Snowmobile races coming to Fort-Coulonge arena March 4

Snowmobile races coming to Fort-Coulonge arena March 4

Next Saturday, March 4, the snowmobile drag races will return to the grounds across from the Centre de loisirs des Draveurs Century 21 Élite (Fort-Coulonge arena) for their 25th edition. This is the first time the event has returned since the pandemic and organizer Pierre Laporte exaplained that this year they would be donating their profits to several local causes, including the fundraising efforts for the arena’s refrigeration system.

“It’s going very well, 100%. Ski-doo racing doesn’t only affect the arena, the funds go to the arena, but it affects 100 miles around, to the borders of the United States, there are racers who come from all over to Fort-Coulonge,” he said (translated). “My goal is 1,000 people and maybe we’ll [achieve it] because its supposed to be a wonderful day.”

Laporte spoke highly of the numerous volunteers who have helped organize the event over the years, and singled out the work of Ronald Soucie, who passed away recently.

“Then the two municipalities got involved, then all my help, when I say help, it’s heavy equipment, especially heavy equipment, the two municipalities, the gentlemen, like Ronald Soucie, my sympathies for everyone, because we have lost a great colleague,” he said (translated). “He was there from the beginning, Jacques Mignault, Operator, Paul Denault, I can go back to the municipalities, Pat Bertrand, it is not from today it is my 25th, then they were there from the beginning. I have always had a lot of help. Jacques Bélair, the Bélair family, in heavy equipment, in trucking, Robert Denault, Paul … Clayton Denault, it continues … it’s been 25 years and then they were there for 25 years.”

It should be noted that the location of future races is likely to change in the coming years, as it currently takes place on the site planned for the Pontiac Pool project.

The full (French-language) interview with Laporte is available here.