Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
The third annual Prince Albert Snow Pirates Vintage Snowmobile Drag Races returns to Prince Albert on Saturday.
The event will be held off Hwy 11 roughly 12 kms away from Prince Albert on Clouston Road. The event starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 5:30 p.m.
Prince Albert Snow Pirates Racing Club vice-president Guy St. Hilaire said it’s good to have the races back after they were cancelled last year.
“It’s a big family thing,” he said. “The kids race, right up to a few mod sleds racing. The whole family is there. It’s cheap entertainment. You can go to a movie and spend $150, and this is only $10.”
Four racers race at a time, with the top finishes heading to the ‘A’ side of the bracket. St. Hilaire expects there to be 800 sleds involved in the competition.
He said there’s always a lot of interest in the older machines.
“We put studs on our tracks and everything else, and it’s all (sleds from) 1981 back to the ‘60s. There’s a class for every sled there is. They have these new racers and all that, but I think some of our old racers could probably beat the new ones because the new ones are all big horsepower and all that, but all they do is sit at the start and spin, where we hook up and we’re gone,” he said. “It’s a thrill. You’re blood starts running.”
The signs for the event will be placed at strategic and popular places.
St. Hilaire said a portion of this year’s proceeds will be donated to the Rose Garden Hospice.
“Last year it was River Valley, so this year we will give it to Rose Garden and next year we can give it to somebody else or we can go back to Rose Garden,” he explained. “The very first year we had it with Rose Garden and we ended up giving them $20, 000.”
Races start at 11 a.m. sharp with a banquet and awards to follow. All vintage sleds must be 1981 and older and pass inspection prior to race start.
Pre-registration will be held on Friday at Smitty’s Restaurant from 7-9pm, with registration at the track on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Admission to the event is $10 per person. Kids age 5 and under are free. All minors must be accompanied by adults.
St. Hilaire said they club appreciates other organizations that have been partnering with them to make this event a possibility.
