The 12th annual Saltcoats Vintage Snowmobile 100 Mile Race went ahead despite some concerns about snow conditions earlier in the week. Saltcoats fire chief and race coordinator Harry Smith says the event, which started as a fund raising project for the Saltcoats volunteer fire department 12 years ago, has raised close to $50,000 during that time, for fire department equipment and resources.
Smith admits to some concern over the lack of snow initially which almost forced cancellation of this year's race. "The end result was the guys'll race on dirt if they have to," Smith chuckles.
This year competing sleds must be 1974 and older single cylinder snowmobiles.
One of the original, if not the original races of vintage sleds has been joined over the years by similar events around the province, Smith notes.
This year he reports 27 competitors showed up to race from as far away as Minnesota. This year Yorkton seemed to be the northern limit to send racers, Smith notes.
The race ran 100 miles around a 3.3 mile course, making it a 33 lap race at Saltcoats Regional Park this year.
Both individuals and teams take part in the race, Smith says. This year, he estimates about half of the racers are iron manning the race, that is, driving the entire 33 laps for 100 miles. He also points out that four of the competitors were over 50 years old.
Racers seem to be guys who just like the old sleds better than the new high tech equipment, Smith suggests. "I've got a 19 year-old kid who'd sooner drive an old Sno-Jet than a brand new sled. Unbelievable!" he adds.
This year also featured a kid's race ahead of the main 100 mile race. The race is for youngsters on Kittie Kats and similar sleds. In an effort to interest youngsters to become involved in the event, there's no entry fee and everyone who enters wins a trophy, Smith reports. "We're just trying to make the little guys feel welcome here too," he suggests.
Smith expresses a huge thank you to everybody who helped to organize and stage the annual event. "It's amazing how many people out of the community will come out and pitch in and that is greatly appreciated," he closes.
Results in the 100 mile race were: First, Scott Griffith from Atwater, driving Number 27 owned by Harry Smith; Second, Pete Minderman from Minnesota, U.S.A. (Note: Both Griffiths and Minderman iron manned the entire race.); Third, team of Tyler and Kirby Buchinski of Saltcoats, driving the sled owned by Joel Armbruster.
