By Ric Federau, Contributing Writer
Once again the International 500 from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is taking the “International 500 Pure-Michigan” Summer tour on the road. The International 500 aims to give true race fans the opportunity to enjoy high-octane racing entertainment year-round. If you’re reading this article, you’ve already committed yourself to joining the fan driven racing community. All true race fans possess a competitive spirit and enjoy racing regardless of the season. The objective of the International 500 summer tour is to bridge seasonal summer auto racing with winter snowmobile endurance racing. Auto racing usually ends in late fall, which is when winter racing is just getting started. The “I-500 Pure-Michigan” summer tour was developed to keep race fans informed and interested in following racing excitement from Auto racing into professional Snowmobile racing. The summer promotional tour embarks on Michigan-based auto racing venues to promote the sport of professional snowmobile racing and the “International 500” race hosted at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the first Saturday in February each year.
The “International 500 Summer Tour” is paying off for thousands of race fans eager to learn more about the Sport of snowmobile oval ice endurance racing and what the International 500 offers as “Michigan’s Premier Winter Sporting Event.”
Race fans attending the various auto race venues throughout Michigan will find visiting the I-500 promotional booth very interesting and informative. What can you expect when visiting the International 500 booth at the auto race venues?
You’ll learn the I-500 is a week long collaboration of racing excitement leading UP to the main 500 mile race, hosted, as mentioned, on the first Saturday in February fans will meet with International 500 Board members and associates eager to share extensive information about the I-500 race and the sport of oval ice endurance racing. Throughout the tour stops fans can meet professional snowmobile race drivers and get autographs. There’s usually a oval ice endurance race vehicle at the venues visited. It’s very interesting to actually see one of these extremely fast race machines up close. Drivers are also on site at various times to answer questions.
Oh, by the way…. did I mention the I-500 is the only professional race in the world hosted by 57 years of volunteers working together to make the race possible? That… the International 500 Board of Directors is adamant about dedicating a portion of the International 500 schedule of events as a means to give back to those who serve our country.
Over the past several years the International 500 tour has visited many race tracks around the State of Michigan. From locally owned and operated race tracks to NASCAR sanctioned venues, the International 500 has found the tour to be well received and promoted with support from auto race venues and fans who truly enjoy competitive, professional racing. Racing is racing, it’s the reason the International 500 Board of Directors recognized that true race fans will appreciate, follow and share information about the strong effort needed when “Bridging” the gap between summer and winter racing. After all ….. Racing doesn’t stop when the leaves fall. Fans can enjoy the excitement year-round!
Let’s continue as I present the “International 500 Pure-Michigan” Summer tour traveling schedule.
Stop #1: June 5, 6 & 7 – We’re at Michigan International Speedway located in Brooklyn, Michigan. This stop is scheduled every year on the first weekend in June to kick-off the NASCAR racing season. This is the perfect spot to promote the I-500 and oval ice endurance racing. Thousands of race fans visit the I-500 booth to learn more about the sport of snowmobile oval ice endurance racing and more! Much information is shared about the I-500 and the week-long series of events leading UP to the main 500 mile snowmobile race. The collaboration of bringing summer and winter racing to the forefront of race fan awarness is paying off. More and more race fans are tuning into the week-long series of events hosted at the I-500 race by following and sharing the I-500 social media information and details about the sport of oval ice endurance racing.
Stop #2: June 26th – Owosso Speedway, located between Ovid, Michigan and Owosso, Michigan on M-21. Birthplace of the International 500 Summer Tour. “Masters of the Pro’s” 200. Owosso Speedway is fast becoming recognized as one of the nation’s most exciting short track venues. A Sponsor of the International 500 race and a collaborating partner in promoting the bridging of summer and winter racing for ALL race fans to enjoy.
Stop #4: Aug. 12th – Berlin Racway, located in Marnie, Michigan. The “Tenton 250” Battle at Berlin. This is a BIG one folks. A NASCAR affiliate venue!
Stop #5: Aug. 21st – I-96 Speedway, located between Lansing & Grand Rapids. “All-Star Circuit of Champions.” A first year return visit for the International Summer Tour.
Stop #6: T.B.D. – Owosso Speedway, located between Ovid, Michigan and Owosso, Michigan on M-21. “Owosso Nationals.” A return Summer Tour visit.
Stop # 7: T.B.D. – Whittemore Race Track, located at Whittemore, Michigan. Michigan’s oldest operational race venue. Visit Whittemore
@Whittemorespeedway.org for additional information.
The International 500 wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for the collaboration between all auto race venues, past and present, who have partnered with the I-500 to provide true race fans with the opportunity to enjoy high-octane racing entertainment and to learn more about the Grand-Daddy of all snowmobile races, the “International 500,” hosted at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the first Saturday in February every year.
NOW… is the time to make plans for attending the 2027 running of the International 500 Snowmobile Race.
For MORE I-500 information, visit the I-500 social media site at: www.i-500.com to learn more about this spectacular world-class event
Until next time……
It’s “ALL LEFT TURNS FROM HERE”…. •
