If you know anything about NASCAR, you know that it originated in the south and has roots in running moonshine. It's growing into a sensation that has fanatical followers who love the drivers as much as they love the speed of the races and the spectacle of the sport.
Here in the Upper Peninsula, there is a small amount of automobile racing, but nothing at the level of NASCAR. Of course, those NASCAR locations have nothing like we have: snowmobile racing.
The king of the snowmobile races in the Upper Peninsula is none other than the
I-500 International Snowmobile Race, which will be held in Sault Ste. Marie this year come February 5.
The race, which is entering its 43rd year, was conceived in the dead of winter in 1968 with the thought of putting together an event that mirrored the Indianapolis 500, but for snowmobiles. Within a half a year, the I-500 committee has been created and land was acquired, an engineer had drawn up the track specifics and the plan was underway. The track was formed on an old creek bed of gravel and clay, which was originally developed during World War II as an ammunition dump. Back then, sports writers wondered if a snowmobile would make it 200 miles, let alone 500. But they would, and they did, as Dan Planck proved it with a very exhausted Ski Doo to become the first winner.
Since then, the race has grown in leaps and bounds. From a few dozen spectators to having hotels booked as far south as Gaylord, the I-500 has turned into the premier snowmobile race and into what is considered one of the largest, if not the largest, events in the Upper Peninsula.
The work that goes into the event, outside of the marketing and administration, is staggering--especially since every member of the I-500 team is a volunteer. Take the track as an example: The transformation from a typical empty site into a snowmobile racing track is an impressive one. According to I-500 volunteers, it takes three full weeks and 1,800,000 gallons of water to make the track. Water is transported via 8,000-gallon tanker truck from a hydrant in the pit area and spread around the track to create the perfect snowmobile racing environment.
How well does the track work? Well, snowmobiles fire up to over 100 miles per hour on straightaways (far faster than the 50-some miles per hour of the original sleds), stirring the spectators into a frenzy and displaying the awesome power of these northern machines. That's a far cry from the first years of the race, which featured stock snowmobiles that traveled at speeds that were slow enough that spectators were known to walk across the track between machines driving by.
This year, that pedestrian crossing couldn't even be imagined as the racers fire up their customized machined that are built, quite simply, for speed and handling.
The event has also truly turned into a family-friendly affair. For example, 2011 will mark the first year that the I-500 will feature an open skate night, which will take place Jan. 31 starting at 7 p.m. The track, which is North America's only mile oval snowmobile race track, will be groomed to smooth conditions for ice skating. Refreshments like hot dogs and chili will be available on-site. Both skating and refreshments are free to those in attendance.
And if that weren't enough to promote families, the I-500 committee requests that race teams allow children and families to view their equipment, trailers and racers as part of a guided tour by I-500 board members.
From a simple dream of some Sault businessmen who wanted to test the endurance of snowmobiles to a world-class race and a family event, the I-500 is no doubt one of the best events the Upper Peninsula has to offer.
Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of the U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He can be reached via email.
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