Olympus snowmobile racing premieres Saturday

By BRYAN HELLIOS

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Ironwood - Final preparations for the Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus race will begin on Thursday at Gogebic County Fairgrounds. Race Director Tom Auvinen, said the event was originally scheduled to be held near the end of December, but warm weather caused the race to be postponed and rescheduled for this Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

"We plan to be out at the track Thursday evening to get the snow cleared off and to set up bales of hay on Friday," he said.

He said they have already built about a foot of ice on the half- mile track at the fairgrounds.

With about 2,500 bales of hay and more than 400 hours of dedicated volunteer hours to get the track race-ready, Auvinen said preparing for the event takes a lot of work.

"I'd like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for helping us out," Auvinen said.

Racers wanting to register for the event can go online at provintageracing.com but have do so by noon on Thursday he added.

The track will be available on Friday from 1-4 p.m. for registered racers so they can take a couple laps and make final adjustments to their test their sleds Auvinen said.

Thirty-seven classes of vintage snowmobiles from stock all the way up to 800 super-mods will be racing he added

The public is welcome to come and see those racers get ready on Friday at no cost, he said. The actual race on Saturday cost $10 for adults while kids 12 and under get in for free. There is also a large heated concession building on the grounds with food, beverages and indoor bathrooms so people can get warmed-up, he added.

"It's a good time," Auvinen said, "The kids really enjoy it."

The vintage race is on Saturday and another event will be held the following weekend Feb. 16-17 featuring professional racers.

For more information visit ironwoodsnowmobileolympus.com