Remember the old ABC Sports intro about “the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat?” Well, you’re pretty well assured you’ll get a slice of both if you make your way to Buchanan tomorrow, Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 for the 13th Annual Nimby Pond Snowmobile Watercross.
It’s one of the most uniquely spectacular events you’ll ever witness first hand, and a rollicking good time every year when snowmobile owners from all across America converge on Nimby Pond, located at 11470 Hills Road in Buchanan to race across the open water hoping to be named “King of the Lake!”
In the last race they scored nearly 80 sleds entered, and you’re guaranteed to see something unlike you’ve ever seen before if you’ve never seen full-throttle snowmobile racing over open water.
Racing begins at noon tomorrow rain or shine, and there will be heats in all sorts of classes, including:
- Vintage Class (1970 to 1992 models)
- Trail Class
- Stock Class
- Mod Class
- King of Lake Class
There’s even a “Grunge Match” following the completion of the formal racing for which you are encouraged to stick around to witness.
Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in several categories and the King of the Lake earns a minimum rake of $500 cash.
All racers are required to be outfitted with life jackets, helmets, tethers, gear & clutch covers, snow flaps, and 30-feet of half-inch minimum retrieval rope and a deploy float.
The gates will be open for racers at 7am, and all prospective racers must be signed up by 10am with completed inspections in order to race. Stock entry fees run $25 each, while Mod and Trail entry fees are $30 each.
All races are single eliminations, however, you can run in multiple classes.
The price of admission is $15 per person for drivers, teams and spectators, however children 10 and under are admitted free with an accompanying paid admission. You are encouraged to bring along your cooler, chairs, awnings and sunscreen. Food and drink vendors will be available onsite (however, there will be no ATM service) with spectator gates opening at 9am. It’s a family friendly event.
The Nimby Pond Snowmobile Watercross is the only such race in Michigan, so this is your chance to see something first hand that nobody else has the opportunity to witness.
Owner Mark Shuttle has been hosting the Nimby Pond races since inception in 2006. Check it out!
The action photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Nimby Pond’s Facebook Page.
