| Summary: | Snowmobile racing is more than just recreation Slapshots Matt McLagan With the abundance of snow and frozen lakes in Minnesota and North Dakota, snowmobiling is a popular recreation among several Concordia students. These students are probably the only ones who prayed for snow and rejoiced after the snowstorm earlier this winter. But for some, snowmobiling is much more than recreation. Like cars, boats and motorcycles, snowmobiles are being used more frequently for racing over every possible course, climate or distance. "Snowmobiles are mostly used for recreation around here, but they do make formidable racing vehicles," said junior Paul James, a participant in cross-country races and a fan of all types of snowmobilbe racing. There are many different kinds of racing for all seasons. In the winter, the most popular form of racing is oval racing. Formula One and Formula Two Applications now available for 1989- 90 CAReS Committee in SA office Applications due 5p.m. Wed., Feb.15. HOW TO GET A GREAT COPY Quality depends partly on your original. Here are some tips. 1. Use a clean white sheet of paper. 2. Use black ink only. Avoid blue ink and pencil. 3. Leave at least W margin all the way around. 4. Use clean, transparent tape to attach **paste-upsH securely. 5. Use a fresh, dark ribbon in your typewriter or printer. Avoid a worn ribbon, especially in your dot matrix printer. 6. Screened black and white photos reproduce best. Avoid color photos. Once you have a great original, quality depends entirely on the copy-ing service you use. Find one with experience, advanced equipment and most important, people who care. kinko's the copy center 309 8th Street S. • 233-8035 oval racing use a modified snowmobile built exclusively for racing while Formula Three uses stock snowmobiles with faster engines. Cross-country racing is also held in the winter. This involves covering a distance averaging 24 miles across snow and ice. Other types of racing in the winter are snow-cross, which is similar to moto-cross, and drag racing. Snowmobile racing is not limited to the winter, although When a snowmobile sinks, there is no harm done if the engine is cut before it goes under. A milk carton tied to the sled marks the spot where the snowmobile sunk and a pontoon boat with a winch raises the sled. Freshman Greg Wurdell got involved in cross-country racing when he was 15. He was exposed to racing by his father, who had been active in snowmobiling since high school. Wurdell became eligible to race on the cross-they y are intended to be used over country circuit last year. snow. Drag racing over grass and mud occurs in the summer as does open water cross, which is judged on distance. Believe it or not, a snowmobile can move across the water if the driver stands on the back and a high speed is maintained. The world record is an amazing 56 miles, which could have been extended had the snowmobile not run out of gas. "You need to be 18 and race in a certain number of times to get into the circuit," Wurdell said. Wurdell said that it is an expensive sport with his snowmobile costing about $5000. Prizes are given for the top performances, but Wurdell does it for the enjoyment "The prizes alone aren't worth what you put into it," Wurdell said. "I do it for the fun of it" the SPARKLE Show your love this Valentine's Day with a diamond from: Neubarth's Jewelry Moorhead Center Mall 233-0719 Giovanni's Pizza February Special! LARGE HALF & HALF PIZZA $500 plus tax FREEDEUVERY SMALL 1ITEMPIZZA $3.50 Expires 2-27-89 CLIP COUPON Whennv voottii think Pizza thiinnkkG Giiovanni's! MOORHEAD WEST FARGO SOUTH FARGO NORTH FARGO 233-2883 281-0744 235-6637 235-8877 BROOKDALE MALL 25 SHEYENNE 1212 PAGE DRIVE 1461 11TH ST. N. I lours: 11 A.M.-i A.M. Daily, 4 P.M.-12 Mid. Sunday The growing popularity of snowmobile racing has increased the sales for the larger companies such as Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha. This has resulted in competition between the companies to produce the fastest snowmobiles, hoping they can make a winner and receive extra publicity. James said the average snowmobiler can benefit from this competition. "The major companies are constantly experimenting in an attempt to make the fastest sled," James said. "As a reslult, the technology trickles down to the stock sleds which improves recreational snowmobiling." New snowmobiles are coming out with such perks as independent suspension, hydraulic breaks amd even reverse as a result of racing. "It makes snowmobiling safer and more fun/' James said. Although snowmobile racing is only about 35 years old, its popularity has increased to where it has a positive effect on all types of snowmobiling. g Time EXPRESS DRIVE THRU Walk Up Window FLAME BROILED 100% PURE BEEF 1620 1«t Av«. N. MoorhMd.MN 1900 Mftln AVWHM Fargo, NO Bigger Burger Combo $1.97 Includes: • V* Ib. Hamburger • Large French Fries • 24 oz. Pop Good Food Fair Prices Fast & Friendly Service They couldn't believe how easy it was; I couldn't believe how inexpensive it was. Mom and Dad always taught me the value of a buck. That's why I knew I was getting a good deal whervl signed up for my pilot's license at Airways Unlimited. Their package price covered everything--no extra hidden costs. After convincing my folks how practical and economical it was (it was, after all, their money I borrowed), the rest was a piece of cake. I told them how easy it was to get a pilot's license and that I can get it in the same or less time as my college classes. There's onty about 40 hours required-thai's all. And, Airways Unlimited also offers advanced training, like getting a commercial license. In a time when the job potential in aviation is excellent, that sure is good to know-it sure calmed Mom and Dad down. Oh-the best part is they have an introductory flight offer-only 10 bucks. So, give it a try. Call Airways Unlimited today and get your first taste of freedom. IRWAYS-2828757 UNLIMITED Feb. 10, 1989 • The Concordian • 15
|
|---|