THUNDER BAY – It’s hard to match the majestic stillness of Lake Superior in winter, but with the powerful whine of engines and dramatic sprays of snow as colourful cars jockey around tight corners, the spectacle of ice racing offers its own charms.
A committed group of local enthusiasts have been racing cars on the lake for over 60 years, says Gary Adomko. The president of the Thunder Bay Autosport Club was at Mission Bay, just south of Mission Island, along with about 100 others on Sunday for the first race of the season.
The group waits until ice is at least a foot thick before kicking off the season, which usually lasts through mid-March. There is no fee to come watch, though the group asks for donations to help cover costs.
Volunteers finished clearing a track about 1.8 kilometres long in the protected bay on Saturday night. The inaugural race day saw nine cars compete in the rubber class (that is, with un-studded tires) and three in the studded class. Those numbers are lower than average, but Adomko says that’s not unusual for the season’s first race, as drivers get their cars ready for action.
“It’s a rush, that’s for sure,” said driver Rick Mercuri, after winning the first heat in the studded class. “There’s no money being made or anything like that – it’s all about bragging rights. If you lose, at least you came out and had fun, gave the spectators a little something to watch. And what else are you going to do on a Sunday?”
Mercuri, who owns Central Auto Parts & Service with his brother, has been racing here for at least 25 years. He says it’s the camaraderie of the team-based sport that keeps him coming back. Drivers and spectators alike tend to convene at the Wayland Bar & Grill after races.
“It’s just a big group of guys lovin’ it, and without them, none of this would happen,” he says. “Before the year even starts, [volunteers] are here day and night. You’re talking racing, you’re thinking racing, you’re sleeping racing.”
Adomko says the pastime is one way to get through Thunder Bay’s long winters.
“You gotta do something when you live in the north, whether it’s snowmobiling, driving these cars on the ice, or perhaps doing some cross-country skiing,” he says. “You gotta embrace the winter and go with it.”
Races are planned every Sunday at noon through March 8. The Don Kettering Memorial race, which also draws teams from Minnesota, takes place Feb. 15 and 16. Updates can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
