Race Report - Epping

Heading into the final round of the 2010 Eastern Watercross Series at Epping, NH #99 Matt Schebaum was in the midst of a 3-4 rider battle atop the Semi-Pro season points standings.  Strong finishes were going to be needed at the biggest race of the season to follow his points boost a few weeks prior at Norwood.

The weather in October in Epping, New Hampshire, about 25 minutes inland from the shores of the North Atlantic; is unpredictable.  In years past, rain and cold became distractions from the racing, but this year's forecast called for sunshine and decent temperatures, allowing everyone to focus on the task at hand.

Epping is a unique track.  Located right in the middle of all the action that takes place during the huge 3-day snowmobile event which includes grass drags, Rave-X freestyle shows, tons of vendors and displays from all 4 manufacturers; the course is a hybrid of pin-to-pin short track racing broken up in turn one with a 2-stage corner around a flat island.  The grass bank around 2/3 of the pond makes for great stadium style spectating.

Saturday

This race typically draws the largest number of racer entries of the season in almost every class and throughout the day Saturday during the 3-round qualifying session, Matt Schebaum took numerous wins qualifying 3rd in the 600 Semi-Pro Oval class.  Out of lane 3 in the 5-man Final, he took the lead on lap 3 and ran away to his 3rd consecutive Semi-Pro 600 Final win of the season.  In the Semi-Pro 800 class, Matt qualified just outside the Top 5 and didn't make the final.

600 Semi Pro Ovals - #99 Matt Schebaum - 1st

Sunday

Qualifying in both the Semi Pro 600 & 800 classes went well for #99 on Sunday as he qualified 2nd and 4th for Lane 2 in the 600 Final and Lane 4 in the 8's.  Spray from the sled on the inside of Matt got the best of his Ski Doo in the first turn of the 600 Final and he was forced to watch the rest of the race from the water. He would eventually be awarded 5th out of 6 as another rider was DQ'd for riding on and back off the island later in the race.

Shortly after he and his sled were retrieved and dried out as quick as possible, Matt was back on the line in the Semi Pro 800 Final.  From what seemed to be a mechanical issue stemming from going down minutes earlier, an engine bog put Matt down in almost the same place as the race earlier.  Again Matt took a 5th as he made it farther then another rider who wiped out off the start.

600 Semi-Pro Ovals - #99 Matt Schebaum - 5th

800 Semi-Pro Ovals - #99 Matt Schebaum - 5th

Also, the Camoplast East/West Challenge was held Sunday in Epping where Eastern Pro racer Kevin Hunter #28 went 2-1 in the two race (1 left, 1 right) challenge to take the win on his Ski Doo XP.

Photos Nicole Boyce