Local snowmobile club gearing up
to set a world’s record
“Ready, set, go!” is a cry which will bellow across Lake Scugog on Sunday, February 21 as hundreds of snowmobilers take to the ice to set a new world record.
The occasion is part of the Port Perry Snowmobile Club’s charitable events, and is co-sponsored by six neighbouring clubs, including the Cartwright Dynos.
“We decided to do it (the run) as part of our 40th anniversary,” explained Rick Sauer, Executive of Events and Promotions for the Port Perry club. “Every penny of the registration fee will be donated to the Easter Seals Camp for Kids,” he added, proudly.
The current Guinness World record is held by a club in Minnesota, which in 2002 had a tour of 820 sleds all in a row. Port Perry hopes to surpass the 1,000 mark, mainly because of the local enthusiasm for the sport.
Nearly 6,000 permits are issued annually from the local club alone and the entire province hands out just under 100,000 permits every year.
Ontario has 41,000 km of snowmobile trails, all developed in the past 40 years. This is far greater than the number of highways. Scugog now has 150 km of groomed trails. All of these routes are built and maintained by volunteers such as Rick Sauer.
Rick has been on the executive of the PPSC for seven years and faithfully grooms the trails four times a week. This in itself is not an easy task.
Driving a Bombardier groomer, a device the size of a truck, through snow trails is tricky, especially pulling a 10 metre grading device. Rick handles it as if he was born in the seat, constantly making sure not to interfere with neighbouring land owners and their property.
“I do it because I love the sport,” said Rick as he returned from a three hour grooming run. “It also helps me keep a lookout for people who drift from the trails or don’t have permits, as well as ATV’s who are not allowed to travel on the trails.”
The parade on February 21 will start at the south end of Lake Scugog, in the Palmer Park area. Entrants are asked to be there by 10 a.m. to take part. A pancake breakfast will be served and stories will be shared. The organizers will send the snowmobilers out in groups of 100 to avoid congestion.
The 25 - 30 km excursion will head north on the lake to the mouth of the Nonquon River and back along the “Island” shoreline. There is no pre-registration. Simply show up, pay the $20 entry fee and enjoy the fun and camaraderie.
Snowmobiling is a great sport and in recent years laws have made it safe for everyone to enjoy. Even if you do not drive a ‘sled’, club officials welcome the public to come on out and see how much fun the event will be. Who knows, you could probably read about this record breaking ride in the next edition of the Guinness World Records.
By Jonathan van Bilsen
Focus on Scugog
Personalities
