Monthly Archives: March 2018

KSR ‘Sends It’ in Kitchener

Posted on by

Oakwood, ON (March 27, 2018) – It was an incredible weekend spent racing at Chicopee Ski Resort in Kitchener, Ontario for the Rockstar Energy National Snowcross Race March 24-25th. With the season winding down, and questions of enough snow for the race to run, Karkoulas Sisters Racing (“KSR”) was ecstatic to pull into the event location greeted with a hill full of snow, and an impeccable track created by Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA) organizers. The track had it all; hills, jumps, whoops and all the fun stuff the girls have become accustomed to riding thanks to their practice time at The Compound – Muskoka. KSR racers dedication to practicing over March Break certainly paid off for them this weekend with multiple podium finishes earned.

Dakota #501:

Dakota had her usual drive, speed and love for the air this weekend, and she rode smoother than ever before due to some improvements with her technical riding. She was more driven than ever to extend a points lead in the race for the Championship and was successful in her endeavor. She swept the Transition Girls class in all Motos for the weekend and had several moto wins in Transition 11-13 ending the weekend with 2nd on Saturday and 4th on Sunday after a little rubbing that threw out a ball joint affecting her steering. While Dakota was disappointed that the steering issue slowed her down, she was still proud to have led so many laps this weekend which earned money donated towards Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

Zoe #502:

Zoe had another consistent weekend on her Ski-Doo RS, gaining seat time and comfort. She continues to jump on that sled with no reservations and enjoys each and every moto without getting intimidated by the more experienced riders she lines up against. The highlights of the weekend for Zoe were on her 200 sled, where she took the checkered on Saturday in a moto and ended up 3rd overall for the day. Even better than this though, was when she got atop her sled for her second moto on Sunday with determination in her eyes. She rode like a ‘girl on a mission’, absolutely sending it over a large section of whoops in front of the spectators. She battled hard for first but came up just a little shy of the win. Although she just missed out on podium for the day with a fourth overall, that race was one for the memory bank as she held nothing back and gave a huge thank you to Shelby Mahon from Backcountry Motorspors Media.

Brooklyn #500:

Brooklyn had a consistent and successful weekend taking the win both days in Junior girls, and giving her a small points lead for the championship and upcoming final race weekend. When asked her thoughts about the weekend she expressed disappointment in her Junior 1 (14-15) class from Saturday, feeling like she was losing time and couldn’t put a finger on where. This made her driven for the Sunday Junior 1 class, where she started her second Moto absolutely flying with the pack. She was coming around the last half of the final lap in 5th when she landed hard, causing immediate pain to her knee. This led to her letting go of the throttle and losing her position, but she finished the race and after some first aid and care, she is more determined than ever to rest up and race hard at the upcoming final race of the series.

KSR cannot thank all their track friends enough for all of their concern, support and attention they provided. It is a true testament to the nature of motorsports families when competition gets put aside, and everyone comes together when one of our own is hurting. Special thanks goes out to CSRA official Brock Norris for his assistance and track medic Rob for his care and follow up.

BAILEY MOTORSPORTS:

KSR would like to extend a special congratulations to Bailey Motorsports Pro Rider Taylor McCoy #335 for his incredible showing Saturday with a heat win and a 3rd in his second heat. Teammate Ryan Hunt had a solid ride with impressive airtime earning him 5th in the Pro Final that same day. Sunday saw the riders back on the track with Taylor taking 5th in the final after strong heat races and Ryan 7th.

 

 

 

 

 

The Pro Lite division saw Isaac StOnge #117 coming on strong with two heat wins and a 2nd in the final on Saturday. Sunday he came out just as solid starting the afternoon with a heat win, then in his second heat and final he had a few bail offs seeing him finish 9th in the main. Isaac will head into the final weekend with a 47 point lead for the championship with his usual drive and fortitude.

Yannick Boucher #53, Bailey Motorsports Snow Bike rider, certainly put down impressive lap times on a huge track. Saturday he earned a second in the main. Sunday saw the rider actually lap the entire pack, the magnitude of such a feat impressive given the sheer size of this particular track. Needless to say the rider swept the class in both heats and finals Sunday. Congratulations Yannick!

KSR would like to extend a huge thank you to their sponsors and supporters: BAILEY MOTORSPORTS, Backcountry Motorsports Media, Backwoods Promotions Inc., Off Road Vixens, Lucas Oil Products Canada, Dayco, STUD BOY Traction, Troy Lee Designs, SCOTT Motosports, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy

RESULTS: To see full results for both KSR & Bailey Motorsports, visit www.snowcross.com/race-results

NEXT RACE: March 30-April 1, 2018 (Barrie, ON)

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter & Instagram)

Snow Found in Timmins!

Posted on by

[POST RACE UPDATE]

Karkoulas Sisters Racing Ventures North to Race

Oakwood, ON (March 6, 2018) – This past weekend, Karkoulas Sisters Racing (KSR) made the 7 hour trek to Timmins, Ontario for rounds 7/8 of the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA) championship. The Eclipse Financial Pro Challenge was held under bright sunny skies all weekend long. With Southern Ontario’s lack of the white stuff, it was a refreshing change for the racers to be surrounded by mountains of snow!

Event organizers succeeded in putting on an entertaining event for not only spectators but the racers as well. From a chocolate hunt for the kids to a snowmobile giveaway for the adults, fans never left disappointed. Behind the scenes, the racers were given some extra incentive with “Holeshot Awards” for Sunday finals. Our own Dakota #501 took the award with ease and excitement during the Transition Girls race!

While the team enjoyed what was arguably the best weather they have ever encountered racing in Timmins, the weekend had its share of challenges as well. The track was one of the smallest tracks the girls have been challenged with, leaving little room to pass and maneuver. A tight pivotal left hand corner also seemed to essentially make or break a moto if the kids got pulled wide. Saturday morning’s early cold temperatures combined with a tight track and a tough rhythm section unfortunately saw some injuries for fellow racers delaying racing while medical attention given. KSr racers were remarkable in their ability to not be intimidated by the red flags and racers down and sought to ride smooth and conscientious on a difficult track. KSR extends our wishes for speedy recoveries of all those injured this past weekend.

Dakota #501

Once again Dakota was the first KSR racer to take to the track going 3:3 in her Transition 11-13 and 4th in the final. Transition Girls class Moto 1 had her on her last lap leading from the start when she got pulled wide and an ice block rolled the sled. Dakota was extremely disappointed but unharmed. The sled on the other hand, required some quick touch ups and duct tape for the weekend and a new steering post to be installed! Sunday was a much better day for Dakota. She started the day with impressive moto’s in Transition 11-13, going 2:1 into the final where she achieved 3rd. She continued to charge hard in Transition Girls with a 1st overall for the day.

Zoe #502

Zoe continued to be her same excited self, enjoying all the camaraderie amongst her fellow competitors. She is frequently seen wandering about the pits smiling and playing with the other kids between Motos but very conscientious of the grid sheet, ensuring she doesn’t miss a Moto.

Zoe is the busiest of the KSR racers as she races in 3 classes, but she loves it! She continues to hop on her sled with no reservations and although the ZR200 continues to give her grief off the line, she still loves riding and maneuvering the mid-sized sled. Her highlight of the weekend would be winning her first Moto on the ZR200 on Sunday and 5th in the final. As mentioned, the track was small and tight corners proved to be tricky for Zoe. However, gave her all and finished 8th in Transition 1 on Saturday, 9th Sunday and in the Transition Girls class she achieved 7th Saturday and 8th Sunday.

Brooklyn #500

The weekend was challenging for Brooklyn, who faced some road blocks with a competitive Junior Girls class. Given the short track, the holeshot was crucial and made for a tough start for many racers. On Saturday, Brooklyn took 3rd place points and she was going into Sunday’s second moto more determined than ever to make up some points. Sadly her sled did not cooperate, and a mechanical failure resulted in it being towed off the track.

In the Junior 1 class, she went 5:5 in her Saturday Moto’s and 8th in the final. Sunday saw less racers in the class lining up due to injuries incurred the day before so two Motos were run with Brooklyn placing 9th with a combined score. Although her pride was bruised she is more resolute than ever to get some extra seat time over the March break to be better prepared in the future for this style of track.

KSR would like to extend a huge thanks to Bailey Motorsports who throughout the weekend extended words of encouragement or lightened the pressures of racing through playful banter. Your continued support of young racers is commendable!

Bailey Motorsports

The Bailey Motorsports team unfortunately had their own mechanical failure in the Pro lite division narrowing Isaac St.Onge #117 points lead a bit. We have full confidence he will be out as strong as ever in Kitchener to open that gap back up with his brilliant line choices and exceptional skill.

While the Pro Class had fewer riders lining up they still put on a great show for spectators battling for the checkered. Bailey Motorsports own Taylor McCoy #335 went 5:5 in the finals both days and Ryan Hunt#729 went 6:6. KSR had the opportunity to watch how the riders maneuvered the hard left the girls had difficulties with and from a vantage point at the elevated start it was wonderful for the girls to see how the Pro’s calculated and powered through two very different lines to master the corner.

Yannick Boucher #53 was flawless in his domination of the Snow Bike Class winning all Motos and Finals in the class! Congratulations Yannick.

RESULTS: To see full results for both KSR & Bailey Motorsports, visit www.snowcross.com/race-results

NEXT RACE: March 24-25, 2018 (Kitchener, ON)

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter & Instagram)

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Jessica Kline, info@backwoodspromo.com

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Shelby Mahon / Backcountry Motorsports Media