Pinedale Winter Snowmobile Drags
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003
Races start at 9:30 a.m. (Drivers Meeting 9:00 am)
Race held behind Rocky Mountain Home Center on west end of town.

This competitive speed event attracts upwards of 130 snowmobile racers from all over Wyoming as well as Utah and Idaho. Independently run, the rules tend to be more flexible than in races sanctioned by the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association (WSSA). Family teams, company teams and individuals face off in Stock, Modified and Junior Classes (ages 10 - 16) for the fastest time on the approximately 550-foot course. Full-face helmets and tether kill-switches are mandatory.

The Snow Drags mean different things to different racers. Some are interested in beating particular contestants; there are families who take pride and pleasure in their teamwork, and women who enjoy excelling in a traditionally male sport. The common denominator is excitement.

Entry fees range from $10-$55. Trophies are given to junior class winners. Adults who place receive money awards in an 80% payback system that is dependent on the number of entrants in the class. There are some added purses. Concessions are available at the track.

For complete rules, entry fees, pre-registration and race information, visit the Snow Explorers website or call Brad Winters, Race Director, at or Gary Neely at .

Pinedale One Lunger 100 Snowmobile Race
Held in December/January
Sagebrush Downs in Cora, Wyoming
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

The One Lunger 100 was designed to give those vintage sleds in your garage something to do in their retirement. Never mind that some may not come back alive - the One Lunger is built on such ironies. For instance, organizer Troy Bredthauer describes the event as "just for fun," but the first place winner actually gets a giant trophy and 80% payback. It's a race, but the top speed is about 25 mph. The object is to be the first sled to complete 100 laps (approximately 65 miles), but merely being the last sled left running will do.

Qualifying snowmobiles are one-cylinder machines built in 1973 or earlier. To register, racers show up on race day and pay a $35 fee per snowmobile. Two drivers are permitted for each sled. Pit stops are numerous and necessary, with teams continuing to tinker until no spare parts remain or the race is over.

The One Lunger 100 usually draws about 15 entrants and the action lasts until midafternoon. Bredthauer notes that the old Yamahas are the toughest "one-lungers" to beat, because they go faster and handle better. "Yamaha was the leader in the 1970s," he says. "Ski-doos don't usually compete that well. We had an Arctic Cat win a couple of years ago, though."

Since one-lunger sleds are getting harder to find in Sublette County (especially after several years of these races), the Snow Explorers are considering lowering the minimum age. For complete information on the Pinedale Snow Explorers One Lunger 100 Snowmobile Race, call Troy at , or visit the Snow Explorers' website at http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers.

Daniel Volunteer Fire Company Poker Run
Sunday, Presidents' Day Weekend
Start buying hands 8 a.m. at Stanley's Junction

This family-friendly poker run is a Daniel tradition for locals as well as visitors, offers the easiest poker run you may ever enjoy, and ends with a delicious free feast at the Daniel Schoolhouse.

$5 and $10 hands are available from 8 - 10 a.m. at Stanley's Junction (Highway 191 and the Horse Creek Road). Here, you can pick up a map and join the snowmachine trek to Blind Bull Cabin in the beautiful Wyoming Range, a snowmobiler's heaven. The route is on main trails and there is no hard riding. The last card will be drawn at 4 p.m. at the Green River Bar in Daniel, after which everyone is invited next door to the Daniel Schoolhouse for a meal of barbecued pork roast.

Alternatives are the hallmark of this poker run. There are no mandatory stops, so participants, whether riding or not, can pick up a complete hand at any point. Some people opt for a short snowmachine trip and arrive at the Green River Bar in time for the first available cards at 2 p.m. Others like to buy one or more hands at Stanley's Junction, spend the day elsewhere, and come back for the barbecue.

Proceeds benefit the Daniel Volunteer Fire Company and any local charities the firemen deem appropriate. There is a 50% payback in prize money, but you will find the payback in fun and community spirit to be well over 100%. For more information, call .
 

Pinedale Snow Explorers Poker Run
Held in January
2003: Sunday January 19, Start 10am at Elk Ridge Lodge
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/snowexplorers

There's no better excuse for a friendly snowmachine trip in the Upper Green than this annual poker run. What's a poker run? It's a mobile card game: participants purchase as many hands as they want at the beginning, and follow a snowmobile route to five different stations, picking up a card for each hand at each stop. The route covers from 30 to 50 miles. At the end of the ride, the best hand wins, and there's a big party.

With no registration fee, reasonable $5 and $10 hands, and burgers, beverages and fixin's for everyone at the cowcamp on the river, having a good time is mandatory! The more entrants, the bigger the $5 and $10 pots, so bring your friends. First, second and third place winners split the two pots.

To get to Elk Ridge Lodge, take the Cora Highway (352), which intersects with US 191 about 5 miles west of Pinedale. Proceed about 25 miles, until the paved highway turns to gravel and there is a parking lot and turnaround area. Park here and ride snowmobiles to the lodge - just follow the signs. For more information, visit the Pinedale Snow Explorers website or call Debbee at 367-4561.