Sunday morning brought cool temperatures to 18 Mile’s meadow runway, where about 50 participants and spectators from all over gathered for snowmobile drag racing. The 660-foot track was loose-compacted snow, giving advantage to paddle track mountain sleds.
Fourteen sleds entered elimination rounds after a couple of hours of practice. Traction at the starting line and directional control were the deciding factors while the powerful machines were launching themselves from a dead stop to speeds as much as 86 mph at the finish. Some of the sleds would travel most of the distance without touching the skis.
In the end, Rick Campbell of Haines prevailed as the fastest sled with his custom Crazy Mountain 1200 normally aspirated machine. Second place was Dave Zugel’s M1000 turbo charged Arctic Cat; third was Gerald Grant of Juneau on his Turbo Yamaha.
The racers joined together offering rides to spectators and having hot dogs after the competition was over. All are looking forward to the next race.
Thank you, Chilkat Snowburners, for sponsoring the race, 18 Meadows Bed and Breakfast for hosting, Alaska DOT for use of traffic cones, and helpers including: Lyn Campbell, Shannon Willard, Lawrence Willard, Andrea Nelson, Logan Holt and all the people that joined in to make it a fun day!
George Campbell