USCC racing returns to Maine

    GREENVILLE — USCC East cross country snowmobile racing is alive and well in its base state of Maine. Once again, there will be three race events in Maine including Parlin Pond near Jackman, Madawaska and Greenville.

FASTEST ON THE SNOW AND ICE — The third of three USCC East cross country snowmobile races will take place in Greenville Jct. on March 2, with the action on the west cove of Moosehead Lake.

    Parlin Pond starts out the circuit on Jan. 26 with a challenging course through the nearby mountain trails and back onto Parlin Pond for the finish. Madawaska, at the top of the state, sets up a land-based course and runs its race on Feb. 16. Greenville finishes up the season on March 2 with a rough and ready course around the edge of Moosehead Lake’s West Cove in Greenville Jct.

    Each of the race events will have a variety of vendors available and plenty of good food to choose from.  Each event will also try to have available, demo sleds from the major manufacturers or local sled dealers.  These events are fun to watch and even better to get involved in actual racing.

    The USCC race circuit invites all levels of racers from beginners to true pros. All age groups are included in six classes of races starting with a “kiddie Cat” class up to a 100 mile-long pro race. Women and junior racers put on a good show each year and we have lots of amateurs running in most of the classes to fill out the field. Most adult and junior classes require a 600cc or less two stroke sled or an 1100cc four stroke as the maximum horsepower allowed. Show us all how good of a rider you are by going to www.uscceast.com for all the details and rules that can get you started in the exciting sport of cross country snowmobile racing.

    This year for the first time, the Maine Amateur Championship title will be a points race and will be offered at each of the three Maine racing events. In the past, only Greenville offered the championship award. This year organizers are hoping to see a whole new group of amateur racers sign up at each event to gather points towards the championship that will include cash awards at each event and a final cash award for the overall champion. This is a chance to not only show off skills, but also gather up $600 in cash awards during the circuit races and another cash award at the USCC banquet in April.

    Again this year, is a vintage class race for sleds that predate 1982. These “oldies but goodies” get a second chance at showing off and are an inexpensive way to get into racing.

    Greenville is trying to expand their event into a two-day venue by also offering the spectators a car ice racing event on Saturday right in the West Cove and a Radar Run on Sunday  in downtown Greenville in the East Cove. The race has been moved up two weeks to the first weekend in March to improve chances of having top racing conditions on the lake.

    For more information, contact Bob Hamer at bob@mooseheadlake.org.