RUMFORD – Despite pouring rain and above freezing temperatures, Friday night’s Snowmobile Hill Climb at Black Mountain Ski Resort attracted about 100 entries and a large crowd.

Competing in classes based on engine sizes, racers ages 14 and older zipped 2,000 feet up the main ski trail opposite the resort lodge under amber lights, one at a time in two heats.

The odor of spent fuel lingered heavily at the starting gate as riders hung on, engines screaming up the slope until the sleds disappeared from view.

Racers in each class first had to complete a slalom climb, steering around three barrels on the course and passing between two flags at the finish line.

“It’s more of a drag obstacle course,” racer Ivan Churchill of Rumford said.

Racer Chris Roy of Rumford said he hoped to beat his 17-second finish for his up to 699 cc engine class at the last uphill climb on Jan. 23. The winning time was 15 seconds.

Churchill said the strategy in the slalom race is simple.

“Go as fast as you can go to get around the barrels,” he said.

Friday night’s problem, however, was seeing the barrels in the driving rain that blew sideways when the wind picked up.

The second climb was a straight speed run. Times from both runs would be averaged for winning times.

Roy said some guys will set up their sleds with paddle tracks to better their chances of getting up and over the hill. Others adjusted shock absorbers or used studs on the tracks for traction.

Sleds can hit speeds of 80 to 85 mph in the slalom event for finish times in the 16 second range.

Trophies are awarded for first, second and third place in both men’s and women’s classes.

Due to the larger than usual number of entries, time-tracking problems created by driving rain striking timing sensors, and at least one sled with an engine that blew near the top, the open and last class was just starting their slalom runs by about 7:45 p.m.

Friday’s race was the second of three scheduled uphill climbs. The first attracted 60 entries and was held on Jan. 23. The final hill climb event will be held March 27.

By 5:42 p.m., 18 minutes before the start of racing, competitors were still lined up and registering as fog swirled around the summit. Rain began to fall harder at the base.

Roy said 85 percent of the men and women competitors are from the Rumford area. Others came from New Hampshire and Connecticut.

Before donning his helmet, starting his sled and joining the ribbony line of revving racers – three and four abreast – for a practice run, Roy said he enjoys the sport.

“It’s a fun thing to get out and do. It’s something different,” he said.