The sport of Snowmobile Racing is making a comeback in Western Canada. While the sport has seen steady involvement in the eastern provinces of Canada, the sport came to a stand still in BC during the
mid 2000’s.
All that has begun to change though. The efforts of several individual clubs ranging from Fernie and Midway, to the Cariboo north to McBride and Fort St.John have brought back some form of
snowmobiling racing back to western Canada for everyone to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Contributed.
This past weekend The Kettle Valley Racing Association in Midway held their annual snow drags at the airstrip and was extremely well attended. Both spectators and racers alike flocked to the border town to
see some of the fastest, and high flying sleds come from 2 provinces and 2 states. Our local contingent making up of a name synonymous with snowmobile racing, the Reeb family, making up of 13-year-old
Brock Middle School student Shay Reeb, her Father Kristopher, and Patriarch to the Reeb family Robin Reeb, along with apprentice technician Aiden MacKenzie set sail to the town of 660 people which
ballooned to almost 1000 on race weekend. Also in attendance was the high flying aerial acrobatics of local multi time X Games Gold Medalist Brett Turcotte and his equally high flying counterpart Cody
Borchers from Revelstoke. Backflips, grudge races, and Gold Medal winning tricks were all part of the arsenal these two brought out for everyone to see.
Photo Credit: Contributed.
Photo Credit: Contributed.
Robin Reeb is the owner of Robin’s Marine & Snow Service, a local snowmobile and boat repair shop located at 468 Okanagan Way on KIB land has gotten the racing bug after being away from the sport for
handfuls of years. Robin is an accomplished racer who was Canadian and World Champion during the 70’s and held an amazing record of over a decade of winning Provincial and Canadian Championships during that period. Racing went to the wayside as businesses grew and shrunk until Robin’s kids were old enough to race themselves. Shay’s father Kristopher grew up racing and is an accomplished racer in his own right decided that when Shay was ready to start, they would again chase down any race within driving distance.
Photo Credit: Contributed.
The fast four entered their 4 high horsepower snowmobiles in 6 classes where 2 sleds line up NHRA style and race to the finish line in a knockout format. When the dust settled Shay picked up her first Adult win
in the Stock 600cc class while her Dad Kristopher swept the Classic Modified division on his 200hp machine and came in 5th in the 1000cc Modified division. “Grandpa Robin” finished in 5th place in Stock 800cc, 4th Place in 800cc Modified and 5th place in Open Modified. Apprentice Aiden finished on the podium taking runner up spot in 600cc Modified and 4th place in Open Modified.
Photo Credit: Contributed.
The racing action doesn’t stop for this group as they are joined by the rest of the Reeb Clan Riders which consist of Shay and her two younger brothers, Gunner and Racer. Mom (Laise) and Grandma (Gina) round
out the pit crew for these fast Reebs. This weekend racing is coming back to the famed 7/8 Mile track in 100 Mile House which used to home several Championship events throughout the years. Put on by the
South Cariboo Track and Trail Dirt Association, a Test & Tune day is scheduled for Saturday March 6 with a full day of drag racing on Sunday March 7.
For more info please contact the Facebook pages of @REEBCLANRIDERS or search South Cariboo Track & Trail Dirtbike Association.
