No Snow - Will Sault Ste. Marie's 2024 I-500 Race Be Canceled

The 55th annual International 500 Snowmobile Race in Sault Ste. Marie is one month away and people are starting to wonder if it will happen this year.

Currently, there is no snow on the ground throughout most of Michigan including Sault Ste. Marie. Obviously, this can be a major problem when referring to a snowmobile race.

What is the International 500 Snowmobile Race?

The I-500 is an intense 500-lap snowmobile race around a one-mile oval track in Sault Ste. Marie. Racers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straightaways, it's a straight-up rush.

The I-500 is the world’s longest, fastest, toughest, and most exciting oval race event.

The event has taken place every year since 1969 until being affected by the pandemic in 2020. That was the first year organizers had to pull the plug on the long-time running event.

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Will Sault Ste. Marie's I-500 Race Happen This Year??

The I-500 race has never been canceled due to lack of snow.

The race, attracting more than 7,000 attendees each year, doesn't seem to cause any worry for the organizers.

I-500 Race Committee Director, Bill Cryderman:

We are moving forward as normal. We usually do not start making ice until right around January 1st on a normal year, so we are not worried in the least at this point. Also, with the long-range forecast looking promising, we will be looking to have a great track.

Even though there isn't any snow on the ground in the Soo right now, the extended forecast is calling for it nearly every day over the next couple of weeks.

There is nothing to worry about.

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When is the I-500 Snowmobile Race?

The 55th annual I-500 Race Week is scheduled for January 28th - February 3rd, 2024. The main event (race day) will occur on Saturday, February 3rd starting at 10 am.

How to Purchase I-500 Tickets (buttons) :

Buttons to get into the race are no longer available on their website. However, you will be able to purchase them at the gate on Race Day. I was told the race would NOT sell out.

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