Potential future I-500 Snowmobile Endurance racers took the track Sunday afternoon and participated in the Walsh Service Solutions Mini-5 Kids Snowmobile Races. For the first time ever, the future stars of the most gruelling and prestigious snowmobile race in the world raced on the front stretch of the track.
A miniature 1/16 version of the one-mile oval was laid out on the ice.
This race welcomes those from three to 13 years of age.
Carri Bradley has been volunteering at the I-500 for 33 years. Her family has been volunteering since the first race in 1969.
Bradley, who is a board member and a co-chair at the I-500, said this is the first time the Mini-5 Kid's Snowmobile Races have actually been held on the track as far back as she can remember. Previously, the competition has been held in the main parking lot.
"We thought it would be a great thing to do for the kids to change the venue a little bit to get them even more excited about racing. They are our future racers. We just welcome everyone here to watch these young racers. This gives us the opportunity to build the next generation of racers," Bradley said.
Marcie Fierek's husband, Dustin, has been racing since he was 19. He got into snowcross and then In 2010, he actually raced in the I-500 and his team took 3rd. Now their children are possibly looking to be future I-500 racers on the one-mile oval.
"Carson was 3 years old when he did his first race here. He is eleven now and will be running his 120 for the last time here on the big track. My 7-year-old daughter, Marlie, is running her stock 120. It's a family thing. We had to find something to do in the wintertime because it's cold. You got to have some kind of crazy hobby," Fierek said.
Carson took top prize in the Super Mod 120 and Marlie also topped everyone in the Stock 120 race.
The one young racer who melted the hearts of many at the track Sunday afternoon was 3-year-old Bruin Kaunisto from Sault Ste. Marie.
Bruin's grandpa, Zeke, was racing in the 1987 I-500 when Bruin's father, Ray, was born. Zeke got called out of the pits that day and went to the hospital to see his newborn grandson. While Ray doesn't race, little Bruin looks to be following in his grandpa's footsteps.
"Bruin's first time on the sled was last winter when he was two. He loves it," Ray said.
Before suiting up, Bruin spoke up.
"I love racing! I go fast", he barked out.
Bruin set the all-time record for the youngest racer, at age 3, to win a race at this track. He won 1st place in his first race and 3rd place overall in the final.
Here is a list of the winners:
Feature Winners:
Super Mod 120: Carson Fierek
Mod 120: Amelia Hart
Stock 120: Marlie Fierek
Kitty Kats: Brinly Barto
Heat Race Winners:
Super Mod 120 Heat: Carson Fierek
Mod 120 Heat 1: Amelia Hart
Mod 120 Heat 2: 23 Ivy Williamson
Stock 120 Heat 1: Henrik Wolfgang
Stock 120 Heat 2: Bruin Kaunisto
Kitty Kat Heat: Brinly Barto
For complete information about the week's events at the I-500 track, click here.