Snocross brings a crowd to town

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Not even unusually warm temperatures could dampen the excitement of the 2001 River Valley Power Snocross races Saturday at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

Well over a thousand spectators, nearly 500 entries, 275 drivers and hundreds more in a huge pit area surrounded the back stretch of the winding race track.

The event was the final District One South point race of the season.

River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club President Jack Grausam was thrilled with the turnout.

"We filled New Ulm up today. The pits are full. The hotels are full and the track was in great shape," Grausam said. "A few people in town were surprised how big this event is. I told them it would be big, but it was kind of hard to explain. This should prove to them that this really is a big sport."

Grausam said food and beverage stands at the fairgrounds reported very brisk business.

The smell of high-octane fuel, oil and two-cycle engine exhaust cut through the air.

Snow flew over the top of the track as the snowmobiles buzzed around sharp turns and bounced into the air as they topped hills.

Male and female competitors watched races from a high spot behind the back stretch of the track before they jumped on their own sleds to compete.

Once on their sleds, racers stretched their legs before starting their engines.

They survived the moguls (hill jumps) hoisting their derrieres a little over knee high as their sleds bounced over the hilly course.

This type of racing is not for the faint-hearted. Several mishaps required competitors to be transported by ambulance to New Ulm Medical Center.

New Ulm racer and snowmobile club member Tim Stadick proved himself early, winning a couple of preliminary races to put him in good position for today's competition.

"It was good to see him do well," Grausam said. "Racers really have to race hard every race to make the finals. Nobody wants to go home early."

Grausam said the races occurred with lots of help from many people.

"Tim, the rest of the club and the Nicollet County Trail Association really helped us out," Grausam said.

He praised the New Ulm Convention and Visitor's Bureau for helping provide hospitality to the racers.

Cash and prizes total $20,000 plus $5,000 in semi-pro cash and prize payouts and $2,000 in extra prizes for the driver lottery.

Grausam said the goal of the River Valley Dutchmen Club, an outgrowth of the motorcycle club of the same name, is to make the races an annual event in New Ulm.

"The promoters told us they were thrilled with the track and crowds," Grausam said. "They said they want to come back."

Racers were treated to hospitality Saturday night in the German Rivers Room at the Holiday Inn, New Ulm.

A high finish in the New Ulm races sets drivers up for the National Amateur Snocross Championships March 24 & 25 at the Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville.

Earlier District One South races were held at Wabasha, Owatonna, Worthington, Red Wing, Cannon Falls, and Frederic, Wis.

The WSA District One South is the largest leg of the world's snowmobile association amateur and semi-pro system. It serves as a feeder program for the WSA regional and national race circuits.

District One South draws more racers than the national programs because its focus is on track time, not ESPN prime time, according to the association headquartered in Red Wing.

Competition consists of three rounds: two Saturday and one this morning.

Scores from all three rounds are tallied and the top 10 racers advance to a final race to determine final place positions. Year end awards and prizes are paid to the top 20 riders at an annual banquet.

For more information, visit:

districtonesouth@yahoo.com

New drivers can get a free driver sign up package by calling the national WSA office at 1-763-493-9900 ext. 10.