Two weeks after seeing their hopes for a season-opener melt away, organizers of the first Rock Maple Racing event ever held in Carrabassett got an early Christmas present this week.
The conditions have been just about ideal for making snow and, with the help of four snow guns on loan from Sugarloaf that have been firing since last Thursday, the track at the Carrabassett Airport is ready for about 300-400 racers and an estimated 4,000 spectators for the RMR Central/East series opener this Saturday and Sunday.
“Even if it rains Friday, we’ll be all set,” said Justin Jordan, a four-year RMR veteran from Kingfield who spent five 18-hour days this week building the track.
While forecasts call for a mix of snow, sleet and rain for most of the state on Friday, 3 to 4 inches of snow are expected in the western mountains. That beats the torrential rain that fell a few days before the race was originally to take place the weekend of Dec. 3 and 4.
Jordan said the postponement hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of fans that he’s talked to who have been looking forward to what will be the first of only two RMR events in Maine this year (March 4 and 5 in Skowhegan is the other). It certainly hasn’t scared off many competitors either, who are expected to flock to an event that is one of three X-Games qualifiers on the RMR circuit this winter.
While some racers have already gotten some competitive runs racing in events in Quebec and New York, many in the RMR East family, including Jordan, have stayed home and have been champing at the bit to get their season underway. Jordan is especially eager to get going after his 2004-05 season was cut short by a torn thumb ligament.
Jordan expects the track to be a fast one with plenty of room for passing. RMR tracks normally measure 30 feet wide, but he’s widened the track about 15 feet beyond that.
“This one is going to be fast because of the snow and the straightaways are a little bit thinner than normal, so I don’t see them getting rutted up as much as on the other tracks,” he said.
The track will have a good variety of whoops, bumps, rollers and full-sized jumps like the table-top, so spectators should expect a lot of high-flying action, Jordan said. And lest anyone think Jordan will have an advantage over the other competitors because he built the track, think again.
“Usually when I’m building a track, I get a chance to play around on it, but I haven’t here,” said Jordan, who is entered in the pro open and pro stock 440 classes. “I’ve only been on the track behind my house.”
Organizer Jeff Jacques, who owns the Carrabassett Inn next to the race site, hopes the event is a big hit with racers, fans and tourists. There has been talk that if this race goes off well, Sugarloaf might become more involved next year. There is also hope that the event can have an economic impact on the region.
“It’s a new venue, and the whole town is happy to see them coming up here,” Jacques said. “Maybe this can help promote snowmobiling in the Carrabassett Valley and get people thinking about doing their snowmobiling trips here. I’m looking forward to seeing (RMR) and getting some people back into our area.”
Tickets are $12 per day or $20 for both days. Pit passes are $10. Children under 10 are admitted for free, and parking is free, too.
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