TOGO, Sask. — As it was promoted, snowmobiles lined the streets of Togo on Feb. 23 when riders were preparing to ride on “two of the greatest trails in the Parkland” during the Togo Snowmobile Derby and the Iron Dog Vintage Derby.
Originally planned for Feb. 16, the derbies were rescheduled to the following Sunday because of extreme cold weather.
“We had a good turnout with a total of 151 sleds registered,” said Togo Mayor Loretta Erhardt, who was an organizer of the event. This included 68 vintage and 83 regular sleds.
“Having had to reschedule the derby from last weekend due to the extreme weather, the organizers are happy with the turnout,” Erhardt said.
Feedback from participants was positive, she said. Comments included: great trails, a great day, and “we enjoyed the ride.”
“Of course, definitely the weather, with the temperature hovering around zero, helped,” she said. There were no adverse incidents and no accidents, everything worked well.
The Togo Snowmobile Derby started in 2008, while an event called the Makaroff Vintage Derby, an event jointly conducted by snowmobiling enthusiasts in the Manitoba communities of Roblin and Makaroff, with machines that were usually 30 years old or older, had begun in 2004, said information provided by Amanda Burback, an organizer. In 2015, it was decided that the Togo Centennial Committee would take over the Makaroff Vintage Derby. It was renamed the Iron Dog Vintage Derby, as had been suggested by brothers Pete and Dennis Mysko of Manitoba.
“Pete, Dennis and crew had been the organizers of the Makaroff Vintage Derby,” the information said.
The trail for the 80-kilometre Togo Snowmobile Derby started in Togo and then took snowmobilers north to Boomerang Lake, and then they looped back to Togo, it said. The second half of the trail continued south of Togo and looped around into “some pretty valley scenery” and ended in Togo again. Maps were available from the registration table at the Togo arena.
The Iron Dog Vintage Derby also started and ended in Togo. The trail was 48 kilometres (30 miles) “of exciting and scenic terrain.” Riders were required to leave between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon to prevent two-way traffic. Lunch was available to purchase at the Iron Dog Cabin, which is the halfway point. Participants could also choose a shortcut option. Maps were available from the registration table at the arena.
Many volunteers are responsible for making and maintaining the snowmobile trails.
“These guys not only blaze through snowbanks and bush lines in the winter, but they also take time in the summer to perform maintenance on the trail, especially the trail for the vintage derby,” the information said. “They level ground, clear trees, and widen the trail for the groomer to pass through easily in the winter.
“The regular derby, with modern machines, is better on an ungroomed trail, but a lot of time, care and attention is spent on the best possible scenic trail, complete with directional, warning and stop signs along the way.
“It is a lot of work,” it said. “Every year riders from both, the regular derby and vintage derby, return raving about the trails which is known as the most scenic ride available.
“The trail never disappoints and always amazes, even those who attend every year.”
During the derby, it was expected the kitchen at the Togo arena would serve approximately 200 pancake breakfasts and will fry close to 360 burgers for lunch.
“We spend quite a bit of time planning for the food to be top-notch. Our kitchen staff is extremely talented and absolutely amazing.
“Our registration volunteers work mercilessly before the event, collecting prizes and arranging them on the raffle table,” it said. “There were more than 40 prizes displayed, with each one worth at least $100.”
Many members of the community volunteer to organize and stage the event, it said. “It’s an entire community effort, and all members of the Village of Togo council are included in the list of volunteers.
“I can't even begin to list all of the individuals and businesses who donate items or money to the event,” it said. “It's easily over 100.
“For such a large group of people, we work really well together to make this event a smash hit and memorable for everyone,” the information said. “We want people to make sure to schedule us on their seasonal snowmobile circuit.”
Getting ready to participate in the Iron Dog vintage snowmobile derby at Togo Feb. 23, Terry Bonnor of Pilot Butte received help removing his 1971 Arctic Cat Puma from the trailer from his son Blake Jacy of Kelvington. | Photos by William Koreluik
Doug Ruf of Yorkton, on his 1976 Sno Jet SST, said he didn’t think he had ever missed attending an Iron Dog vintage snowmobile rally at Togo.
Attending the snowmobile derby at Togo on Feb. 23 were Jared Buzinski, left, of Yorkton, and his brother Travis Buzinski of Churchbridge.
At rest before heading out on the trail of the Togo Snowmobile Derby Feb. 23, from left, were Roblin, Man. residents: Justus Johnson, Jamie Paul, Dylan Laliberte and Rex Taylor.
Snowmobiles, both vintage and up-to-date, lined the parking lot next to the Togo Centennial Arena Feb. 23 as owners registered and enjoyed breakfast before heading out onto the more than 100 kilometres of prepared trails for the Togo Snowmobile and Iron Dog Vintage Derby.
