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Snocross' snowmobile event scheduled in Warrensburg

Northern Warren Trailblazers
Sat, Feb 10th, 2018 10:00AM

WARRENSBURG — The Lake George Winter Carnival is bringing back a popular event to this winter’s event: a “snow-cross” snowmobile race series that will be held Feb. 10-11 at Warren County Fairgrounds.

The races will be run by Massachusetts-based East Coast Snocross, but will be held at Warren County Fairgrounds instead of on or around Lake George. The organization last held races locally in January 2013.

Warren County supervisors on the county’s Public Works Committee on Tuesday gave conceptual approval to the event. Horicon Supervisor Matt Simpson, chairman of the Public Works Committee, said East Coast Snocross plans to lease the property for seven days to set up for the event.

“We think it could be a big draw,” Simpson said.

Snocross is similar to motorcycle motocross, with up to 15 riders at a time competing on a course with moguls, jumps and berms.

Racing will go forward over two days, and a course will be set up with the assistance of the county Department of Public Works. East Coast Snocross’ proposal would have 140 or so racers participating, with as many as 600 spectators on the site as well.

“Logistically they have a lot of room there. They have already worked with (Public Works Commissioner) Jeff (Tennyson) to set up a course,” Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty said.

Snow shouldn’t be a problem, as the association has gotten state approval to draw water from the Schroon River, which runs next to the fairgrounds, for a temporary snowmaking operation. The Warrensburg Department of Public Works will also bring snow to the site if need be, Geraghty said.

Simpson said there were concerns about proximity to Countryside Adult Home across Schroon River Road from the fairgrounds, but Simpson said the decibel readings were said to be in the 60s from stock snowmobiles.

“We talked to them about it and they aren’t concerned. The noise shouldn’t be a problem,” Simpson said. “They said some of the residents might want to watch it.”

More information on the racing circuit can be found at eastcoastsnocross.com.

The event is the latest to sign on for use of the county-owned fairgrounds, which was home to a new “glamorous camping” business that occupied it for much of the summer, using high-end tents to capitalize on the “glamping” trend.

Simpson said the business that ran it, Adirondack Safari, wants to return next summer, but the county may be legally required to put out a request for proposals for a five-year contract to see if others want to use the property at a higher return for the county.

The property is also used by a motorcycle rally each spring, and by an annual youth fair run by Warren County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

“It is another chance to utilize the underutilized fairgrounds,” Geraghty said.