March 28, 2024

Trails

Segment Sponsored By: madcap.shootproof.com

Motors-Lakes-Trails segment sponsored by MadCap Imaging

Remember when Michigan had Ice??

I can remember as a little girl, my brothers pulling me around behind their 4-wheeler while I was on my ice skates.  We could go up and down the dirt roads because there was so much compacted snow and ice built up, that we could actually take our blades out there and not hit any rocks.  I also remember taking the snowmobile to work because the back roads were not passable in a car.  And I remember my dad using the chainsaw to cut holes in the pond to make sure there was enough ice out there for Ice racing.  It was a blast!  Lots of snow, lots of ice, and winters that you had to be tough to survive!  This year, when the last week of January started off, things looked hopeful with a couple snow days, a few early private practices on the frozen water, and the hopes for a good ice season to come.  BUT THEN!! …  mid-February hit and the temperature gauge in my car said 56 degrees!!  I guess mother nature decided to give us an early warm up and unfortunately canceling the ice season for most of Michigan.


Still, I have to give credit to the ones who made the best of the season we did have!  The Port Huron Motorcycle Club happened to already be preparing for one of the best winter fest races of the season…. The SXS and Chili Cookoff that they had at their property in Port Huron Michigan.  Which, to my knowledge was the only race this winter that didn’t have to be canceled…. Of course, only because side by sides can run in the mud too!!-Lol Oh, and oh my goodness THEY DID!!  I was super excited to send my apprentice Emma Robar of Shutterworks Photography out there to catch some mud splashing action and she did NOT disappoint!  I certainly was sad to miss that mud flying fun, but thank you Emma, for donating your time and talent to the racing community!  This incredibly creative artist didn’t hesitate to grab her camera and jump in the mud, and the shots she captured were incredible!

To all the Michigan riders out there who are chasing indoor ice racing at the World Championship Ice Racing Series in arenas across the country, Thunder Roads Michigan Magazine would like to wish you the very best of luck!!  Although some were able to make the best of the winter by splashing around in the mud, most of our racers had higher hopes for a colder season and found themselves a little disheartened not having any ice to race on.  So, to lighten the mood I’d like to share a plethora of my favorite pictures from ice seasons over the last couple years, back when mother nature played along with Michigan and made Ice!  If you have any snow and ice pics to share, please drop them on our Facebook page.  We’d love to see them!  As things begin to melt off and dry up, we look forward to an amazing, and soon to come dirt season!

Story by Erin Fay/Madcap Imaging Contributor/Photographer for Thunder Roads Magazine of Michigan

 

 

 

 

All Images provided by Erin Fay/Madcap Imaging
 and Emma Robar/Shutterworks Photography
Additional images from the Port Huron SXS Race can be found at Shutterworks.shootproof.com