
Matt Ritchie chases two time world Champion Malcolm
Chartier through turn 4 during the 2014 Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus. Brad Malmgren Photography
Ironwood, Michigan (December 30, 2014) – The 2015 Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus is here! After an eight week battle with Mother Nature, which included more than 120 inches of snow, rain, and temperatures below zero and well above freezing, Red’s Auto of Ironwood and Northern Clearing of Ashland and proud to announce the Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus is finally here.
Beginning with practice on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 2, ice oval racers from four provinces in Canada, and more than 15 states will converge on the fast and historic ½ mile track at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds in Ironwood. The regular racing program begins both Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. with more than 50 races scheduled for both days. Each day, the racing program culminates with the TLR Cup final and 12 of the nation’s premier drivers race 15 laps for their share of more than $120,000 in season long points money. Speeds in excess of 100 mph are common with these drivers.
In addition, 30 other classes of both vintage and late model sleds will be competing over the weekend. One of the special events includes the Jim Adema Memorial Cup race on Saturday. Heat races and semis in the Adema Memorial take place Saturday morning with the final being run in the afternoon. (Jim Adema was killed in a racing accident in December of 1975 while racing in Ironwood.) Jim’s former wife, Patty (Adema) Senneker will return to Ironwood for the first time since Jim’s death to present the winner of the race with a special trophy and $1,000 in cash.
The second special event race is the “Wizard Dash for Cash” to be held on Sunday. Racers in the vintage 340 IFS class will be racing for an additional $2,150 in prize money with $750 going to the winner and additional money paid all the way through fifth place. The “Wizard Dash for Cash” race honors local race supporter Keith “The Wizard” Ladwig who passed away in 2014. Keith and his family are longtime supporters of snowmobile racing. Through the generous support of the Ladwig family, 4 Seasons Forest Products, Ponsse North America, Hoeft Construction, South Shore Oil, Extreme Tool and Dale’s Automotive, the Dash for Cash became a reality.
There is a ton to see and do at the Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus in 2015. You can get out of the cold by stopping by the heated multi-purpose building where you will find hot food, a full bar, warm bathrooms, vendors, including FXR, Amsoil, and more.
Finally, we want everyone to have a chance at some free cash. So during the TLR Cup Final each day (roughly 3:00 or 3:15 p.m.) simply be in the grandstand during the final race for a chance at two round trip tickets from Ironwood to Chicago (courtesy of Air Choice One), one $50 bill, or one $100 bill. Just be in the grandstand for a chance to win.
More information is available on the race website and by following the race Facebook page. See you at the track; the fast and historic ½ mile – “Where Legends Race!”