8 minute read
TAKE 5
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!
If it is Valcourt in Canada that is the grand-daddy, it is Eagle River in the US that holds that kind of respect from sled-heads. Every great oval racer has laid tracks on this circle, and plenty of big name snocross and freestyle folks have raced here as well. In the heart of the Midwest Snowbelt, Eagle River, one of several places that calls itself the “Snowmobile Capital of The World”, has drawn crowds since 1964.
Just down the road is where Carl Eliason claimed he invented the first snowmobile… but obviously, that is a bar stool racing discussion that many Bombardier purists will discuss at length. The Decker family bought the Derby in 1985, and it has been in their family ever since.
P.J. Wanderschied still holds the most wins at this historic venue with 4, and Jacques Villeneuve is second with 3 wins. Other winners include snowmobile hall of famers Mike Trapp, Brad Hulings, and soooo many more!
The weekend starts out with Friday Night Thunder, and racing all Saturday and Sunday. Like other premier venues, The Derby has heated VIP areas, a huge indoor exhibit area, CTV system to watch anywhere inside, and plenty of cold and warm beverages to keep you hydrated throughout the weekend. The Derby Track is also closest in proximity to yours truly, (Mark Boncher) and after shooting, doing video, and being ringside for many years… well, there is just nothing like this event and venue!
VALCOURT
Home of BRP, Ski-Doo, and the birthplace of the snowmobile! There’s plenty to do up here for the sled enthusiast, from touring the J. Armand Bombardier museum, to seeing the factory, to trail rides. But there is also the Grand Prix De Valcourt! For almost 40 years now, this oval racing event, (yes, there have also been snocross events here for some time but stay focused) has brought in people by the thousands. It is no wonder as Ski-Doo is a company near and dear to the hearts of many Canadians.
Today, this is still a true ‘event’ with 5-7 different types of racing from kids, to snow bikes, to ovals to snocross, and drag-racing in many years as well. Heralded by many as the first international snowmobile festival in 1982, there is live music, heated VIP areas/lodges and more. The racing is second to none, and heritage is thick in the blood of Ski-Doo oval racers with names like Yvon Duhamel, 3-time winner Jacques Villeneuve, and many more plastered on races and throughout the event.
This is the 4th stop on the USSA Prostar oval racing series, and takes place in early February12-14th, 2021. The sheer amount of people (roughly 30,000 on a good year) that this event brings in from many across Quebec, but also all over North America, is testament to the viability of this oval race making our top 5… just remember to use the local language as much as possible. A friendly “Merci” goes a long way when ordering that Budweiser in the stands.
BEAUSEJOUR
The Canadian Power Toboggan Championships (or CPTC) is held each year in Beausejour, Manitoba, just northeast of Winnipeg. It is plenty cold up here, and other than having pro hockey back in town, folks get equally excited about snowmobile racing. This place had to make the list just for the words ‘Power Toboggan’ in the name! Like plenty of other places and people making snow vehicles shortly after WWII, some of the first single person, track-driven snowmobiles were created by fabricator Mike Bosak just north of Beausejour.
Getting its start by the Lions Club in 1963, this race lays claim to the oldest and longest running snowmobile race in the world. I don’t care what kind of snowmobiling you like, if you are a sled enthusiast, you have to appreciate a history like that. The true oval racing was established there in 1967, and in 1969 the race was featured on the Wide World of Sports. In 1976, the surface started using ice instead of snow for the racing surface on the oval.
Old school track racers like Yvonne Duhamel and Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve, and Dick Trickle, (NASCAR folks might remember this name) as well as many newer racers like Terry Wahl, Gary Moyle, Nick Vanstrydonk, and P.J. Wanderschied have all raced here. The CPTC has had some big payouts to racers over the years, but you know what they say about racing, ‘the best way to become a millionaire in racing is to start off as a billionaire.’
The ½ mile track also boasts being the premier snowmobile racing event in Canada. I am sure other venues would dispute that, but you can count those other places on less than one hand.
