[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 50TH RUNNING OF THE SAULT SAINTE MARIE INTERNATIONAL-
                     500 ENDURANCE SNOWMOBILE RACE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK BERGMAN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2018

  Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Sault Sainte 
Marie I-500 Endurance Snowmobile Race as it celebrates its 50th annual 
competition. We Michiganders are proud of the I-500's half-century of 
world-class racing and commitment to the people of the Upper Peninsula 
of Michigan.
  The first official running of the arduous 500-mile snowmobile race 
took place on February 8, 1969. The 100% volunteer-run event initially 
hosted 47 racers on the 1-mile oval ice track--the only such track in 
North America. Since then, the I-500 has become respected as the most 
prestigious and grueling snowmobile race in the world. Hundreds of 
racers vie for the winner's purse while snowmobile manufacturers from 
around the world look to showcase their machines' reliability and 
durability. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Sault Sainte 
Marie to watch the race and enjoy the festivities.
  The week-long celebration includes days of qualifying laps, open ice 
skating on the track, vintage snowmobile exhibitions, youth snowmobile 
races, food truck competitions, the Winter Pub Crawl, and the Miss I-
500 Pageant--all leading up to the day of the race. This year, to help 
celebrate the 50th anniversary, there will also be an attempt to break 
the world record for the largest snowmobile parade. Through its week of 
competition, community, and camaraderie, the impact of the I-500 on the 
people of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan cannot be 
overstated.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Sault Sainte Marie I-500 
Endurance Snowmobile Race for 50 years of exciting competition and 
community engagement. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing that 
the First District is home to such a prestigious and dynamic event. On 
behalf of my constituents, I wish the Soo I-500 all the best in its 
future endeavors, and best of luck to the racers.

                          ____________________