Chris Furkey, Team Owner
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport:
There’s been snowmobiles in our family as long as I can remember. The first photo of me on a sled is on my grandparents 1965 Polaris Mustang. I still have that sled. The racing bug I think began when I was 13 years old. The Sunday after watching my very first I-500 with my Dad and Grandfather, they brought me back over across the border to the Soo track with my trail sled and let me loose on the track. That’s when I knew I’d be racing some day at the I-500.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track:
I started racing in my twenties at the local drags, hill climbs, CSRA Snocross, snow ovals. Anything that involved snow & racing I was into it. Ice oval racing started later in 1996. I raced the MIRA Enduro’s with Shawn Ritchie aboard an Arctic Cat ZRT. In 1997 I wanted to build my own race sled. With alot of help from friends & family including my brother Cory, we finished 6th that year at the I-500. In 2004 Cory & I teamed with John & Matt Hoos #67 to win the I-500 that year.
What is your career goal as owners:
I had been retired for many years after 2004 with reaching the goal of having an I-500 win under my belt. I started racing Vintage sleds in the G.L.A.S.S. series. Ryan McCaig, our daughter’s boyfriend showed alot of interest in this. He came from a hockey background and trail riding. This was something totally different for him. He tried it and was hooked! He was a “natural”!! We moved onto M.I.R.A with the ice ovals and haven’t looked back since. We missed 2020-2021 due to COVID when they closed the Canada/US border but managed to watch Eagle River from the garage. It was torture lol. Our goal now is to provide Ryan with a M.I.R.A. Championship and Soo I-500 win.
What were the driving factors to start the race team: (again)
Cory and I started C & C Racing when we were snocrossing in 1995. We were both after the adrenaline rush I guess you could say. We then changed it to Furkey Racing #54. Many races were raced back in those years. After being retired from enduro racing for years we got back into it. Ryan wanted to try it after vintage racing and here we are again. It couldn’t happen without the support from our families, friends & sponsors and the many racers that have raced with Ryan over the years.
Cory Furkey, Owner/Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport:
I got interested in racing after our grandfather brought us to the I-500 year after year when we were kids. We collected beer cans for “candy money” at the Big Pickle Duty Free.
In 1995 Chris and I raced snocross. In 1996 my big brother Chris let me ride his ZRT600 in the ProAm races….after winning the very first race I entered, I was definitely hooked !!
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track:
In 2004 winning the I-500 with the Hoos #67 but also leading for several laps swapping 1st place back and forth with Todd Krikke and also being a member of the 90mph Club at the Soo.
What is your career goal as owners:
To win the I-500 again!
What were the driving factors to start the race team: (again)
Keeping the tradition going, recognizing talent with our team as sled builders and introducing new blood….Kegger
Ryan McCaig (Kegger), Owner/Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport:
My Dad got me into snowmobiling when I was young. My parents got me my own snowmachine when I was 4 years old and have been riding ever since. Little did I know I would one day be racing.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track:
The racing began when I met my girlfriend Jaimie. Her Dad, Chris Furkey and her uncle, Cory Furkey were long time racers. Chris was vintage racing and asked if I wanted to try it. He didn’t have to ask twice. Things progressed quickly and that’s when we decided to build a new enduro sled. Some of the proudest moments I have in my snowmobiling career was the ability to build my own sled with Chris & Cory out of a sled that I used to trail ride. Another proud moment was finishing 2nd in Lincoln with the first sled we ever built.
What is your career goal:
My goal is to be able to win races in M.I.R.A. and of course the I-500. The Furkey’s won the I-500 before with the Hoos #67 and my dream would be for us to win again!
How did you become part of this racing team:
I became part of this team when I started dating my girlfriend. Her Dad and Uncle had raced for many years in the I-500 and other racing circuits. They were retired except for the vintage G.L.A.S.S. series and it snowballed from there.before we knew it they were out of retirement and the enduro racing was back on. They taught me the ropes and I fell in love with the sport. I’m happy to carry on the tradition and race team. •
Great article. Nice to learn more about the Furkey racing team. They’re a class act with their dedication, determination, and the respect they have for the sport itself and their competitors.
very awesome story i know the family well they are true blue racers with a generational family on both sides of their family tree absolutely amazing careers in this sport great to see
Good article. Great people. Good luck! Miss the ☠️