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BELOW IS AN ARTICLE THAT RAN IN THE CITIZEN AFTER THE GRASS DRAGS...
These racers kick grass.
Snow mobilers scream on airport green
By GORDON D. KING
Staff Writer
GILFORD — Speeds topping 100 mph were reached by professional snowmobile racers during the grass drag races held at the Laconia Airport on Sunday.
The two days for racing were crammed into one day because of the heavy rains on Saturday.
An estimated 1,500 people gathered to watch the racers speed along the 500-foot long courses.
Races were held for the professionals and amateurs, said Mike Ouellet, owner of the New England Grass Drag Series. This weekend's event was the ninth in a series of 10.
Next week the International Snowmobile Racing Association national championships will be held in Greenville, N.Y.
Ouellet said this is the third year the event has been held at the airport.
The races are hosted by the Belknap Snomobilers.
"The hospitality and people here are great," the organizer said.
Some 280 professional racers and area amateurs raced on Sunday. Each races against the clock.
Ouellet said the professional teams were sponsored by snowmobile manufacturers including Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris and Ski Doo.Among the teams racing on Sunday was RX4 Racing, the Booth family of New Durham. Other teams included Bickford Racing of Epsom and the 8 Extreme Team.
According to the organizers, racers invest anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 modifying their machines for racing. Ouellet said of the racers reached speeds of 111 mph.
Spectators also had the opportunity to see the newest models of snowmobiles, suits, trailers, ATVs, helmets and other accessories from the vendors who displayed their items along the old runway at the airport.
Officials said one racer, Kevin Levesque of Derry, was injured when his machine flipped over and landed on top of him. He was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital for treatment.
Gordon D. King can be reached at 524-3800 ext. 5916 or by e-mail at gking@citizen.com.
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