Press Release –
Horseshoe resort played host to the final event on the CSRA race circuit with plenty of snow made into a jaw-dropping hill climb race to the top followed by numerous twists and turns on the way back down to the high-action jump portion in front of the crowd.
The weather couldn’t have possibly been better for the last race of the year, the sunshine and warm temperatures drew a record crowd to the event. With over 500 racer entries the fans were treated to two full days of racing as well as some added attractions including vintage and quad terrain events.
It was the Pro class that everyone had their eye on throughout the weekend with a tight points battle brewing between the top three racers. In the Pro Super Stock final it was #93 Iain Hayden (Ski-Doo) from Espanola, Ontario who took the win ahead of #14 Peter Raymer (Sloot Racing/SkiDoo) of Sutton, Ontario.
Rounding out the top three was #73 Lee Butler (Royal Distributing/Polaris) from Northbrook, Ontario. In the Pro Open final it was #93 Iain Hayden who once again took the win. #2 Steve Taylor (Yamaha) finished in second ahead of #73 Lee Butler. Points leader, #999 Michael VanDolder, came across the line in fourth allowing him to hold on to his points lead garnering himself the CSRA National #1 title for the second year in a row.
In the Semi-Pro class it was obvious that these riders were racing for points as they fought for every position in each of their qualifiers and finals. In the stock race it was #115x David Joanis (Royal Distributing/Polaris) from Cochrane, Ontario who took the win ahead of #35 Paul Wilson (Rosko Powersports/Ski-Doo).
Up from the Sport class, #421 Dylan Hall (Hall Transport/SkiDoo) from Ayr, Ontario rode a great race to finish up third. It was #173 Corey Watkinson (Shorline Racing/Arctic Cat) who made a name for himself in the Super Stock and Open class, Watkinson held off #511 Jaymie McPhail (Dayco/SkiDoo) of Haliburton, Ontario in the Super Stock class to take the win.
#115x David Joanis finished behind McPhail in third place. Port Carling’s Corey Watkinson once again took off with the lead and grabbed the win in the Open class, in second place was #115x David Joanis (Royal Distributing/Polaris) from Cochrane, Ontario. In third place was #87 Dustin Vandrie (Monster/OTSFF/Arctic Cat) of Shanty Bay, Ontario.
This year the Sport class had some added excitement as their points accumulated every weekend with a brand-new 2009 Ski-Doo race sled up for grabs for the points champion in the Super Stock class. After a tight points battle all season long it was #217 Sean Macaulay (Rosko Powersports/SkiDoo) who came out on top with the overall win.
Horseshoe Resort was the location for the first CPRA Quad Terrain race. A challenging course of logs, rocks, water, and snow was laid out to test the skills of the racers as well as the durability of their 4×4 machines.
The race was a great success with thousands of spectators and National Television exposure. #48 Ryan Kenney riding for Team Yamaha/OTSFF on a Yamaha Grizzly took the win. Another first for this event was the Vintage race which featured 34 entries in three separate race classes.
Spectators lined the fenced in anticipation for the race with their eyes on their favourite sleds. Racing a 1980 Yamaha Excel 340, #43 Jim Scott took the win in the Vintage Open class.
This event also marked the final round of the Ski-Doo Freestyle Challenge. Thanks to St.Onge Recreation, one last group of local kids between the ages of 10 and 13 were chosen to compete on Saturday for their first time on a Snowcross track.
Each participant was provided with all their gear as well as a Ski-Doo Freestyle snowmobile for the day. After receiving private instruction from their Pro instructors, they took to the track for their first every race. It was Brian Humphrey under the instruction of Angela Vacchino who held on for the win and advanced to the final round on Sunday.
Eight more previous winners from as far away as Kirkland Lake were psyched and ready to compete in the Ski-Doo Freestyle Final for their chance to win a brand new Ski-Doo Freestyle snowmobile. Each received some last minute tips from their instructors before the final race in front of thousands of spectators.
From the start it was Nicholas McIlwain from Lindsay, under the instruction of Jaymie McPhail, who took the lead but unfortunately came off his sled, giving the lead to Andrew Playford from Owen Sound who held on for the win. With a smile from ear-to-ear Andrew posed with the checkered flag and his instructor Michael VanDolder in front of the crowd. Andrew will be presented will his new Ski- Doo Freestyle at the Annual Awards Banquet.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Awards Banquet being held May 10th, 2008 at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville. Awards will be presented to the top finishers in the series for each division as well as specialty awards including Sportsmanship and Racer of the Year.
2008 CSRA National Champions
Pro Open CSRA National #1 Plate – Mike Vandolder, Ski-Doo
Pro Stock – Mike Vandolder, Ski-Doo
Pro Women – Angela Vacchino, Arctic Cat
Semi Pro Open – David Joanis, Polaris
Semi Pro Super Stock – David Joanis, Polaris
