Does February 11-12-13 1983 ring a bell? It was the first edition of the GPSV. At that time, the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) wanted to organize a major event for snowmobilers. So, the first edition was called the Festival international de la motoneige (FIM) and over the years, the name has been changed until 2003. Since then, it is called the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt (GPSV). This is now the 35th edition.
This year, on February 10-11-12, 2017 (almost the same dates than the 1st edition), we saw the best pilots of the world in the 5 racing categories presented all weekend long. Effectively, the GPSV is the most important snowmobile racing event of the world to schedule over a long weekend of three days, snowmobile races on ice oval track, Snocross track, drag racing, ATV and motocross on ice oval track.
Organizers make sure that there is something for everyone. The site offers inflatable games for kids, skill games with an excavator, airbag jumps from a platform and many stands of snowmobile products and clothes. Even Armed Forces representatives were present this year to give information about the military jobs. And we must not forget evening shows on Friday and Satudary. About 20 000 to 30 000 visitors attend the GPSV during the weekend. This snowmobile festival is professionally organized by Mr Donald Lemay, President, and Mrs Marie-Pier Lemay, General Manager, and by about 350 volunteers.
Once again this year, during three days, you could feel the adrenaline among pilots. Visitors even had access to paddocks and could meet with pilots and smell gas… Yes, that smell was in the air, the scent some like, some don’t.
The 35th edition has been a great success. We have already been told : “See you next year for the 36th edition!” If you have never attended this event, I strongly recommend it even if you are not fan of racing, the show is worth the price. So, plan your vacation for February 2018.
