Snocross event huge success

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Related Photos

Jason Stone of Central Square, N.Y., soars high above the crowd as he completes a lap on his Ski-Doo snowmobile during a Pro Stock race.
Ashlee Woskob of State College, Pa., and Donavan Asselin of La Dore, Quebec, collide in a turn during the Semi Pro Stock Final. Asselin's sled exited the track and tipped over, but he was reported to be just fine and returned to the race shortly thereafter.
Kevin Laplante of Riviere Du Loup, Quebec, and Andrew Bailey of Malone fly through the air during the Semi Pro Stock LCQ race.
Brandon Bell of the Rave X Outer Limits Sledstyle Tour high-fives members of the crowd after performing aerial tricks at the Crete Center during the second day of the East Coast Snocross Series in Plattsburgh. View bonus photos in the galleries at www.pressrepublican.com.

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January 10, 2011

Officials, organizers hope to repeat Plattsburgh event

DAN HEATH Press-Republican The Press Republican Mon Jan 10, 2011, 05:56 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — East Coast Snocross brought a flurry of economic activity to the region with its races and exhibitions during what is usually a slow time of year.

East Coast Snocross Owner Bob Roscoe said the tour brought about 200 riders and another 400 support staff and family members to Plattsburgh. Most of them are from out of the area, with some from as far away as Minnesota and Wisconsin and even one from Sweden.

"They stay in local hotels and use services from local vendors," he said.

Sunday afternoon, Airborne Speedway Promoter Mike Perrotte said the event was on pace to draw between 4,500 and 5,000 spectators. He said only about 5 percent appeared to have come for both days.

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Marketing Michele Powers was all smiles as she talked about the success of the event Sunday.

"It's just been such a windfall for us to get an event of this size at this time of year," she said. "If we can make this an annual event it will help achieve one of our goals, which is to become a year-round destination."

Numbers up

Perrotte talked with hotel owners, and many reported numbers well above the similar period in 2010. He dined out Friday and Saturday nights and saw many snowmobile enthusiasts in the restaurants as well.

"We knew it would be good for Airborne, good for the local residents and good for the local businesses," Perrotte said.

Powers said she also heard good reports from local hotels.

"Hotels are full. This is usually a tough time of year," she said. "One group alone needed 80 rooms."

Comfort Inn Owner Terry Meron said the number of people the event brought to Plattsburgh was significant.

"Saturday was our best night since we reopened."

It didn't have as big an impact at his Perkins Restaurant and Bakery.

"We didn't see an unusually large crowd over the weekend. Some of that could be because this is typically a slow weekend after the holidays," he said.

Cumberland Bay Market Owner Brian Rabideau said the event was definitely good for the area. Business was up a little at the store and gas station, and he was hoping for another surge as spectators left the area.

"We didn't get as much as we had hoped because we are off the beaten path a little bit," Rabideau said.

He said most of those who attended probably came from Interstate 87, not the ferry.

future events

Roscoe said Plattsburgh had been a tremendous host community.

"We hope to make Plattsburgh a regular stop on the ECS tour."

The staff at Airborne Speedway had been a super partner, Roscoe said. The City of Plattsburgh and the Chamber of Commerce did a fantastic job of lining up vendors and support services, such as emergency responders.

Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the same about Perrotte and his crew. He was pleased to hear the tour wants to make Plattsburgh an annual stop.

"We would be more than happy to host future snocross events with Airborne," Kasprzak said. "We want everybody to succeed and benefit when these type of events come to the area."

The races used to take place in Malone. Perrotte said when word got out the event was not going to continue there, the racetrack staff jumped on the opportunity to bring it to Plattsburgh.

East Coast Snocross Public Relations Director Phil Whipple said the tour was excited to come to a new venue.

"You have first-class promoters, a good venue and good crowds."

Those crowds were remarkable, he said, given the fact that it was so soon after the holidays and many people are still affected by the sluggish economy.

improvements planned

Perrotte said his team will soon start working to improve the event next year. Two ideas he'd already considered would be to have more bleachers for next year and a possible move to the lake side of the Crete Center.

The latter would allow for a bigger, faster track with larger features and bigger air.

Powers said the Crete Center made for a perfect venue. The competitors were pleased they could set up their trailers close to the track, while vendors liked the ability to set up displays inside, out of the cold.

"For a first-time event, this was a home run," she said.

E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com