Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – More than 75 recreational vehicle racers hit their throttles as Turf Wars drag racing took over the Becker County Fairgrounds on June 3.
Luke Eggebraaten, one of the event organizers, said trimming the racing classes from 13 to six made things run a lot smoother and made the racing heats much more manageable.
A side-by-side ATV and a 4-wheel ATV race down a 300-foot drag strip at the Becker County Fairgrounds as part of a Turf Wars Racing event in Detroit Lakes on June 3, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
“Last year we had about 13 classes and we cut that down to six classes this year,” said Eggebraaten. “Because, last year, we were here for about 12 to 14 hours and when you are volunteering, it’s hot, and for everyone here, it’s just a long day so we did great on that.”
One of the highlights from race day, he said, was watching the young kids participate in their first competitions.
“We had tons and tons of kids racing for the first time,” he said. “We had 4-year-olds up to twelve and it was just so cool to dee. Everyone had a great time. The winner, I gave him his trophy. I gave him a slice of pepperoni pizza. And it was all good.”
He added they then had all the kid racers participate in a foot race on the track for free swag and food, which the crowd seemed to wholeheartedly enjoy.
Jake Sherbrooke, an event organizer and racer at the event, said the track itself was pretty dry at the start and he made some tweaks to his racing plan before heading into his first heat.
“Once we started watering, and there was some traction, I started in a different gear,” said Sherbrooke. “I came out of the hole a little less hard so I didn’t blow the tires off of the machine. But, otherwise, I didn’t change much and I just put my head down and hoped I saw green at the end of the tunnel.”
He also said he agreed the racing went a lot more smooth this year than in year’s past.
“It went pretty smooth this year because we are on the last class and it’s not even 3 p.m. yet,” he said. “It’s just perfect.”
The next Turf Wars Racing event will be at the Swift County Fair in Appleton, Minn., on Friday, August 18.
Two ATVs tear off the starting line to race down a 300-foot drag strip at the Becker County Fairgrounds as part of a Turf Wars Racing event in Detroit Lakes on June 3, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
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