Two racers throttle their snowmobiles, inching up to the starting line.
They each silently nod to indicate they’re ready, the towering, snow-covered Tussey Mountain staring them down.
And then the flag is waved. The racers take off, and as quickly as it started, it’s over.
The Snowmobile Hill Climb Racing Association came to Tussey on Sunday for a night of racing. The event is the snowmobile equivalent of drag racing or a sprint, where initial acceleration trumps endurance or stamina.
The SHCRA brings together pro racers and amateurs for a circuit of races that is more friendly fun than intense competition. At least that’s the case for Wesley Main, who works at Larry’s Sports Center, Inc. in Galeton, Pa.
“We actually run about four sleds here, one big mod and a lot of stock classes. It all really comes down to clutching and getting the power to the ground. We try to help customers as much as possible,” he says. “That’s why we’re out here. It’s all about having fun. It’s a nice thing to do for the guys with the sleds and people at the mountain who come to watch. It’s just a very fun event.”
Main has been coming to these races for about five years, and he says that the sport is reaching new heights every year.
“It’s growing every season. It keeps getting bigger and bigger,” he says. “More people are getting into it and more consumers are coming out, watching, and having fun. It’s a little competitive but we’re not racing for big money so we’re out having fun.”
For the trophy class, which is for the amateur racers, the lure is a trophy for the winner. The pro class winner takes home $1,000 in a bracket-style tournament. Two race at a time, and only one races again after returning to the mountain’s base.
One racer, Caleb Heitzenrater, was lucky enough to race more than once. He lost on his own sled, but handily won on a fellow racer’s sled. Heitzenrater is no stranger to snowmobiles, as he’s built them his entire life and raced them for over a decade.
“I’ve been doing this for 12 or 13 years now. I like everything about it. I like to go fast. I do all my own work on my sleds. There’s a lot of strategy behind this, but it’s more in how you set up your sled than the actual race,” he says. “It’s a lot of work on clutching, suspension, studs and it all kind of comes together. There are pros here who have thousands and thousands of dollars put into their sleds.”
Some spectators, like Caleb’s sister and friends, were there to support one racer. Others, like Todd Gantt and Nikki Doedderlein, were just trying to share the fun of snowmobile racing.
Alexander, Doedderlein’s 19-year-old- son, was the couple’s primary motivation to be there.
“It’s pretty cool. I’m kind of an engine junkie myself. I brought my girlfriend’s 19-month-old out with me today so that he can get an experience in engines and snow and fun stuff like this,” Gantt says. “I’m trying to more make an impression on him than anything else being here. He started off getting into it, but now he just doesn’t care. He was totally into it but he eventually spaced out.”
If you missed Sunday’s snowmobile race, there’s another chance to witness the action live. The SHCRA will be back at Tussey next Sunday, March 16, with races kicking off at 6 p.m. For more information on the organization, you can check out its website.
