A large number of racers will be lining up for the second annual Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove snowmobile race tentatively set for April 1 (weather permitting) in Rankin Inlet.

A total of 13 competitors took part in the 2023 event, while upwards of 40 racers are expected go for the flag at this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 edition.

Neco Towtongie said he was talked into joining the race executive during repeated visits from his uncle, Noel Kaludjak, who was determined to bring the race back between the two communities last year.

The event was a popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The race is about 170 kilometres round-trip.

Towtongie said it was incredible how quickly they were able to put a small committee together last year.

He said this year theySA国际影视传媒檙e making the race a little longer, with racers going another 75 kilometres past Whale Cove before turning around and heading back to Rankin.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to make this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 race about 150 miles (241 km) because last year it only took the guys just over an hour to go there and back, so it was such a short race that we really wanted to stretch it out a bit this year,SA国际影视传媒� said Towtongie.

SA国际影视传媒淟ast year was the first race of this kind in about 40 years and it went over really, really well with everyone.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were really surprised it went over so well because we had to hold it on the Wednesday between the Rankin Inlet Circuit Race and the Chesterfield Inlet Circuit Race. We had to move quick because the weather was deteriorating really fast.

SA国际影视传媒淭he trail was really smooth last year, but this year is going to be a different story because weSA国际影视传媒檙e getting a lot of blizzards this year, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 assuming the trail will be quite a bit rougher this year with all that snow down.SA国际影视传媒�

Jarvis Towtongie captured the 2023 championship flag, narrowly finishing ahead of second-place finisher Nanauq Tanuyaq.

As with all major races, safety is a top priority.

Neco said the race is using an American company thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to have tracking devices on all the racers, which will send a signal every three minutes to show where every racer is and whether theySA国际影视传媒檝e stopped.

He said the organizers are also trying to secure a helicopter through Arviat pilot Kelly OwlijootSA国际影视传媒檚 company for aerial surveillance, but nothing has been finalized to date.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have helpers all along the trail, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to say 15 minutes to reach anyone who has an accident, but thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of ground to cover.

SA国际影视传媒淭he big thing for us is keeping everyone safe and making sure the guys are experienced drivers who are all racing appropriate snowmobiles and wearing appropriate safety gear.

SA国际影视传媒淭he fundraising has been going awesome so far. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e getting a lot of support from our fan base, and our raffle and chase the ace events have been going really well. If all goes well, the race will start at noon near the dock in JohnstoneSA国际影视传媒檚 Cove in Rankin Inlet on April 1.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have an awesome assortment of prizes for this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 race and ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure the excitement will continue to mount at race day draws closer.SA国际影视传媒�