Racers get set at the start line for the Prince Albert Vintage Snowmobile Drag Races. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

fun on the sleds

Vintage Snowmobile Drag Racers blaze through blizzards for hospice

Mar 8, 2020 | 12:32 PM

Despite the blizzard like conditions, the first annual Prince Albert Vintage Snowmobile Drag Race was a success.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., an estimated 130 racers competed at the Prince Albert Airport to raise money for the Rose Garden Hospice.

The Saskatchewan Vintage Race Association and the P.A. Snowmobile Club partnered with oragnizers to present the unique event, enjoyed by competitors and spectators. Anyone could take part as long as they had a snowmobile made in 1981 or before.

Event organizer Vanessa Brahniuk told paNOW they’ll know how much they raised in a few days.

“I think it went really well, unfortunately the weather wasn’t the greatest in the afternoon, we kind of hit a snowstorm,” she said. “I think that maybe affected some spectator numbers but overall, I was pretty happy with the turnout.”

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Racing colours: about 130 golden oldie snowmobiles took part in the event. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

She said towards the end of the day it was hard to see the finish line and it was almost cancelled due to the visibility issues.

“We finished it,” Brahniuk said. “The poor volunteers were frozen, and they were troopers,” adding they had one volunteer who even got frost bite.

There were 28 classes in total and each racer registered their sled in the class their snowmobile was eligible to run in. Each entry was guaranteed at least two heats.

Four snowmobiles raced at a time on the 660 ft track. For those who won the heat they stayed in the “A” side, with the rest going to the “B” side of the tournament style event.

“We had racers come all the way from Grand Prairie, Regina, people came pretty far to come so that was really nice to see,” she said.

Four participants were in each race on the 660 ft track . (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Brahniuk explained the feedback she received from attendees was positive.

“I thought it was really good so hopefully we can make it an annual thing and do it again next year but hopefully [with] some better weather,” she said. “There’s some little things through this whole process that you learn along the way like ‘okay next time we’re going to do this differently or that differently.’”

“It’s Saskatchewan, so we have to be prepared for the weather. The day before I think it was plus four and it was mucky out there,” Brahniuk added.

The Banquet and awards followed the busy event, with bucket draws, an auction and a 50/50 draw.

“It was a really good turnout; all of the tables were full. I don’t think there were any empty seats,” she said.

Brahniuk raced her dad, Guy St Hilaire one on one as a test run to begin the day.

“Dad beat me by a couple sled lengths which he should, he’s got a bigger faster sled than me, so I was just hoping to get him off the line sleeping,” she laughed. “We’ve never raced against each other legitimately with a start light.”

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12