Winternationals Snowmobile Hillclimb returns!
The Winternationals Snowmobile Hillclimb will return to Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula for the first time in over 10 years. The event will take place at Whealkate Bluff in South Range on January 16th and 17th. This bluff was the home of the first Professionally Sanctioned Snowmobile Hillclimb in Michigan back in the early 90's.
The event is sanctioned by the Mid America Snow and Terrain Expert Riders Circuit. Commonly referred to as the MASTERS Circuit. The MASTERS had been the sanctioning body of the Copper Peak Snowmobile Hillclimb since 1996. Due to construction at Copper Peak, that hillclimb will not take place this winter.
The Whealkate Bluff Winternationals will bring the top Professional Snowmobile Hillclimbers from throughout the Midwest. The Pro Stock King of the Hill and the Pro Mod King of the Hill will represent the MASTERS Circuit and the Midwest at the World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb in Jackson, Wyoming March 25th through the 28th.
The Pro Stock drivers will compete in 4 different classes, and the Pro Mod drivers will compete in 5 different classes. The Professional drivers will have to go around 'gates' as they try to conquer this steep bluff.
"A few will make it to the top, a few will be able to use the 'hill-jockeys' to save their sled, and many will simply just hope the sled is 'usable' after it tumbles to the bottom of the hill," stated MASTERS President Skip Schulz.
The Amateur drivers will compete in a 'straight-up-the-hill' SPORT Division. The MASTERS also has a class for children with 120 cc sleds. Winners in both of these Divisions will be racing for a Trophy, while the Pro drivers race for a Cash Purse and Trophies.
The Pro Stock King of the Hill and the Pro Mod King of the Hill will each get $1000.00, in addition to the money they win by taking a first in their respective class.
"This event is going to help our ailing Tourism economy, as we expect well over 1000 fans," stated Schulz. He goes on to state that it is with the permission of the private landowners of Whealkate Bluff that made the return of the Winternationals a reality, "not just a dream," according to Schulz.
"Then it was with the help of Jordan Stank, a Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineer graduate, and the MTU Sledheads that got the ball rolling," remarked Schulz.
'Rolling' is a word that is used quite often at MASTERS Sanctioned Snowmobile Hillclimbs. Already the Internet is exploding with thoughts of snowmobiles trying to climb Whealkate Bluff. Another factor that is going to make the Winternationals so exciting is the snowfall that South Range receives every year. 250+ inches of snowfall will help 'cushion' some of the sleds that nd up coming back down the hill.
This week Construction began on the road into Whealkate Bluff, along with construction for both the VIP and Regular Parking. The Construction company will also be excavating the Pit Area for the competitors. VIP Parking will provide fans the opportunity to watch the event from their vehicle, while Regular Parking will be for those that want to watch the competition on their own lawn chair at the bottom of the hill. The Bill Nichols trail is close for those that will come to the event via snowmobile.
"Last years King of the Hill, Nick Gustafson from Roseau, Minnesota vows to defend his title. Joe Van Kalker from Lower Michigan is expected to return, as is the 2007 and 2008 Pro Stock and Pro Mod King of the Hill, Wyler Miller from Pelkie, Michigan. Marquette, Michigan's Jason Carter won last years Pro Open Mod Class and is looking at the Winternationals as his chance to finally get the prestigious Pro Mod King of the Hill honors.
"We've already received word that the top Hillclimbers from Wisconsin and Minnesota will be competing," commented Schulz. "I really don't have a clue as to who will take the 'King' honors at Whealkate. I think it's going to come down to which driver has the skill and the 'guts' to take on the steepness and the amount of snow this hill offers," Schulz commented..
Schulz stated that it will depend upon the amount of entries and the number of drivers that actually make it over the top as to whether the event will run on Sunday, January 17th. "We're leaving the Sunday competition as a 'last resort.' If we need to run on Sunday afternoon, we will. If we can finish the competition on Saturday, that's what we prefer."
Gate admission will be $10.00 a day, with children 6 and under free. VIP Parking will be $25.00, with Regular Parking set at $5.00. Snowmobile Parking is Free.
Snowmobilers that think they have the skill and the machine to compete are asked to call the MASTERS Circuit at 906-884-9101.
Profits from the Winternationals will be donated to the Motorsports Enthusiasts that Care (METC) fund. A Fund for families that are battling cancer. A major sponsor of this event is Pat's Motorsports Yamaha and M & M Motorsports Yamaha.
The Winternationals Snowmobile Hillclimb will return to Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula for the first time in over 10 years. The event will take place at Whealkate Bluff in South Range on January 16th and 17th. This bluff was the home of the first Professionally Sanctioned Snowmobile Hillclimb in Michigan back in the early 90's.
The event is sanctioned by the Mid America Snow and Terrain Expert Riders Circuit. Commonly referred to as the MASTERS Circuit. The MASTERS had been the sanctioning body of the Copper Peak Snowmobile Hillclimb since 1996. Due to construction at Copper Peak, that hillclimb will not take place this winter.
The Whealkate Bluff Winternationals will bring the top Professional Snowmobile Hillclimbers from throughout the Midwest. The Pro Stock King of the Hill and the Pro Mod King of the Hill will represent the MASTERS Circuit and the Midwest at the World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb in Jackson, Wyoming March 25th through the 28th.
The Pro Stock drivers will compete in 4 different classes, and the Pro Mod drivers will compete in 5 different classes. The Professional drivers will have to go around 'gates' as they try to conquer this steep bluff.
"A few will make it to the top, a few will be able to use the 'hill-jockeys' to save their sled, and many will simply just hope the sled is 'usable' after it tumbles to the bottom of the hill," stated MASTERS President Skip Schulz.
The Amateur drivers will compete in a 'straight-up-the-hill' SPORT Division. The MASTERS also has a class for children with 120 cc sleds. Winners in both of these Divisions will be racing for a Trophy, while the Pro drivers race for a Cash Purse and Trophies.
The Pro Stock King of the Hill and the Pro Mod King of the Hill will each get $1000.00, in addition to the money they win by taking a first in their respective class.
"This event is going to help our ailing Tourism economy, as we expect well over 1000 fans," stated Schulz. He goes on to state that it is with the permission of the private landowners of Whealkate Bluff that made the return of the Winternationals a reality, "not just a dream," according to Schulz.
"Then it was with the help of Jordan Stank, a Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineer graduate, and the MTU Sledheads that got the ball rolling," remarked Schulz.
'Rolling' is a word that is used quite often at MASTERS Sanctioned Snowmobile Hillclimbs. Already the Internet is exploding with thoughts of snowmobiles trying to climb Whealkate Bluff. Another factor that is going to make the Winternationals so exciting is the snowfall that South Range receives every year. 250+ inches of snowfall will help 'cushion' some of the sleds that nd up coming back down the hill.
This week Construction began on the road into Whealkate Bluff, along with construction for both the VIP and Regular Parking. The Construction company will also be excavating the Pit Area for the competitors. VIP Parking will provide fans the opportunity to watch the event from their vehicle, while Regular Parking will be for those that want to watch the competition on their own lawn chair at the bottom of the hill. The Bill Nichols trail is close for those that will come to the event via snowmobile.
"Last years King of the Hill, Nick Gustafson from Roseau, Minnesota vows to defend his title. Joe Van Kalker from Lower Michigan is expected to return, as is the 2007 and 2008 Pro Stock and Pro Mod King of the Hill, Wyler Miller from Pelkie, Michigan. Marquette, Michigan's Jason Carter won last years Pro Open Mod Class and is looking at the Winternationals as his chance to finally get the prestigious Pro Mod King of the Hill honors.
"We've already received word that the top Hillclimbers from Wisconsin and Minnesota will be competing," commented Schulz. "I really don't have a clue as to who will take the 'King' honors at Whealkate. I think it's going to come down to which driver has the skill and the 'guts' to take on the steepness and the amount of snow this hill offers," Schulz commented..
Schulz stated that it will depend upon the amount of entries and the number of drivers that actually make it over the top as to whether the event will run on Sunday, January 17th. "We're leaving the Sunday competition as a 'last resort.' If we need to run on Sunday afternoon, we will. If we can finish the competition on Saturday, that's what we prefer."
Gate admission will be $10.00 a day, with children 6 and under free. VIP Parking will be $25.00, with Regular Parking set at $5.00. Snowmobile Parking is Free.
Snowmobilers that think they have the skill and the machine to compete are asked to call the MASTERS Circuit at 906-884-9101.
Profits from the Winternationals will be donated to the Motorsports Enthusiasts that Care (METC) fund. A Fund for families that are battling cancer. A major sponsor of this event is Pat's Motorsports Yamaha and M & M Motorsports Yamaha.
2003VIPERER
New member
anyone going to be there?
VenomMod
New member
Went today, and it was pretty cool to have this event locally. Some pretty impressive times from some smaller cc'd sleds. A Polaris 440 would of won the king of the hill shootout for the $1000, but he hit a gate at the top. Still a pretty impressive run.