Youth News

The flag drops with kids Pro Ice racing.

‘Thumb Fun’—Kids Pro Ice by Joel Kunz

There are a lot of activities that to this writer and former coach that are worth the effort if done properly and in the spirit of giving to a sport by teaching the younger generation. That for sure is those involved in youth snowmobile racing, an effort that is also starting to drive innovation on the manufacturer level. On a level of true charitableness, a group of enthusiasts get together in a non-profit organization with a few simple things in mind. Those things are based on a true family helping family experience, mentorship and young people learning to work with others in what can be often difficult circumstances....and conditions. What can be better than that in a digital world where interaction with your peers and adults together is limited. Starting at age 4 and open to kids until 16, age and horsepower in a well thought out and sanctioned group of clubs provide an amazing opportunity for people beyond those just racing. As a former baseball coach and team organizer I can see how those involved have the potential to be a positive influence in not only their children’s life and growth but in others around them and the communities they visit. Sponsorship and industry involvement in the growth are certainly something anyone reading this should consider. With the manufacturers’ obvious growth in snowmobiles geared towards the younger riders and statistics showing a younger average snowmobile owner, with a family, it is easy to see that there are good things happening at this level of the sport. These families also travel, bringing tourism dollars into other communities. I was surprised to learn of numerous families who traveled from Minnesota to be involved in the Fire on

Ice event in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, near my home. Food, lodging, gas and community information is important to those visiting, and am sure some area businesses have not considered. With more families participating, that will change. I had the pleasure of talking about this with Beau Mannino from Kid’s Pro Ice. He has two children participating and has been involved for a number of years. Basically, from what I could gather there are five clubs with two based in Wisconsin, two based in Minnesota and one in Canada. Together they form a tight-knit community of people who do their best to enjoy a winter sport that can often be challenging on machines that can—as any and all do—break down. I found stories of families helping families by providing a spare motor to someone who had blown one so that the youngster can race. Then, when that kid won first place and beat the one whose family he got the motor from, both families got together and shared in the experience. The Kid’s Pro Ice website says it pretty clearly, “Our mission is to promote sportsmanship and friendship A serious Pro Ice competitor. through our passion for snowmobiles and racing.” There is a great deal of mentorship and interaction with the kids who participate. Some kids are there to enjoy the day, be with friends, have fun riding fun machines and enjoy the day. Beau mentioned his daughter as one of those kids, with his son being the ultra competitive type who is looking to win if he can. What was neat to hear was how he described race day. He described it as a team effort to create an individual event. That is where the spare motor story hit home and how he talked

Kid Pro Ice starting line.

about parents and people with knowledge pitching in and getting it done, to be sure that a child can hop on that sled, pinch the throttle and go around the track the best they can. To me, that is easier than trying to teach a kid to hit a baseball and have confidence doing it and much better than anything else they could do with their thumb.

All clubs are sanctioned by the ISR (International Snowmobile Racing, Inc) and have rules as to machine power and speed, based on age group and ability. A universal sanctioning body and format for race day points, series points and year-long awards allows for a participation level of the family’s choice. Youngsters can start at age four on 120cc, 3.5 horsepower machines with rev limiters that max out between 10 and 12mph. It grows from there after age 7, with a modified class using a 206cc sealed Briggs & Stratton engine and gearing that allows for speeds from 25 to 50mph. That is going pretty quick for a youngster, but confidence grows quickly. From there it goes to the Champs class which involves even more capabilities for kids up to age 16.

A big part of the fun according to Beau is seeing kids learn about simple sled maintenance and how it changes as the sleds get bigger and more powerful. Some kids are fully involved with the learning and some just there to drive and have fun, which again is a testament to a team effort that is the core of the sport. A typical race day schedule looks like this:

These kids will be racing Eagle River in a few years 8:30 a.m. – Hot Laps 9:30 a.m. – Drivers Meeting 10:00 a.m. – Racing Starts

• Amateur Stock 120 • Vintage Kitty Cat • Super Stock 120 • Pro 206 • Amateur Kitty Cat • Improved stock 120 • Stock Kitty Cat • Semi Pro 206 • Champ #1 – Lunch/Break • Super Stock 120 #2 • Improved Kitty Cat • Pro 206 #2 • Stock 120 • Champ #2

For more information on how you can be involved in an event or as as a sponsor in the growth of this sport in 2023 and beyond please visit www.kidsproice.com.

JOIN TODAY

FOR ONLY $25!

Call 866-811-7669 or go online to www.mnsnowmobiler.org Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

7040 Lakeland Ave. N., Ste 212, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55428

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