Seasoned racer, Timberland Tours owner and race organizer Denis Rozon is ready to hop on his three-wheel scooter and compete against some of Canada’s best-known racers.

With COVID-19 safety restrictions still in place, audiences will be much smaller and masks and proof of vaccination at the door is required to enter the venue. In addition, due to travel restrictions, European racers won’t be attending but this year audiences can expect up to 100 racers; Jean-Rene Saucier and the Dagenais Team will be a major draw and make for an exciting race, said Rozon.

Dryland racing is tricky, said Rozon, “If a rabbit crosses the trail in front of your dogs [while you’re racing] they’re going to go after that rabbit, and then you’re going to be tangled.”

Rozon has been an avid racer for almost 50 years and every year when he stands behind the starting line, he’s no longer an organizer, he is one of the racers. “I’m probably the oldest,” Rozon said. The race takes place at Timberland Tours, which has one of the best trails, he added, and is one of the reasons the first world championship race in 2010 took place on his racing grounds. He believes his name recognition, passion and love for the sport is what drives hundreds of folks to the annual event. “It’s rare you go in a race where the organizer is racing,” he said.

Spectators can expect an extensive schedule that will go from Oct. 30 to 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On Sunday a winner will be announced at 4 p.m., with a cash prize of $5,000 up for grabs. The event will include participants bikejoring, using scooters, carts and canicrossing, which is when the dog is tied to its racer and they run together.

This year Rozon is thrilled to race with two-year-olds Axe and Sky. The young racers are Eurohounds which are a mix of Alaskan husky and German shorthaired pointer, said Rozon. For Rozon, it’s seeing “good racers from everywhere coming to Bristol,” that is the biggest satisfaction for him. He said he is proud to have popularized a sport that people from all over the world come to and race, “Bristol is on the map now,” said Rozon.

The event is free for all; there are no admission fees. Shawville’s well-known Café 349 will serve food throughout the event.

Rozon said without the help of Pontiac the race “wouldn’t be where it is now.”

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