The Grand Prix Ski-Doo of Valcourt presented by Intact Insurance held its annual press conference on Wednesday at the J.Armand Bombardier Museum in Valcourt. Grand Prix President Donald Lemay, underlined the significant role of the event’s sponsors, without whom it would not be possible to stage the greatest winter motorsport event in the world. With pride, he announced a contract renewal with BRP, which will enable the Grand Prix organizing committee to develop a new, three-year strategic plan.
Extreme Speed, Extreme Sport and Extreme Emotions
Melissa Gilbert, Managing Director of the Grand Prix of Valcourt, described the major features of the 33rd running of the event, scheduled to kick-off Thursday, February 19 with the Open House Day. Over the following three days, Ms. Gilbert promised fans extreme speed, extreme sport and extreme emotions. She also pointed out that the Grand Prix of Valcourt is the only Canadian event to offer fans six types of racing competitions on four different tracks. The main event of the weekend, the actual Grand Prix of Valcourt, will take place on Sunday afternoon for the Pro snocross and the Pro Champ 440 oval racing classes. The 440 weekend clashes will be the first of the current year between the major stars of the Midwest TLR Cup, and the Circuit Pro Tour aces. Defending TLR Cup and Grand Prix champion, Malcolm Chartier, of Marine City, Michigan, will be in Valcourt to defend his title.
Villeneuve, Blanchet and Marquis at the Press Conference
Several athletes attended the press conference, including Jacques Villeneuve, who announced his return to competition earlier this year after a serious battle with stomach cancer. Following a ten-month absence from the track, the 61-year old veteran is ready to get back in the saddle and compete this coming weekend in the Circuit Pro Tour season opener at the Cornwall Motor Speedway, and will be in Valcourt for the Grand Prix weekend. Joining Villeneuve at the press conference were oval track hopefuls Sabrina Blanchet and Steve Marquis. Coming off a painful injury suffered last February, Sabrina Blanchet is eager to leave her mark in Valcourt. The young Québec City athlete had an early start this year, competing the first week of January in Ironwood, Michigan in the Sno Pro 440 class where she finished second. She repeated her feat 15 days later in the Friday night Semi-Pro Champ class in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The co-ambassador of the 2015 Grand Prix of Valcourt went on two days later to win the Eagle River World Championship Semi-Pro Champ class. As for Steve Marquis, he will debut his 2015 campaign this weekend in Cornwall. Last year in Valcourt, he captured top honours in the Semi-Pro F-500 class race. This year, the 17-year old Cookshire, Québec resident will make his debut in the Pro Champ 440 class, making him the youngest CPT rider in that class.
A New Champion to be Crowned in the Pro Snocross Class
Defending American East Coast Series (ECS) champion Danny Poirier, of Saint-Théodore-d’Acton, Quebec and co-ambassador of the 2015 Valcourt Grand Prix, is looking forward to etching his name for the first time on the coveted Grand Prix of Valcourt Pro Class Snocross Cup. Leading the 2015 ECS point standings with six podium-finishes, of which three are race wins, Poirier is aware of Swedish sensation Johan Dahlgren, who has been super hot in the last two ECS outings. Quebec Snocross SCMX Series star Donavan Asselin was also on hand in Valcourt to answer media questions. The young La Doré rider is currently third in the SCMX Pro Class standings, only four points behind the series point leader. Both Poirier and Asselin are looking to claim the Valcourt trophy on Sunday, but first, they will be looking forward to the big face-off in the Friday grand finale, the third Triple Crown event in the quest for the Marcel Fontaine trophy.
Snowmobile Drag Racing and Canada-USA Freestyle Snocross Showdown Under the Lights
When the sun goes down in Valcourt, on-track activities keep on going. On Friday, February 20, fans are invited to attend the under the lights Snowmobile Drag Racing competition presented by Circuit Top Speed Racing (TSR). The one-night only event, Round 4 of 6 of the 2015 TSR schedule, will offer fans more action and thrills with a new three-lane race format. Back by popular demand on Saturday night, is the Freestyle Snocross Showdown with the Can-Am Face Off between Canadian Freestylers Pier-Luc Trépanier, of Trois-Rivières and Jonathan Belzil, of Villebois, against their American counterparts. The Quebec duo will be looking to avenge last year’s defeat at the hands of winner Fred Rasmussen.
Partygoers will also have fun on Friday and Saturday nights at the two Budweiser evening shows under the Ski-Doo Big Top tent with alternative rock group Three of Us on Friday, and the finalists of the French TV show, The Voice, on Saturday, with both shows starting at 8 p.m. Shows you will not want to miss!
Fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights
Over the years, Friday night fireworks have drawn huge crowds at the Grand Prix of Valcourt. Following this success, the Grand Prix organizers have decided to add a second night of fireworks on Saturday for the whole family to enjoy. Activities on Circuit Yvon Duhamel begin on Thursday, February 19 with the Open House day and conclude on Sunday, February 22.
