Opening day of the 34th running of the Grand Prix Ski-doo of Valcourt presented by Intact Insurance (Feb. 12-14) is less than a month away, and volunteers are hard at work on Circuit Yvon Duhamel to get it ready for the big event. Mother Nature has not been too cooperative lately, but all the rain that has fallen in southwestern Quebec over the past few weeks is actually beneficial for the Grand Prix, because it filled the lake located on their land. All this water is now being turned into fresh powder by a snow-making gun and blown onto the snocross layout and snowmobile drag racing track. Water from the lake will also be used to surface the ice oval track.
"With 29 days to the start of the Grand Prix, everything is right on schedule as far as track preparation goes," says Marie-Pier Lemay, General Manager of the event. "Winter seems to be back for good, and the ground crews are producing all the snow required for the race tracks and watering the oval track in order to build it up to the required 16 inches thickness. As has been the case over the years, competitors will face-off on the best track conditions come February 12."
The return of winter-like conditions coincides with the launch of the 2016 snocross season in Quebec, and this weekend's presentation of the Grand Prix International in Rouyn-Noranda. The event, sanctioned by the Ontario-based CSRA, is open to all SCMX Quebec competitors, and all results will be included in the SCMX point standings. On Friday, riders in the Pro Open, Pro Lite and Sport classes will also compete in Round 1 of the 2016 Triple Crown Championship Series that will conclude Friday, Feb. 12, at the Grand Prix of Valcourt.
[caption image="/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-02-65/0310.Snowmaking-gun-at-work-in-Valcourt.jpg" position="left"]With a month to go before opening day of the Grand Prix Ski-doo of Valcourt, volunteers are hard at work on Circuit Yvon Duhamel, blowing fresh powder with the snowmaking gun onto the snocross layout and snowmobile drag racing track. Photo courtesy of the Grand Prix de Valcourt[/caption]The Grand Prix will once again offer fans a full weekend of racing activities that will feature the top professional snocross riders in North America as they battle for the big prize. Included on the program for the Grand Prix weekend are the daredevil motorcycle and ATV racing riders competing on the Yvon Duhamel ice oval speed track. From Friday to Sunday, the world's best ice oval track snowmobile racers will compete for top honors in the Pro Champ class. There will be a major change to the Friday schedule, as the snocross and oval track competition program will be extended into evening under the lights until 7 p.m. For more schedule information, visit www.grandprixvalcourt.com.
Over the years, all tips collected by volunteers at food and bar points of sale at the Grand Prix of Valcourt have been remitted to charitable organizations. A total of more than $150,000 has been contributed to several foundations. This year, the Grand Prix will be partnering with Leucan Estrie, an Eastern Townships organization providing specific and personalized services to the families of children with cancer.
From now through Jan. 17, fans can still buy all-inclusive, three-day general admission tickets at a reduced price of $45 instead of $55, taxes included. A very limited amount of heated Grand Prix Suites passes are also still available. Tickets are available online, or by phone at 1-866-532-7553.