Although a few were local participants, the majority came from as far away as Fort McMurray, Calgary and Edmonton, Alta. to enter the second annual Medstead Snow Drag Races Jan. 29 on the property of Randy Jones.
Sixty riders provided thrills to a thoroughly chilled audience of approximately 250 spectators. Riders ranged in age from five to 50. An awards supper was held following the races at the Medstead Community Hall.
"It was a sanction race for the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Racing Association (SSRA)," explained Ron Jesse, one of the event organizers. "There was probably about 10 local (riders) and 50 from out-of-town."
Established in 1967, the SSRA is one of the most established snowmobile racing associations world-wide.
The entry fee of $50 per snowmobile in each category was returned to the event's coffers and formed part of the approximately $8,000 in prize winnings. Medstead and District Recreation Association donated $3,000 towards the total prize money awarded.
"We had more spectators this year then we did last year," Jesse said, noting the event has become more well known than it was during its inception.
Children's events also took place at in the afternoon featuring a hill made out of snow that contained buried hockey pucks. The youngsters foraged for the pucks and traded their new found treasure in for prizes.
The Ice Drag Races that took place Jan. 30 on a track that was flooded with water first and featured faster snowmobiles failed to attract as many people as desired.
"Not a whole lot of people showed up, so it was more of a casual thing," said Jesse, noting that frigid temperatures played a large role in preventing both riders and observers from participating. "It was too cold and not too many guys showed up."
Six riders braved the wrath of Mother Nature and staged a show displaying the velocity of their machines.
First place winners of the Snow Drags and categories were: Trail Stock - Tyler Robertson, Trail Open - Rusty Barnard, Trail Queen - Skye Janvier, Junior - Josh Arnold, Stock 600 - Dan Keith, Stock 700 - Arvid Atkings, Stock 800 - Shaun Janvier, Stock 1,000 - Tracy Gauthier, Stock King - Donavan Gauthier, Stock Queen - Jackie Jarema, Improved 600 - Brent Arnold, Improved 700 - Troy Janvier, Improved 800 - Lance Burwash, Improved 1,000 - Merle Morin, Pro Sno 600 - JTB Racing, Pro Sno 700 - JTB Racing, Pro Sno 800 - Lance Burwash, Pro Sno 1,000 - JTB Racing, Pro Max - Merle Morin and Sno X 600 - Brent Arnold,
