Multi-time and defending champion Danny Poirier and teammate Corin Todd added more wins to their strong season over the weekend, as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Round 7 at the beatuiful Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel.
ECS teams raced in conjunction with ISOC national teams in this top-notch new venue, competing in front of thousands of fans in this snowmobile-loving portion of western New York. Poirier (Bailey/Hulten Polaris), of St. Theodore, QC, led from start to finish in Saturday’s Pro Open final, with Todd second and New York native Brett Bender (Polaris) in third.
Todd claimed Sunday’s final with a brilliant ride, while Vermont rider Lincoln Lemieux (Lemieux Racing/Ski-doo) claimed second ahead of Poirier in third.
“I came off the line in second place,” Todd said. “I was able to take the lead going over the step-up on the second lap and never looked back. I know Lincoln and Danny got relatively close at one point; I turned up the pace after that and built a good gap between us. Tim, my mechanic, had my sled running perfectly again. The hard work we’re all putting into this season is paying off in wins.”
Danny Poirier
Massachusetts native Mike Pilotte (Team Southside/Polaris) dominated competition in Pro Lite action once again last weekend. The former ATV racer with loads of personality held off his pal Jesse James Bonaduce for top honors Saturday, while Vermont native Leo Patenaude (Patenaude Racing/Ski-doo) filled out the podium in third.
On Sunday, Pilotte again outgunned Bonaduce to complete the sweep, while rising star Montana Jess (Jess Racing/Arctic Cat) finished a solid third. With just two points weekends remaining on the 2013 schedule, competition is sure to be intense in both Pro and Pro Lite.
“Thanks to Bruce Gaspardi, Todd Smith and everybody at Team Southside, I’m able to get the holeshot every time out,” Pilotte said. “And once I’m out front, the sled runs like a dream and stays under me where it belongs. We’ve found the hot setup, my confidence is strong and I feel good as we head towards that final round. It feels great to have this hot streak last so long.”
In Sport action at Salamanca, another Vermont racer stole the spotlight. Hunter Patenaude is following in older brother Leo’s footsteps, gaining speed and consistency each and every week. This time, however, it wasn’t just the usual regional rivals getting hit by his roost.
Mike Pilotte
Hunter led ISOC regulars Nick Lorenz and Freddie Grove across the line for top honors Saturday with a dominant run. On Sunday, Andrew Faulkner (second) and Tennessee native Travis Moore (third) landed on the podium as Patenaude completed his sweep. As Leo continues to improve in Pro Lite, Hunter is making some pretty decent progress of his own in the Sport class.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Salamanca include Quebec-based star Jennifer Pare (Leighton Motorsports/Polaris – Pro Women Sat.); Steffanie Lemieux-Bell (Pro Women Sun.); Todd Smith (Plus 25/35 Sat.); Jeff Hazlett (Plus 25/35 Sun.); Cody Paolella (Jr. 16-17 Sat.); and Zac Roberts (Jr. 16-17 Sunday).
Congratulations to all of our winners last weekend; we know the trip to western New York was long yet we greatly appreciate all who participated in our only show with ISOC.
Next up for ECS teams is a visit to scenic Boonville, NY, for Round 8, this coming weekend, March 2-3. Boonville is deep in the heart of New York’s snowmobile country and has a rich history in racing.
With only the season finale at Titus Mountain in Malone to follow, competition will be fierce in every division
all weekend.
