Two weeks ago, after the running of the AMSOIL ISOC Pro Snocross series 4^th round, Tucker Hibbert, the then leader in both Pro classes standings confirmed the expected: he was ending his winter racing season. The announcement also signified his absence at the 27^th Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt scheduled for this coming weekend. As Hibbert, who had been the winner of all the races he entered up to his retirement, decided to devote his time to the preparation of his upcoming motocross campaign, it send a clear signal to his peers: the chase for the titles was reopened. It also mean that other racers had suddenly the possibility to shine on the famed circuit Yvon Duhamel course where another great will be miss this year: Blair Morgan who has simply been the king of Valcourt over the last decade.

The Saskatchewan native who has been severely injured at the Montréal Supercross in September will in fact be the undisputed missing star at the 27^th Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. Morgan fascinated the Valcourt crowd over the years and earned there eight wins since 1999. Mike Schultz who has seen his career end in December at Ironwood, Michigan and Québec’s Mathieu Morin, currently injured are other drivers that the Ski-Doo won’t be able to line up this year on his home turf starting line. Without Morgan, Schultz and Morin, American Robbie Malinowski and Québec’s Dave Allard will be the entries of the Ski-Doo team in the Pro classes. Allard who regularly makes his way into the finals, earned a 5^th and a 7^th place finishes at the most recent ISOC series event, over the last weekend in State of New York. Malinowski provided excitement to the Ski-Doo team as he finished second to Hibbert at the recent X-Games. Following the Games, the Minnesota driver who had a slow start earlier in December, earned a 6^th place in Brainerd but missed one of the two finals in the Finger Lakes event last week. 

If Allard and Malinowski may have as legitimate objective to record good showings in both Pro classes for Ski-Doo at Valcourt - especially when the brand holds its 50^thAnniversary celebration -, other drivers already well-positioned in the standings have seen the leader’s premature retirement as “the” opportunity to surpass him and earn a, if not two titles. With 38 points available for each race, shortly Hibbert will slip in the standings. In fact, after one weekend without him, the Pro Open standings are now showing Levi LaVallee and T.J. Gulla, both on Polaris, even in 2^nd place with 142 points, just six points short of Hibbert current position. Brett Turcotte (128 points) and Ryan Simons (121 points), both Arctic Cat drivers are following. Ross Martin (86 points), last year’s winner in Valcourt is eleventh. All of these drivers reached the podium steps this season. LaVallee also concluded the X-Games final in 4^th place, ahead of Simons and Québec’s Allard.

In Pro Super Stock, LaVallee, now only one point behind Hibbert is 12 points ahead of Garth Kaufman (Arctic Cat), 28 points from Alberta’s Ryan Simons and Idaho’s veteran Shaun Crapo. LaVallee, from Longville, Minnesota, has been the most regular with presences at the podium at each of the five first rounds.

Following the qualifying heats earlier in the day, the Pro Super Stock final will be the main feature of Saturday February 21, at the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. The Pro Open final is scheduled to be the last feature of the event’s 27^th edition, Sunday February 22.

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THE AMSOIL ISOC SNOCROSS SERIES DRIVERS EXPECTED IN VALCOURT

#       Driver                        Team                          

   2    Steve Taylor           Yamaha Factory Snocross    Yamaha  
   3    Shaun Crapo          Amsoil US Air Force             Polaris          
   4    Robbie Malinoski    Boss Racing                         Ski-Doo          
   6    Carl Schubitzke      Team Arctic Cat                    Arctic Cat      
  16    Brett Turcotte        Christian Brothers Racing      Arctic Cat     
  19    Brett Bender          Hentges Racing                     Polaris          
  25    DJ Eckstrom           Amsoil US Air Force              Polaris          
  44    TJ Gulla                Hentges Racing                     Polaris          
  48    Garth Kaufman      Christian Brothers Racing      Arctic Cat 
  51    Matt Piche             Christian Brothers Racing       Arctic Cat 
  58    Matt Judnick          Judnick Motorsports                Polaris
  67    Ryan Simons         HC Racing                              Arctic Cat 
  93    Iain Hayden           Yamaha Factory Snocross      Yamaha 
  99    Zach Pattyn           Warnert Racing                       Ski-Doo  
108     Levi LaVallee       Hentges Racing                      Polaris  
119     Parker Brown         No Limits Racing LLC             Polaris 
167     Dave Allard           Boss Racing                            Ski-Doo 
255     Andrew Johnstad  Avalanche Racing                   Polaris 
837     Ross Martin           Judnick Motorsports                 Polaris

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It is still possible to order tickets for the 27^th Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt.  General admission is at $ 10 for Friday, February 20, at $ 20 for either Saturday or Sunday, February 21 or 22. Three-day admission is at $ 55. Indoor heated suite passes (now in limited numbers) are still offered at $130 for the three days. All prices include taxes. It is possible to order by phone until Wednesday February 18, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 1 866 532-7453. Packages including accommodation are still available. Tickets will also be on sale at circuit Yvon Duhamel ticket office, opening at 8 :00 am, Friday, February 20. For more information, visit www.grandprixvalcourt.com