If you were not there, trust me……….. YES IT WAS!
35,000+ people came through the front gate to be a part of the excitement, exhilaration and anticipation of the 2013-2014 season.
And 35,000+ witnessed a truly extraordinary snowmobile event. What were you doing?
The “Race into Winter” event, held each early October on Columbus weekend is no ordinary snowmobile gathering. This is a world class; multi faceted snowmobile extravaganza filled with a circus like environment of everything snowmobile.
This premier event and its use of 216 acres of Peterson’s Brookvale Farm in Fremont New Hampshire date back to the late 1970’s. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that by attending, you would be missing out on Columbus weekend, think of it as enjoying Columbus weekend like never before.
This year I had the great pleasure of the full camping experience of the “Race into Winter” event and spent all 3 days wandering and witnessing everything that makes this event one of a kind.
I strongly recommend this “24 hours a day” approach to the weekend as it allows for total immersion into the sights, sounds and smells of everything that is “Race into Winter”. The event is well organized and very clean, which is amazing considering how many activities are going on at the same time and how many humans are everywhere.
Here are just a few highlights of what you missed if you weren’t a witness to “Race into Winter” 2013.
Vendors and exhibitors
They were everywhere, selling and displaying everything and anything imaginable for everybody. Here’s a little secret, this event is one of the final vendor shows of the season. Prices are sharp right from the start and if you’re a gambler, they get even sharper as Sunday afternoon approaches. So….. Great deals, No tax in New Hampshire, no shipping because it’s all right there and ready to take with you.
It’s a no brainer for snowmobiling shoppers and people by the thousands were walking out with bargains by the arm/cart load. New sleds, used sleds, trailers, current and noncurrent clothing and accessories, helmets, aftermarket products, tools, garage calendars…….you get the picture?
If you’re looking for a new snowmobile adventure or experience? Information and maps for destinations from Quebec to Montana are also on display with helpful people to answer questions and give first hand information.
Manufacturers
Bright shiny tractor trailers from each of the 4 manufacturers each packed full with factory reps, engineers and their newest sleds. Special appearances and giveaways are often a common sight.
This year our friend Levi LaVallee and LaVallee race team members Jake Scott and Kyle Pallin were signing autographs at the Polaris display.
Food
You name it and you can probably fill your face with it. Think of it as a carnival for carnivores because that’s what it is. All served with a smile by the friendly faces of fellow snowmobilers. One of the unique features of the New Hampshire event is that it is one of the most significant fund raisers for many local clubs. Literally Hundreds of local club members volunteer each day at food stands or as event staffers in exchange for fund raising contributions that go directly to their club and back into improving the snowmobile experience across the state. You can really feel the uniqueness of this arrangement, as everyone involved is truly a special part of the events “totally snowmobile” atmosphere.
My favorite burger at the 2013 “Race into Winter” event was “Scotties” massive and tasty ½ lb Angus Burger, served up by volunteer members of the Hooper Hill Hoppers of Walpole NH.
A picture is worth 100 tasty words. Limiting your intake of delicious cheeseburgers doesn’t make you live longer, it just seems it! I lived on the ½ pounders all weekend, they were awesome!
Competitions
That’s correct, competitions with an “s”. While many significant snowmobile events across the country feature some form of snowmobile competition, the New Hampshire event features most every kind of snowmobile competition. By land, by sea, by air, “Race into Winter” has it going on.
By Land
It started with Friday night’s grass drag test run to check timing lights and systems. Peaked out MOD sleds, 4 wide, ready and rumbling at the line……..and then they were gone……really gone! Speed ratings of 117mph, 115mph, 112mph and 109mph and that was the very first run. This is no thrown together track; this is a world class grass drag facility.
The racing surface is massaged and manicured into speed inducing perfection for months prior to the event. The meticulous preparation of specific clay depths and exact moisture contents are an art form and critical to the tracks’ durability and speed throughout the weekend. The bright lighting, state of the art scoring systems, unobstructed viewing areas and professional announcing of the Fremont venue are incredible.
From 120cc and Stock classes to the highly modified, the sights, sounds, smells and speed, fill your senses virtually nonstop all weekend long.
The “Race into Winter” event is often referred to simply as the “New Hampshire grass drags” and it is easy to see why, but there’s so much more.
The East Coast SnoCross series put on exhibition races on a track of wood chips with water holes to keep things cool and lubricated. If the track was white you would swear that they were racing on snow, it was that fast. The high flying doubles, quick turns and rocket acceleration were a blast to see.
By Sea
If you’ve never seen Northeast Water Cross competition, you’re in for a spectacle. I had the good fortune of attending two CMEQ water cross events in Quebec this summer. Each were held on significantly larger bodies of water than the pond found at Peterson’s Brookvale Farm. I made the mistake of thinking that I was about to witness a watered down version of water cross.
In exciting reality the confined size of the New Hampshire course only added to the closeness and crazy intensity of the competition. Viewing areas around the entire pond allow you to not only see the competition up close and personal, but on occasion feel the splash and spray of the competition.
Eric Gauthier of St Raymond Quebec on his way to another victory.
Talented riders from across the Northeastern US and Canada put on an incredible event. Music and non stop water cross drag and oval action all weekend long.
By Air
Big air, as in Rave X big air. With scheduled shows on Saturday and Sunday this exhibition of high flying motorized mayhem is a thrill to see. My words can’t describe it, you’ll just need to come see it for yourself and then you can try to put it into words. We’ll let a few photos speak for themselves.
Yep…………..The SledMagazine.com crew was very close to the action
Living history
If you need a break from the competitions, take a little walk down to snowmobile memory lane and relive or experience snowmobile history at the antique snowmobile display. These snowmobiles are absolutely amazing. The efforts and dedication of these preservers of snowmobile history is a great thing to witness. Strike up a conversation with one of the staffers and witness snowmobile passion and enthusiasm that is second to none. Taking pictures of sleds you once rode or remember, sharing stories with a total stranger (new friend) next to you about the sleds you both had, reliving the past with your buddies, showing your kids how it was in the beginning, it’s all very, very good.
Polaris Colt TX800
Vintage Sno jets
If you have a restoration project, want a restoration project or are in search of something hard to find pieces or parts, take a stroll through acres of swap meet pieces parts. If you can’t find it here, you might need to give up.
And there’s more
For the past 15 years this event has been the largest (supplemental to memberships) fund raiser for the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and its continued organization, funding and protection of snowmobiling throughout the entire state of New Hampshire. It is unfortunate that many snowmobilers, who register their sleds, fail to make the connection that a credible, respected and financially healthy State Snowmobile Association is critical to the quality of snowmobiling and the future protection of our sport. The difference between the numbers of snowmobiles registered versus the number of NHSA memberships is hugh.
Too many riders make the (sometimes innocent) mistake of thinking that if they don’t use the organized trail system or use it “only” a little bit, that Association membership doesn’t apply to them. The New Hampshire Snowmobile Association (NHSA) represents all snowmobilers in their ongoing efforts and those efforts need to be supported by membership at the very least. For more information on snowmobiling in New Hampshire, the efforts of the NHSA or how to become a member, visit NHSA.com.
Win, Win, Win, Win!
Everybody wins at “Race into Winter”. The spectators, the competitors, the vendors, the shoppers, the exhibitors, the local clubs, the New Hampshire Snowmobile association and snowmobiling throughout the entire State of New Hampshire, they all win!
Another Important Winner
The Owners of Peterson’s Brookvale Farm use the proceeds from their lease of the “Race into Winter” grounds to help them sustain their properties historic agricultural and natural uses. It’s slightly ironic that a “high energy” mega celebration of motorized recreation is a significant partner in the preservation of continued peace and tranquility. Neighbors also accept the sounds of high performance and the heavy traffic associated with this special weekend with the comfort of knowing that the event assists in keeping undeveloped open land, grazing cattle and lunchtime picnics at the pond’s edge possible for the other 362 days of each year.
Our SledMagazine.com team wishes to thank the “Race into Winter” event organizers and staff for the hospitality and access that they offered throughout the weekend. A special thanks goes to NHSA President Roger Wright and M.A. Ricci for their above and beyond accommodation of our event coverage.
Next Columbus weekend, don’t make a “big bummer” mistake. Mark your calendar, make a plan, make the trip and be a part of a very special “possibly life altering” celebration of snowmobiling!
