“A lot of guys—their wives race and they get very serious, too,” he said. “And the kids are a big hit.”
PAGE 75: THE RACES AT PRIEST LAKE HAVE BECOME A SPECTATOR FAVORITE. PREVIOUS PAGE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: RACERS ROUND A CURVE ON THE SPECIALLY MADE TRACK; A RIDER NEGOTIATES OBSTACLES LEFT BY OTHER RIDERS; STAYING ON THE SLED IS CRUCIAL THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: THE RACES HAVE BECOME A FAMILY AFFAIR, WITH BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATING. THE KIDS’ RACES ARE ALWAYS A CROWD PLEASER. ALL PHOTOS BY GARY DAVIS
The space has allowed Courteau and local volunteers to create an oval ice track each winter, which provides a prime racing experience. With the help of 50-year Priest Lake resident Paul Storro, who owns an excavating business, VSRPL builds a track that’s made up of 16-inch thick solid ice, which is dyed blue just before race day. The process requires two or three weeks of cold weather to create the conditions necessary to pull off such a chilly endeavor. “It takes a lot of work to make the track, but it’s worth it,” Storro said, adding that “fast sleds go fast on ice.” Storro has been racing snowmobiles since 1987, and taking part in VSRPL races since they began. He said his children— three boys and a 15-year-old daughter—all participate in the races as well. The Storros are just one example of a family that’s made racing vintage sleds into a “family affair,” Courteau said. “A lot of guys—their wives race and they get very serious,
too,” he said. “And the kids are a big hit.” It’s understandable why a bunch of four-years-olds on miniature snowmobiles might be a crowd favorite, and the experience often leads to a lifelong love of the niche sport. “It’s been cool to see, since we’ve been doing it so long now, these young kids that started on 120s are up into the juniors, and some of them are up racing with adults now,” Courteau said. “As long as the weather permits, we’ll just keep doing this.” VSRPL plans to host three two-day racing events during 2021: January 16-17, January 30-31 and February 20-21. With the help of countless volunteers and loyal sponsors, Courteau is hoping for another successful season. “It takes a village,” he said, “and it’s good for the community.” Learn more at vintagesnowmobileracingpriestlake.com. SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E
066_079_SMW21_Features+PhotoEssay.indd 77
|
77
10/27/20 1:11 PM