Record number of riders at SL Snow Drags

Feb 19, 2014

Perhaps it was the perfect ice, snow and weather conditions that attracted over 120 riders, who came to participate in the 4th annual Sharbot Lake Snow Drags on February 15. The event is put on by the Oso Recreation Committee. It was revived in 2011 after a long hiatus and is a popular annual event for riders from as far away as New York state and Quebec, as well as from all over Ontario including Petawawa, Belleville and Burlington.

Organizers have made a couple of changes in the classes year and added a new ice track, a four-stroke single-cylinder class and a vintage class in order to attract more riders. Also new was the addition of a third lane on the snow track, which made for more exciting races both for the participants and the hundreds of onlookers who watched from behind the orange safety fences. Participants were awarded trophies at a special ceremony at Oso Hall after the races. The biggest prizes of the day went to the Kings of the Snow and Ice tracks who each took home a whopping $300 cash prize. A roast beef dinner followed the awards ceremony

Over 40 volunteers from various community groups assist with the event and take on the numerous tasks involved, which include preparing and grooming the tracks, manning the start and finish lines, registering the riders and more. Spencer and Heather Robinson donated their time and services to set up the ice track, as did Mitch Cox and Dennis Scott to set up the snow track. Volunteers Jim MacPherson, Spencer Robinson and Art Starkey announced the races. The Sharbot Lake and District Lions provided the on site canteen.

Charlene Godfrey, who was manning the registration site along with Cathy MacMunn, said that the event is mostly about attracting visitors to the area. “We will put the extra proceeds we make back into the event but our main goal is to draw visitors to the area, who in turn support our local businesses by gassing up, eating meals here and often staying overnight for the event. Our goal is to put on a quality and well-organized event that is fun and entertaining for everyone who comes out”, Godfrey said. Judging by its ongoing success year after year, the Snow Drags will be bringing visitors and snowriders to the area for a long time to come.