Manawa event slated for Feb. 19-21

By Debbie Sarna

Pro Vintage Racing (PVR) will bring around 150 racers to this year’s Manawa Snodeo, slated for Feb. 19-21 at Bear Lake Resort.

Organizers announced on Jan. 7 that PVR racers will be at the Snodeo race track on Saturday, Feb. 20.

PVR began in 1995 with a group of 12 individuals dedicated to organizing the sport of vintage racing. They are credited for starting the World Championship Vintage Weekend at Eagle River.

PVR offers 3-5 races per year and with 35-40 snowmobile racing classes. It currently has 200 members, making PVR the largest vintage snowmobile racing organization.

Snowmobiles from 1985 and earlier racing are eligible for vintage racing. Watching vintage racing is like stepping back in time, with Ski-Doo, Moto-ski, Arctic Cat, Polaris, Yamaha, Skiroule, Rupp, Mercury, Sno-Jet, John Deere and Chaparral snowmobiles.

There will also be about 20 classes of Lakecross racers bringing their racing skills to the test. Lakecross racers compete against other racing enthusiasts on a 2-mile (five laps) slalom type race track with occasional 90-180 degree turns both left and right.

Radar Runs, organized by the Besaw family (Glen, Roger and Sara), bring grass drag competitors to the Snodeo’s 660-foot shaved, groomed track. Snowmobilers can either participate in the Radar Run, racing against their own time and or they can “grudge” race on the “drag” track against another racer.

Kenn Seif and his wife, Marie, represent the Motorcycle Ice Racing group. Currently known as the Ice Bike Shootout, these motorcyclists race on a 1/3 oval track with speeds up to 60 mph on the straight-aways.

Various civic organizations have stepped up to the “race track” in order to help the Snodeo bring this event to Bear Lake.

The Manawa Lions Club takes care of the admissions gate. The Union Thresherman’s Club is responsible for track preparation, parking trucks, trailers and sleds, and hauling sleds on and off the ice. Rob Ferg, of Mid State Tree Service, handles plowing and grooming.

Travis Griffin helps organize the race by setting up the various race tracks and supplying manpower. He was instrumental in bringing the Wisconsin Kids Snowmobile Racing Association (WKSRA) to the Manawa Snodeo.

“This is where you get your future racers from,” he said.

Griffin’s son, Sawyer, has been racing for the past several years.

Bridget Bailey also plays a major role in organizing the event.

She starts at noon Friday, Feb. 19, with the third annual “Ride With The Vets,” inviting all area veterans for a free luncheon followed by a short trail ride.

She then prepares for Saturday and Sunday racing, feeding over 1,000 racers and spectators.

For more information on the Manawa Snodeo, visit www.manawasnodeo.com.