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DERRY, N.H. (Feb. 26, 2009) - As another exciting season of snocross competition starts to wind down, the time has come for title contenders to seal the deal. Only three more points races remain before another season is in the books, and a return visit to the heart of Vermont's beautiful Northeast Kingdom is next on the slate. Hundreds of race teams from around the northeast will converge on the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) gets set for Round 7 on the nine-race 2008-09 Central series snocross campaign.

Leading the charge into Barton is Pro rider Danny Poirier. The 2004 Pro 600 and Pro Open champion from St. Theodore, QC, has been on a tear this season, with an amazing 10 wins in 12 starts through the most recent Central series event in Ossipee, New Hampshire. Matt Boron (Stock 600, Malone, NY) and John O’Malley (Stock 600, Verona, NY) are the only other riders to record a final round win in the Pro division. Poirier and the Hulten Speed Sports Polaris team have been almost in a class of their own since the first green flag waved at Black Mountain last December.

No one rider has been quite this dominant in the 17-year history of Rock Maple Racing. In the Semi-Pro division, there are several rising stars to keep an eye on in Barton. Vermont's own Jake Melville (Pownal) and Brad Davis (Cambridge) are coming off final round wins in Ossipee and are a threat to win on any given Sunday. Others to watch include Lucas Brunelle, Trevor Bouchard, Michael George, Aaron Pfeifer, Shaun St. Onge and Garrett Mees. One young rider from St. Johnsbury is also making a name for himself in Semi-Pro this season. St. Johnsbury native Lincoln Lemieux is maturing quickly as the season unfolds, evident in his impressive second place finish behind Brunelle in the Semi-Pro open final at Ossipee. It's a safe bet that Lincoln will be working hard to notch his first Semi-Pro victory in Barton.

Other riders of local interest include Lincoln's father, Joe Lemieux. Joe is the defending champion in Rock Maple's Pro Vet and Masters classes, and is on track to repeat in 2008. Local favorite Rene Desrochers of Newport is also expected to compete in Barton, setting up what could be an all-out battle for wins and bragging rights in front of the home-state crowd. Other Vermont-based riders expected to compete this weekend include Pro rider Chris Chico (Chester); Brennan Berardo (Essex Junction); and Chris Acker (Bristol).

Orleans County has been blessed with ample snowfall again this season. This means racers can expect a great track (weather permitting) and fans have the option of riding their own snowmobiles to the event. Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m. both days, with racing getting under way promptly at 9 a.m. Admission is $12 per day for adults, with weekend passes available for $20. Children under the age of 10 will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit passes valid through the entire weekend will be available for an extra $10.

Rock Maple Racing is now in its 17th consecutive season of snocross competition. For more information, please go to www.rockmaple.com.