The Race is On

John Petkus


This weekend Sault Ste Marie plays host to what is considered by snowmobile aficionados to be the greatest race in the world, The I-500. It all started back in 1969 when two buddies were discussing the merits of the newest Indianapolis 500 pace car on display in a local Chevy dealers lot. The question asked was whether or not a snowmobile could ever withstand the rigors of a 500 mile race. Considering the time of year (winter) and the place (Sault Ste Marie), the result of a new race is not so surprising.
A track was made just to the south of LSSU, with a lot of help from the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard, circling a mile of open land that had once been the home of several ammunition depots.
At 10:00 am on February 8, 1969, snowmobiling history was made as 47 machines set out to prove that a 500 mile race was a possibility. 13 hours later, 26 machines crossed the finish line proving that it was possible. The 10,000 spectators of that first race were awarded the joy of being at the very first snowmobile race of this size in world history.
This Monday through Thursday, time trials have taken place and by Saturday, February 3rd, the race will be ready to begin, at 10:00 in the morning, barring any difficulties with the weather that is. The first race began with a mere $10,000 prize to the winner; this years purse will be an excess of $38,000!  
