. Gord recently announced that five new local racers would be participating in this year’s event, thanks to a partnership between Samson Racing and the 2025 MSCR Organizing Committee:
- Sydney Haines | Woodstock (NB)
- Jeffrey O’Donnell | Woodstock (NB)
- Jaret Defazio | Saint John (NB)
- Jason Ward | Windsor (NS)
- Kristen Briggs | Woodstock (NB)
Samson Racing, a racing team from Drummondville (QC), donated an F500-class sled, which will be shared by Sydney, Jeffrey, and Jaret. As for Jason, he has his own equipment for the Woodstock races. Finally, Kristen is teaming up with the local Briggs racing team.
Andre Dupré, of Banzai Productions, is also a partner of the New Stars Program. He will be conducting interviews with our five newcomers and providing exposure throughout the weekend.
Often, owners of racing snowmobiles no longer have the motor skills necessary to put them on the track. As for the younger racers, they lack the experience or financial means to acquire the necessary setups to race ice ovals. Overall, the New Stars Program is attempting to create a database of young drivers to then match them up with existing teams who are currently racing.
The New Stars program was developed and is being managed by long-time-racer Gord MacDonald, from neighbouring Nova Scotia. Gord’s resume in the snowmobile world is impressive. Personally, he owned a Platinum Ski-Doo franchise for 36 years. He also raced for 50 consecutive years in many formats, notably in 1994, when he won the Formula 250 World Championship, in Eagle River (WI).
New Points System for 2025
Another novelty for 2025, three race venues announced yet another partnership. Indeed, the racetracks in Woodstock (NB), Valcourt (QC), and Roberval (QC) have joined forces. Through this alliance, they aim to encourage nearby racers to participate in races at all three tracks. By doing so, they will accumulate points towards additional purse money. There is a total of $9,000 in purse money to be awarded this way.
The ice oval races in the Pro Champ, Formula 500, and Super Mod 440 classes will be eligible. The new alliance will be known as the Triple Crown, VWR. The three races in 2025 will take place over three consecutive weekends. The first race will be held during the Grand Prix in Valcourt from February 7 to 9. Racers will then compete in the MSCR from February 14 to 16, in Woodstock. Finally, they will head back in Quebec for the Festival d’Hiver race in Roberval from February 22 to 23.
Getting There—Road or Trails
You can travel to the Maritime Snowmobile Championship Racing either by car or snowmobile. Parking will be free all weekend, and there is adequate parking for your vehicle very close to the track. Organizers have secured large parking, which will be plowed. Each parking lot will be coordinated by volunteers who will assure an orderly flow of the fans and their vehicles. No one should have to walk any longer than about 15 minutes from their vehicle to the MSCR entrance gates.
A groomed, marked and signed snowmobile trail into Connell Park will also be maintained by the local snowmobile club. The Woodstock Trailmakers will also oversee the snowmobile parking lot at the race site. That way, snowmobilers can connect easily from the Snowmobile.NB trails that already lead into Woodstock from all directions:
- West: Caribou, Presque Isle, and Houlton (Maine).
- North: Edmundston, Grand Falls, Juniper, and Hartland (NB).
- South: Fredericton, MacAdam, Oromocto (NB).
- East: Millville, Stanley, and Doaktown (NB).
What You Need to Know If You Want to Race
The classes for racers have been announced for 2025. There are a total of 26 classes available for racers. You can access the extensive list on the event’s website.
Some of the top classes, generating the highest speeds are:
- Pro Champ
- Semi-Pro
- Mod Champ
- Super Mod 440
- Super Mod 340
- Outlaw 600
- Pro 500.
The 2025 MSCR also introducing four “One Lunga” classes, which is yet another novelty. These should allow many entries at a more affordable entry point for those wishing to attempt racing at its roots. These four “One Lunga” classes are 400 Single, 300 Single, 250 Single, and 440 Mod (Triple and Twin).
Races from all classes will follow the International Snowmobile Racing (ISR) Rules based out of Eagle River, Wisconsin.
What You Need to Know If You Want to Attend
Tickets are already available for purchase online through the MSCR Website. Any children under the age of 12 are admitted for free all weekend. You must retrieve your tickets in person at the Connell Park Raceway’s Grandstand Ticket Booth. You can also purchase tickets in person in Woodstock. Tickets are non-refundable.
There are the following types of tickets available.
- Friday-Only Pass ($10)
- Saturday Pass ($25)
- Sunday Pass ($25)
- Weekend Pass ($50.00)
Livestream Available
If, heaven forbid, you cannot attend the event in person, the MSCR Organizing Committee has invested into making all races available via livestream.
Meet With a World Champion
We hope you will be attending, and if you are, be prepared to meet a recent World Champion. Sabrina Blanchet, racer for Samson Racing, will be attending the MSCR again this year! In 2023, at the famed World Championship Derby Complex (WCDC), Sabrina won the 22nd Annual Vintage World Championship in the 440 Super Mod class. Well, earlier this month, she secured her second world champion title, again, in the Eagle River Championship. Come congratulate her in person!
Sabrina, also known as “Super Girl”, was a fan hit in Woodstock in 2024. She enthusiastically gave her time to the MSCR race fans all weekend.
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