International 500 facts for kids
The International 500 Snowmobile Race is a super exciting event! People in Michigan often call it "the I-500". It happens every year in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This race is famous all over the country. It's known as the biggest and longest single-day snowmobile race in the whole world!
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How the I-500 Race Started
The idea for the I-500 race began in 1968. Some business people were talking about the famous Indianapolis 500 car race. They wondered if a snowmobile could race for 500 miles (800 km) too. This fun idea quickly turned into a plan for a snowmobile race, just like the Indianapolis 500.
Building the Race Track
A piece of land was bought from the city of Sault Ste. Marie to build the track. This land used to be a place where ammunition was stored during World War II. There were three big concrete bunkers still on the property. The race committee asked the National Guard for help. Two of the bunkers were removed, but one is still there today. In less than six months, a team of amazing volunteers built the entire 1-mile-long (1.6 km) track.
The First I-500 Race Event
On February 8, 1969, the very first I-500 race took place. Forty-seven drivers were ready to compete. Back then, there were no official rules for snowmobile races like this. So, the I-500 Committee used the rules from the Indianapolis 500. Volunteers counted the laps for the racers. They kept doing this for the next 28 years!
Rules for Early Racers
Each driver had to have at least three backup drivers. They also had to switch places every 50 laps or less. The total prize money for all the winners was $10,000. After 13 hours and 42 minutes of racing, Dan Planck won the first I-500 on a Ski-Doo snowmobile. Only 26 snowmobiles were still running when he finished.
Race Popularity Grows
By the next year, news of the race had spread far and wide. Professional drivers started coming to the I-500. It quickly became one of the most important snowmobile races. Manufacturers use it to show how fast and strong their machines are.
The I-500 Race Today
Today, the I-500 race usually takes about eight hours to finish. Drivers can try to qualify as many times as they want. Since 1999, an electronic system counts the laps. A wire under the track senses a special device on each snowmobile. This makes sure every lap is counted correctly.
Teams and Solo Drivers
Drivers can now complete the entire race by themselves. However, most teams still choose to have two or three drivers. John Wicht III is the only driver to have raced all 500 miles alone and won. He did this amazing feat four times!
Preparing for the Big Race
Drivers must provide a racing history and meet other requirements to enter. Many drivers practice by racing in shorter events around the Midwest. Racing teams spend thousands of dollars on equipment and fuel. Top drivers sometimes get support from big manufacturers like Ski-Doo, Yamaha, Polaris, and Arctic Cat.
Crowds and Prize Money
The I-500 has always attracted many fans. In the early 1970s, nearly 20,000 people came to watch. Snowmobiling was very popular in the 1970s. The I-500 was the place to be for snowmobile fans. In the 1980s and 1990s, snowmobile sales grew a lot. Manufacturers became even more interested in winning the I-500. This also made the prize money much higher. Today, about 8,000 to 10,000 people attend each year. The total prize money is usually more than $40,000.
Building the Ice Track
The first track was made of snow. Now, three 8,000-US-gallon (30,000 L) tankers bring water to the track. They put about 1,800,000 US gallons (6,800,000 L) of water on the track over three weeks. This creates a thick layer of ice, about twelve to eighteen inches deep.
Safety and Community Impact
In 2004, a sad accident happened during the I-500. A person who was not a driver was hurt. This person was standing in a special area for crew members. A snowmobile broke down, and the driver was thrown off. The machine then flew into the air and hit a light pole. It then hit the person, causing a serious injury.
Emergency Response and Changes
Other people were also hurt, including a driver. The local hospital had to use its emergency plan. The race was stopped, and the leader at that time was declared the winner. This event led to important discussions about race safety. Before this, there was no fence or barrier in that area.
New Safety Measures
Since the accident, a snow barrier 10 feet (3.0 m) high is built every year. It is placed 20 feet (6.1 m) away from the track. Now, only two team members can stand on top of this barrier to watch their snowmobile. The race committee and teams work hard every year to make the race as safe as possible.
Economic Boost for the Community
The I-500 race also helps the local community. In 2012, it was estimated that the race brought about $3.5 million to Sault Sainte Marie.
Race Winners
- 1969 Dan Planck, Otis Cowles, Leonard Cowles, Ski-Doo
- 1970 Don Brown, Bill Gunsell, Steve Holcomb, Chaparral
- 1971 Mike Nickerson, Gerald Teegarden, Larry Holmes, Ski-Doo
- 1972 LuVerne Hagen, Stan Hayes, Doug Hayes, Polaris
- 1973 Melvin Kitchen, Dan Prevo, Douglas Bisball, Polaris
- 1974 LeRoy Lindblad, Wes Pesek, Burt Bassett, Polaris
- 1975 Buddy Weber, Stanley Shunk, Jim Crawford, Yamaha
- 1976 Stan Hayes, Doug Hayes, Jerry Witt, Mercury
- 1977 Grant Hawkins, Mike Chisholm, Yamaha
- 1978 Ken Littleton, Ted Ritchie Yamaha
- 1979 Robert Dohm Jr, Ron Dohm, Jeff Dohm Polaris
- 1980 Grant Hawkins, Ed Goldsmith Yamaha
- 1981 Guy Useldinger, Dan Enns Polaris
- 1982 Gerard Karpik, Brian Musselman, Ski-Doo
- 1983 Duane Baur, Ralph Swartzendruber, Paul Swartzendruber, Yamaha
- 1984 Brian Musselman, Karl Schwartz, Ski-Doo
- 1985 Brian Musselman, Chris Daly, Ski-Doo
- 1986 Jeff Kipfmiller, Rick Zudell, Dan Kirts Ski-Doo
- 1987 Mike Staszak, Jeff Kipfmiller, Ski-Doo
- 1988 John Wicht III, Polaris
- 1989 George Sherrard, Tom Sibbald, Jeff Kipfmiller, Ski-Doo
- 1990 Rick Wezenski, Gary Loar, Troy Donn, Polaris
- 1991 Todd Krikke, Randy Krikke, Polaris
- 1992 John Wicht III, Polaris
- 1993 John Wicht III, Polaris
- 1994 Ivan Hansen, Robb Sass, Polaris
- 1995 John Wicht III, Polaris
- 1996 Troy Pierce, Todd Krikke, Polaris
- 1997 Troy Pierce, Todd Krikke, Polaris
- 1998 Corey Davidson, Steve Olson, Polaris
- 1999 Corey Davidson, Steve Olson, Polaris
- 2000 Corey Davidson, Steve Olson, Polaris
- 2001 Russ Chartrand, Tim Leeck, Polaris
- 2002 Mike Gentz Jr., Gabe Bunke, Polaris
- 2003 Corey Davidson, Travis Hjelle, Polaris
- 2004 John Hoos, Matt Hoos, Corey Furkey, Chris Furkey, Polaris
- 2005 Gabe Bunke, Josh Davis, Corey Davidson, Polaris
- 2006 Corey Davidson, Travis Hjelle, Yamaha
- 2007 Chad Gueco, Bill Wilkes, Yamaha
- 2008 Corey Davidson, Jim Wilson, Yamaha
- 2009 Troy Dewald, Jeff Luenberger, Bryan Dyrdahl, Ski-Doo
- 2010 Troy Dewald, Jeff Luenberger, Arctic-Cat
- 2011 Corey Davidson, Travis Hjelle, Polaris
- 2012 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Polaris
- 2013 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Polaris
- 2014 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Polaris
- 2015 Brian Dick, Wes Selby, Arctic Cat
- 2016 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Taylor Bunke, Polaris
- 2017 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Taylor Bunke, Polaris
- 2018 Zach Herfindahl, Wesley Selby, Arctic Cat
- 2019 Troy DeWald, Ryan Spencer, Bill Wilkes, Arctic Cat
- 2020 Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen, Taylor Bunke, Polaris
- 2021 No race due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022 Justin Tate, Andy Wenzlaff, Polaris
- 2023 Tyler Nickles, Cody Bauer, Joey Burch, Nick Wickerham, Polaris
