team arctic racers donate i500 winnings to charity

Sub-zero temperatures didn't stop three Team Arctic racers from battling it out in the USCC Red Lake I-500 January 18-20th. These three racers set a goal to not only finish the grueling 3-day race, but donate any money raised or won to the Children's Miracle Network and the Gillette Children's Hospital.

Jim Urquhart of Somerset, Wis., and John Sandberg of Prior Lake, Minn., both piloted new Arctic Cat F5s in the Sport 85 class, while Pro Jeff Gruhlke of Forest Lake, Minn., took command of the all-new Sno Pro 600.

Sandberg proved victorious by winning the Sport 85 class and donated his $1,300 winning check to the charity.

The donations didn't stop there as Gruhlke followed suit. Racing Pro Open, Pro 600 and Vet 30 Plus classes, Jeff raised $1,300 by finishing 6th in Pro Open and 10th in Pro 600. He also finished 4th in Vet 30 Plus. Gruhlke, who was a consistent Top 5 finisher last season on the USCC circuit, stepped in to race the Black Magic-prepped snowmobile just a week before the I-500.

A strong fourth place finish in the Sport 85 class put Urquhart out of the money, but he raised over $1,500 outside the race by getting contributors to sponsor his race program. This put the total contribution to charity over $4,000.

"I came up with the idea of racing for charity last year and figured I could beat my previous total since so many people were willing to help out and be part of the program," said Urquhart.