MAY 29, 2025 |
Photo – Example of mud racers – Courtesy Southern Idaho Mud Racing Association
In Medicine Bow, the town’s Recreation Board was hoping to revive the once-popular mud drag races. The hope has crashed due to high costs and the lack of manpower.
During the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Recreation Board Chairwoman Jacque George reported former Fire Chief and current Rec Board member, Les French, hopes to hold mud drag races over the Fourth of July weekend. A lack of prize money emerged early as one of the issues facing the event.
Mud drags, as the name suggests, involves competitors racing their modified off-road vehicles through a muddy track. In the past, the Medicine Bow Volunteer Fire Department organized the annual event, but a shortage of members led to its cancellation. The town’s Recreation Board was moving forward with plans to revive the tradition when other problems arose.
At the May 12th Town Council meeting, Rec Board Chairwoman George said the board could sell concessions and merchandise during the event to help cover the costs.
Medicine Bow Fire Chief George Standish said SCWEMS had already assigned an ambulance crew to Saratoga Days. With limited staff, the organization was unlikely to be able to station a team at the mud event.
Then insurance issues proved to be a show-stopper.
In a written statement to Bigfoot99, Rec Board Chairwoman Jacque George stated the town’s insurance would not cover the event’s additional liability, meaning the Rec Board would have to purchase its own coverage, which is something it cannot afford.
George wrote the insurance requirement has made mud drag racing unlikely to ever happen again. However, the Rec Board will continue exploring ways to revive the races in Medicine Bow.
