Peterson 3rd, Lieders Double Gold and Bester 4th in Empire State 🏁

6 days ago5 min read

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - The Snocross Series was excited to be back with its 11th visit to the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino in Salamanca, New York. The Empire State was the host for Rounds 8 and 9 and with one of the larger tracks we have seen at Salamanca, racers and race-fans alike were in for some bar-to-bar racing in Salamanca.

FRIDAY: ROUND 8 (PRO)

Under the lights, Friday Night for Round 8 Triple Crown Round 1 the riders had their work cut out for them, with the challenge of snow-dusty conditions in the deep and unpredictable track in New York. As the green light when for the first Pro race of the night, the race got off to a tough start for both riders as a questionable pre-jump on the start resulted in a delayed reaction and both riders came off of the line towards the back of the back. Despite a difficult opening, Bester, starting in 10th, and Peterson, starting in 13th, both riders keep charging forward. As the race progressed, both riders rode with great determination and Bester finished out in an impressive 5th and Peterson in a notable 7th.

Under the lights for Round 2, Bester and Peterson shot out of the gates on their Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sleds with Bester in 5th and Peterson in 7th after the first corner. By the halfway point of the 8-minute plus 2-lap race, positions swapped, with Peterson in 6th and Bester in 7th. With 2 minutes remaining, Peterson surged to 4th and Bester to 5th, battling hard for a top 3 finish. On the final lap, Peterson made a textbook pass to secure 3rd, while Bester finished in 5th.

Heading into Round 3 of the Triple Crown, and the final race of the day, Peterson and Bester were tied with 10 points, sitting 4th and 5th overall. Both riders had a strong start, with Peterson on the inside making a quick move into 3rd and Bester close behind in 4th. Riding aggressively, smart, and consistently, they held their positions throughout the race. Peterson finished the night in the awesome 3rd, securing a podium spot, while Bester came in 4th, earning an excellent overall 4th place for Round 8. Congratulations to Adam on his 3rd place podium finish!

PETERSON: 7-3-3 (3th Overall) 🥉BESTER: 5–5-4 (4th Overall)

SATURDAY: ROUND 9 (PRO)

After an exciting Podium finish and 4th place from the night before in New York, Peterson and Bester were on the hunt for similar results for Day 2, Round 9 on Saturday. As the green light went for the first race of the night in New York, Peterson and Bester ripped out of the gates in their Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sleds and going into the first corner, Peterson stayed inside and took over the first place spot while Bester was close behind in 3rd. As the action packed race went on, Peterson was moved back to second but continued to put on pressure and was able to pass again for the lead, while Bester dropped back to 9th. At the half way point Peterson continued in the first place spot and was able to get a 2.5 second lead against the rest of the stacked field. As the race progressed and the track continued to change lap-by-lap, Peterson rode incredibly strong and took his first Triple Crown Round win (which was later deducted 3 positions for jumping under a yellow flag) and Bester maintained his position and finished out in 9th.

For the 2nd Triple Crown race, both riders had a great start off of the line with Bester coming in the number two position and Peterson in 3rd, both riders hunting down the number 1 spot. As clock was winding down, things were heating up track-side as Bester staying consistent in 2nd and Peterson had to battle for the 3rd place spot. With two minutes left to go, Bester maintained in the excellent 2nd place spot and Peterson had an unfortunate mishap moving him back to the 8th place spot. Bester was able to keep his amazing 2nd place finish and Peterson bumped up one spot up to 7th.

As the Pro Sleds lined up for the Final Triple Crown Race in New York, Bester was sitting in the 5th place spot points-wise and Peterson was right behind 6th. As the green light went, Bester rocketed out of the gates on his Team LaVallee, Polaris, Red Bull sled (earning himself the Stud Boy hotshot award) and was sitting in the first place spot. Peterson had a great jump off of the start but was pushed back to the 10th place spot. With the intense 8 minute plus one lap race to go, Bester had the challenge of the entire field hunting him down, sitting in the first place spot. As Bester rode a strong, determined and consistent race, with one minute plus one lap to go, Bester was passed and fell back to the 3rd place spot and Peterson was up to 8. As the checkered flags flew, Bester finished out in the impressive 3rd place spot and Peterson rounded out the weekend in 8th. As the scored were tallied for the overall, Bester finished Round 9 in 4th and Peterson in 5th. Congrats to both riders for an overall awesome weekend in New York!

PETERSON: 4-7-8 (5th Overall) BESTER: 9–2-3 (4th Overall)

PRO POINTS STANDINGS: With the successes over the weekend, Peterson jumped to 3rd Place and Bester jumped up to 6th!

PRO AM PLUS 30 (LIEDERS) ROUND 7 & 8

PRO AM Plus 2023 CHAMPION, Andy Lieders, had picture-perfect weekend of racing in Salamanca, NY, with winning each qualifying round on both Friday and Saturday and winning each respective final. Lieders and his Team LaVallee, Polaris sled continued to rip impressive holeshots all throughout the 2-day National and was able to take double gold in the Empire State, congratulations Andy!

FRIDAY: ROUND 7 (PRO AM PLUS 30)

Round 1 Lieders: 1st

Round 2 Lieders: 1st

FINAL: 1st 🥇

SATURDAY: ROUND 8 (PRO AM PLUS 30)

Round 1 Lieders: 1st

Round 2 Lieders: 1st

FINAL: 1st 🥇

PRO AM PLUS 30 POINTS STANDINGS: Lieders: 1st

JR 14-15 & SPORT LITE (MORAS) ROUND 7 & 8

After success in the first half of the season and with a weekend off from Valcourt, Moras was eager for Salamanca. Racing in both the JR 14-15 and Sport Lite classes, Moras overall had a very strong and consistent weekend. Over the course of the 2-day National, Moras was able to get up on the box on Saturday in the Jr 14/15 Class and secured an excellent 2nd place finish! Congrats, Cody, keep up this momentum for Elk River!

FRIDAY: ROUND 7 (JR 14-15 & SPORT LITE)

JR 14-15

Round 1 Moras: 3rd

Round 2 Moras: 7th

FINAL: 6th

SPORT LITE

Round 1 Moras: 2nd

Round 2 Moras: 2nd

FINAL: 15th

SATURDAY: ROUND 8 (JR 14-15 & SPORT LITE)

JR 14-15

Round 1 Moras: 3rd