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TOP 5 OVAL RACING TRACKS
Turning left is harder than you think! I’ve heard all the barstool banter in the world regarding oval racing, but truth be told, this is where most of the biggest innovations in snowmobiling originated. From IFS, (Independent Front Suspension) to track and traction product design, to steering, braking, rear suspension, engine development, and so much more. We put our heads together to come up with what we believe are the most influential 5 oval racing tracks of all time. Currently (and historically), the big oval racing association has been the USSA, (United States Snowmobile Association) and many of the tracks here are hotspots for this fantastic group of sled enthusiasts (see more below on USSA). We understand there are plenty of places around Canada and the US that could be on this list, but here is some fodder for your next discussion with your friends. In no particular order, here are our top 5… Valcourt, Eagle River, Soo I-500, Ironwood, and Beausejour (or Eagenville).
IRONWOOD
On the very western side of Michigan’s upper peninsula, bordering Wisconsin, is a place where the snow is deep, trails are great, and there’s an oval track with many years of history attached to it. The little town of Ironwood, MI, and its sister town of Hurley, WI are prime destinations for riders and racers alike. Just a little ways south of Lake Superior, it’s hard to find a greater local for snowmobile racing. In 1968, the first race was held here, and the ½ mile track has seen plenty of innovations from Polaris. Its first IFS sleds dominated some of the fastest racing snowmobile engines on the planet, screaming around the ½-mile. In recent years, the racing has not always been able to take place for several reasons, so this has not been 52 years of consecutive events, but the significance of this arena cannot be understated when talking about the top tracks in North America. The TLR cup has made this a stop for many recent racing seasons, and all the aforementioned big names of the past have run here. Like Eagle River and many other oval racing venues, the vintage class on the USSA circuit is very popular, and there has been literally a class for every racer at Ironwood throughout the years. It has been a breeding ground for both OEM innovations, and grooming up and coming racers.
SOO I-500
One of the most grueling races out there! That is the truth when you are talking about the I-500 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This little area town actually straddles the Canada/US border, as there is both a Soo Ontario and Soo Michigan. The event draws racers heavily from all across both countries, and you can’t miss the track off I-75 as you come into town. In 1969, the first I-500 was held, and loosely made to mimic the Indy 500, with race coordinators attempting a 500-mile race. In those days, (as now) that was one heckuva long race! It tests endurance; mind; body; machine; crew; and more, like few other races ever conceived. The 1-mile racetrack was actually put together by folks from the U.S. and Canada and the Corp of Engineers. Racers like Gabe Bunke and Corey Davidson are multiple year winners here, and other famous I-500 racers from the past like John Wicht III, Gerard Karpik, Brian Musselman, and many more have held the checkered flag after the unbelievable feat of finishing. In the early days, this was a snow-only event, but now is mainly an ice-event… however, if you’ve ever visited the Soo, you know that 10-20 inches of snow in a day is not uncommon!
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 35 • ISSUE 2
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