Ice Racing and Good Intentions Aid Charities

While business can’t all be fun and games, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of both, and for a good cause to boot.

Emile Chaput, manager of Boyle Automotive in Boyle, Alta. dropped Jobber News a line to let us know what the folks there had been up to over the winter.

“Ice race season starts in January and we race at different lakes every second weekend for five weekends ending in Lac la Biche at the championship weekend. The ice races consist of four classes.

“The Chevette we race on [uses] Bridgestone Blizzak tires, no studs. Any car with front wheel drive or rear wheel drive is eligible.

“I have been ice-racing Chevettes since 2004. This year we ended up sixth for the season out of 14 cars–misfortunes taking their toll (snowbanks, tires, motor swaps).”

Of course, nobody is looking for their big break with a NASCAR team there; fun and fundraising are the real goals.

“The final weekend is a real big turnout, as all money raised goes to local charities in the area.

“We host a charity race event for which local businesses pay $500 and they get a car for their employee to race. Boyle Automotive sponsored Alicia Kiteley and she finished fifth out of 10 after connecting with another car and cutting down a tire.

“This year being the 25th anniversary, the event also included snowmobile ice and snow drag races, quad, motorcycle side-by-side oval racing, and an airplane fly-in lunch on the lake.

“The final tally of money is not in yet, but it was bigger than years past and last year we donated more than $22,000 to charity.”