The top cross-country racing circuit in the northeast put a period on its 2019-20 race season with a big event in Jackman, Maine, that wrapped up on a sunny but windy Sunday.
Below is the full report from the host Rock Maple Racing circuit.
Lessard, Thompson sweep top classes in Jackman for Rock Maple Racing
Bright sun, cold winds highlight cross country season finale
JACKMAN, Maine (March 15, 2020) — Veteran snowmobile racers Remington Lessard and Dylan Thompson swept their respective classes on Saturday, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed the fifth and final round of competition for 2020 at the remote and beautiful Long Pond Camps.
Lessard (Grip ‘N Rip Racing/Ski-Doo), of Monmouth, Maine, powered to victory in the premier Pro Open and Pro Stock classes. In the Open final, Vermont-based rider Scott Preston put in a strong effort to finish second, while 2020 points champion Heath Bell (Bell Racing/Ski-doo) settled for third.
In the Pro Stock race, TJ Leach (Crossfit Beacon/Arctic Cat) crossed the stripe in second, while former snocross standout Ken Murphy (Arctic Cat) filled out the podium with another solid run.
Dylan Thompson (Lucas Oil/Ski-Doo), of Lincoln, Maine, swept the Semi Pro classes to secure the title. In the Stock class, Matt Cameron (Arctic Cat) made the long haul up from Pennsylvania pay off with a runner-up finish, while Vermont veteran Travis Brisbin (Southside Sales/Polaris) finished third.
In the Semi Pro Improved finale, Readfield, Maine’s Derek Dawson (Biteharder/Ski-Doo) chased Thompson across the line in second, with Brisbin capping a solid day in third. All winter long, the talented athletes in Semi Pro provided plenty of entertainment and action at every host venue.
Bailey Slocum is one of those young guns making a name for himself in cross country sled racing. The gifted athlete from Pownal, Maine, blasted to victory in Saturday’s Sport Open battle. Slocum (Storey Bros. Excavation/Ski-Doo) held off Cameron Young and Jake Barrows for top honors.
In the Sport Stock class, Young bounced back to win while Slocum settled for second. Cody McCormick (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Polaris) filled out the podium with a solid run in the finale in Jackman. In the final tussle for RMR Women’s class racers, Krysti Leach sewed up the 2020 title with a victory.
Other final round winners on Saturday in Jackman include Chip Vaadi (SOO); Jeff Cameron (Trail 800); Scott Lowery (Trail 600); Michael Savage (Masters); Martin Coutu (Plus 40); Scott Preston (Plus 30); Cameron Bell (Jr. 10-13); Brennan Comeau (120cc Improved, 120cc Champ, 200cc Stock); and Oliver Tilton Spear (120cc Stock).
In the special Relay Race, Team Murphy (Ken Murphy, Matt Cameron, Brian Caron, Alia Gervasi and Mike Young) earned the win, with proceeds being donated to the Pink Ribbon Riders. Congratulations to all of our winners on a winter-like day in northern Maine.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank the Border Riders Sportsman club for hosting our season finale. Jackman rallies behind our event like no other community, with several local businesses coming together to roll out the red carpet. We thank each and every one for the support and assistance.
On behalf of RMR president Tara Saxton and the entire staff, the series would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who made our 2020 season so exciting and memorable. Your efforts to support cross country snowmobile racing in New England are what keeps this sport alive and thriving.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank its many valued marketing partners for a great season, including Owens Corning; Ingles Performance, of Phoenix, NY; Woody’s Traction Products; Caliber Products, Inc.; Choko Design; Nitro Trailers; Ski-Doo/BRP snowmobiles; Certainteed; Grip-N-Rip Racing Products; Precision Marine & Motorsports; KTM Exteriors & Recycling; New England Racing Fuel; Voss Signs; Philbrick Motorsports; Lucas Oil, Curve Industries; PowerMadd and SledFreak.com. Without your continued support, this venture would not be possible.