A Sunday afternoon at the track.

The season is not over, but spring gets closer with each weekend.
A Snow-X start line is always colourful.
After a day of racing, the Sunday start line and track was starting to show signs of spring.
The jumps still looked solid and challenging for the "BIG AIR" crowd.
Ski hills look better with sleds then skiers.
The bumps and whoops on the bottom stretch made for a lot of front end correcting as the racers pinned the throttle before heading back up the hill.
Mike Schmidt in his usual spot, watching and listening to the many sleds he tunes.
Under the Kodiak tent, you better like to ride yellow and wear it too!
Vintage racing keeps growing in popularity. It's great to see two Kawasakis on the start line!
It may not have won, but I had to get a shot of a Kawasaki with the checkered flag.
At the end of racing, it's time to clean up and get ready for the next and last race of this season. I'll see you at HorseShoe Resort in two weeks. Until then, have a happy Easter.

Checking out the spring Snow-X track.

I dropped by the track in Kitchener (Chicopee Ski Hill) today. Ric Wilson was in the groomer, but I got him out of the cab and onto his race sled to show me the track.
The start line area and chalet, with snow ready to be spread out.
Looking uphill into the first set of jumps.
Ric checking out some of the jumps and bumps he just built.
Mike Schmidt and Ric Wilson, the racer and the sled sponsor/tuner.
It took a fair bit of persuading to get Mike (left) back onto a snow-x track. With the jumps he was landing he should be racing!

Spring snow-x racing in Kitchener Ontario

Spring snow-x racing is a "go".

Up by the last pole you can see the groomer piling and pushing snow to build the track's base.
A couple sleds that were unloaded at the track. That's the Cat 500 Sno-Pro that our test rider Mike Van Muyen raced in Owen Sound in January.

A set of bleachers will give fans a great view of the start/finish line and the uphill action.
Ric Wilson's trailer is here early, and perhaps that's because Ric is in the groomer building the track. Racers start showing up tomorrow (Friday), I'll see you there!

SnowShoot Flashback

Well, it was one week ago that we flew home from SnowShoot, so I thought I should post a few various pics that have not yet been posted.






There's still more, stay tuned........

SnowShoot, the final day.

Outside our room, some free-stylers parked their rig and sleds. Mike looks anxious to do some cliff jumping before breakfast.
Yes, we do ride touring sleds. That's Brad's specialty area.
At the wildlife center, we were shown several birds of prey including this golden fella.
Outside there were two packs of wolves. They look very cool when they make eye contact with you.
The opening to the big park where only a select type and number of sleds are allowed to enter.

Mike Shean on the biggest two stroke you can buy.
Mike and Mike on Nytros.
This is Joanne who makes things run super-smooth at the BRP trailer every year. She always makes sure that Marty has a comfortable sled that can carry his gear.
Yes that BRP sled is extreme.
Before our last ride started, the not-booked Yamaha sleds were being loaded up.
A high altitude line-up.
Peaking through a long track tunnel.
A group shot at the peaks.
Me on the new Polaris RMK, what a great sled to move around in the powder.
There's a lot of fun to be had at 9,000+ feet. This is the display on the Cat M8.
Mike and Mike, our seasoned test riders.
Catching the action on moving and still cameras.
The high altitude club.
The compound was empty when we returned, a sad sight to behold.....
Where did everyone go?
The long road home........

Ski-doo 1200 turbo in Manitoba

The Snow Goer and STV crew was recently invited up to Thompson Manitoba to cover the Thompson Trail Breakers Snow Rally. Knowing this place is the "cold weather testing capital" for many manufacturers I knew we would be in for some winter. What I didn't know is that I would come across a turbo charged ski-doo 1200 4 stroke. I had to figure it would only be a matter of time till someone put a turbo on ski-doo's big 4 stroke and let me tell you, this thing made some serious power. According to the owner its somewhere in the 280hp range and after riding it I was not gonna argue with him. Never have I squeezed the trigger on a sled and thought, "I hope this doesn't come out from underneath me". I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to make some lake passes and play in some of the great powder Northern Manitoba had to offer. I think the pictures will speak for themselves. Thank's Steve for letting me put some miles on such an awesome machine, and to the awesome bunch of volunteers from the Trail Breakers who showed us what snowmobiling in Northern Manitoba is all about.

You Know it's Making power When a long track is standing on its tail