thrillah in marilla

Dave Curran was a busy man when we met him at the 12th annual New York State Snowmobile Grass Drag Championship. As racing guru for the September 24th event, he had to oversee technical questions, arrange contingencies and paybacks to drivers, make certain that the few thousand spectators on hand were safely out of harm's way from the hundred mile an hour mods hurtling down the 500 foot strip, and even answer a few dumb questions from snowmo-journalists like myself. Dave handled things well.

In fact, sorry Midwestern grass drags, this Eastern race was one of the best organized such events we've seen in quite a while. The location, donated by the Marilla Fire Company, was a special "fireman's park" which is normally used to hold carnivals and the like. It worked out well for the grass drags.

What we really liked, though, was the organization from the pits to the starting line. Lanes for specific classes were organized. Riders and their sleds were controlled in the pit lanes. There were no pits allowed behind the starting line. For one thing, there wouldn't have been enough room. For another, the race organizers had erected a wooden wall immediately behind the starting line. It was designed to absorb any flying traction cleats that might come off during sled warm-ups or at the start of a heat race.

This event drew more than 220 entries. And they came from all over. In the pit area we saw trailers, pickups, vans and trucks with license plates from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Quebec, Ontario, Maine, Vermont, and, of course, New York. This was a major grass drag event.

There were also major talents at this event. We were definitely impressed. I specifically should have known better. After all, I grew up snowmobiling in the East. I raced sleds in the East. But, after being in the Midwest for a decade-plus, I had forgotten just how clever these Eastern riders and racers can be. Those of us working on Midwestern-based snowmobile publications too frequently forget the ability of these Eastern scene racers. It's our mistake. They are exceptional.

We were a little surprised to see a proliferation of Rotax-based modified sleds at this event. There were Rotax twins and special custom-built triples logging some exceptionally fast times. Decker Racing from Marshfield, Wisconsin, had some of their custom-built engines on hand, including a RAVE-based 875cc triple. And, a name that's getting good play in the East, Larry Audette from the Crank Shop in Vermont had his new RAVE-based Rotax triple on display, too.

While we would say that some of the events in the Midwest draw more people, especially the Sno-Baron's event held outside the St. Paul, Minnesota, area, the thriller in Marilla did very well. The local Colden Trail Riders Snowmobile Club organizes the event and works with the other groups to conduct a first-class drag event.

Monies raised from the event are given to charities like the "Kids Escaping Drugs & Alcohol," Easter Seals and other local charities. Concessions were handled by the Marilla Fire Company, which also supplied emergency personnel and vehicles.

Snowmobile and product displays were available for spectators and included set ups by aftermarket suppliers such as Black Magic Motorsports from Minnesota, American Power Sports from Ohio, and local suppliers like C&H Dyno Services and Bender Racing, both from New York.

The afternoon of racing was highlighted by the roar of open and mod engines. It was the big time. The top "Open Fuelies" were well into the 90s by the time they crossed the finish line, 500 feet from where they had started.

Our impression? The "Thrillah in Marilla" was worth seeing. It was a first rate event with top notch competitors. Congratulations to the Colden Trail Riders and the Marilla Fire Company for a job well done!
Results
12th Annual New York Snowmobile Grass Drag Championship
September 24, 1989
Marilla, New York

Class/Winner
Fan Open: Ray Hall, New York, Yamaha
Free Air Open: Steve Hugenell, Michigan, Yamaha
400cc Liquid: Krista Sneath, Ontario, Mercury
500cc Liquid: Steve Hugenell, Michigan, Yamaha
575cc Liquid: Ian Barnard, Ontario, Yamaha
Open Liquid: John Scalzo, New York, Polaris
Mod Stock 400: John Swabik, New York, Arctic Cat
Mod Stock 500: Mike Linstrom, New York, Arctic Cat
Mod Stock 575: Mike Golec, Ontario, Ski-Doo
Mod Stock Open: Bruce Schrader, New York, Polaris
Mod 340: Dean Schroeder, Minnesota
Mod 440: Todd Serra, Michigan, Ski-Doo
Open Mod: Don Lewis, Pennsylvania, Lewis Special
Mod 575: David Yeagley, Ohio, Polaris
Open Fuel: Dave Trygstad, Minnesota, Ski-Doo