Riders wait for the start of the Alcan 200 in January 2016. (Emily Files)

Riders wait for the start of the Alcan 200 in January 2016. (Emily Files)

The Alcan 200 snow machine race takes place this weekend. The annual event is organized by the Chilkat Snowburners, a group of snow machine enthusiasts from the Haines area.

Kathi Lapp is president of the club. She says that they have been putting on this event for 50 years.

“I think it’s an awesome accomplishment for the people in Haines that enjoy snowmobiling,” Lapp says. “All the people through the years have been able to continue and support the event, not only Haines people but Canadians and interior people that come. Everyone that’s participated has given us the opportunity to keep going,” 

The race starts just above the Canadian border. Lapp says racers make their way about 75 miles to Dezadeash Lake then turn around and race back to the border.

“They close the road and the riders are able to go as fast as they can without any obstructions,” Lapp says.

The race has gone through some changes over the years. Improvements have been made to the road and snow machines are much faster than they used to be. These days, the top racers often clock an average speed of over 100 miles per hour.

The racers with the top three times win cash prizes. According to Lapp, spectators have a chance to cash in as well by bidding on the riders they think will win at an auction before the race.

“The drivers are auctioned off. If they place first, second or third in their class then the person that buys them will get 75 percent of the money that’s in that class and the rider gets 25 percent. So it’s kind of just a separate little pot from the actual race,” Lapp says.

The race begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Online registration is open now. Racers can also sign up at the Fogcutter Bar, Friday night at 5:30.