MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Michigan Ice Racing Association officially kicks off its season Saturday, the 3rd of January in Gwinn.
Most people slow down when the road gets icy, not these guys; they hit the throttle.
“So it is something to see. It’s incredible. The bigger bikes are incredibly fast.
The first time you see them, it will make you stand up and say, Holy cow, I didn’t know they would go that fast. I don’t think some of those guys think right, but to each their own,” said Organizer Ross Underwood.
Ross Underwood has been involved with ice racing for over 20 years.
Founded in 2019, the Upper Michigan Ice Racing Association has been thrilling fans in Forsyth Township ever since. The track is a quarter-mile oval of solid ice, specifically designed for ice racing. They race on specially adapted motorcycles and four-wheelers with spikes in the tires for better traction. And they go fast.
“They’re running 70, probably 70 plus, miles an hour. The big bikes are studded. Four wheelers are running close to the same speeds,” explained Underwood.
These frozen daredevils compete in a wide variety of skill levels and ages, on a variety of equipment.
“We start with kids as little as three and four years old on studded motorcycles and on four-wheelers. We’ve had people as old as their mid 60s, upper 60s, racing motorcycles and four-wheelers,” said Underwood.
Races take place each Saturday at Ten O’Clock in the morning, with races on the last Saturday of the month taking place at night.
A donation of $5 is requested at the gate.
Spectators simply drive up to the edge of the track and watch the action from the comfort of their cars.
No concessions are available on site in the hopes that race fans will stock up at local establishments.
