SnowRider Online Magazine

It’s that time of year again — racing season! The Canadian Power Toboggan Championships (CPTC) season opener runs this weekend (December 7 & 8, 2007) in Beausejour, Manitoba. http://www.cptcracing.com/info/

Snowmobile oval racing has a long history, particularly in Beausejour, since it was the first place in the world to hold an actual snowmobile oval race, way back in 1962. The race course, laid out in the school yard, was created with hay bales, which are still considered superior for absorbing the impact of a race sled and driver in a crash. Readers can find lots of information about this historic snowmobile race and other exciting snowmobile historical events in both of my books:

Snowmobile Adventures: The Incredible Canadian Success Story from Bombardier to the Villeneuves

and Illustrated Guide to Snowmobile Racing

So, what makes Beausejour such a premiere snow machine racing event? One of the key things is the sense of community sled racers inevitably feel when they get to the small town–racers make reservations a year ahead to avoid driving back to Winnipeg or neighboring small towns. Over the years we’ve got some great memories of staying in such cozy confines as the Howland Hotel (turn back the clock 80 or so years and think of toilets down the hallway, narrow beds, and hissing water radiators for heat). Staying at the Howland was rather like having a big house party, since the bar below was hopping and it was impossible not to get friendly with your neighbors as you stood in line for a wake-up shower.

The same friendliness spreads to the racetrack, since the event has been run since its inception by local volunteers. Decade after decade we’ve been greeted by the same smiling faces–albeit the smiles have a few more wrinkles around the edges–and been served at the Community Center by the same volunteers for the evening suppers.

One thing you can be sure of though, is that longevity has only intensified the competitive spirit on the race track. The world’s top snowmobile oval racers trek twice a year (December and March) to Beausejour for a chance to take away the trophies and prize money handed out by this little Manitoba town. With a snowmobile oval race track second to none, the speeds often hit 100 mph (160 kph) on the ice oval.

I took this photo at CPTC on March, 2007. Leading the pack are #47, Terry Wahl, and #74, Dustin Wahl. Find the history of this Wisconsin racing team at: http://www.wahlracing.com/history/

Snowmobile oval racing is a sport where everybody gets to know everybody else on the circuit, so it’s certain that places like Beausejour and the CPTC annual racing events are a large part of the reason the sport of snowmobile oval racing lives on.

by Linda Aksomitis,
Managing Editor for SnowRider Online Magazine
and www.guide2travel.ca