Sled races return for 22nd year

February 12, 2019

Caleb Nickerson

caleb@theequity.ca

CALEB NICKERSON

FORT COULONGE

Feb. 9, 2019

Downtown Fort Coulonge was alive with the smell of engine exhaust on Saturday afternoon for the 22nd annual snowmobile races.

Competitors of all ages faced off head-to-head along a straight track set up next to the local arena. Organizer Pierre Laporte said that he expected more than 100 competitors for the event, spread over 24 classes.

“It’s more or less the same gang, but people come from all over to race here,” he said. “It’s great for the township, great for the Pontiac, great for everybody. People come here from all over.”

One area that Laporte said he is looking to improve is professional classification of vehicles, which would likely mean forming a circuit with other nearby races. He added that this year they added a laser system to ensure everything was as fair and accuate as possible.

He was proud of the racing surface, which he has been meticulously maintaining for over a month.

“I created this, I call it my rocket launch,” he said, gesturing to the mound of compacted snow where the racers line up. “I always build the pan. I let it sit, early in January. I build it and let it sit, compact it with the groomer.”

He added that fellow members of the Pingouin Snowmobile Club help out on the groomers throughout the day, keeping the racing surface pristine.

The proceeds from the event go towards the Fort Coulonge Arena. “We’re giving for a good cause,” he said. “The arena here, we always need [donations]. It’s a co-op and we need some repairs.”

RESULTS

RUBBER TRACK (Trail can only)

0-600 – Winner: Chris Romain Runner up: William Lepack

601-700 – Winner: Chris Romain Runner up: William Lepack

701-800 (Snow Cross allowed) – Winner: Éric Gauthier Runner up: Nick Morin

801-OPEN (Snow Cross allowed) – Winner: Ian Pétrin Runner up: Éric Gauthier

TRAIL STUD

0-600 – Winner: Jeff Bonter Runner up: Ben Morin

601-700 – Winner: Éric Gauthier Runner up: Trevor Woodward

701-800 (Snow Cross allowed) – Winner: Stéphane Poulin Runner up: Trevor Woodward

801-OPEN (Snow Cross allowed) – Winner: Trevor Woodward Runner up: Éric Gauthier

1000 CC – Winner: Éric Gauthier Runner up: Trevor Woodward

4 Stroke Non Turbo – Winner: Trevor Woodward Runner up: Jason Paquette

4 Stroke Turbo – Winner: Eric Nicholas Runner up: Trevor Woodward

IMP STOCK

0-600 – Winner: Cedrick Desjardins Runner up: Lukas MacIntosh

601-800 – Winner: Éric Gauthier Runner up: Cedrick Desjardins

801 Open – Winner: Ethan Poirier Runner up: Éric Gauthier

4 Stroke – Winner: Patrick Legault Runner up: Stephen Rivet

MOD

0-600 – Winner: Éric Gauthier Runner up: Lukas MacIntosh

601-700 – Winner: Ethan Poirier Runner up: Éric Gauthier

701-800 – Winner: Ethan Poirier Runner up: J. Lamarche

801 OPEN – Winner: Ethan Poirier Runner up: Éric Gauthier

1000 Open Mod – Winner: Eric Nicholas Runner up: Ethan Poirier

Turbo 250 HP – Winner: Méo Runner up: Patrick Legault

Turbo 250 HP and UP – Winner: Méo Runner up: Eric Nicholas

Kids – Winner: Donovan Dubeau Runner up: Kole Laroche

Junior – Winner: Paul Labine Runner up: Mathew Laporte

King of the track (Anything goes) – Winner: Ethan Poirier Runner up: Eric Nicholas

Driver of the day: Éric Gauthier

The races see competitors of all ages participate, and draws folks from all over in for the fun.

Organizer Pierre Laporte said the event helps support not only the arena, but the community by bringing in guests to check out what the town has to offer.

The organizer tends to the track beginning about a month ahead of the races, building the launch ramp up to a perfect height and consistency for the event.

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