RHEIN — As the frigid February air sets in, the Rhein Sno Cruzers prepare for their annual vintage derby, an event that has grown in popularity over the last decade.
Jared Peppler, a member of the club, shared insights into the event, which has become a highlight for vintage snowmobile enthusiasts.
"There's been a real increase in popularity in vintage snowmobiles so we started the rally to get these people out and show off some of their old iron," said Peppler in an interview with SaskToday.ca
The event, which kicks off at the Rhein Community Centre Feb. 22, has been a staple for roughly 10 years. It begins with a morning pancake breakfast and registration, followed by a show and shine from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Riders will then leave the community centre at 1 p.m.
"Anybody that comes and registers their snowmobile is automatically entered into the show and shine," said Peppler. "At the end we give out a People's Choice Award for the sled that people enjoy the most. It's open to the public so anybody that's there can vote on their favourite snowmobile."
The club uses the funds raised from the event to maintain and build their trails.
"All the money from this event goes back into the club," said Peppler, noting, "it takes money to run the organization and we try to groom the trail once a week."
The derby runs on a 35-mile groomed trail east of Rhein, with a stop at Cruzer's Cove, the warm-up shelter. Peppler mentioned that attendees often make a full weekend out of sledding, as the event coincides with the neighbouring Togo Snowmobile Derby and Irondog Vintage Derby.
"We get quite a draw of people because they make a long weekend out of it," said Peppler. "It seems over the years it is growing. There's a lot of nostalgia with it."
In the 1970s, there were many more snowmobile manufacturers compared to the four major manufacturers of today. This diversity is evident in the wide array of snowmobiles that participants bring to the event.
"You've got a wide array of different snowmobiles that people bring out and it's neat just to see the different stuff," said Peppler, noting the event attracts not only snowmobilers but also spectators who come to see the old sleds and enjoy the atmosphere.
Initially the derby was scheduled for Feb. 15, but was postponed due to weather.
