SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 56th running of The International 500 Snowmobile Race took place over the weekend.
It’s called the big daddy of them all, the longest, most grueling snowmobile race in the world, with drivers from around the globe racing the most powerful snowmobiles on Earth, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on a one-mile banked oval of solid ice.
“NASCAR on ice, 500 miles on a one-mile ice oval. I mean, that’s what it is. It is amazing to see,” said the Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Linda Hoath.
The race is a 500-mile contest of speed, guts, and precision. Race director Rick Federau explains just how unique this race is.
“We have the only mile oval ice track in North America. This is the one the guys want to win. It’s the big daddy,” said Federau.
With 38 teams comprised of 14 riders each who switch off throughout the race. No single rider has completed the 500-mile contest since the 90s.
And it’s actually put together with over 200 volunteers. Nobody is paid to work this race. We all are just part of the community,” exclaimed Federau.
Over 10,000 spectators watched the race from the hillside surrounding the track. Among those in attendance were more than a dozen Michigan State legislators who have been traveling to major events throughout the state, talking to their constituents. It was State Rep. Karl Bohnak’s first time at the race.
“This is my first time at the I 500, I really enjoyed myself, it was very exciting,” said Bohnak.
So who do you root for? Well, George BeGole has a unique way of choosing.
“The second team, I think, one of the people had the same middle name as me, so I just picked that team,” said BeGole.
This year’s race was won by Dan and Charlie Revering of Team, Nelson Polaris. They collected the $90,000 winning purse.
