Wymark had an influx of snowmobile-based activity over the weekend.

The southwest town saw hundreds turn up over two days, both to watch and to race in the third annual Wymark Sled Drags. The sled races are held in order to raise money for the Wymark Drylanders 4-H Club.

This year, while the total amount hasn't been revealed yet, they were hoping to raise even more money than last year, when they managed to gather up over $8,000 in donations. 

Helping to host and operate the races this year was Nancy Gross, alongside her son Clayton Gross.

"Clayton and his father Rod have always been running with the Saskatchewan Vintage Racing Association," said Nancy. "We decided to bring it down here about three years ago. This is the third year with the event being held here in Wymark."

On Saturday, vintage sleds from 1981 or older were able to register to race. Different sleds ran in different heats, from custom to bone stock.

A big part of these vintage sleds is the work done to maintain them. Most had no trouble getting off the line, but a few machines must have been confused by the warm +3 C temperatures, with more than one needing a moment to get idling before racing the strip. 

"You will see a lot of sleds out here that haven't been around for 30-some years," said Nancy. "You're going to see old John Deere, Snow Jets, Mercs, some Twisters, Arctic Cat, and of course Lynx and Panthers."

The track was split into an 'A' side and a 'B' side. Everyone registered to race was guaranteed two passes at the track. The top two from a heat move to the 'A' side, while the bottom two tear it up along the 'B' side. 

Riders varied in age, with their also being a ladies-only race.

"There is a ladies' event, but we do have a number of ladies that do run in the men's event as well," clarified Nancy.

Sponsors for this event included Black Diamond Service, Bickner Trucking, Notekeu Creek Repair, Agri-Sport, Hillside Service, Legacy Structures, Running JR Ranch, Pouteaux Land & Cattle, Rhettro's Bobcatting Services, and Vipond Family Racing.

They also had a host of volunteers, including members of the Drylanders 4-H Club, tractor and other equipment from McMahon Co-op and Stenberg Farms that were operated alongside Connor Hildebrand, and Blair Stenberg who did the announcing. Roug Martens worked alongside Nancy and Rod Gross in order to get both the facilities and the land organized for race day.  

Folks gathered for viewing the races had the option of enjoying the sunshine and warm weather out on the bleachers, or by watching from their vehicles. On-site they had a radio transmitter, broadcasting the announcements directly into the cabins of any car or truck present. 

Swift Current Online will provide the total amount raised for the Drylanders 4-H Club once the tally has been revealed.