Press Release –
The CSRA National series got off to a great start last weekend in Sault Ste. Marie for the Stud Boy Pro Snowcross where Searchmont ski hill hosted the first event of the season.
Plenty of snow covered the hill that was transformed into a race track for the weekend. Racers from both Canada and the U.S. reunited to kick off the race season and put on an amazing show for the spectators.
The racer everyone had their eyes on this weekend was North York, Ontario’s #73 Lee Butler (Royal Distributing Polaris). Butler settled for nothing but first in each of his motos and finals winning all seven of his races.
In the Pro Stock class Lee Butler got out front right from the start and took off ahead of the pack leaving #186 Justin Parnell (Monster Energy Arctic Cat) and #202 Joey Sagan (Royal Distributing Ski-Doo) to fight for second and third respectively. Butler gave a repeat performance in the Pro Open race stretching out a sizeable lead. Parnell once again took second place ahead of Joey Sagan in third position.
In the Pro Women class, Michigan race, #417 Sarah McQuestion (Ski-Doo) showed the Canadians what it takes to win by leading every lap throughout the weekend for the win. #55 Angela Vacchino (Shorline Racing Arctic Cat) held on for second place followed by #111s Stacey Orr (Rosko Powersports Ski-Doo).
In Semi-Pro action it was all about Corey Watkinson of Port Carling. Riding for Team Shorline Arctic Cat, Watkinson won all but one of his races including both the Semi Pro Stock and Semi Pro Open finals.
In the Semi Pro Stock class, #333 Jeremy VanDolder (Dayco Ski-Doo) came across in second place with #511 Jaymie McPhail (Kodiak Ski-Doo) in third. With Watkinson out front again in the Semi Pro Open class, the attention turned to #87 Dustin Vandrie (Monster Energy Arctic Cat) who was able to hold off VanDolder for second place.
Semi-Pro and Pro racers alike added an extra race onto their schedule this weekend paying tribute to Snowcross legend Blair Morgan in a benefit race. Local racer, #335 Jean-Paul Price took the win in this first of its kind race, followed by #98 Mike Island in second and #511 Jaymie McPhail in third.
Other notables from the weekend include #4c Ric Wilson who took the win in both Pro Vet and Pro Masters. From Michigan, #198 Nick Pattyn, grabbed the checkered in the Sport 600 race but came up short in the Sport 500 race allowing for #421 Dylan Hall to take the win.
Pattyn also competed in the Junior 1 and Junior 2 classes coming out on top in both finals. Out front on the 120’s we saw #774 Jeremie LeBlanc and #502 Jordyn Wall in the 4 – 9 year old class, #405 Tanner Sheppard in the Improved Stock, and #820 Dylan Barnett in the Modified class.
Racers will take a break over the holidays before the CSRA Series moves to Owen Sound on January 17th -18th for the Georgian Cup.
Additional information and race results for all classes visit www.snowcross.com
