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Speed feeds competitive hunger for sledders (5 photos)

Bayview Wildwood Resort hosts Ontario Snowmobile Oval Racers; Competitors love the speed, tinkering and comaraderie

Eleven-year-old Hunter Twyman has a need for speed.

And the Lakefield youngster wasn’t alone if the enthusiasm at this weekend’s vintage snowmobile races at Bayview Wildwood Resort is any indication.

Time and again those informally surveyed here for the Ontario Snowmobile Oval Racers event say they love the speed that comes from zipping around the Sparrow Lake track on their vintage machines that can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometres an hour.

“I love going really fast around the track,” Twyman said while waiting to compete in the Jr. F-340 division Saturday afternoon. “It’s fun to be out here and I have friends that race as well.”

Race coordinator Rick Greenfield said the majority of these snowmobiles (1985 or older) are from an era when every small town hosted a snowmobile race, so the events offer a fair bit of nostalgia for spectators.

Greenfield, who lives near Schomberg, helped re-establish the circuit, which now features seven races across the province, four years ago with fellow race enthusiasts Mark Reoch, Carl Blight and Keith Smith.

“We’ve got over 40 racers here for this weekend’s event. It’s good for us and it’s also good for the resort because they get the rooms filled.”

Ryan Matthews travelled from Peterborough with his son Sam, 13, and wife Julie to compete in this weekend’s races.

“I started racing in 2008,” Matthews said, noting he hopes Julie will one day start racing alongside him and Sam, who loves the adrenalin rush experienced on race day.

Matthews said that once you have the machine for racing with many options falling in the $1,000 range, the sport isn’t any more expensive than what families spend as they head to hockey tournaments across the province on a weekly basis.

“We love the camaraderie that’s here,” he said. “It’s a great atmosphere for the kids and everyone gets along really well.”

Reoch, who lives in Russell, said that’s part of what attracts him to racing.

“It’s a sport that’s been around for a long time,” he said, noting that while it’s possible to spend thousands of dollars on a machine, it’s not necessary to expend that kind of money to find a suitable machine.

“And there’s always someone who will help you out if you need a piece for your machine…and no money ever changes hands.”

Racer Shelby Risto travelled to Sparrow Lake from Eganville, which is home to the circuit’s premiere event, the Bonnechere Cup.

“I’ve been racing for about nine years,” she said. “I started racing with my cousins and really grew to love the competition.”

And while the younger set is well represented at the races that continue Sunday with the organization’s Ontario Vintage Sno Pro Snowmobile Championships, there are also plenty of savvy veterans in the mix such as 64-year-old Mike Gifford.

“I love the competition,” the Sudbury native said prior to racing his 1974 Sno*Jet Thunder Jet F/A Saturday afternoon. “But I also love the mechanical work involved.”

While his machine originally featured a 44-horsepower motor, he modified it so it now travels at a powerful 85-horsepower.

“There’s a lot of tinkering that’s involved with these machines to get them race-ready. I put in about $1,000 worth of work because you’re always chasing that elusive, perfect sled.”

Gifford said his wife would like him to give up racing, especially given the obvious dangers that come with racing around an icy track at a high speed.

“This is a sport where it’s very aggressive and you’ve got a bunch of 20-somethings who are all hungry,” he said. “They’d love to kick my ass.”


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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