Even at this time of year, there’s no reason to be cooped up inside, pining away at the sight of your dirt bike parked in the shed. It’s ice racing season in B.C. and the popular Stake Lake series in Kamloops is about to get underway.
Organized by the Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Association, the Stake Lake Ice Racing Series is set up in a five-race format with a test and tune day and a rain date, if needed. All the races take place at an oval track set out on Stake Lake, which is about 22 kilometres south of Kamloops on Lac Le Jeune Road.
Most of the racers at Stake Lake are from the Kamloops area but there are some from Vancouver and the province of Alberta as well. And they’re not just motorcycle enthusiasts either.
ATV and side-by-side riders also go head to head on the ice. Although the rules are a little different for the motorcycle classes than the ATV classes, the same principle applies: to have fun.
According to Randy Cyr—who organizes the ATV and side-by-side class—ice racing is a great sport for spectators as well.
“It is (set up) so that the whole family can come and watch the races,” said Cyr. “You are able to watch from your car or stand on the sidelines and cheer on your favourite racers.”
Cyr races a Yamaha YFZ 450 in the ATV and side-by-side class, and he’s been racing for about five years. For him, the sport is about more than just taking home a win; it’s about the friendships.
“I have met a lot of people through this club and all of them are there for the same reason, to have fun,” he said, and later added, “I recommend anyone to come watch, and who knows, you might get the bug and be racing next year.”
Racing at Stake Lake begins on January 19. For the full 2014 schedule, visit the BC Ice Racing website.
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