Snowmachine drags in the dirt

PALMER — Snowmachining in June? Only in Alaska. It was a beautiful weekend spent drag racing on, of all things, grass and dirt, in the Alaska Snowmachine Grass Drag Race series competition.

During the double elimination competition at the Alaska State Fairgrounds the dust was flying and race fans speckled the side lines to watch the entertainment.

All afternoon the 500 -foot long grass and dirt course, maintained by double duty medics who kept the track damp to prevent dust, was being conquered by snowmachiners, novices and amateurs alike.

The only reminder of winter was what little snow still remained on the Chugach mountains behind the fairgrounds and the shovels full of ice used to cool the engines after each drag race. Riders can reach speeds in excess of 85 mph, causing the engines, which are usually kept cool by Alaskan winters, to become exceptionally warm in the summer heat.

Many of the racers took one extra step in caring for their machines by having their children or friends tow them with four-wheelers from the finish line to what could be considered "the pit." The competitors were sponsored by local companies. They had to qualify for the races. The two-day event took place as part of the Colony Days festivities.