Feb 21, 2013


The Sharbot Lake Snow Drags continue to attract racers from all over Ontario as the number of racing events for riders in the province continues to dwindle. With only a handful of events currently offered to riders, many are grateful for the Sharbot Lake event, which was started up again three years ago after a long hiatus.

The Snow Drags were originally started in 2001 and ran annually up until 2004. Then, after it had been dormant for several years, in 2011 a handful of local students, who were enrolled in the YAK program run out of the St. Lawrence College Employment Centre in Sharbot Lake, resurrected the event, which they remembered from their elementary or intermediate school years.

This year, Charlene Godfrey and the District 3 Oso Recreation Committee organized the event, along with a slew of community volunteers, including announcers Jim MacPherson and David Whan and track heads Jill and Dennis Scott and Spencer Robinson. Participants from as far away as Moira, Marmora, Belmont, Sault Ste. Marie, Quebec, and New York took part in numerous classes, which this year were expanded to include a vintage, four stroke, single cylinder and kitty cat 120cc modification class. An ice track was also a new feature added this year. The racing lanes were expanded and included wide snow banks that divided the lanes. Site safety was also increased, with more fencing and signage and riders were not permitted on the beach area.

This year the weather conditions were perfect for riders. With over 16 inches of ice on the lake, and one amply snow-covered track along with blue skies and sunshine, the conditions beat out last year’s race day when temperatures plummeted to below -25 degrees in a brisk wind.

By 9 a.m. on Saturday morning over 100 riders had already registered and Godfrey said she was very pleased with the turnout.

The event is definitely putting Sharbot Lake on the map for many who have never been to the area and local businesses are no doubt thankful for the increased business the drags bring.

I spoke with one rider, Rod Cavanagh of Clayton, Ontario, who was a newbie to the drags. He entered numerous classes and said he came out for the fun of it all. He said he was impressed both with the tracks and the area in general and said he definitely plans to come back next year.

Godfrey said that she was getting a lot of positive feedback from participants.

“This is a great family event that not only brings business to the area but also makes Sharbot Lake and the area in general a destination for people who have never been here before. We had phone calls prior to the event from people from Sault Ste. Marie, Quebec, and New York and some of the participants today have traveled over eight hours to be here.”

Following the event was a special trophy and awards ceremony that took place at Oso hall, which was followed by a catered roast beef dinner put on by Tim and Penny Cota. A number of local vendors, including members of Sharbot Lake and District Lions, also provided nourishment to participants through out the day.

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