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Connell sweeps Pro classes in Minot for
Can-Am RMR Series,
Presented by the New England
Dodge Dealers
MINOT, Maine (Oct. 1,
2007) - Jason Connell brought his broom
along with a fast ATV to Central Maine last
weekend, sweeping the Pro division finals as
Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 7 on the
10-race 2007 Can-Am Series for ATVs at Hemond's
MX Park.
Bright sun and typical fall temperatures greeted
teams and fans Sunday at Hemond's, while talk
centered around the fantastic track and roomy
facility hosting this round of Quad-X
competition. After rain forced the cancellation
of the originally scheduled season opener at
Hemond’s, this was the first opportunity for
many within the series to examine this vast,
well-designed layout.
Connell, of Willimantic, CT, captured top honors
in the third and final race of the Polaris Racer
Challenge with his dominant performance. In the
Pro Am Unlimited final, Connell grabbed the
early lead but had to fend off a hard-charging
Freddy Kiefer the entire six laps. Just past
halfway, Kiefer closed the gap coming up out of
"The Canyon" headed into the carousel, but
Connell held his ground. Kiefer settled for
second, with Brent Miller finishing third.
In the Pro Unlimited final, Connell again grabbed
the holeshot but this time had Miller hot on his
heels. The two battled for supremacy around
Hemond's immense track, one that features more
elevation changes, jumps, berms and table-tops
than most layouts. Again Connell kept his Suzuki
out front, with Miller settling for second while
Kiefer nailed down third. These riders had the
fans in Minot cheering as they literally flew
around the huge track at Hemond's.
Brian Daigle, of New Boston, NH, claimed top
honors in the A Unlimited final, while Jared Kight earned a victory in B 91-450cc Limited
action. Josh Guinta held off Matt Smith and
Steffan Dager in a hotly-contested B Unlimited
final, while Smith found redemption by winning
the Plus 25 class. Josh Bennett, of Wakefield,
MA, also posted a win in the C 91-450cc Limited
final.
As it has been for much of the season, the C
Unlimited class was loaded with talent at Hemond's MX. Jon Salvatore made the trip down
from Berlin, NH, worthwhile, as he rode his
Yamaha to victory. Salvatore held off Glynn
Desilva (Honda) and Brad Burbine (Honda) for top
honors, while David Walsh and Daniel Romano
completed the top five. Massachusetts-based
riders Chris Jangraw and Patrick Comeau finished
sixth and seventh respectively, while first-time
racer Steve Scotia, of New Gloucester, Maine,
finished in the eighth position.
In Production Lites action, Maine's own Justin
Chamberland held off veteran Quad racer Andrew
Ruel of Enfield, New Hampshire to claim the
victory. Ryan Watson finished a solid third to
complete an all-Honda podium in this
highly-competitive class. Young Montana Jess,
the famed "Flying Onion," picked up a victory in
90cc Modified action, holding off Alex Parker
and Adam Trafford for top honors.
Other winners in Minot Sunday include Parker
(90cc Limited); Robbie Leonard (90cc Unlimited);
Ethan Pearson (50cc Senior & 70cc Modified);
Gabrielle Conners (70cc Unlimited); and Richard
Murtaugh (50cc Junior). In QuadTerrain action at
Hemond’s, Kevin Bailey (Terrain 700) and Liz
Storti (Terrain Open) both registered wins.
Bailey is well known in sledding and ATV circles
throughout southern Maine, working to repair
torn tracks and doing powder-coat paint work on
a variety of machines.
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Mike Hemond
and family for hosting the Can-Am Series at
their fine facility. Teams and officials will
now move to the famed NHSA Grass Drags & Water
Crossing in Fremont, NH, to complete Rounds 8
and 9 on Oct. 6-7.
Rock Maple Racing is the eastern affiliate of the
World Powersports Association (WPSA), the
national sanctioning body for ATV racing. RMR
will embark on its 16th season of snocross
racing in early December at Whaleback Mtn. in
Enfield, New Hampshire. For more information and
complete results from Minot, visit us online at
www.rockmaple.com.
About Rock Maple Racing
Rock Maple Racing is the eastern affiliate of the
World Powersports Association (WPSA), the
national sanctioning body for ATV and snocross
racing. RMR will embark on its 16th season of
snocross competition in early December. For more
information, visit us online at
www.rockmaple.com.
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