Tech Summary
- 7 entries were moved to different classes as a result of items found and advice given to riders during tech inspection
- Zero sled/rider combos were required to add weight to make minimums
- Overall a very smooth day in tech
Race Summary
- Huge thanks to the Smokin Joes Racing team of Tiffany Dinwoodie and Tyler Matt for their assistance making this race happen! Given the conditions, the snow cat was essential and the crowd enjoyed the announcer. Thanks again!
- Speaking of conditions, the race day weather was fantastic, but mother nature still found a way to throw a monkey wrench into things. She opened an air hole in the ice about 30 feet in front of the starting line flooding the whole starting area of the track with water and making a slushy mess the night before the race. There was a delay in getting things started as a result, but a switch to racing from the original shut down end was the solution that allowed the race to happen.
- And speaking again of the Smokin Joes Team, they also got the hard luck award for mechanical failures with two of their beautiful pro sleds which took them out of the competition.
- There was a great turnout of local and new racers to a SSRA event, many of which placed well in the final heats. In particular, new to the SSRA racer Freddy Hebb has won Amateur Stock 800 in back to back weekends now in Wetaskiwin and Grande Prairie. Great job Freddy!
- Here a turbo, there a turbo, everywhere a turbo! Holy forced induction Batman, we saw a lot of turbo powered sleds this race. Being close to the mountains, these riders like their boost, and they brought it with them to the track. There were no less than 5 Yamaha Sidewinders, some custom turbo 4 stroke sleds, and some turbo two smokes racing as well! Given that more of the new sled manufacturers are employing the technology, are we starting to see a trend? Only time will tell.
- During the presentations after the race we commonly throw a friendly tease toward someone whose red light start turned out to be memorable. This race’s target, Mike Fowlow. Hard not to pick on that early jump in Stock 600 Mike. Good job the rest of the day though with 3 other first place finishes. Nice recovery!
- Grande Prairie also saw the return of SSRA member Patrick Penton to the circuit with his Yamaha Sidewinder race sled. Even tough it was his first race of the year, he made a statement taking his first wins in Open Improved and Mountain Improved.
- Nice to see the crew from Hay River in the Northwest Territories making it down for the race. And these guys weren’t slow, in fact Andrey Dziewe was fastest man on the lake this day taking the win in Outlaw! Congrats!
- Racers and spectators were treated to an impromptu air show when a helicopter made a couple of LOW altitude laps of the race site. It was kind of cool …