As Clint Eastwood pointed out in the now somehow-controversial Chrysler ad during the Super Bowl, in Detroit they are making things happen.
In this case, however, we’re not talking about building cars – we’re focused on snowmobile racing, and the incredible lengths International Series of Champions (ISOC) officials and their counterparts in the Detroit suburb of Pontiac have gone to build a track for tomorrow’s Amsoil Championship Snocross Series event at the Silverdome.
Yes, Virginia, there WILL be a snowmobile race Friday night under the lights!
According to ISOC, the snow guns have been running full blast making a huge pile of snow for the indoor race, overcoming the ongoing warm winter that has plagued much of the Snowbelt this winter.
The circuit and local organizers have used nine high-powered snowguns fed by special chillers that cool down the hydrant water that feeds them. Something called Snomax is added to help make the snow in the warm weather, and a massive tent was built with multiple refrigeration units to make snow inside the tent, according to a story on the ISOC website.
As of Tuesday, the snowpile was at 4,000 square yards, and they’ve continued to build, so the event is definitely a go.
“I’m confident we’ll be able to pull this off without any problems,” said Carl Schubitzke, a recent former racer and current ISOC director of operations.
After having to cancel the race last weekend in New York, we know ISOC officials and the race teams are champing at the bit to get the season re-started for round five of the eight-stop national tour. The event’s title sponsor is Western Power Sports, with a healthy chunk of support from Tim Horons as well. Amateur racing inside the dome starts at 2 p.m., with the Pro racing show opening ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. at the Silverdome.
Going into Michigan, Polaris’ Ross Martin holds a narrow 20 points lead in the season standings over Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert, 241 to 221. Ski-Doo riders Robbie Malinoski (218) and Tim Tremblay (216) are right on Hibbert’s heels — any of those four could leave Michigan with the points lead.