'SNOWMOBILES ACROSS POND' RETURNS TO POTTER

Scott Nickerson, left, skips across the water during last year's 'Fastest Snowmobile Across the Pond.'

One of the most bizarre spectator sports Potter County has ever seen returns on Saturday, June 28, at a new site.

"Fastest Snowmobile Across the Pond" competition will be held atop Denton Hill, at the Mountain Valley Motorsports pond, across Rt. 6 from Potato City County Inn.

Registration is at 1 pm, with racing to follow. Spectator fee is $3.00.

The event is being organized by local heating and cooling contractor Neal Klimek, who can be reached for more details at 274-8744.

Klimek unveiled the rollicking competition last summer on the former Othmer's Pond in Coudersport. He has modeled his event after "extreme sledding" snowmobile contests.

Many snowmobile enthusiasts who attended as spectators, skeptical that a sled could stay above the water's surface on a voyage of more than 200 yards, decided to try it themselves during a second round of competition.

"Our new location should be even better," Klimek told Endeavor News. "The pond is longer and there's plenty of room for parking."

Snowmobilers can enter for a $25 fee. Cash prizes will be paid to the sledders who cover the course in the fastest times.

There is, as one might expect, the potential for the snowmobile to sink.

Four-member pit crews stand by for each racer, prepared to retrieve drivers and their sleds if they fail to reach the finish line.

After about 15 minutes of draining the exhaust and carburetor, an immersed snowmobile is typically up and running again.

For a look at last year's highlights, there's a special section entitled "Fastest Snowmobile Across the Pond" on the website, youtube.com.