Goodridge-Grygla 500 USXC Snowmobile Race comes to town next month

The weekend of February 9th-10th will be a busy and action-packed weekend that many have been busy planning and gearing up for and YOU can be a part of it all! The United States X-Country (USXC) Snowmobile Racing presents the Goodridge-Grygla 500 taking place February 9-10, 2019. With 500 miles of ditch, river, woods and cross-country, the winner will be named the best cross-country racer in the world, and it’s all happening right here!

With 17 specific classes, multiple age groups, all skill levels and over 50 entries so far, all USXC classes will run plus new additional classes for the first time racer. There will be many more entries to come as racers have until the night before to sign up.

USXC now has the detailed map for the routes of the race. The Saturday (Day 1) loop is a 125 miles that the racers will do twice; a fuel stop will be east of the Smiley Bridge this day. The Sunday (Day 2) loop is also 125 miles that will be completed twice and runs north to Grygla with a fuel stop at Grande Corner; this stop also provides a lot of space for spectators!

There are lots of activities being planned by local sportsman’s clubs, including an autograph session with the racers on Friday, February 8th, at the Goodridge Municipal Liquor Store from 6-7pm.

Nicole Kiesow, coordinator of the big event, said there will be open pits so folks can see the racers work and check out their impressive trailers. The pits are located south of the old DW’s in the field, which is also where the start and finish line will be.

Race Check-in will be at the Goodridge Liquor Store (218-378-4113) on Friday, February 8th, from 3-7pm with the autograph session being held from 6-7pm. Racers on site will include local Junior Class racers: Cooper Kangas, Hunter Kiesow, Taylor Netland, Derek Kloety and Abe Olson. Pro racers will include Chad Lian, Wes Selby and Dalton Fredrickson.

Saturday’s race begins at 9am in Goodridge. The GHS Close-Up students will be serving breakfast and lunch at the Goodridge Lion’s Hall all day. (This is a fundraiser for their trip to Washington, D.C., in April.) After the race is completed, there will be a band Saturday night at the Goodridge Municipal Liquor Store. 

Sunday’s race also begins at 9am in Goodridge. GHS Close-Up will be serving food again this day and there will be an awards ceremony at the end of the day at the Goodridge Lion’s Hall. All are welcome to attend; the Goodridge Municipal Liquor Store will be open this day, as well. 

Event Sponsors

Checkered Flag Sponsors ($1000 or more)

Christian Brother Motors: Fertile, Crookston, Finley

Falls Electric 

Farmers Co-op Grain and Seed, TRF

Ericco Manufacturing 

Border State Bank

Steve Olson Construction 

Cenex, TRF

Farmer’s Union Cenex, Grygla

American State Bank of Grygla

Holthusen Construction

Evergreen Implement, TRF

Advantage Ag Air

Goodridge Area Development

Goodridge Lion Tamers

American Legion Post 117

White Flag Sponsors ($500-$999) 

Northland Grain 

Team Industries, Bagley 

Yohawn’s Bar & Grill

Machinewell, Inc. 

Country Cat 

RV Sports

Carver Performance

Green Flag Sponsors ($150-499) 

Grygla Seed 

Northern Ag 

Jay Swanson Agency, TRF

Spotters and other volunteers for this big event are still needed. Please contact Nicole Kiesow at 218-686-7642 if you are willing to help. There will be a volunteer trailer at the start/finish line for anyone who has questions during the race. Volunteer duties include, but are not limited to, spotting on the track, monitoring fuel stops, helping at the starting/finish line, and marking/sweeping the trails for the safety of the riders. The Goodridge and Grygla Fire Departments will also be assisting at the fuel stops for the safety of the racers, along with local EMT’s and First Responders there for any medical emergencies should one arise. 

The Goodridge-Grygla 500 USXC Snowmobile Race will be broadcast live each day on KTRF for those who’d like to tune in! Clothing and hats will also be for sale the weekend of the event.

Register online at www.usxcracing.com. Contact Kyrsten Zimpel at 218-779-5268 or kyrsten@usxcracing.com