KSR Racers Defends 2022 Titles Earning Two Championships for 2023

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Troy Karkoulas

[POST RACE REPORT]

Oakwood, ON (April 4, 2023) – What a weekend of racing! The team experienced it all over the final three days of the CSRA 2023 season, located at Horseshoe Resort in Barrie, ON. From rain, to snow, sun, and wind, KSR racers took everything that was thrown at them with their heads down and determined to make the push and win championships in this final weekend of racing. They did just that, with Dakota winning the Pro Women’s Championship for 2023. Zoe was happy to see that the Transition Girls class was back on the schedule for this final weekend of racing, and went for a clean sweep, winning all motos and overall races each day.

The team is excited and grateful to their sponsors and supporters as they end the final weekend with six 1st place finishes in all weekend races, and they bring home two Championships with both Dakota and Zoe defending their titles from 2022.

Zoe #502 Recap:

This weekend was a great way to end the CSRA snowcross season. She was happy to race in the Transition Girls class, with six other girls, for the first weekend this class has been able to run all season. Zoe dominated this class, earning 6 heat wins, and 3 overall first place finishes, earning her the Championship title for Transition Girls! Even though she loved racing in this class, she was disappointed to drop the Junior Novice class for the final weekend.

In Transition 2, Zoe had some hard heats, but persevered though ending with a 9th place on Friday, and another 9th place finish on Saturday. She was determined to finish the season with a top 5 finish in this class though. On Sunday, she had a rough start on the line due to crashing in her first heat but worked hard to be able to finish 5th in Transition 2 on Sunday. She was happy to end the season, and her lat year racing in Transition, with a 1st place and 5th place. Zoe extended her appreciation for team sponsors, stating “I am so thankful for everyone who has helped and supported us throughout the 2023 season. I can’t wat to see you everyone at the banquet!”

Dakota #501 Recap:

Dakota can’t believe that the last race weekend of the season is over already! Horseshoe Resort was her favourite race this year, as she found that it had such a great vibe and energy. This past weekend certainly did not disappoint. She really enjoyed racing on the high air track and found that it fit her riding style perfectly! On Friday, Dakota won the Pro Women’s race, and finished 5th in Sport. Racing under the lights was a neat experience. Saturday, she didn’t race the Sport class, to preserve energy for Pro Women, which she ended up winning that day as well. On Sunday, she went 2-1 in her Pro Women heats, giving her first overall for the day.

On Sunday, Dakota enjoyed racing the full track in the Sport class, going all the way up the ski hill! She found her Ski-Doo was like a rocket shooting up the hill. She finished 7th on Sunday for Sport 600 and despite not being in the Sport class for points, she still ended up finishing with a fifth place overall. In reflecting back, Dakota found that this race season was full of highs and lows. While there were some stressful and discouraging days, there were plenty of happy memories, proud moments and high-flying feelings combined with unstoppable moments. Dakota would like to give a big thank you to her dad for putting in the countless time and effort into this sport for both her and her sister, and for always supporting her. Dakota also said, “I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. I would not have been able to do this without all my amazing sponsors and the support I have behind me!”

In closing of the 2023 season, Karkoulas Sisters Racing would really like to give a big shout out and thank you to everyone who has supported the team. We truly could not have done this without your support, and from the bottoms of our hearts, we thank you. We have been fortunate to have many of you in our lives from day one, or at a minimum it’s been multiple years of partnerships. It is this strong foundation that we have, where the team can build on it year after year and set new goals. We are already looking forward to 2024 and what it will bring.

KSR would like to thank the following sponsors for their support for the 2023 season: Motul, Ski-Doo, Fly Racing, Scott Sports Canada, C&A Pro Skis, Rox Speed FX, Dayco, Off-Road Vixens, Backwoods Promotions, Backcountry Motorsports Media, Stud Boy Traction Products, 139 Designs, Clean Media, St. Onge Recreation, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

Also, KSR would like to extend a big thank you to Bailey Motorsports for their endless support, and to Blackriver Racing for allowing the team to practice with them and for always having a great track and atmosphere to train at.

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram )

2023 Final Results:

Dakota 501

Pro Women Champion

Sport class 5th overall

Zoe 502

Transition Girls Champion

Transition 2 class 5th overall

Friday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	1^st	1^st	1^st
Sport 600	2^nd	4^th	5^th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	6^th	7^th	9^th
Transition Girls	1^st	1^st	1^st

Saturday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	1^st	1^st	1^st
Sport 600	DNS	DNS
Zoe 502
Transition 2	5^th	5^th	9^th
Transition Girls	1^st	1^st	1^st

Sunday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	2^nd	1^st	1^st
Sport 600	5^th	3^rd	7^th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	7^th	4^th	5^th
Transition Girls	1^st	1^st	1^st

Photo Credit: Shelby Mahon // Backcountry Motorsports Media

Challenges in Kitchener Fuel KSR Racers for the Season Finale Next Weekend

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Troy Karkoulas

[POST RACE REPORT]

Oakwood, ON (March 29, 2023) – The Royal Distributing Cup held at Chicopee Resort in Kitchener, Ontario, this past weekend saw racers riding in a range of temperatures and snow conditions. The Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA) is in the final stretch of the race towards the coveted Championships, where stakes are high and emotions elevated.

With increased points pressures, KSR riders Zoe (502) and Dakota (501) were ready to give it their all. Despite the weekend not going exactly as they hoped for, they left Chicopee on a positive note ready to complete the season next weekend at Horseshoe Resort in Barrie, ON.

Zoe #502 Recap:

Zoe found the track challenging this weekend. She struggled on Saturday, finding that her sled just wasn’t pulling as well as it usually does. On Saturday, she placed 8th in Transition 2, and 9th in the Junior Novice class. Sunday was a fresh start. As she went into her first motos, her starts weren’t the best and she found she wasn’t pulling through all of the soft snow. With some modifications to the setup, the improvements were noticed right away with her sled pulling much better. On Sunday, Zoe finished 7th in Transition 2, and 10th in Junior Novice. While it wasn’t her strongest weekend, Zoe is appreciative of the experience and looking forward to the excitement of the final race weekend next weekend. She is happy to see that the Transition 2 girls class will be running as well.

Dakota #501 Recap:

Dakota also experienced some difficulties this past weekend. On Saturday, her first Pro Women’s race was off to a great start. She placed 1st and was headed into the afternoon feeling great. During her first Sport moto, she blew a berm and went off the track. Undeterred, she got back on and continued the race. In the next Pro Women’s race, Dakota didn’t get a great start and had to work her way back to the front. She was proud of herself for pushing through, until she fell on the last lap about 10 feet from the finish line. This was a particularly hard hit, as she had given it her all to make up so much time and space, to fall short just before the finish. After that, Dakota raced a Sport moto and unfortunately had a mechanical issue leading her to not finishing. She started the Sport final in the back row due to her previous DNF, and so her goal was to just get out and have a safe ride. Unfortunately she took a tumble in an icy corner. Keeping her head up high, Dakota said, “it’s the bad days that make the good days even sweeter”.

With that in mind, her Sunday was a sweet day. She finished first in Pro Women (both qualifiers), and was having a blast with the track, yelling “weee” as she raced around. In Sport Moto 1, she placed 3rd and in Moto 2 she placed 2nd. When it came down to the final though, Dakota did not make it out of the first corner and got stuck under another rider’s sled. Thankfully she was safe and uninjured, and ended the weekend with a positive attitude. She’s looking forward to the season finale next week!

KSR would like to thank the following sponsors for their support for the 2023 season, without them this would not be possible: Motul, Ski-Doo, Fly Racing, Scott Sports Canada, C&A Pro Skis, Rox Speed FX, Dayco, Off-Road Vixens, Backwoods Promotions, Backcountry Motorsports Media, Stud Boy Traction Products, 139 Designs, Clean Media, St. Onge Recreation, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram)

NEXT RACE: March 31-April 2– Horseshoe Resort -Barrie, ON

Saturday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	3^rd	2nd	2^nd
Sport 600	4th	6th	11th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	5^th	6^th	8th
Junior/Novice	4^th	6^th	9^th

Sunday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	1^st	1^st	1^st
Sport 600	3^rd	2^nd	9th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	6^th	5^th	7th
Junior/Novice	6^th	4^th	10th

Photo Credit: Shelby Mahon // Backcountry Motorsports Media

KSR Racers Head North for Rounds Seven and Eight of the CSRA Championship

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Troy Karkoulas

Oakwood, ON (March 8, 2023) – While much of southern Ontario was being hit by a winter storm, KSR was in Northern Ontario with sunny skies and warmer temperatures compared to the south.

The weekend was kicked off with a practice session on Friday afternoon. Racers were loving the large track built by the CSRA crew, which featured ample snow and big air sections that were guaranteed to put smiles on the racers and spectators faces. As the weekend progressed, the track naturally became rougher and more challenging with the warmer temperatures. Each lap became a challenge from soft snow getting roosted, and for those racers behind a competitor, chances were high they were going to get a helmet full of snow before the checkered flag would fly.

The team had some highs and lows this past weekend but ultimately were able to overcome their challenges and come away with heads held high and a great feeling on how the weekend ended. Highlights would include Zoe (#502) getting on the podium for the first time this season in the highly competitive Transition 2 class. Also, Dakota (#501) overcame some fatigue and was able to ride in multiple races in the afternoon with short recovery time in the heavy wet snow conditions.

Dakota #501 Recap:

This weekend in Sudbury started off rough for Dakota. She hurt her sternum during practice on Friday, leading to difficulties on Saturday. She struggled to find her groove on the track, and slid off the track during Pro Women, and had another fall in the Sport class, which left her feeling disoriented. She managed to overcome her challenges, ending with a 2^nd place in Pro Women and a 5^th in Sport on Saturday. On Sunday, Dakota worked hard to change her mindset and to just have fun on the track. She found this helped, as her riding improved and she felt more comfortable on the track. She finished Sunday with a 1^st in Pro Women and a 5^th in Sport. This was one of her most challenging weekends this season; however, she is looking forward to moving past this weekend and building on her positive attitude and mindset at the next race in Kitchener.

Zoe #502 Recap:

This was Zoe’s second race for the 2023 season, due to prior cancellations. She really enjoyed the track layout. While Transition Girls did not run this weekend due to low entries, Zoe did race in Transition 2 (ages 10-13), and Junior Novice (ages 10-15). On Saturday, she had good heats for Transition 2, ending with 4^th place in heat one and 2^nd place in heat 2. These qualifiers gave her a good line pick for the final and she finished 6^th overall. In Junior Novice, Zoe got 5^th place in both heats, and finished 9^th in the final. On Sunday, she had a good day with some ups and downs. In Transition 2, she had good heats, finishing 2^nd in heat 1 and 4^th in heat 2, which gave her a great pick for the finals. She was overall happy with her 3^rd place finish.

Junior Novice did not go quite as well but Zoe still had a lot of fun. In her heats, she placed 4th in heat 1, and 5th in heat 2. In the finals, she cased a jump and fell off her sled which put her almost a full lap behind. Overall, it was a great weekend and Zoe is looking forward to racing in Kitchener.

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter, Facebook & Instagram)

NEXT RACE: March 25-26 – Chicopee Resort -Kitchener, ON

Saturday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	3^rd	1^st	2^nd
Sport 600	5^th	8^th	5^th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	4^th	2^nd	6^th
Junior/Novice	5^th	5^th	9^th

Sunday Results:

	Moto 1	Moto 2	Final Placing
Dakota 501
Pro Women	2^nd	1^st	1^st
Sport 600	5^th	4^th	5^th
Zoe 502
Transition 2	2^nd	5^th	3^rd
Junior/Novice	6^th	4^th	11^th

Podium Finishes for Karkoulas Sisters Racing at Grand Prix Ski-Doo De Valcourt

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Troy Karkoulas

[POST RACE REPORT]

Oakwood, ON (February 16, 2023) – This past weekend marked the 40th year since the first Grand Prix De Valcourt first took place in 1983, and it did not disappoint fans or racers who came to enjoy a weekend packed full of great snowcross racing. This event is truly a must-attend for any winter motorsports fan, boasting that “every year, tens of thousands of fans and hundreds of athletes gather at the BIGGEST motorsport winter event in the WORLD.” It is a combination of speed, adrenaline, true passion for the sport, the atmosphere and overall uniqueness of the event that contributes to why so many people come to Quebec to enjoy and participate in this grand weekend.

The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt has something for everyone, from snowmobile races on the oval track, races on the snowcross track, snow drags, and then the high-speed motorcycle and ATV racers on the oval track, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. For KSR, it’s one of the teams’ favorite events to attend each year. With it’s much anticipated return after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, it lived up to and exceeded team expectations.

This round of racing brought together racers from the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA), and SCMX, as they battled it out for points in their respected series, as well as some ISOC races that make the trek north to the birth place of Ski-Doo. This contributed to large classes and some fast-paced racing action!

Dakota (#501) had a great weekend in Valcourt. She practiced on Friday which helped her gain confidence on the track, and prepared her for her race the following day in the Pro Women’s class. On Saturday she won her qualifier and was feeling confident headed into the final. Her Ski-Doo was a rocket off the line and she was able to finish the day on top of the podium with an overall 1st place finish for the day. On Sunday, all racers were on their game. Dakota had a good qualifier placing 2nd. She carried the momentum into the final finishing 2nd place in the final.

Dakota reported, “it was a great race weekend! I love getting to race with more riders than I usually race against, and I really enjoyed the track. I’m always continuing to find new and faster lines, and am even more ready for the light to go green in Innisfil this coming weekend!”

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

NEXT RACE: March 4-5 – Sudbury Downs -Sudbury, ON

Karkoulas Sisters Racing Hits their Hometown Track for CSRA Season Opener

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Troy Karkoulas

Oakwood, ON (January 31, 2023) – After months of preparation and practice, the Karkoulas Sisters Racing (KSR) team was able to kick off the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA) season opener at their hometown track in Lindsay, Ontario this past weekend. The FXR Kawartha Cup, located at Lindsay Exhibition, was a great event hosted by CSRA with hundreds of loads of snow trucked in to make one of the largest tracks racers have seen at this race location. With excitement and first race jitters, KSR racers, Dakota (501) and Zoe (502) hit the track in front of family and friends for the first time this season. Both racers had a great weekend, with some amazing takeaways and accomplishments.

Dakota advanced in classes this year and raced in her first Sport class. She really enjoyed getting the opportunity to race against different people she has not yet raced against. This advancement in classes encouraged Dakota to push herself and her riding abilities, which she continues to look forward as the season continues.

The Pro Women’s race on Saturday went better than Dakota could had asked for, with her going 1-1 in both motos. Sunday’s pro women race also went well. Despite her sled hesitating at the line in the first moto, she was able to make up time and experimented with line choices which proved effective in passing opponents while earning her second place. In moto 2 she was able to take 1st place, which gave her a first for the day in that class. Dakota was thrilled with these results and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season will bring!

Zoe’s weekend started off with a major change; where she found out that the Transition Girls class would be cancelled for the weekend due to lack of entries. She decided to pivot and race in Junior Novice for the first time, in addition to the Transition 2 class. On Saturday, Zoe won her first heat for Transition 2, however a crash in the second heat gave her 7th place. In the finals she placed 5th. For Junior Notice, she went 3-5 in her heats, and in the final placed 9th after a re-start where her sled unfortunately spun on the line.

On Sunday, Zoe started strong in Transition 2 by going 4-3 in her heats, and ended with a 6th place in the final. For Junior Novice, she went 5-7 in her heats and ended the day with an 8th overall. She was happy to be back at the track and racing. Her next race will be round 3 in Innisfil, ON as her classes aren’t run at the next race in Valcourt.

Also, KSR would like to extend a big thank you to Bailey Motorsports for their endless support, and to Black River Racing for allowing the team to practice with them.

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Facebook & Instagram)

NEXT RACE: February 11-12, 2023 – Valcourt, QC

WEEKEND RACE RESULTS

Saturday:	Class	Heat 1	Heat 2	Final
Zoe	Transition 2	1st	7th	5th
	Junior/Novice	3rd	5th	9th
Dakota	Pro Women	1st	1st	1st
	Sport	5th	5th	6th
Sunday
Zoe	Transition 2	4th	3rd	6th
	Junior/Novice	5th	7th	8th
Dakota	Pro Women	2nd	1st	1st
	Sport	3rd	3rd	8th

Karkoulas Sisters Racing – KSR

Category Archives: 2023

KSR Racers Defends 2022 Titles Earning Two Championships for 2023

Challenges in Kitchener Fuel KSR Racers for the Season Finale Next Weekend

KSR Racers Head North for Rounds Seven and Eight of the CSRA Championship

Podium Finishes for Karkoulas Sisters Racing at Grand Prix Ski-Doo De Valcourt

Karkoulas Sisters Racing Hits their Hometown Track for CSRA Season Opener

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