AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Today’s speed runners
A third era of speed running is now taking hold.
The annual AmSnow Super Sled Shootout on the asphalt at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich., is now seeing sled speeds in the mid-180s, with this year’s fastest sled running 186 mph.
Ron Bray has been working to bring speed runs back to the ice the past several years, and has bought the rights to NSSR. For the last few years he has been successful in resurrecting the circuit with a number of races in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This rekindled interest in snowmobile speed racing sparked enthusiasm in both Paul and the Warnings, enough so that a new super sled with V8 power is being developed by the Warning family.
The new sled is named “Frozen Assets” and is a twin-track dragster style machine powered by a 610 cu. in. (10,000 cc) engine with twin turbos producing 3,000 hp on alcohol.
A number of parties are involved in the project, and Paul has been doing some shakedown runs. As is to be expected there are power and handling issues, but the sled has been run at several NSSR events the past few years.
Paul is still involved in the development with his expertise in V8 powered speed-run sleds, but at age 61 doesn’t have a burning desire to go 200+ mph. So full power runs will probably be performed by younger more speed hungry drivers. Paul is satisfied with his accomplishments and in 2009 they were acknowledged by his peers as he was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, Wis.
If you want to see a 200 mph V8 powered drag sled in action, check out the NSSR schedule this winter. Paul is sure to be there keeping an eye on the mechanical parts of “Frozen Assets.” At least one of the speed sleds are always on display at the St. Germain Hall of Fame, and the Warnings also bring a second one to the Memorial Day Hall of Fame “Round Up” in St. Germain Park.
Thanks to Paul and the Warnings these exciting pieces of history are now available and constantly on display to be enjoyed by current and future snowmobile enthusiasts.