Snowmobile racers from as far as Canada, New York, California — even Sweden — are slated to scream across the ice in Oconto Falls this weekend at the ISR World Series of Ice Drags.
“This is like a Super Bowl for an ice drag series. … All the big guys will be here,” organizer Andy Mercier said.
The Oconto Falls Sno-Jokers will host the races Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Westside Beach in Oconto Falls. Spectators are welcome. The entrance to the ice is at Flatley Avenue.
“Beautiful” is how Mercier described the ice conditions for the event. He lives on the water and said he can hear ice being made.
“Ice right now is about 28 inches thick,” he said.
Racers will compete on four lanes of ice, which the Sno-Jokers have been shaving every day to get the best possible surface.
“Some of those guys will be going 160 mph, so you want the ice to be real smooth,” Mercier said.
The speed of the sleds is impressive, as is their quick take-off — from 0 to 60 mph in the first second off the starting line. Racers compete on a straight, 1/8-mile track, and race times are calculated to the hundredth of a second, with the fastest runs at 5 seconds or under.
Mercier predicted a field of about 80 racers for this weekend’s event.
Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. Racers will register and take test runs on Friday, with races scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue after dark. A deejay will provide music in the tent beginning at 7 p.m.
“Come on out. There’s going to be a nice, heated tent with food and beverages,” Mercier said.
Saturday’s schedule starts with testing at 9 a.m., followed by kitty cat races at 11 a.m., with racing to follow. Night events include an awards ceremony, music by the band Renegade and fireworks about 8 p.m.
Sno-Jokers raffle prizes of a crossbow, chain saw, helmet and two snowmobile jackets will be awarded.
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