Races taking place at Timmins snowdump on Spruce Street South this Saturday and Sunday
Article content
Can there actually be too much snow for a snowcross racing event?
Article content
Apparently so.
Ken Avann, president of the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association which is organizing the two days of racing in Timmins this weekend, said they had to cancel the kids’ events with the mini-snowmobiles because of the limited area of space for racers due to the amount of snow.
“The fact that we have so much is great, because we can proceed with the event,” said Avann. “The fact that we have as much as we do have – which is way more than we need – it does create some challenges for sure.
“For example, our footprint that we have inside the snowdump here is so small, we don’t have enough room to get all the racers in here.”
Typically, CSRA races include novelty events for children, some as young as four.
“There’s just not enough space for them,” said Avann. “So the kids, which represents about 60 racers, we’ve asked to stay home this weekend and we’re going to let them race at another event being held at one of the ski resorts at the end of the season to make up for it.
“We have to bring in about 60 to 70 teams. They’ll fill up all the space that’s here, in the three lots.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, crews began moving snow and starting the work to create a half-mile long track, with jumps at various points.
“We’re going to have a great track. Everything is going to be elevated on top this year. So in that sense, we’re going to have a great show for the crowd.”
Avann said they’re expecting racers from all over Ontario and parts of Quebec.
“They’re going for a national points championship. We run a nine-race series and these guys get points every time they race for a championship at the end of the season. We also did a Triple Crown with our northern events – Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Timmins. So this is the final of that Triple Crown challenge and there will be a big award presented to the pro open racer who wins that Triple Crown championship.”
Article content
Avann said the racers’ group of 60 to 70 teams will account for about 700 people, which includes mechanics and family members.
“Then we’re expecting over a thousand people per day for spectators. So, we’re looking at over the weekend probably close to 3,000 people here, so it’s significant.
“Some people are here now already,” he said on Wednesday. “They’re riding the trail systems and staying at the hotels and they’re spending their money.”
Avann said the economic spinoffs to host communities tends to range between $700,000 to $1.3 million.
“That’s what the economic impact studies have shown and that’s based on hotel rooms, overnight stays, the food and beverages that are sold, the hardware stores, gas, all that kind of stuff.
“So it’s a great boost for the city.”
With no on-site parking available, Avann said spectators are going to be encouraged to take advantage of shuttle services that are going to be available this Saturday and Sunday.
“Once you get the racers in here, the lots are going to be full and the ends will be fenced so there will only be walk-in traffic.”
The Triple Crown Pro Snowcross event put on by the CSRA is being held at the Timmins snowdump on Spruce Street South this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available each race day at the front admission gates.
Visit snowcross.com/timmins for more details about admission fees and scheduled races.
