Winter Race Series Returns to Lake Shirley Water Ski Pond

[Mat]

Racers, fire up those engines!

The Winnipeg Sports Car Club’s Fire on Ice race series will return to the Lake Shirley Water Ski Pond (365 Murdock Rd.) on Feb. 1 and 2.

"It’s a total blast," said Mat Leveille, publicity director for the Winnipeg Sports Car Club, which has been organizing the winter race series for the past few years. "People bring out Honda Civics, that sort of thing, the smaller lighter cars are best on ice. We run them around the track, something like 10 minutes plus one lap. We do six races per day. This year we’re doing four events for each class, and there will be a champion."

The Murdock Road events are the second of four weekends in the Fire on Ice series, which also included a weekend in Beasejour on Jan. 11 and 12. The third race day will take place on Feb. 15 at Winnipeg Beach, with a championship weekend of races scheduled for March 7 and 8 in Gimli, Man.

On Feb. 1, the club is inviting would-be racers, or anyone looking to get a taste of ice racing, out for test laps on the Lake Shirley course.

"Anyone can come and pay the fees, we do a mini classroom session then we mentor them through the process," Leveille explained. "It’s really fun. For that day, anyone can come out even if they want to just go for a ride, we’ll throw a helmet on them and find them an open passenger seat."

All the cars that take part in the races, which take place on Feb. 2, are equiped with safety cages. Two classes of cars race: one with studded tires, one without.

"There will be a field of rubber tire cars (no grip), which is harder, more difficult to master," Leveille explained. "The contrast is the studded racers. You have an incredible amount of grip. The car will still slide through corners, if they’re set up right. It’s really exciting to watch."

Spectators can attend the races for free. Those who would like to get up close to the action can also take in the races from the pit area.

"We love to have people see what we’re doing, we just need a waver signed," Leveille said.

Leveille added that the Winnipeg Sports Car Club is an inclusive environment that is trying to share the love of auto racing.

"It’s a welcoming environment," he said. "We’re looking for any opportunity to get people involved. I had almost no automotive or mechanical skills when I got into this club, and they embraced me. It’s unbelievable. If anyone has any interest, come out!"

For more information on the Fire on Ice race series, visit www.wscc.mb.ca/ice-racing/

 

Sheldon Birnie

The Herald Newspaoer

 

Edited January 18, 2020 by Mat