March 23-24, 2013
*photo courtesy of www.davidbajema.com
Griztek Auto Appearance & Offroad and Shanty Creek Resorts are proud to bring the action back to the ski slopes at the 2013 Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge. 5 years ago an event was born with the hopes of being something special. Little did anyone know that in just a short time it would grow to become one of the biggest events of the off-roading year.
The links below direct to all the details for the 2013 event. If there are any questions not answered, please email SnowChallenge@GriztekUSA.com
General Rules and Information [back]
- Two Day event. Saturday and Sunday
- No outside coolers or beverages allowed
- 1st round DOUBLE ELIMINATION. Racers losing in the 1st round will shuffle back into a losers round for another chance to advance. Winners from 1st round will advance but wait for the losers bracket to complete.
- Single elimination after 1st round.
- Only one(1) driver per vehicle. No multiple driver vehicles allowed
- Multiple VEHICLE entries are allowed, but each vehicle must be registered in different classes. (You can not race two different vehicles in the same class unless the second vehicle in entered with a separate driver)
- Multiple TIRE CLASS entries are allowed. An entry fee must be paid for each tire class entered.
- Registrants must have a valid drivers license.
- Drivers age 17 and under can NOT sign the release form and MUST have a parent present if competing.
- 1st and 2nd place winners in each class receive $$MONEY$$ and placement trophy. 3rd and 4th place finishers will receive trophies.
- Lane choice will again be determined by the Random-Wheel-of-Lane-Choice.
Vehicle Class [by DOT tire] [back]
- Tire size is determined by sidewall markings, not actual measurements.
- Metric tire sizes are considered as follows : 245 - 265 = 31" class. 285 - 315 = 32" - 35" class. Odd metric sizes will be physically measured.
- Grooved tires are allowed as long as they were originally DOT approved tires.
- No aftermarket forced induction or Nitrous allowed in DOT classes
- Vehicles CAN NOT tire up. It is not allowed to run 33" tires in the 36" & Up class. Tires under the vehicle must match the class being raced in.
Sportsman Class (SC)
- DOT tires only.
- Two tire classes : SC 33" and down, SC 34" - 37" DOT (These will take the place of the 31" Stock class)
- Limited to vehicles running a "stock engine block and displacement." This is gauged by the number of cylinders, not CID. This means a vehicle must be running the same manufacturer block ( i.e. CJ7 having AMC block) and will be limited to engine cylinder count that were available from the factory. Example: Wranglers, S-series trucks are limited to 6 cyl. No V8s.
- Vehicles must run a muffler with a minimum length of 14" body. No "race bullet" mufflers allowed.
- Muffler must be inline with the exhasut system, mounted no closer than 28" to the collector or actual "Y" junction.
- Vehicle must have a full factory frame. Suspension modifications are allowed(e.g., suspension lift kit )
- These rules applies ONLY to the Sportsman tire classes.
* These classes are being implemented to bring the racing action back to the "everyday Joe." It is intended to provide fairly "stock" vehicles that may be running larger tires or lift kits a place to have a fighting chance at winning. It's no secret the bar has steadily raised every year with faster and better vehicles competing. This has pushed the "everyday Joe" out of the racing since there is little hope to win when lining up against a 700+HP dedicated race truck. The rules are in place to keep the high horsepower rigs out of these classes. On that note, I'm sure there will be people trying to "cheat" their way in. Keep in mind no one likes a cheater, and no one respects or appreciates someone dominating the racing because their vehicle was obviously "over qualified." So play fair, be realistic, and don't ruin it for everyone else by racing where you shouldn't. Remember, let everyone HAVE FUN!
DOT Tire Classes
- 32" - 35" DOT Tire class, and 36" & Up DOT Tire class
- No changes within these classes.
Special Vehicle Classes
- Two classes: ANY-TIRE and SuperModified
- ANY-TIRE class : No aftermarket forced induction or nitrous. Any modifications, tuning, lift kits, tire size and style(including non DOT tires) are allowed
- SuperModified : Alcohol, nitrous, blower, or any other kind of aftermarket forced air induction means you MUST be entered into this class. Non - DOT tires allowed. Pretty much anything goes.
Entry Fees / Registration / Admission [back]
- In an attempt to streamline the morning rush and monitor competitor numbers, ALL competitors MUST pre-register. Registration form is available HERE. The posibility of a cap on class entries could happen if numbers reach a certain level in each of the tire classes.
- There will be a LIMITED amount of entries/registrations available the day of the event, but there will be an extra charge of $10/class and there is no guarantee of space being available.
- There will be a Master List on hand to check each competitor. This will only include your general info. It will not be your registration form.
- Competition vehicles : $25.00/vehicle/class. *Includes drivers spectator fee . Drivers will no longer pay the separate spectator fee.
- Spectator entry fee : $5.00/person ( $7.00 day of event. $2.00 off voucher / coupon available HERE. Print the page for as many as you need)
- $10.00 weekend pass available. Good for entry to Saturday and Sunday races.
- All spectators and drivers will receive a lift ticket style tag that must be worn and visible for the duration of the event.
Schedule / Itinerary [back]
Friday
- Pre Parking/registration - gates open from 5:30 - 7:30pm
- Competitors ONLY are allowed to park
- Any competition vehicles arriving Friday will be required to go through tech inspection, receive necessary ribbons and number, and pay competition registration fees. ($25/class)
- Those competitors dropping trailer for the night will need to be parked by an event staff member.
- If you are driving to the event in the vehicle you are competing with, it is highly recommended that you leave your vehicle in the lot to avoid the line in the morning.
Saturday
- 32-35" DOT class, 36" & Up DOT class, ANY - TIRE class
- 7:00 am - 11:00 am : Ivan's Lodge @ Schuss Mtn. serves up a breakfast buffet. $10.00
- 8:15 am - 10:00 am : Gates open, check in and tech begins.
- 10:30 am : Drivers meeting and general announcements. Racing to begin immediately following.
- 32-35"class begin racing on the ski slope "Good Knight."
- Short intermission then the 36" class begins racing.
- Short intermission then the ANY - TIRE class begins racing
- Early evening : Trophies, awards, raffle prizes will be presented in the Ivan's Lodge after racing concludes. Scott Gardner with Northern DJ Connection will be spinning the tunes.
Sunday
- SC33" DOT, SC34"-37" DOT, SuperModified class
- 7:00 am - 11:00 am : Ivan's Lodge @ Schuss Mtn. serves up a breakfast buffet. $10.00
- 8:15 am - 10:00 am : Gates open, registration and tech begins.
- 10:30 am : Drivers meeting and general announcements. Racing to begin immediately following.
- Sportsman class begin racing on the ski slope "Mellow Yellow."
- Short intermission between the two Sportsman Classes
- After the SC34" - 37" class concludes there will be another short intermission. Equipment will be moved over and readied for the SuperModified class to run/complete on "The Face.
- Early evening : Trophies, awards, raffle prizes will be presented in the Ivan's Lodge after racing concludes.
- 2013 Schuss Mtn Snow Challenge concludes
The 2013 Schuss Mtn Snow Challenge would not be possible without the help from these great businesses and organizations.
Interested in hillside advertising? Would you like to promote your business with a vendor spot? Email SnowChallenge@Griztekusa.com for advertising and vendor spot info and rates.
There are still 2 Premium Advertisor spots available! Don't miss your chance to put your business at the forefront of thousands of people attending this event.
What's new for the 2013 SMSC? [back]
- Friday will be open ONLY to competitors wishing to go through tech inspection and registration checkin. Competitors will be allowed to park trailers, check in, have their trucks tech inspected, and receive the necessary ribbons for the appropriate tire classes. Comp vehicles must remain at in the parking lot on trailer(unless you are driving your rig there.)
- If chosing to come in Friday you will also need to pay for the race classes entered. Competitors will also receive their entry event tag for the weekend as well. DO NOT LOSE IT! Any misplaced tags will have to be repurchased. Only competitors can aquire their event tags for the weekend(no spectator tags will be disitributed)
- Two new Sportsman Classes (SC) will replace the 31" Down Stock class. Rules here.
- Vehicles racing in DOT and ANY TIRE classes will be required to remove nitrous bottles from the vehicle. It will no longer be acceptable to just disconnect the line.
- There is a bounty on any returning winners from the 2012 event. Anyone who wins a race(in sigle elimination rounds) against last years winner will get $50.
- A local RC hobby shop will be onsite manning a "Mini SMSC" Children and adults alike are encouraged to bring their radio control vehicles (nitro or electric) and race FOR FUN on a scaled down RC hillclimb. This will not be an official race and will be loosely structured. This is just for fun, but we'll see how it goes and who know where it could lead. This area will also provide intermission and down time entertainment by way of a big air jump off.
- The SuperMod class will try (again) racing up the face of one of Northern Michigan's steepest ski slopes simply known as "The Face" [ It's actually named "Kingdom Come" but know one ever refers to it by that name. No one knows why . . . . ] We'll see how this goes this year.
- The Madman Motorsports monster ride truck will be on hand providing rides for everyone. Thanks go out to Rick from Madman and Elliot from Midwest Monster Truck Events for working with us to be a part of the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge. Prices will be $5.00 - $10.00
Tech/Safety Requirements [back]
- DOT / SNELL helmet requied to be worn during racing.
- Vehicles must have restraining devices ( i.e. seatbelts, multi point harnesses )
- Battery hold down strap. No bungee cords
- Vehicles competing will only need to run through Tech once for all classes throughout the weekend. It is the competitors responsibility to retain their class ribbons and number.
* Information is subject to change without notice
Downloads [back]
- SMSC 2013 Flier ------------------------
- SMSC 2013 Registration Form ----
- Entry voucher ----------------------------
Racing Format Explained? [back]
* * * Drivers/competitors are not required to know this information. This is presented for understanding, not required memorization.
Because the SMSC is a heads up, run what you brung, just-have-fun-racing style meant for pure enjoyment(so all you serious racers out there, lets not nit-pick this to death.....) and minimal rules/bracket concerns, we will be retaining the hat draw initiated at the 2012 SMSC. The main focus of this is to avoid going into the semi final rounds with an odd number of trucks. What happens will be determined by how many trucks are still racing toward the end of the class. Every effort was taken to assure no one received a "free ride" into the Semi Finals. Drivers will always have to race and win to get into the Semi Final round. It is broken down as follows:
- 10 Trucks remain: 10 drivers draw from the hat, 4 tiles say "RACE". Those drivers drawing the "RACE" tiles will race for the 7th and 8th positions to make it to the Semi Final round with the left over 6.
- 9 Trucks remain: 9 drivers draw from the hat, 2 tiles will have "RACE" written on them. The 2 drivers drawing the "RACE" tiles will go head to head and race to win the 8th spot. Winner continues and simple single elimination continues from there.
- 8 Trucks remain: Obvious, no action. 8 leads to a 4 truck Semi-Finals.
- 7 Trucks remain: 7 drivers draw from the hat, 2 tiles will have "RACE" written on them. Those 2 drivers will go head to head and race for a BYE into the final 4. The loser in that race will file back in with the remaining 5(making 6 trucks race), leaving 3 winners to join the BYE winner for a 4 truck semi.
- 6 Trucks remain: All 6 drivers race. 3 winners will advance to the Semi Final round. The 3 LOSERS will draw from the hat, two will race for the 4th position.
This set up is meant to be simple and straight forward. It isn't any sanctioning body's rules or professional by any means. This is the SMSC format. PERIOD! It's meant to keep things moving along during the main body of racing, yet allows the event to slow down as each class nears end. At this point in racing many trucks need time to cool off anyhow, and allows the staff to prepare for the final rounds. So, just like so many other parts of the event . . . JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT!
What is the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge? [back]
The roots of the event lay in an event missed for years in Northern Michigan. For over a decade ski slope uphill racing was absent from the calendar of winter time activities. In 2009 all that changed.
The Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge (SMSC) was born from an ever present interest in the motorsports community for the return of an event like this for all to enjoy. The head to head racing format lends to nearly non stop action for the duration of the classes racing. The minimal requirements meant everyone could worry less about rules and focus more on having fun.
What is the SMSC? It is a run-what-you-brung, side by side, uphill race with whatever kind of truck, SUV, buggy, rail, or self dirived vehicle you can drive on 4 wheels. The rounds move fast and the racing is non stop until the end. The rules are minimal. What you won't find are big purses and a bunch of restriction cramping the fun factor. The only requirement to be a part of the event is to come losened up and remind yourself that it's for FUN! Don't get too serious... Seriously!
Everyone at the SMSC comes because this is the only event(that we know of) where you can race your truck up a ski slope. A SKI SLOPE for crying out loud! Usually you would be arrested and have your rig impounded for doing something like this. No one comes for the big money, corporate sponsorship, or to wrangle in the points. Show up ready to race, run your hardest, and just have a good time.
Saturday: Sunday:
36" up DOT 31" Stock DOT
1) Jim West 1) Nate Balcom
2)Joe Mannion 2) Jimmy Folker
Semi Finalist - Joe Burke Semi Finalist - Roger McDaniels
Brandon White Jeremy Whittaker
ANY TIRE 32"-35" DOT
1)Jeremy Zadonia 1) Jeremy Zadonia
2)Todd Bylsma 2) Cliff Witkop
Semi Finalist - Joe Mannion Semi Finalist - Brendan Witgen
Tom Anthony Russ Williams
SuperMod
1) Mike Page
2) Charlie Willis
Semi Finalist - Tom Anthony
Todd Bylsma
Photos below courtesy of Joanie Moore. Visit her gallery of photos from the past SMSC years and help support her efforts to capture some of the best images coming from the event. . www.joaniemoore.com
Click HERE
PDF format
JPEG format
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