For high-octane entertainment in the middle of a 亚洲天堂 Lake winter, nothing beats the annual Cold Smoke snowmobile drag racing event held at the 亚洲天堂 Lake Snowmobile Club (BLSC) racing grounds just north of the Rod and Gun Club on Babine Rd.

Once a year, sledders from across the province meet in 亚洲天堂 Lake to test their machines - and their nerve - as they launch super-charged machines down a 500 foot track in front of enthusiastic fans.

Last year, racers broke speeds of over 160 km/hr over a two day event.

This year, the racing will start and finish on the same day.

鈥淲e鈥檙e doing a different format this year,鈥� Lana Miller, BLSC treasurer. 鈥淭here won鈥檛 be as many heats, so it will be more like a ball tournament where you don鈥檛 necessarily race every other racer.鈥�

The ladies and gentlemen categories may be removed as well to save time.

鈥淲omen can and do compete in the regular heats,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淲e were trying to promote more local and first-timers to come out, but we were only getting one or two entries in those categories.鈥�

The club decided to go to a one day format to make it easier on the many out of town racers who travel from as far as Kitimat for the event. It鈥檚 also a little easier on the club volunteers.

The new one-day format should give an exciting edge to the day, with all placings being determined before the day is out. Crowds will still enjoy a warming tent and a fantastic BBQ provided by the 亚洲天堂 Lake Rotary Club, with proceeds going to local charitable projects.

Although 亚洲天堂 Lake hasn鈥檛 had the heavy snowfall it had last year, Miller is confident there will be enough snow on hand for racers, even if it doesn鈥檛 snow between now and race day on Feb. 1.

鈥淲e were up there on the weekend shovelling bleachers, and there鈥檚 lots of snow,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚f it doesn鈥檛 snow, we鈥檒l just haul snow over from other areas. We鈥檝e done it before.鈥�

The BLSC is a small, volunteer-run group with big plans for expanded trail networks and many opportunities for winter fun. They organize at least three long trail rides every year, like the annual Telkwa Pass run.

鈥淭he Telkwa Pass ride is a fun, family ride,鈥� Miller said.  鈥淲e don鈥檛 do anything up there you need to be a good rider to do. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to learn sledding skills.鈥�

The Cold Smoke drag races start at 9:30 a.m. sharp, Feb. 1, 2014. For more information and a schedule of events, see page 12 & 13 of this issue.