Valcourt, Quebec ~ AMSOIL Championship Snocross charged into Valcourt, Quebec, for its highly anticipated fourth weekend of racing, set against the iconic backdrop of the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. This legendary event, first held in 1983, stands as a crown jewel in the world of snowmobile racing—held at the birthplace of Ski-Doo, where history and high-speed competition collide.
Unlike any other stop on the Snocross circuit, Valcourt hosts a Pro-only showcase featuring the AMSOIL Pro Open, Pro Lite, and Pro Women divisions as part of a three-day spectacle of raw power and skill. With five-time champion Elias Ishoel only taking starts due to a practice injury, all eyes turn to defending champion Emil Harr and hometown favorite Jordan Lebel, who look to capitalize on the moment and separate themselves from the field as the championship chase intensifies.
Harr Reclaims Points Lead with Triple Crown Trifecta
The AMSOIL Championship Snocross series delivered an electrifying weekend of racing at the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, where defending champion Emil Harr put on a commanding performance, sweeping all three rounds of the Pro Triple Crown and reclaiming the overall points lead.
Coming off his first victory of the season in Deadwood, S.D., two weeks ago, Harr carried that momentum into Valcourt, where he was untouchable. He led all but three laps across the three-race format, finishing with a perfect score and leaving no doubt about his dominance in Quebec.
“There were some fast guys out there today, and I was able to stay out front,” said Harr. “It was a good day, and I’m happy with the first. The team has been working hard, and I have to thank them for that.”
While Harr was in control up front, the fight for second place went down to the wire in the final round. Local favorite Jordan Lebel opened with a runner-up finish in the first race but dismounted while attempting to make a pass on Harr late in the contest, finishing 11th, which hurt his overall podium chances.
Fellow Quebec native Francis Pelletier was consistent with 3-3 finishes in the first two rounds, while Jacob Yurk kept himself in contention with a 4-2 performance heading into the final race.
In the deciding round, Lebel rebounded to finish second, while Yurk took third and Pelletier crossed the line in fourth. That result locked Yurk into second overall with nine points, marking his third podium of the season. On his first day of racing this season, Pelletier finished third with ten points, while Lebel settled for fourth with 15 points.
Despite being sidelined by injury, five-time champion Elias Ishoel continued to take starts and pick up valuable points, adding eight to his total. However, Harr’s victory in Valcourt was enough to propel him back into the overall championship lead, now holding a nine-point advantage.
Dillon Dominates Valcourt, Reclaims Pro Lite Points Lead
Crayden Dillon might have been the happiest rider to leave Deadwood behind, and he made the most of his fresh start in Valcourt. After his three-race win streak was halted on the tight South Dakota track, Dillon returned to form on Quebec’s big, flowing layout, using the long straights and massive jumps to his advantage. Despite battling an illness, he grabbed the holeshot, led every lap, and stormed to his fourth victory of the season, reclaiming the Anderson’s Maple Syrup Pro Lite points lead in the process.
“Yesterday, we decided to skip practice, which I thought was a smart move,” said Dillon. “Woke up today a little stiff, but we worked our way through the day and made it happen.”
Looking to stay atop the podium, Anson Scheele looked to fend off a determined Drew Freeland in Saturday’s final. Freeland rocketed off the line into second place behind Dillon and held firm, securing his second podium ahead of the season and first since round one. Scheele, the round five winner, started in fifth place and patiently worked his way forward, making a decisive lap-eight pass on Brandon Nelson to lock in third place—his fourth podium of the year. With Dillon’s win, he now holds a slim one-point advantage over Scheele in the championship standings as the title fight tightens.
Cottew Extends Streak with Dominant Performance in Valcourt
Defending Bikeman Performance Pro AM Women’s champion Malene Cottew continued her unstoppable run in Valcourt, securing her fourth consecutive victory with a wire-to-wire performance in Saturday’s final. After battling Inanna Hauger for the holeshot, Cottew quickly took control and never looked back, adding another dominant win to her season tally.
“It’s a very gnarly track, but it’s so much fun,” said Cottew. “It’s technical, and you can kind of spread out a little bit, and I just love it up here with the whole Ski-Doo family.”
Fresh off her round-four victory, Hauger put in another strong ride to finish second, marking her fifth straight podium. Meanwhile, Cerissa Blessum delivered an impressive effort to claim third place, earning her second podium finish of the season.
Next Stop: The AMSOIL Championship Snocross series heads to Canada for the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt on February 9, 2025.
About ISOC: The International Series of Champions (ISOC), headquartered in Albertville, Minnesota, owns and operates both AMSOIL Championship Off-Road and AMSOIL Championship Snocross. ISOC is dedicated to delivering premier racing events that captivate motorsport enthusiasts across the nation. For detailed information about events, schedules, and updates, visit www.champoffroad.com or www.snocross.com.