CLEAR LAKE – “THE JACK”, The Fifth Annual Iowa Lemans Championship Jack Helgren Memorial Race was held Friday and Saturday on frozen Clear Lake. The weekend was filled with family-friendly snowmobiling fun. Friday evening started with the Cruise around Clear Lake and a DJ at the VFW. Saturday, featured snowmobile racing included LeMans “Style” Racing and Radar Runs.
Saturday was an ideal day for snowmobiling, with the temperatures and the snow covered lake making it “a good day to be at the Jack,” said Jeff Spear, a volunteer with his wife Tracy, who were both working in the registry booth.
“There is a good number of racers that showed today,” said Jeff. “Right now we have twenty-five registered for the Radar Race.”
The Radar Run coordinators Mark Kemmerer, John McMurray and Rod Schlicting set up a course, 500 feet long. The fastest of the day received a Trophy and $1,000 in prize money.
The Race Classes for The Jack Helgren Memorial LeMans Championship Race Classes were: 1973 and older sleds – 8 laps, 1985 and older leaf spring sleds – 8 laps, 1985 and older IFS sleds – 10 laps, 1996 and older sleds – 15 laps, Current 2013 and older sleds – 15 laps.
There were special races (5 Laps): Old-Timers Class (Drivers 50 years or more), 80+ Class (Rider age plus age of sled MUST EQUAL 80 YRS OLD OR MORE), Powder Puff Class (Ladies Only) and STUD BOY “50” Lap Open Mod with a prize of $400 for First Place.
An awards banquet at 6:00pm where all trophies, plaques and purse winnings were handed out, while food and drink specials and a live band “Split Second” were all at the VFW.
The event is a memorial to Jack Helgren, an area businessman, avid snowmobiler, former dealer/racer and promoter of the sport and the area.
During the event, a Minnesota man was injured.
Tyler Hall, age 29, of Twin Lakes, Minnesota, had finished his race when he lost control of his snowmobile while traveling at about 75 miles per hour. His snowmobile veered off and hit a snow drift and he was thrown clear, sliding approximately 100 feet on the ice. Hall was wearing a helmet. He suffered a broken collar bone and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Mason City.
