Master Snowmobile Racing Circuit hits Marquette
Ripping Up the Ski Hill
racers ripping off the line for the hill challenge event (photo by cody huebner)
Marquette, MI- What better way to usher in a new summer of racing then to end the winter race season with one final epic race. Every year at the end of March Marquette Mountain opens its hill to the Masters Snowmobile Racing Circuit for a two-day event. The Masters Circuit does not limit its events to just pro racers, they have classes for all skill levels and ages.
Almost over night a crew of highly skilled groomers from the race circuit and hill transform the ski terrain into a snowmobile racer’s dream playground. This playground is split into two separate courses in order to showcase the three separate events the Circuit puts on. On the right-side sits a straight rhythm designed to stage the hillcross racers and a new event called hill challenge. While the other side is devised for straight speed as racers drag race their sleds up the hill.
Imagine flying up a mountain on a snowmobile inches from another rider while hitting jumps, for hillcross racers that is just another day at the office. The skill level these racers have in order to hang onto their sleds is tremendous. If you have never hit a rhythm section before I can tell you from experience that it is the most fun, scariest, and difficult thing to ride. Hillcross is not only one of the most fun events to ride but is also the most fun to watch.
Once hillcross wraps up the drag racers take the center stage. If you like straight speed there is no better event to watch. Racers line up three wide on the gate and as soon as the light turns green they rip it to the top of the hill like a bats out of hell. There is only one word that can truly describe the speed these racers carry up the hill and that is, insane!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE EVENT PHOTOS
For little kids watching these events there is nothing more inspiring then watching a rider fly through the air or rip up a hill, it teaches them that there are no limits and that anything is possible. It is great to see that the MASTERS Circuit sees this and carves out time between upper classes to allow the little kids on their 120cc sleds to race.
No other class can bring such a smile to your face then watching the 120cc class. All these kids want to do is go out and have fun while trying to win a trophy. It’s important for upper riders to take time to help these younger riders and show them the ropes because at the end of the day they are the future of our sports.
Between the finals for hillcross and drag racing the MASTERS Circuit introduced a new event into the sport this year called hill challenge. Hill challenge is a combination of hillcross, drag racing, and slalom skiing. Racers must navigate their way over jumps while passing through gates to the top of the hill. Whoever has the fastest time at the end of the event is the winner.
This is an amazing event to watch and I cannot wait to see more of it in the future. It really pushes the racers’ skills. In order to dominate this event a rider must not only be skilled in jumping but also fast and conferrable on their sled in order to transfer smoothly between gates.
It’s awesome to see the progression of this sport and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Without support of racers and the fans new events such as the hill challenge would not exist. It doesn’t matter if it’s the winter or summer, get out and support your local race community. Nothing brings a family closer then racing!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login