Alaska Ice Racers gearing up for third race of 2022

WASILLA— The Alaska Ice Racers are preparing for the third race of the 2022 season, which is currently scheduled for Jan. 30.

Alaska Ice Racers is a Big Lake-based sports club that brings members and non-members from across the Valley together to race dirt bikes and 4-wheelers across the frozen North Shore area.

Alaska Ice Racers President, Jesse Wilson said there are separate fees for members and non-members. He said they use these funds for fuel and overall maintenance. He noted that a majority of their racers are members, but anyone is welcome to sign up for as many races as they want without joining the club.

There is no admission for spectators. There will also be a food truck on site. Wilson said their races make for a great family-friendly event that people can watch from the warmth of their vehicles.

The Big Lake race club draws racers of all ages from across the state, according to Wilson. He said they have multiple groups for youth racing, and they’re always looking to foster the next generation of Alaskan Ice Racers.

“I don’t want kids coming out and getting turned away. If you want to come race, we’ll put you in somewhere,” Wilson said.

Wilson grew up around motorsports. He said their group has been around since the 1980s and he remembers attending the races when he was a kid in the 1990s. He said it’s really important to have access to clubs like Alaska Ice Racers in the Valley and to involve local youth as much as possible. That’s why he stepped up to get involved.

“I didn’t want to see it going away,” Wilson.

Alaska Ice Racers is a club solely operated by the efforts of volunteers. He said they’re a group of like-minded race enthusiasts that welcome any newcomer with open arms and an abundance of comradery.

“It’s a great group of people,” Wilson said.

Wilson said they typically start their race seasons during the first week of January and wrap up around March, depending on the weather. He said their overall participation has grown over the years, and they welcome any and all who want to come out for a fun and fast-paced afternoon of winter racing.

“We want more people to come out. It makes for better competition all around,” Wilson said “The more the merrier.”

Race 3 of the 2022 Alaska Ice Racers starts at 12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 by the North Shore Campground. Practice and signups run until 11:30 a.m. with racers meeting before the race at 11:40 a.m.

For more information, call 907-841-3634 or visit facebook.com/AlaskaIceRacers.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com