The Campivallensian driver won the Hydro 350 class final at the controls of the “RTX Racing” H-773” to win a first coronation in 13 seasons of racing in the HRL.
Martin Rochon dominated the final event from start to finish after starting in the inside lane following his victory in the 2C qualification. The winner was 2.3 seconds ahead of another runner from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Frédéric Couturier, who took 2e rank aboard the “Hydroïd/HMS” H-14 while Yannick Léger completed the podium in the “Supernova” H-21.
“I was able to win a few finals on the American circuit (APBA) but this is actually my first in HRL,” he told The Regional Voice the rider who was nevertheless among the fastest in his career on the motorboat sport scene after having been a champion in karting.
“What a great moment for me and my whole team. A great feeling. It’s been a lot of times that we’ve been close and this time, things worked out in our favor. There’s a fine line between getting to the first corner first and getting ahead of the start,” said the man who was given the nickname “Rock On” by announcers Jeff Ayler and Brad Luce following his performances at the Detroit Regatta.
Martin Rochon wanted to thank his long-time partner, Toomas Leesnurm, his team leader Jean-François Rhéaume, his two daughters, his girlfriend Claude as well as his engine designer Yves Primeau. “Thanks to Primeau Performance for a great engine and above all, the new one which will be ready for the Valleyfield Regattas,” he praised.
Frédéric Couturier, first in the ranking
In the finale at Brockville, Karl St-Vincent seemed destined for another podium at the wheel of the “Bull Shark Racing” H-37 but he was pushed back from 3e at 5e position due to a penalty for changing lanes at the start (P9). Richard Haineault finished 4e in the “Novo Racing” H-2 while Joe Less got ahead of the start with the “Cents Less” 14 and had to settle for 6e place. Eric McKenna stopped in the middle of the course and tried to get back into the race aboard “La Bête Noire” H-999 but he did not collect any points.
Four qualifying events were run and Eric McKenna won twice (1A, 2A) while Frédéric Couturier (1B) and Karl St-Vincent (2B) were the other winners.
Following the races held in Brockville, it is Frédéric Couturier who occupies the lead in the championship with the “Hydroid/HMS” H-14, closely followed by Eric McKenna. Here is the ranking ahead of the 84th Regattas of Valleyfield:
Frédéric Couturier H-14 242 points
Eric McKenna H-999 232 points
Richard Haineault H-2 218 points
Karl St-Vincent H-37 200 points
Danny Léger H-666 180 points
Yannick Léger H-21 179 points
Paul Barber H-52 176 points
Joe Less H-500 166 points
Kent Henderson H-519 162 points
Tommy Shannon H-306 154 points
Martin Rochon H-772 148 points
Tyler Kaddatz H-195 143 points
Patrick Haworth H-924 141 points
Michael Tremblay H-8 109 points
Bobby King H-242 108 points
Louis-A. Beaudoin H-113 79 points
François Leroux H-447 78 points
Marc Lecompte H-104 70 points
Andrew Tate H-300 0 points
