LAC LA BICHE – for the past decade, Gordon Kozakevich has competed in the snowmobile sled drag races at the Lac La Biche Winter Festival of Speed, which was recently renamed the Lac La Biche Ice Festival.
For the Lac La Biche-area resident, participating in the sled races is an all-around fun experience. The races will be taking place alongside a roster of events for the Ice Festival on March 1 and 2. The snowmobile drag races take place on March 1 from 12-5 p.m., and on March 2 from 12-4 p.m.
“I enjoy everyone coming out, getting together, and having a blast,” Kozakevich told Lakeland This Week.
While Kozakevich has been a common sight on the racetrack for the annual sled races, this year, instead of getting behind the gears of a snowmobile, he will be serving as race director for the event.
He will also be helping build the sled track, as well as a track for the Lac La Biche Back Country Riders. The local snowmobiling club, which is also hosting its annual Snow ‘n Shine event during the festival weekend, will have a track available for both kids and adults to ride and learn about snowmobiling.
According to Kozakevich, a considerable amount of work goes into putting on the snowmobile drag races. Organizers make sure that the start line is perfect, not too steep, and also even. They must ensure that the shutdown area at the finish line is smooth for drivers, who go as fast as 130 miles per hour.
Organizers have seen anywhere from 80 to 150 sleds show up at the winter festival races.
There are variety of classes in which sled drag racers compete, including the 800 and 1,000 stock, mountain improved, mountain open and outlaw classes. The stock 800, he said, is the biggest class for sleds.
“You see upwards of 40 competitors in this class battling for first place,” he said.
Kozakevich became involved with the sled drags in 2015 through a friend, Kevin Zatorski.
Zatorski showed Kozakevich the ins and outs of building the track for the sled races.
“When he retired from racing, I took over and started to build the track,” said Kozakevich.
For those who participate in the sled drags, it’s all about the competition and bragging rights that come with it. Over the past 10 years, he has won multiple prizes in the stock 800, 1,000 stock, mountain improved, mountain open, and outlaw classes.
The races also draw a good turnout of spectators.
“I think it’s important to have these races because many people enjoy watching the fast sleds,” he said.
