Brett Bender won his first pro victory of his career at Valcourt's circuit on February 23 during the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt's Pro Open, according to an AMSOIL press release.
"In a community known for its passion for snowmobile racing and at a venue rich with racing lore named after famed ice oval racer Yvon Duhamel, Bender scored his memorable victory
where his father, world champion oval racer Tim Bender, also competed," AMSOIL representative said.
Robbie Malinoski drilled the holeshot during the 16 sled Pro-Open final, and leaving TJ Gulla (Polaris) and Bender both following closely.
"For much of the 20-lap final, it appeared Malinoski had the race well in hand, as he flawlessly negotiated the long and blazingly fast Valcourt track," AMSOIL representative said.
Malinoski ended up with engine difficulties and it caused him to fall off pace.
Bender, who had been running consistent and equally as fast lap times as, to overtake Malinoski and the lead on lap 15. It was a position he would not relinquish.
Malinoski managed to massage his wounded Ski-doo to a second place finish, holding off a charging Gulla, who now leads the year-end point battle in the premiere Pro Open class.
Arctic Cat rider Ryan Simons rode away with a win at the Pro Super Stock on Saturday.
"Morning flurries and clouds gave way to sunshine when the Pro Super Stock final drew to the line," AMSOIL representative said.
Simons established from the start of the race his lead. T.J. Gulla (Polaris) was on his heels the entire race but he could not overtake Simons, before the checkered flag.
"It was a fun race," said Simons after the race. "I love to battle with TJ and I could feel he was right behind me the entire race. He gained ground on me in the corners but Arctic Cat was
wicked fast in the straight sections and it was well suited for this track."
Semi-Pro
A battle brewed during the Semi Pro Open between Tim Tremblay (Ski-Doo) and Bobby LePage (Polaris) for first place.
"The Ski-Doo driver left the gate just behind eventual winner Bobby LePage and never let him breath a second," AMSOIL representative said.
Tremblay came close to pass LePage on at least four occasions, but was unable to make it stick.
During a mid-race tumble with LePage, Tremblay was forced off the track. However, he managed to recover and end with a second place position.
"I really wished to win. But I'm feeling good about tomorrow and I'm confident the Super Stock final will be mine", said a confident Tremblay who despite LePage's win took the lead in the Semi-Pro Open year-end standings.
Turn one was a sea of green when the Semi-Pro Super Stock field launched from the start line earlier in the day, as top qualifiers, Dan Ebert (Arctic Cat), Cory Davis (Arctic Cat) and Christian Salemark (Arctic Cat), all vied for the lead position as the field stampeded into the opening lap. It was an image which played out twice during the Semi-Pro final, as a red flag forced a restart to the race after Mike Bauer (Polaris) and Tim Tremblay (Ski-doo) were
involved in a opening lap tangle which saw Bauer unable to continue.
At the restart, the trio of Cats once again bolted to the front and this time it stuck. Meanwhile hometown favorite Tremblay suffered another get-off yet recovered albeit deep in the pack.
At the checkered it was the Cat trio of Ebert, Davis and Salemark respectively, followed by crowd yellow faves Justin Broberg (Ski-doo) and Paul Bauerly (Ski-doo) completing the top-five.
"These fans here are crazy. They love their sport... I think I need to learn some French," said an excited Ebert after the race. Ebert won the
Semi-Pro open final in Valcourt a year ago.
In the Pro Women's class, Taylor Carlson led the race until the end when she was pitched awkwardly on the final lap. She slammed into the backside of the next jump. As a result she suffered a severe knee injury, tearing both her PCL and MCL, and will require season ending surgery, according to a Sportech Racing press release.
“I knew it was pretty bad when I landed,” said Carlson. “I go in for surgery next week and I’ll know more then on how long I can expect recovery to take. I’m more mad than anything… there I was… first year Pro, leading the point chase and leading April who is so hard to beat and then I crash out.”
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