According to one of the owners and President of the Pingouin Snowmobile Club, Martin Hérault, the event was about getting people together to immerse themselves in the elements for an unforgettable weekend of racing.

“It’s a great outdoor activity,” he said.

Drawing many locals like every other year, this time the event featured racers from as far afield as Hamilton, Ont., Hérault said.

On Friday evening, the event kicked off with participants arriving at the race site to get ready for a big day of racing.

On Saturday morning, it was the moment everyone had been waiting for, as racers hit the 500-foot track in hopes of coming home with cash prizes and bragging rights.

Featuring 30 different classes, each separated by engine volume, the races featured all kinds of makes, models and skill levels with kids and adults alike giving it their best shot.

Once the races were over, attendees headed inside the lodge for a spaghetti feast and an award’s ceremony, followed by a party with DJ Chris Godin keeping the atmosphere lively with a list of upbeat songs.

On Sunday morning, a large number of attendees indulged in a greasy, all-day hangover breakfast, following an eventful night of partying, while others participated in a variety of activities with prizes to be won.

As avid snowmobilers, Hérault and his wife, Dominque Thompson, have found great joy in organizing the event, ever since founding it in 2015 because it brings so much joy to other lovers of the sport.

“It makes me proud,” he said. “Proud and happy that I can do it.”

Very popular since its inception, Hérault noted that it has become even more well-attended as the years went on.

“I’d say easily it maintained a good 10 per cent growth,” he said.

Judging by the favourable weather throughout the weekend and the gargantuan number of people who showed up to soak in the experience, Hérault said that this year’s carnival was the most successful one to date.

“Mother Nature was on our side and the turnout with racers and the spectators was better than other years,” he said.

For his company’s next event – its annual ice-drag race from Feb. 29 to March 2 – Hérault said he expects hundreds of participants travelling from all over Quebec, Ontario and the northern United States.

The King of the Lake, Ben Nicolas (left), receives his award from Jim Lake Outfitters owner Martin Hérault on Saturday afternoon.

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