ICE IS NICE TO KICK OFF 2013 UPIR RACE SEASON
For die hard motorsports racers, ice is nice. The 1/3 mile ice track at the the U.P. State fairgrounds in Escanaba will thrill racers and fans alike on Saturday, January 19th. Upper Peninsula International Raceway and Great Lakes Ice Racing volunteers have been dropping water on the track for weeks. The cold snap this week will result in a solid ice track to kick off the 2013 UPIR racing season.
Racers from the M & M Ice Breakers in Marinette/Menominee will join local 4/6 and 8 cylinder cars to debut the car class. Motorcycles, micro-sprints, quads and three-wheelers that have ice raced locally for years will show off their talents. There will be studded and non-studded classes following the rules of Great Lakes Ice Racing and the M & M Ice Breakers.
Pits open at 3:00 PM with racing at 5:00 PM EST. Pit passes for all ages are $15. Grandstand admission is $5 with 10 and under free. Concessions will be open under the west end of the grandstand and in the pits. Paid grandstand admission will allow fans to view racing from their vehicles on the hill outside of the track between turns one and two. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. The grandstand will also be open for seating.
Entering the fourth year of racing, Upper Peninsula International Raceway is a group of volunteers dedicated to keep racing in Escanaba. All proceeds are deposited to the Track Development Fund to improve the race facility.
The second date for UPIR ice racing is Saturday, February 9th. Races on the clay oval are scheduled for May 18, June 2 and 22, July 7 and 27, August 3, 17 and 24 and the 4th Annual UPIR Yooper Fall Classic September 13 and 14.
For the second year, Mother Nature intervened and forced cancellation of the Ice Masters 300 snowmobile races sponsored by the Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau on January 12 and 13. Organizers are currently working to reschedule a dates.
Volunteers for UPIR races are always welcome. Contact Cathy at 906-553-5624 to volunteer. For race questions contact Tom at 906-399-7760
