Great Lakes Lightning Sprints returns to the snow for second year
BARBEAU — Great Lakes Lightning Sprints is returning to the snowy Soo area for a second year in a row to make sprint races a local tradition.
Sprint car races are a popular sport in the Michigan and other states, and normally compete on dirt tracks in the summer months.
Sprint cars are similar to Formula One cars in that the original design was meant for racing and not for street use. Because of this, sprint cars have no fenders and are more likely to flip, but are also much faster and have better control over different terrains, such as rocks and ice. Typically, drivers make their own vehicles for the race.
Organizations such as Great Lakes Lightning Sprints host dozens of races each year. Normally, races take place in the summer months on tracks of asphalt and dirt.
Sprint car racing on ice is a less common form of racing, but is more popular to some spectators because the increased traction on ice makes racing faster and more intense.
"You got a lot more traction on the ice so a lot of our racers actually like it more," said Barry Marlow, owner of Great Lakes Lightning Sprints.
While sprint car races on snow and ice have been known to take place in some other states such as New Hampshire, they are rare to find in states like Michigan.
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Organizers said ice racing tends to attract more crowds than other track types because tires outfitted for ice can gain more traction and speed. The St. Marys River exhibition match takes place on a 3/8 mile circular track and is projected to have an audience of 3,000 or more spectators on the ice.
"We're really gonna put on a show for the people that come out and see us. You don't need a lot of cars to get people excited for this kind of race," said Marlow.
Last year, Great Lakes Lightning Sprints brought ice sprint racing to the Soo area. Organizers plan on making it an annual tradition. This year, the second annual ice race will take place at the St. Marys River Roar at the Cozy Corner in Barbeau.
On Saturday, March 4, several lightning sprint drivers from Michigan and other states are joining to race on the surface of the St. Marys River in their custom cars. Five lightning sprint cars are competing in the big race, but the event will also see many visitors, including previous sprint tournament champions and visitors from Great Lakes Super Sprints.
The race starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, at Cozy Corners in Barbeau. Cost of admission is $20 but free to spectators age 16 and under.
Visit the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints website for more information about visiting racers and updates on the event.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Great Lakes Lightning Sprints returns to the Sault for second year
