February 6, 2024 |
Photo – Ice racing on Saratoga Lake – Bigfoot99 file photo
Ice racing is back at Saratoga Lake this weekend.
307 Go Fast will host its second annual ice racing competition. Last month, Bigfoot99 spoke to 307 Go Fast co-owner Tyler Roy about this year’s event. At the time, Roy said higher-than-average temperatures and a lack of participant parking caused the team to consider moving the race to Haines Reservoir, otherwise known as Car Body Lake, east of Saratoga. Roy said all he needed was authorization from the Burau of Land Management to hold the event at Car Body Lake.
Plans have changed. So has the weather. It’s gotten cold and snowy. 307 Go Fast on Ice organizer Susan Smith told Bigfoot99 that the race has been moved back to its original location. Smith said the team decided that Saratoga Lake was the best place to hold the event.
Event organizers have carved an oval track into the ice on the eastern edge of Saratoga Lake. Smith said this year’s course is similar to the track from last year. One significant change to this year’s event, Smith said, is where competitors will park.
The event organizer asked race participants to park their vehicles and trailers at the Saratoga Lake Campground and drive their racing machines across the ice to the track location.
Another change to this year’s event is the inclusion of barrel races. Smith said the rodeo-inspired sprints will give people something to watch between heats.
Smith said she doesn’t know how many people will participate in this weekend’s event, but many of last year’s racers said they will return. The event organizer said the weather didn’t cooperate last month, necessitating the cancelation of two races, making this weekend’s event the final race of the season.
The American Legion will sell food and beverages during the event.
The second 307 Go Fast on Ice race is scheduled for this Saturday, February 10th. A $100 registration fee is required for every machine entered into each race. All entry fees will be paid out to the first, second, and third place winners of each class.
Tickets to this weekend’s event are $10 a person. Children 12 and under are free. Race organizers are asking the public to park on the east side of Saratoga Lake, by the beach area.
For more information about Saturday’s 307 Go Fast on Ice race, contact Susan Smith at 321-1404, or visit the 307 Go Fast Facebook page.
