(Submitted/ Steven Lebedoff)

By Nicole Reis

Winterfest stock car race

Local race car drivers gear up for Winter Festival

Feb 24, 2020 | 12:43 PM

Meadow Lake Winter Festival UTV and stock car racers are gearing up for the Stampede Grounds’ second car race.

Steven Lebedoff, journeyman with Eaglecreek General Motors, told meadowlakeNOW of his experience racing cars in Saskatoon over the last seven years. He said this will be his first appearance for him and his 2004 Saturn this Sunday in Meadow Lake.

“I’ve never had to do a right turn in a race car before, so I figured this was a good chance to try it,” he said with a laugh.

To prepare for the race, the car was installed with a fire extinguisher and all hanging parts were removed before it was covered in decals. Lebedoff said he expects race speeds to top 40 km/h, a lot slower than the average 90 km/h he’s familiar with.

Despite that, the dangers still remain and Lebedoff will be wearing a protective suit during the race.

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“Without the proper safety equipment, crashes can do a lot,” he said. “Whiplash is a concern.”

Darien “Duffy” Demers organizes the car race portion of Winter Festival and said the track design is limited so bumps won’t affect drivers.

“It’s not a demolition derby, by any means; it’s meant for clean racing,” he said. “It’s supposed to be fun but there are going to be some bumps and people will be running into each other, not to take anybody out but there will be rubbing.”

Demers said last year’s event drew large crowds. He hopes to see the same turnout this year.

“We’re trying to bring the festival back and make it as big as it once was back in the early ’70s,” he said.

The race will take place Sunday March 1 at 12 p.m. at the Stampede Grounds.

Registration to race a four-cylinder car is still open to those want to participate. Get in touch with Winter Festival organizers here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722