Sault Ste. Marie’s I-500 Snowmobile Race Cancelled for 2021

Michigan is home to the world’s longest, toughest, fastest and most-exciting snowmobile endurance race...but not this year.

Citing the safety of drivers, crews, fans and the racing community, the International 500 Snowmobile Race shared the news on their Facebook page on December 10.

Fans were devastated, but understanding of the decision. The 53rd running of the event is on the calendar for Jan 21- Feb 5, 2022.

The Indianapolis 500 is known as "the greatest spectacle in racing.'' The I-500 is "the world’s longest, toughest, fastest and most-exciting snowmobile endurance race." For more than 50 years, race fans and winter enthusiasts have been heading north in January to Sault Ste Marie to watch snowmobilers fulfill their need for speed. Earlier this year, we shared a comparison of the I-500 snowmobile race and the Indianapolis 500:

I-500 vs Indianapolis 500

Inaugural Race

• Indy 500: 1911
• I-500: 1969

Laps

• Indy 500: 200 
• I-500: 500

Track length

• Indy 500: 2.5 miles
• I-500: 1 mile

Track surface

• Indy 500: Asphalt
• I-500: Ice

Fastest Average Speed

• Indy 500: 187.433 mph
• I-500 66.8 mph

Fastest Finish Time

• Indy 500: 2 hours 40 minutes 3 seconds
• I-500: 7 hours 36 minutes

>h/t misportsnow