The Grand Prix of Valcourt will return the weekend of February 18-20, 2011 for the 29th consecutive running of the Quebec annual winter motorsports classic.
The traditional rendezvous of snow riders, snowmobile travelers and Xtreme sport race fans will once again be sponsored by Ski-Doo and presented by La Capitale General Insurance.
The GPSV features the best ice oval racers and snocross riders who will battle for overall honours on the 0.8 km Yvon Duhamel ice oval speedway and snocross track during the three-day extreme sport extravaganza.
“Valcourt continues the tradition, which began in 1983, with this year’s presentation of the 29th consecutive event from February 18-20, 2011. We are pleased that for the second year, La Capital General Insurance is returning as presenting sponsor of the event,” said Linsay Roberge, Director of Operations of the Grand Prix Ski-Doo of Valcourt. “The 2011 running of the Grand Prix of Valcourt should be a spectacular event and the level of competition at its best. We expect to attract the best snocross and ice oval racers from both sides of the border since there are no other Northeastern professional series competing the weekend of the Grand Prix. During the three days of action, extreme sports racing fans will be delighted by the prowess of the best snowmobile racers in North America. And, just in time for the Holidays, and until December 25, Grand Prix organizers are offering winter sports fans a special pre-Christmas Track Suite Pass price package.”
Exceptional Offer for Xtreme Sports Fans
To celebrate the event, organizers of the Grand Prix are offering Xtreme sports fans an exceptional pre-Christmas package. Until December 25, 2010 inclusively, anyone purchasing a three-day Trackside Suite Pass for the weekend of February 18-20 will pay only $80 per pass, taxes included, a savings of close to 30% off the regular price of $116. This offer will make an exciting gift for all under the Christmas tree!
To take advantage of this offer, fans must order by calling the ticket office at 1-450-532-3443 or toll-free at 1-866-532-7543. A suite pass offers an incredible view of all the action on Circuit Yvon Duhamel from the comfort of a heated suite. To learn more about the weekend festivities, schedule and ticket packages, fans can visit www.grandprixvalcourt.com. Children under 12 are admitted free to the Grand Prix site, but they must be accompanied by an adult. This special offer does not extend to trackside suites where all guests, including children, must hold a valid ticket.
The Snocross Season Is Underway
The snocross season got underway the weekend of November 28 in Duluth, Minnesota with the ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross Series. The 2011 season opener saw several competitors from Quebec and the Northeastern States enjoying their first outing of the year.
Jennifer Paré of La Doré, Quebec who claimed two-podium finishes last year in Valcourt including a win in Sport Super Stock 600, got off to a strong start at the Duluth Nationals with a win in the Pro Am Women Super Stock Class. Paré crossed the finish line by six-tenths of a second ahead of Carly Davis of Soldonta, Alaska.
Tim Tremblay of Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc marked his best result of the weekend with a third place in Pro Super Stock, while TJ Gulla of Jericho, Vermont finished fourth. In the Pro Open Class, Tremblay was fifth and Gulla eighth. Tucker Hibbert of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, won both races. In the two Semi Pro Super Stock races, Darrin Mees of Setanket, NY claimed two-podium finishes with a second on Saturday and a third on Sunday.
Kaven Benoit of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil was Quebec’s top finisher on Saturday in that class with a ninth-place finish, while Renaud Alexandre of Val d’Or finished sixth on Sunday. Round two of ISOC Championship Snocross Series will be held this weekend in Fargo, North Dakota.
In the opening round of the Canadian Snocross Racing Association Championship (CSRA) last weekend at the Calabogie Peak Resort near Ottawa, Maxime Taillefer of Laval finished second behind Gord Nelson of Norwood, ON who won the two Pro Stock Class races. In the Trail Sport 500 Class, Maxime Descoste of Mirabel, QC finished fourth, his best of the weekend. The win went to Dylan Hall of Ayr, Ontario.
On the local front, the Quebec-based SCM Camoplast Sno-Cross Championship is scheduled to get underway January 8-9 in Plattsburgh, NY. On January 22-23, Jacques Villeneuve will begin defending his title in the opening round of the SCM Racing Eastern Pro Tour in Manitowaning, ON. As for the Eagle River, Wisconsin World Championship Snowmobile Derby, it is scheduled to be run the weekend of January 13-16, 2011.
Rock Star Eric Lapointe to Perform at the Valcourt Arena
Event organizers have also scheduled a variety of family-oriented activities including a performance by Quebec rock star Éric Lapointe on Saturday February 19 at 8:30 p.m. at the Valcourt Arena.
Tickets are currently on sale at $25 each, taxes included and can be ordered by calling the Grand Prix ticket office at 450-532-3443 or at 1-866-532-7543. Fans holding three-day trackside suite passes for the Grand Prix Ski-Doo of Valcourt, can obtain tickets to see Éric Lapointe for only $20 each. Quantities are limited.
