Behind the Counter: Liz Jackson

Liz Jackson certainly meets a customer’s expectations of a receptionist at Rootz Salon — friendly, organized, easy-going and well-dressed.

So torque, power, competitiveness and a motorized sprint across a snow-covered landscape may not be the first thing that comes to mind. 

But it wouldn’t be so far off as Jackson is a former champion in Snocross, a popular form of snowmobile racing.

“I love the competitiveness of it and, of course, being outside,” Jackson said.

For much of the 1990s, Jackson competed in an East Coast Circuit with Rock Maple Racing at various events in states like New York, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Each year some 14 races would be held from January to April, and Jackson and her husband Gordon would be out all weekend with qualifying rounds on Saturday and races on Sunday. Gordon, also an avid outdoor lover, raced and kept the snowmobiles running.

The races were fun and could often mean a little extra money, $150 for a third-place finish, $300 for second and $500 for first place. A championship netted $1,000. It was a nice little bonus on top of the outdoor competition. 

“The winnings were well worth it,” she said. 

And she had much success, even being featured in publications dedicated to the sport. In 1999, Jackson was even a women’s season champion.

Although the meets were very family-oriented, Jackson ended up stopping in 2000 when her second son Cole was born. 

But snowmobiling is something she still enjoys and the family likes to head north north during February vacations and long winter weekends.

And her sons Mitchell and Cole, now 11 and 14, are impressed with Jackson’s past feats.

“They think it’s cool,” she said.

Jackson said racing is demanding and requires staying in shape year round. However, she said, if the pieces all fell into place, she would definitely love to take another shot at the sport.

“I would do it in a heartbeat,” she said.