SAULT STE. MARIE — Volunteers are continuing preparations for the 57th running of the I-500 Snowmobile Endurance Race, which is less than three weeks away, as crews work to ready the one-mile oval for the grueling event.
Cold weather has provided crews with opportunities to build up ice on the track. Volunteers have been out day and night laying down water using three watering trucks.
Track officials ideally want 14 to 18 inches of ice for pre-race events starting Feb. 1.
James Kay, an I-500 board member in charge of the track and pit area, commended the work volunteers have put in.
“The focus that it takes to be able to do the job right and the work ethic, and then seeing all the people come together to put this place on, it’s just amazing and it really set into me,” Kay said. “For anybody that hasn’t ever been here, the best way to describe it is NASCAR on ice.”
The green flag is scheduled to drop for the race at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.