The I-500 race is back, and Sault Ste. Marie is reaping the benefits of plenty of visitors.
COVID stopped the race from happening last year, and it’s return has snowmobile lovers and businesses feeling excited for this weekend.
The crowd surrounding the I-500 race track keeps getting bigger, but it’s only just beginning.
From around the country people come to watch snowmobiles make their way around the track, including Kyle and Tim Dunn, who came all the way from Texas.
“It’s exciting, and they will hit those bails and they will get right back up, turn that sled over and get back on again and take off like nothing happened,” said Kyle. “Bodies are flying around and you’re like ‘what happened’? They act like nothing happened. It’s pretty exciting, it really is. It’s comparable to the rodeo in Texas.”
Kyle and Tim Dunn came all the way from Texas, excited to finally see the race return.
“I don’t wanna go there and freeze, I wanna go to Florida for my birthday,” said Kyle. “He’s like ‘no we’re going to the snowmobile race’, which we totally love and I couldn’t wait to come back. We’ll never miss another.”
The I-500’s popularity brings in spectators and also skilled drivers, some of whom will be competing for the first time.
“I think it’s awesome, it brings a lot of people here, a lot of spectators, more spectators here than I’ve seen at most races, and a lot of these racers, we put a lot of work into getting ready for just this race,” said Dakota Harris, a first time participant in Saturday’s race.
With more people also comes customers for businesses in the area, something they missed out on last year.
“You lose all that tourism dollars that come in here, it’s huge for the community, and they’re excited,” said Linda Hoath, director of the Sault Ste. Marie Visitors Bureau. “I’ve been through downtown, I’ve been all over and everyone is so excited that it’s here.”
The big race isn’t until Saturday, but people are already enjoying some smaller races and festivities throughout the week.
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