“Octoberfest” can mean different things to different people.
For those who like to race snowmobiles, it represents an event that will be held starting at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Penobscot Snowmobile Club at 795 Bog Road in Hermon.
A similar event was held in Hermon for the first time in August, according to Byron Ogden, the trailmaster for the club.
Ogden explained that snowmobile club registrations were down because of the lack of snow last winter, so they decided to build a racecourse and host an event to raise funds.
Ogden and friend Nick Pomeroy were two of the primary organizers and the event was a rousing success.
“We had 75 sleds,” Ogden said. “Once the participants saw the track, they were blown away. They said they had never seen a first-time track as nice as ours. They said it was top of the line. We all put in over 350 man-hours. To be able to build something of that quality was pretty amazing.”
The August racing program was a two-day event while Sunday’s racing will be limited to a single day.
The two-lane track is made of clay, is 1,500 feet long and features a 500-foot racing zone along with a 1,000-foot slowdown section.
“We’re hoping to get at least 60 sleds on Sunday,” Ogden said. “We expect them to come from all across the state and New England.”
There will be at least six racing classes for the races, during which the snowmobiles can reach speeds in excess of 130 mph. They will have a shootout format, and racers and their opponent will be drawn out of a hat.
The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated.
He said he isn’t sure how much money will be paid out to the winners, because it depends on the number of entrants.
“We paid out $9,300 in August,” Ogden said. “With bonuses and everything, a class winner could leave with $6,000.”
He said several local businesses have donated their time and equipment to the event, including Alan Dorr Construction in Hermon, Hopkins Landscaping in Hermon, Witham Paving in Carmel and Gardner Construction Enterprises in Bangor.
Those interested in entering the event can do so by checking out the Central Maine Snowmobile Racing Association’s Facebook page.
The admission fee for spectators will be $10.
Ogden said they have other events scheduled, including a January competition on a snow-covered track.