Full speed at second gear

Motor sports enthusiasts raced to the ice this weekend as 307 GoFast held it’s second annual ice races at Saratoga Lake on February 10.

Competitors from all parts of Wyoming and out-of-state competed in the ATV buggies and dirt bike racing on the frozen lake. There were a total of 30 racers at the event.

Before the race took place both competitors and spectators took part in the National Anthem.

A moment of silence also took place in memory of Jacob Fluty who passed away on Friday in an avalanche accident.

Phil Smith, the main organizer and founder of 307 GoFast on Ice, said this event is all about fun and all proceeds go to a scholarship fund to help youth prepare for the workforce after high school.

“We are doing this event for fun and all the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for trade schools,” Smith said. “These scholarship funds are for our local high schools. We gave out two scholarships last year for $1,200 and we hope to do better and match it this year from this event”.

Shawn Fletcher finished 1st place in ATV buggy racing with his wife, Tracy Fletcher, finishing 2nd place. Both Fletchers said they had a fun time racing, especially competing against each other.

“These guys just put on an excellent program,” Shawn said. “Their crew that comes out here volunteers their time. (I) just can’t say enough for what they do out here and the track was great. This year, there were some heartaches while trying to get it all put together but they did it. They pulled it off and did a great job. So my hat’s off to the crew here that I did this last year, too. We were out here last year, the inaugural year. I wanted to come back and participate. We enjoyed coming over here.”

The Fletcher’s are new to this event and they did not have much experience in this type of racing. They both decided to get it a shot and they are off to a good start.

“We haven’t raced on ice or with these machines before,” Shawn said. “So this is all kind of brand new to us. It was something we decided one afternoon. It’s like ‘Hey, let’s go ahead and do it.’ So we did. It’s great to win and there’s a lot of people gunning for you so it always feels good. But you know, I appreciate all the competitive nature with everybody out here you know, everybody’s super great sports, and we enjoy it,”

Shawn’s wife Tracy said that she loves to be competitive with her husband and even though she finished 2nd place to Shawn, her goal for next year is to come in 1st place.

“Me and Shawn have this great rivalry going between the two of us and we are both two for two,” Tracy said. “I will kick his butt next weekend in another race and I plan on beating him for next year’s 307 GoFast race. Despite our competitive nature, after a race we hug each other and say ‘I love you.’”

Miles Bendel who also competed in the 307 Go Fast Race, came in 1st place both in the non-turbo and non-traction barrel races. This is Bendel’s first time competing in the races and said that this was a great experience for him.

“I had a lot of fun and it was the first time I ever raced,” Bendel said. “It was great getting a 1st place finish in my first start. This event was well put together and there were not any hold-ups. It was nice to meet new people,”.

For rull results of the 307 GoFast Races please visit their Facebook Page.

*Editor's Note: A previous version of this article listed Phil Smith as the main organizer and founder of 307 GoFast, not the main organizer of 307 GoFast on Ice. This has been corrected.*