Meadow Lake Race Report

Tech Report

- Only 3 entries were changed to different classes upon being examined in tech. This was an exceptionally low number.

- One sled was required to add a tether cord as their sled wasn’t equipped with one.

- The engine of one sled was measured for bore and stroke to ensure that it was entered in the correct classes and happily no issues were found.

Race Report

- Despite the melting temperatures in the days prior to the race and the blustery conditions on Saturday, mother nature couldn’t spoil the day at the Western Canadian Championships in Meadow Lake. The only thing nastier than the weather that blew in was the fierce competition on the track as racers battled it out for bragging rites and the honor of being crowned Western Canadian Champion.

- “Bruce the Moose”, the mascot for the Meadow Lake Winter Festival which was running on the weekend, roamed the spectator area and was a big hit with the crowd.

- The adrenaline always runs a little bit higher at the WCC and it got the best of a few racers with red light starts costing several racers the finish they were hoping for in the final heats.

- The competition was raised a notch with the return of some racers we haven’t seen for a while. Nice to see Warren Wild as well as the JTB racing team which did well taking wins in multiple classes.

- Another large contingent from Bonnyville, Alberta made their way to Meadow Lake and their travels were not in vain. The location Bonnyville appears 25 times in the results listing for the race. Congrats and thanks for making the trip.

- Bruno Boulaine from Bonnyville had a good day taking wins in Improved 800 and Improved 1000 but just couldn’t hold off the top end surge of Maxceleration Racing’s turbo charged Sidewinder which took the Open Improved title.

- Jordan Boulaine from Bonnyville had a bit of a scare in the Outlaw final as his sled came to a rather abrupt stop and almost threw him over the handlebars, but Mike Moore on his 4 Seasons Equipment entry held on tight to claim victory and the title of fastest man on the snow at the Western Canadian Championship.

- And with the final heat on Saturday, another busy SSRA race season came to a close. 7800 visits to the website which had over 23,000 page views, 9 highly competitive races in two provinces, and close to 800 heats of snowmobile drag racing all added up to one great time during the 2020 season. Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to everyone for their sportsmanship and support. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Lac La Biche Race Report

Tech Report

- 13 entries were changed to different classes upon being examined in tech. It’s important to note that not all of these changes were due to tech infractions. Some were due to racers being assisted in entering the best class for their sled

- One sled was required to add a tether cord as their sled wasn’t equipped with one.

- It was a pretty quiet day in tech as a lot of the racers had competed the previous day at the Janvier race.

Race Report

- It was a beautiful warm sunny day at the Winter Festival of Speed in Lac La Biche. The clear skis had the aircraft flying in from everywhere and landing on the lake as the Fly-In was just part of the action.

- High Speeds – another great track in Lac La Biche meant the top end speeds were outstanding. If you’ve never watched a race from the finish line, I highly recommend you do.

- Safety Again – speaking of high speeds, stuff can and does happen at high speeds. We witnessed a helmet get ripped off a racer’s head at over 160 kph on Sunday. Make sure they’re latched up and buckled up folks. For those racing in the fastest classes, this writer strongly recommends a traditional full face aerodynamically shaped helmet. The modular and motocross styles with visors can be an issue when you reach warp speed. I know many people like the motocross style, but they don’t reach these kinds of speeds in motocross.

- Speaking of high speeds again – when the air speed rips the side panels off their factory fasteners of a sled, you know you’re cooking. Happened twice at this race. Isn’t drag racing the coolest?

- Huge shout-out and thanks to the crew from the Airforce Cadets who were on hand to help us out on the starting line ensuring the racers were staged fairly. Thanks for all your help! Neisje Vleeming of the Heinz 57 Racing Team stepped up and helped us the day before in Janvier so special thanks to her as well. We appreciate your support!

- Speaking of Shout Outs – we’d like to mention a new racer to our circuit this season who has been doing very well with podium finishes at several races now including two wins in Lac La Biche. Congrats to fast Freddy Hebb from Whitecourt! Thanks for coming out and we hope to continue to see you at the races!

- With just one race left to go in the season, several racers were able to lock up their wins in the Championship Points this weekend. Winning a points championship takes a large commitment. Not only do you need to be fast, you have to show up and be fast at almost every race. Getting a podium finish at a majority of the races takes a large amount of effort so congrats to our winning members on a job well done.

Janvier Race Report

Tech Report

- 11 entries were changed to different classes upon being examined in tech. It’s important to note that not all of these changes were due to tech infractions. Some were due to racers being assisted in entering the best class for their sled. This was a very small number of changes given the large sled turnout. Thanks to all the racers for helping us keep it safe and fair for everyone.

- One sled was required to add air to their rear shock in order to maintain the required rear suspension travel in their sled.

- 3 sleds were required to add small amounts of weight in order to meet the minimum sled/rider weight limit

- 1 sled needed to tape off some additional air inlets that were installed in the sled and not allowed in the classes they entered.

- It was very unfortunate that one sled was not allowed to run due some safety issues with its suspension that couldn’t be addressed prior to the race.

Race Report

- A beautiful sunrise over Bohn Lake greeted the early arrivals for what turned out to be a long fun day of racing in Janvier. With 107 sleds registered, the last few heats were run into the sunset as darkness fell as the race was finishing up. Thanks to all the racers for their assistance in keeping the time between heats to a minimum so that we could finish the race.

- Good Eats – thanks to Chief Vern Janvier for once again being a wonderful host and providing a beef stew and bannock lunch for all. It was delicious.

- Race Mascot – Most of the racers will probably remember the “track dog” that made himself a part of the action for the majority of the day. It sought pets and attention from everyone in the pits, and the spectator area, and on the track, and on the road into the race site, and at presentations, and ….

- Speaking of animals – Our “squirrel herder” at the end of the track had his hands full at this race trying to get the mini sled racers gathered up and going back down the return lane. They kept wanting to tip over at the turn, and run into each other, and one escaped – heading back down lane 2 of the track and took a run at the starter. Luckily the speeds of the 120’s kept the danger to a minimum and the entertainment value to a maximum.

- They’re back and they’re fast – The Rock Hard Racing team of Lance and Tanya Burwash from Flin Flon, Manitoba were out at their first SSRA race of the year and didn’t waste the long trip taking wins in several classes. Congrats to them. This is one team that is almost always on point.

- Speaking of fast – Trevor Higgins piloted a new missile to victory in Outlaw claiming the title of fastest on the lake on this day.

- Safety First – It was a good reminder that stuff happens, as a racer took a bit of a tumble fairly early in his run in lane 4 near the end of the day. Thankfully he was ok and was not hurt in the incident

- Hot Pics - A shout-out and thanks to Denise Amanda Photography who was on site taking photos at the race. She has graciously posted some on-line and they can be viewed at the link HERE.

- Thanks again to our hosts in Janvier and we look forward to seeing you again next year!