Snow(making) in Forecast for Exposition

Extreme measures planned to get snowmobile racers back on track
ESSEX JUNCTION Organizers of the Rock Maple Extreme Snocross Snowmobile Races say that with less than three weeks to go before the Jan. 27-28 weekend of snowmobile racing that they are willing to say the show is on whether or not it snows.
Even if Mother Nature continues to be stingy with the white stuff, Champlain Valley Exposition and Rock Maple Racing officials say they are going to bring in the big guns snow-making guns, that is - to create some 18,000 cubic yards of snow. That should be enough to build the one-third of a mile circular race course, complete with tabletops, hairpin turns and extreme jumps in front of the Coca-Cola Grandstand.
The long-term weather forecast looks promising with the right temperatures and conditions so we can make snow using three snowmaking guns, said Tom Oddy, CVE's director of special events. We only need about four to five good days of cold, snowmaking weather between now and Jan. 26 to have enough snow to build the track.
Oddy's no stranger to going to the extreme to make sure that the snowmobile races happen. Last year, faced with similar warmer-than-usual winter conditions, he marshaled the community's resources and arranged for 1,200 truckloads of snow to be brought to the Exposition from nearby IBM's parking lots.
It turned out to be one of the few places in New England able to have its winter event that weekend in February.We had a full weekend of racing with some 7,500 spectators. It was a picture-perfect Vermont winter day on Saturday with a bright blue sky and the snow-covered Mt. Mansfield as a backdrop for the action, Oddy recalled.
However, this year, because of the unusually warm winter so far, there's hardly a shovelfu let alone a truckload - of snow to be found anywhere in Chittenden County.
We looked into trucking some of those 15-foot snowdrifts here from Denver and Midwest, but that turned out to be prohibitively expensive, Oddy joked.
Instead, with the help of Milton Cat of Richmond, Milton Cat Power Systems, Rock Maple Racing and support from local radio stations WOKO 98.9 FM and WIZN 106.7 FM, the snowmaking equipment - like those used at ski areas - will create the mountains of snow in just a few days right in front of the Coca-Cola Grandstand. This special group of sponsors stepped up to help make this extra-effort possible. We couldnt do it without their support, Oddy said.
This has been a tough year for everyone in the winter sports business, but especially for the snowmobile enthusiasts who have had only about 30 miles of the state's 4,500 miles of trails open for a short time this winter, said Chuck Minasalli, president of Rock Maple Racing. We're committed to making this event happen so more than 1,000 racers, support crews, their families and 7,500-plus spectators will have a place to come together, show their riding skills, and get a good dose of winter.
The Expo's Jan. 27-28 weekend is part of a 10-week racing circuit at 20 northeastern sites. Spectators can expect to see racers from Pro, Semi-Pro, Sport, Women, Junior and 120cc divisions taking flying through the air and roaring around dramatic curves.
There's a lot of pent-up demand to get out and have some full-throttle winter fun and that's why we think it's important to the fans and our winter tourism economy to take some extreme efforts so it will happen, Oddy said.For the uninitiated, snocross snowmobile racers, speeding at up to 60mph, often reach big-air heights of 30 feet off extreme jumps and then travel about 130 feet before touching down. Riders earn points for winning and many have been featured in the X-Games Extreme Snocross competitions.
Seeing more than a dozen high-powered snowmobiles flying through the air is something you don't want to miss, Minasalli added. He predicts up to 10,000 motor sport enthusiasts could attend the races during the Jan. 27-28 weekend.
Advance discounted tickets are on sale at Land Air in Essex Junction; Lenny's Shoe and Apparel stores in Williston, St. Albans and Barre; and Perfection Motorsports & Trailer Sales in Richmond. Advance tickets save $3 off the gate admission of $13. Children under 8 free when accompanied by an adult. Coupons good for $3 off admission (not valid with other discounts) at the gate are available from area New England Dodge Dealers.
Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. both days with race action beginning at 10 a.m. Champlain Valley Exposition's Robert E. Miller Expo Center provides fans with indoor warming area with food and snowmobile and sports exhibits.
The New England Dodge Dealers and Land Air are presenting sponsors of the weekend of racing. Other sponsors are: The Vermont Sports Council, Lenny's Shoe and Apparel, Milton Cat of Richmond, Perfection Motor Sports & Trailer Sales, Bandit's Wings and Grill, WOKO 98.9, WIZN 106.7, The Burlington Free Press, New England Coffee, Harrington's and Champlain Valley Exposition.
Champlain Valley Exposition is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote education, agriculture, commerce and entertainment. For more information, call (802) 878-5545 or visit www.cvfair.com.