The Huron Expositor, 1969-10-09, Page 16as ,
4b—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEAFORTH, ONT., OCT. 9, 1969
Snowmobile Racing Attracts
Many Sports Enthusiasts
Snowmobiles are being employed, in industrial and com-
mercial capacities throughout the country. /Typical is this
lineman doing repair work on a line. Without the snowmO-
bile repairs would ,take much longer.
1.
•
The role of racing looms
large as a facet of snawmobiling
hat receives attention far be-
yond that which the number of
participants would warrant,
While it is true that at the
height of the winter season hun-
dreds of races are_held and
thotsands,pf spectators 'watch the
actual number, of race drivers
represents only a small fraction
Clothing Is
Important
of the total number of those who
own and operate snowmobiles.
Avid racers,' however, do-
minate the activities of many
snowmobile organizations where
in sanctions and cc's take pre-
cedence. over the broader as-.
peer of snowinobiling as a
family sport.
Nor is there any lack of em-
phasis on racing at dealer meet-
ings, distributor open houses bY
snowmobile shows. While in
terms of numbers the tail is
wagging the dog, the economic
facts of life are„such that snow-
mobile racing is extremely im-
portant to them, perhaps, than
to the'driverS and the spectat-
ors, for it is estimated
proximately fifteen percent'of
snowmobile sales are directly,
to those interested in racing.
Over forty percent of those who
buy snowmobiles tend to ident-
ify with manufacturers whose
machines have had a good rac-
ing record.
None of this is necessarily
bad if kept in its' proper con-
text, remembering that com-
petition on ,the track has, in
part, become an extension of
competition in' the market
place.
Company sponsored teams
in major, racing events, and
company paid financial induce-,
ments to individual participants
in less importantzaces, have
become the name of the game.
When considered in• the light.
of todays racing with machine
speeds upwards' of one hundred
miles an.,hour the emergence
01 a "professiOnal driver"seems
as completely justified in snow-
mobile racing as it has become
in auto racing.
While racing is not a total
test of any given machine it
has, beyond the shadow of a
doubt, resulted in manufacturer
modification of machines t o
improve traction, stability and
control.
The speeds that will be
achieved during the 1069-70
racing season will not only be a
test of the machines, but of the
skill and agility 'of their "Profes-
sional" drivers.
Snowmobile racing has come
of age in an age of specializat-
ion and professionalism so'the
vast majority of us are going td'
do our racing from the sidelines,
while we let George do it, for
fun, factory or fame.
Racing flags
Anyone faMiliar with the'
semaphore of auto or cycle
racing will not be confused by
the flag signals which govern
most snowmobile races.
Traditionally, the checkered
flag waves in the winner and ,
also is used to inforrh drivers
that they have completed the
required course.
A green flag is used to start
a race, and, on the oval, is
displayed by the_ starter
throughout the -rabe as long as
all goes well.
A yet ow-Caution flaglndi-
cares ehere has been an acci-
dent and is a signal to slow
down, hold positions, and await
.further signals from the start-
er. In a cross country meet,
it is used to warn drivers that
an accident has occurred, and ,
that caution is-required when
negotiating a particular turn
or, obstacle.
A red flag.halts the race--
normally in the case of a false
start or a major accident. A
white flag signalk—the final
lap, and a black flag directs a
driver to the pit area for re-
pairs. "
(Invitation To Snowmobiling)
.ONE PIECE OR TWO? Some
people prefer to have separate
jacket and pants, the reason
being that they can use the
• separate pieces (usually the
jacket) in other ways. A two-
piece suit can be, just as warm
as one of single-unit construct-
ion, if there is some provision
for keeping, the mid-section
covered when you are stretching.
CUFFS: Make sure that you
get close wrist and ankle fit
without', of course, prohibiting
circulation. Knit cuffs are pop-
ular in that they expand to fit'
Most wrist and ankle sizes and
are easy to get in and out of.
But they have a tendency to
soak up moisture, Even with
long gloves and boots, there's a
chance of getting snow around
the cuff areas, so we recommend
self-closures on the cuffs,
NECKLINES: Collars' should
provide warmth but should not
be too tight or of material
harsh enough to chafe the neck.
Most collars have a loth or pile
lining and extend beyond the '
(Continued to Page 7B)
NIGHT R/ MRS :
More and more snowmobilers are riding at night as lighting equipment improves and trails are
made safe for late,traveling. However, caution is the word for any night traveling;
'
a
PLAN TO 'ATTEND THE.
SEAFORPH
SNOWMOBILE CLUB'S
Winter Warm ,- up
DANCE
end
Poi Luck Supper
it the ,
SEAPOItT11' LEGION IIALL
Sat., November 22
TICKETS $2.30 PER COUPLE
'AVAILABLE PROM ANY MEMBER OR PRONE 527-1850 a