The When does it all start for the next race?
By Ric Federau, Contributing Writer
You know, it’s hard to believe it’s September already. Where did the summer go? You know what? A lot of people ask us “when do preparations start” for the international 500 snowmobile race. You may be surprised at this but preparations start immediately following the completion of the last race. The fact is over the past 56 years the race has grown to a point whereby there’s really no time off. As soon as the race is over, the. Management team and board of directors commences planning immediately for the next year’s week-long series of events hosted at the International 500.
The I-500 board of directors meet on a regular monthly basis. They’re strategically planning for what lies ahead moving from season to season, whereby weather conditions become a factor for getting things accomplished. Things like improvements to the venue are discussed along with seeking help from volunteers who collectively get things done before weather makes it impossible. Generally speaking, this starts with our ground crew and our track building committee. As spring approaches their priorities are to get the equipment ready so the venue can be mowed and improvements accomplished as deemed necessary. With all this being mentioned, let’s take a look at what last year’s winter looked like as we approached the 55th running of the I-500, which is hosted the first Saturday in February every year. If you’re a winter sports enthusiast you’ll recall how cruel Mother Nature was to everybody when it came to outdoor winter sports activities. Didn’t matter where you lived be it here in Michigan or anywhere throughout the Midwest. There just wasn’t any snow and temperatures were higher than normal everywhere. Obviously, this made it tough for snowmobile racing as you can imagine. Races were cancelled throughout the midwest and into Canada.
Enter the International 500 snowmobile endurance race at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Did I mention we don’t race on snow? So… in your face Mother Nature because you kept it cold enough just in time for the I-500 world class track building crew to do their magic.
These people are the best of the best when it comes to building the only mile oval ice track in North America. Our outstanding crew has decades of experience building the most prestigious snowmobile race track in the world. They know exactly what it takes and they follow Mother Nature’s path right up to the main event. They know when to get things roll’n. Fact is…. last February this track crew only had a thirteen day window to get the track built for I-500 race week. Now mind you…. We’re talking about a total volunteer organization whereby these volunteers work day and night round the clock dropping enough water to make the giant oval ice track so it will last the duration of race week through the main I-500 event. Six consecutive days of sleds being on the track with the sixth day being the main 500 mile race. They are all amazing people…. the track held UP all week thanks to these people working day in and day out prior to and during race week.
The volunteers are the back-bone of the I-500. Without these people coming out as volunteers and giving their own time and effort, this race wouldn’t be possible. In addition to the volunteers who help, there’s a team of experienced veteran track builders who’ve been volunteering for years on end. Track building guru’s Eric Fountain, Johnny Babcock and Bill Cryderman are the committee leaders. This team helps direct the volunteers and together they make magic. The I-500 was the only snowmobile endurance race which had enough ice to handle a week-long series of on track use by teams qualifying and mid-week races. Yet the track still had enough ice to finish the famous 500 mile I-500 race. For the spectators,the bonus from Mother Nature was clear …… it was a spectators race. With temps in the mid-to upper fourties, the fans could and did actually watch the race with coats unzipped and without gloves.Something almost totally unheard of for mid winter weather.
Speaking of volunteers and the International 500, YOU can become a volunteer as well. Join in and have fun with all the other volunteers who come together. It’s a good thing to have on one’s resume, it’s a good to be a part of the community and something so fun. You can visit our I-500 web site for more information on how YOU can become a volunteer for the I-500 at: www.i-500.com and click on the volunteer link. We take care of our volunteers providing food and fun during the whole week long series of events.
Over this summer the I-500 board of directors has been traveling on a “I-500 summer tour” to promote the sport of oval ice endurance racing and the I-500 race. Folks, y’all have heard me say it before… “Racing doesn’t stop when the leaves fall”. That’s why during the summer tour we visited over 12 different auto race venues throughout the State of Michigan. If you’re a true race fan, don’t let the Fall season be the end of racing. We encourage you to “Come on UP “ and enjoy professional snowmobile racing second to none with the best of the best when it comes to teams and drivers coming together in a competitive manner. A full field of thirty-eight sleds racing at speeds over 100mph and only split seconds apart. The excitement is yours to enjoy! By the way… did I mention the I-500 has heated hospitality areas with food and beverages? In addition, there is a vendor area and you can purchase Hot-Seats as well.
Again… for additional information about the International 500, visit our website at: www.i-500.com. In the furure months to come as we approach the Fall & Winter seasons, we’ll be ramp’n UP on I-500 articles and information. We hope you’ll follow us and enjoy the stories we have to offer.
This my friend is where the I-500 starts and never ends… When the last race is over, we just keep on keep’n on with preparations for the next most exciting snowmobile endurance known worldwide as the Grand-Daddy of them all…. The SOO International 500. •
Until next time…..
“It’s all left turns from here…”