Snowmobile enthusiasts are invited to volunteer to be a race spotter for this weekend's races.
The United States X-Country Snowmobile Racing circuit is coming to Park Rapids for the Heartland 106 race this Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3.
Organizers are looking for volunteers to be stationed along the track during the race and help with other various aspects of the race either Saturday or Sunday.
Saturday's race will run along Long Lake and into the Hubbard Prairie. Sunday's leg will traverse Hubbard County 4 from the former Silver Star City on Highway 34 through Emmaville and to a loop south of Lake George. The race will start at 9 a.m. and finish around 4 p.m.
Craig Rossman is the head spotter and will be the volunteer spotter coordinator and will go through a brief training at 6:30 p.m. Friday night, March 1 at the Eagles Club. Call Rossman at 218-252-3276 for information about volunteering.
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Volunteers will be given a free BBQ meal from Bogey's.
Local snowmobile enthusiasts Jeff Voigt and Jon Koch pushed to have the race in Park Rapids this year and have been working with Brian Nelson, with the USXC, on the details of the event.
They are hoping some local snowmobilers might consider racing. There are 13 different classes from junior to professional. There is a race for everyone.
The event starts Friday night with registration from 5-8 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Park Rapids. A dinner will be served with funds going to the Hubbard County Food Shelf.
Saturday morning, the race starts at 9 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m. People are invited to watch the race along the route or head to the former Silver Star City location, which is the start/finish line.
A 2013 Arctic Cat Z-120 Christian Brothers-sponsored kids snowmobile will be on hand from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Silver City location for kids to ride.
Arctic Cat will also be on hand with new gear and factory sleds for sale.
Sunday will have a similar schedule, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an awards ceremony at about 5 p.m.
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People should be prepared for potential detours or delays and are encouraged to avoid Highway 34 on Sunday. Locals could drive on County Road 107 to bypass the 34 route.
Emmaville would be a good place to gather and watch the race as well, Voigt said. This will be the fuel stop area.
Koch also wants people who live on County Road 4 to realize it will be very busy. Also, recreational snowmobilers are being discouraged from riding on County Road 4 Sunday. Snowmobilers will still be able to get to Emmaville but will need to come from the west, Koch said.
Hubbard County Sheriff's deputies will be closing major highways briefly to allow the racers to pass safely.
The sponsors said if County 4 driveways need some repair after the race to pick up snow mounds, it will be done.
For more information about the race or to register, go to www.usxcracing.com .
