2024 marks the 10th visit to Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino in AMSOIL Championship Snocross history. The region is among the top-5 places in the United States for trail riding and always provides a packed house of snowmobile enthusiasts and passionate face fans. With snowmobile trails right out the front door of the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino hotel, snowmobile enthusiasts can ride their personal machines right up to the front gate on a good snow season. The state of New York has hosted AMSOIL Championship Snocross and former national circuits for a number of years at other locations in Vernon, Syracuse and Farmington, among others.
Among our racers’ top reasons why they love racing in New York? THE FANS!
For those fortunate enough to attend the event, we hope you enjoy the races and create lifelong memories at this historic event. Tickets and event info can be found here. For those who are not able to make it, please see this week’s watch guide for viewing information. Check out the Pro division entry lists here.
A throwback to the last time we visited Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino in 2022 as documented by Sledhead 24-7.
AMSOIL PRO
Red Plate Change of Address:
For the first time in his premier class career, Sweden’s Emil Harr has earned the red plate. For multiple seasons, he as been a championship favorite to win. With his good friend and one of his biggest competitors (Elias Ishoel) out on injury, his path to a potential first title became just a little clearer. To do so, he will need to remain consistent through the remaining 5 stops of the National tour.
In Valcourt at the last round, Harr was en route to contend for the overall win after having gone 2-1 in the first two races. He had jumped the start and was penalized. He was scored dead last on lap one but was able to make his way up to an impressive fourth. This was good enough for a P2 overall finish.
Hot Right Now: Jordan Lebel
What could be sweeter than earning your first AMSOIL Pro win in your rookie season? Backing it up with a second win shortly thereafter. What could be sweeter than getting on a roll with two wins between two consecutive National events? Winning one in your home province of Quebec. Jordan Lebel is on a roll right now and is 4th in the Championship standings. If he keeps it up, he will likely surpass Elias Ishoel this weekend for 3rd place in the standings. This will be Lebel’s first AMSOIL Pro start in New York. Last time he lined up at this venue in 2022 for Pro Lite, his weekend included an uncharacteristically “off” day on Saturday. He finished 2nd and 11th on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Also hot right now: Francis Pelletier
The numbers would suggest that a win is on the horizon for Frank. He is 2nd in points and has had four podium finishes thus far. His latest podium finishes came last weekend at his home race in Valcourt while still recovering from a crash in Deadwood. While no injuries were reported, he was sore heading into the weekend.
Holeshot Machine: Adam Peterson
Team LaVallee Polaris has been known for their great starts. Adam Peterson backed this up with another one on Sunday at Valcourt. He has secured multiple starts this season. Watch for AP3 to likely find the front again this weekend.
Top Performers from the last round in Valcourt:
- Arctic Cat Top Performer: Jacob Yurk 4th O/A (5-4-3)
- Ski-Doo Top Performer: Jordan Lebel 1st O/A (4-2-1)
- Polaris Top Performer: Emil Harr 2nd O/A (2-1-4)
There are only two current racers to have won in the state of New York: Kody Kamm and Elias Ishoel (Injured).
PRO LITE
Crayden Dillon: Undefeated.
Crayden Dillon holds the largest points lead of all of the Pro divisions with a whopping 77 points! He Zephyr, Ontario racer is doing remarkable things with his 7 wins out of 7 races, but that does not mean that the Pro Lite class has been a snoozer this season.
Nick Lorenz: Good in Salamanca. Runner up in standings.
Lorenz seems to be adapting well to the MXZX 600R Ski-Doo this season given his collection of podiums and now runner up in the standings. Is this already rebound from 2023? Absolutely. Perhaps a season that he would like to forget about as far as results are concerned as he finished the season 13th. It would appear that the class veteran is back to peak form. With 4 career wins and 50% of them at this very venue, experts say that he would be the most likely opponent to end Dillon’s undefeated streak.
Check out this epic battle between Nick Lorenz and Trent Wittwer that came all the way down to the finish line at GPSV. Wittwer was able to hold off Lorenz, but Lorenz kept the pressure on.
Home Race:
This race serves as the home race for a number of New Yorkers in the class including Jesse Kirchmeyer (Arcade), Dylan Roes (Lowville), and Corin Todd (Otego). With the addition this year’s addition of Valcourt to the National tour, this stop is no longer the “home” race for our New England and Quebec races. Nonetheless, you may expect to see a few part-time racers join us for this event due to it’s proximity to both regions.
PRO WOMEN
50 Wins:
Points leader and perennial frontrunner Malene Cottew celebrated a major milestone achievement last weekend in Valcourt by earning her 50th win. Last season, she has surpassed Megan Brodeur (38, unofficially). While they don’t race one another, she did pass her good friend and fellow countryman Elias Ishoel last season as well. The takeaway? Malene Cottew is history in the making. And also, Norwegians are fast.
Cottew also has two wins in Salamanca (2020 and 2022).
Home Race Spotlight:
The class doesn’t have any New Yorkers this season, but this race could be considered the home track for Ontario’s Nikella Calla (Phelpston) and Mia Meek (Sunderland) as well as Cecily Bernaiche (Acworth, NH).
You can tune in live all weekend live on FloRacing. For a schedule of events, tickets and event information on the USAF Snocross National at Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino, click here.