Annual Snodeo entertains with speed and stunts

RANGELEY — It was impossible to drive through Rangeley on Saturday without seeing a snowmobile — every size and color imaginable — with riders of nearly every age.

Thanks to Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club and numerous other sponsors, Snodeo, a weekend-long fundraiser, has been happening annually for over 20 years.

On Saturday, the last day of the three-day event, hundreds came from all over the country to participate in the event, and the parking lots of Boss Power Equipment and Loony Bin Variety on Main Street were submerged in a sea of snowmobiles.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., riders ripped across Haley Pond, some participating in the Radar Run, hosted by the Harrison Friendly Riders Snowmobile Club.

A large sign 660 feet from the Radar Run starting line captured the speed of snowmobiles ripping past it.

“It’s amazing the amount of money people put into their sleds,” said Annie Harris-Rowe, who was there cheering on family members and watching the modified runs.

Jeff Trask’s modified snowmobile earned the fastest speed of the day with a whopping 139 mph.

Food and warm drinks were served by the Harrison club, whose cheerful demeanor was true to their name.

“We were asked by the Rangeley Lakes club to host the Radar Run this year,” said member Dave Pickering, who is helping to plan another Radar Run on Feb. 18 at Crystal Lake in Harrison. “We’ve done a lot of these types of events in Harrison and I guess they thought we did a good job.”

The Harrison club grooms about 41 miles of trails in their area, and Pickering said without private landowners giving permission for riders to zip along their property, snowmobiling wouldn’t be possible.

Cole Striker attended the Snodeo on Saturday for the eighth year in a row with his dad, Darin Striker, and uncle, Dennis Maroney. The trio enjoyed buzzing around on the pond, something they do every year.

“We just ride around, check stuff out, go to lunch and definitely go to the Rave X show to see the jumpers,” Maroney said.

The jumpers, a Rave-X team of freestyle riders, including stunt veterans such as Freddy Rasmussen, Jesse Moran, Alex Bishop and brothers Seth and Brandon Bell, thrilled the hundreds of spectators, performing tricks high up in the air while drones hovered above them, capturing their gravity-defying and mind-boggling skills.

This was the ninth year Rave-X has performed in the parking lot of Boss Power Equipment, which was clearly the highlight of Snodeo for many. Moose Alley’s deck was filled with admirers, as well as the roof of Boss Power Equipment.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

Radar Run Winners

Youth Under 9: Bruce Watson

Teen Ages 10-17: Troy Dinga

500cc stock: Danielle Taylor

(no 500cc modified)

600cc stock: Scott Lancaster

600cc modified: Frank Edmondson

700cc stock: Seth Baldwin

700cc modified: Frank Edmondson

800cc stock: Randy Baldwin

800cc modified: Christopher Edmondson