Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles
Snowmobile racing coming to the County in March 2021
Episode 351
February 21, 2021
First and possibly the only snowmobile race in 2021 coming to the County
Matt McEwen, McEwen Construction, from Linneus, doing some of the preliminary work needed to host what could be the only cross-country snowmobile race in Aroostook County in 2021. The so-called “Heartbeats and Handlebars” Vintage, Trail, and Kids endurance races will be held at Houlton Community Park. (Tame the Track Tour photo)
The snowmobile racing track is being groomed in Houlton for the only scheduled snowmobile races in Aroostook County in the winter of 2021. Racers are preparing their sleds which for the most part have sat idle since late winter 2020 when COVID-19 wiped out the end of Tame the Track Tour Snowmobile Racing schedule.
Teen race at “Handlebars and Heartbeats” in previous snowmobile races at Houlton. (Elizabeth Agnew Hartford photo)
Tame the Track Promoter/Race Director Jere Humphrey, Houlton, Maine made the announcement, “After deliberating since November with the State Governor’s office in Augusta, Tame the Track Snowmobile Tour has finally been given the ‘green light’ to offer a late season Vintage, Trail & Kids Endurance Race brought to you in part by Ossipee Auto Parts and Casella Waste Systems.”
“The NAPA Auto Parts race will be held on March 13th, starting at 10 am to be held at Houlton Community Park in Houlton, Maine. There will be eighteen various racing divisions offered with trophies and cash awards presented by RA Paradis & Sons of Newport, Maine.”
Humphrey stressed that, “Face coverings will be required and social distancing will be necessary.”
Hartford Racing family headed back to the County to race
The Hartford Family snowmobile racing family from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire has run a couple events this winter at the Unity Ice Oval race in southern Maine and Harley Jacks vintage snowmobile race in Ossipee, New Hampshire.
Elizabeth Agnew Hartford spoke for the family mentioning that if they can get sleds ready in time, they will be at the races and are looking forward to competing.
Hailey Hartford in action at Harley Jack vintage snowmobile race in New Hampshire Sunday February 21, 2021. (Elizabeth Agnew Hartford photo)
She said, “Hailey (her daughter) has stepped up her game and is hoping not to just compete but battle for a podium finish in both Junior and Women’s classes.”
“Riley (the younger son) plans on defending his Junior title. He has been practicing snow and ice.”
“Justin (the elder son) our team leader plans to compete in 6 divisions. A lot to get ready in a short time”.
County native prepared to contest for wins at Houlton
Joe Pelletier, Fort Kent is always a threat to win no matter which class he is entered. The versatile racer competes in motocross as well as snowmobile racing.
Joe Pelletier, Fort Kent, aboard a Arctic Cat ZR 440 in action at Bass Park in Bangor 2020. He leads Justin Hartford on his Ski Doo MXZ 440. Pelletier finished first and Hartford fourth. (Tame the Track Tour photo)
The self-employed logger mentioned, ” I am planning on racing in Houlton. I am looking forward to getting back out there and competing and seeing all the other racers.”
“I’m glad restrictions have finally relaxed enough for races to happen in Maine, every other state in the northeast was allowing events, and I no longer have the desire to travel that far. I will be riding IFS Outlaw and possibly the trail 600 class.”
“This off season,” said Pelletier, “I started downhill skiing with my family, which I haven’t done in close to 20 years since I was in high school.”
“I also purchased a groomer to build my own sno-cross track which I haven’t been able to complete just yet as I’m waiting for parts.”
Something you may not know about Michael McDowell
Friday August 3, 2000, the day before the seventh running of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I was chatting with Ricky Craven and Midwest Transit Racing team owner Hal Hicks in their garage inside Gasoline Alley.
After the interview I was standing near the front of the garage and noticed a gentleman engaging in a brief conversation with Ricky Craven. I introduced myself and my mission, which was to cover the race for Bangor Daily News Sports since Maine’s own Ricky Craven was in the event.
The writer I met is Brad Winters, a freelance motorsports writer from nearby Columbus, Indiana. He wrote about Craven a few times while Ricky was in the top echelon of NASCAR. We remained in contact over the years.
2021 Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell in Gatorade Victory Lane ceremony. This was McDowell’s first victory in 358 starts. (Ford Performance photo)
After Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500, I contacted Brad since I knew he had written a special story about the McDowell family that many may not know. I sought and received permission to print his story about the most recent Daytona 500 winner.
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