by Marianne Christy
The 26th annual Shoot Out, a snowmobile event that features out-of-the-box racing trials and testing of sleds from the four major snowmobile manufacturers, will return to Inlet on Friday, December 11 following a 17-year hiatus.
The event, sponsored by American Snowmobiler Magazine and Dynotech Research was co-founded by Jim Czekala, Tom Smith and the late George Taylor in 1990 and was held on a farmer’s field in South Trenton. The following year the event was moved closer to home at a track adjacent to the Ole Barn in Inlet, where it continued to be held until 1997.
From 1998 to 2014 Shoot Out was moved to the White Otter Fish & Game Club property in Woodgate.
This year, Chip and Cindy Sauer have been busy prepping their track behind the Ole Barn for Shoot Out 2015.
Gates open at 8 a.m. with the racing held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spectator fee is $10.
Shoot Out will be held with or without the benefit of snow, however in the case of less than stellar race conditions—such as poor visibility due to rain or snow—it will be held during the same hours the following day.
Major local sponsors are Van Auken’s Inne and Wakely’s Speakeasy of Thendara, who will provide lodging for representatives of American Snowmobiler and Dynotech teams, and will also have staff on-site at Shoot Out to distribute free swag.
Also on-site will be the Screamen Eagle/Matt’s Draft House tent where official Shoot Out shirts, and food and beverages will be available for purchase; Jen Lamphear’s food truck, The Food Zone; and the Eagle Bay Fire Department. There will also be vendors and raffles.
The event will host representatives from Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo, Yamaha and Polaris as well as provide performance shop modified runs and trail riders’ runs.
Trail riders can run the 660-foot track for $10.The fun continues well after the races end. An awards dinner will follow at The Ole Barn, and from 7 to 10 p.m. the Big Moose Inn will host a Snodeo Kick-Off Party. Live music by Doug Green will begin at 8 p.m.
“We are so excited to bring the Shoot Out back to Inlet and to provide spectators and participants with so much to do that they will want to stay in the area for an extra day. We are hoping to make it bigger and better in the years to come,” said the Sauers.
They are planning future races on the track this winter, including a snowmobile drag race set for the end ofJanuary. (Date to be announced.)
For a list of Shoot Out sponsors go to www.inletny.com and click on American Snowmobiler Dynotech Research Shoot Out under the Events & Activities tab.
For information on racing contact Jim at Dynotech (585) 993-2777. General questions can be directed to the Inlet Information Office at (315) 357-5501 or info@inletny.com.