Drag racing attracting snowmobilers to North Pond
GREENWOOD – Every other Saturday on North Pond is becoming the place to be for snowmobilers.
Gregory P. Erskine, owner of Mountain Machine and Marine, sponsors drag racing and awards trophies in different classes.
“In the last race I gave out 19 different trophies for 19 different classes,” Erskine said. “Then I gave the trophy for the fastest speed of the day – 121 miles per hour.”
He wasn’t sure of the last name, but did know the fastest racer is named Allen from Gorham, N.H.
Erskine said the next race is scheduled for Saturday, if the ice is safe enough.
The drag runway is 1,000 feet long and 60 feet wide. Half of the runway is used for machines racing on ice and the other half has groomed snow on it.
Erskine said he offers the choice because some people do not have picks in their tracks, so they cannot race on ice.
He said when the track was built in the beginning of February, there was 36 inches of ice on the pond. He said there was 34 inches on Feb. 28, during the last race.
About 35 racers entered and made a total of 100 runs, that’s after they signed an insurance waiver to make the runs at their own risk.
Erskine said he thought of having cash prizes, but people prefer trophies.
“It’s about who’s the fastest, bragging rights and people would rather have trophies than cash,” Erskine said. “They start from a dead stop and just try to go as fast as they can.”
The radar gun is at the end of fence.
Erskine said snowmobilers from all over Maine and some from New Hampshire and Massachusetts have entered.
“It’s a fun thing, but a lot of guys are into racing and travel all over the place to try and win trophies,” Erskine said.
He said many clubs throughout New England sponsor drag races, but only for one weekend. He plans to have races every other weekend, that is, for as long as the ice lasts.
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