SALAMANCA, New York (Feb. 24, 2019) – Rising Snowbike and snowmobile racing star Jesse Kirchmeyer added another line to an already impressive resume on Saturday, winning the Pro final in dominant style as East Coast Snocross (ECS) ran Round 7 at the Seneca Allegany Casino.
The series was fortunate to once again be a part of the annual AMSOIL Championship Snocross (ACS) series event that brings the world’s top snocross athletes to western New York every winter.
Kirchmeyer (Team Southside/Polaris), of Arcade, New York, put in a veteran-like performance, crossing the stripe nearly 12 seconds ahead of point leader and teammate Mike Pilotte after eight tough laps. Pro Lite regular and Team Southside veteran Ryan Dupont made it an all-Polaris podium in third.
“This was the first time I ever signed up for the Pro class,” Kirchmeyer said. “I’ve only been on a sled four times this year, so every time I climb onto one I’m getting more comfortable and faster.
“I was pretty tired by the time I got to the final, since I had just come off the track for Snowbike qualifying. I was just trying to make the least amount of mistakes possible. Mike is a veteran of the sport and has really helped me get to where I am today. He made a small mistake that I was able to capitalize on, and from there on I just focused on hitting my marks.”
Kirchmeyer has a solid support team behind his efforts, both on the bike and on a sled.
“I really need to thank Bruce from Southside Polaris and my Mom and Dad, along with great sponsors Moto Z, Brothers Diesel, FXR and everyone from the team. I can’t thank all of them enough for their support.”
In Pro Lite action, Vermont veteran Adam Ashline notched his second consecutive victory with another impressive effort. Ashline (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) held off ISOC regular Austin Stamm, of McConnell, IL, and Adam Levi for top honors in a seven-lap battle featuring 13 competitive sleds.
Theresa Max (SBT Racing/Ski-doo) continued her impressive 2019 season in western New York. The Ottsville, Pennsylvania native earned her seventh win over rival Ashley Baird (Team Southside/Polaris) in a seven-lap final. Max will look to continue her undefeated streak this Saturday.
Gavin Fleury outgunned rising star and ISOC regular Drew Freeland by over two seconds to win the Sport Super Stock 600 final on Saturday. Kolton Gillilan, another young athlete turning heads this season, filled out the podium in third with another solid performance.
In Junior action at Salamanca, ISOC regular Raycer Frank came away with a pair of regional wins. The talented young athlete from Paynesville, Minnesota, claimed the Jr. 14-15 final over Jake Boutwell and Steven Max, and won the Jr. 16-17 final over Boutwell and Eli Erickson.
Other final round winners on Saturday in Salamanca include Jeff Hazlett (Plus 35 Pro Am); Jacob Lux (Plus 25/35 Combined); Steven Max (Jr. Sport 12-15 over Josh Connolly & Thomas Levi); Kamden Duffy (Jr. 8-10 Stock); and Kellen Chapuran (Jr. Novice 10-13).
East Coast Snocross would like to extend a sincere thank you to John Daniels and his staff at ISOC for allowing the series to again be part of a National event. Series officials also thank the Seneca Allegany Casino for the fine venue and warm hospitality shown during our stay.
The East Coast Snocross series, presented by Woody’s Traction and FXR, is an ISR-affiliated sanctioning body for snowmobile racing in the northeastern United States. ECS maintains a regional circuit intended to keep grassroots snocross racing healthy in this part of the country, while also cultivating new talent for tomorrow’s factory-backed national Pro teams.