By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqqel.com
Everything from ATV’s to semi-trucks took to the grandstands infield to see whose vehicle was the fastest for 200 feet at the KOI Drag Races Tuesday night.
Twenty-seven ATV classes and 12 truck and full size vehicle classes took to the hardened dirt strip as they battled it out to see who would be top of their class.
KOI Drag Racing representative Heather Cleaver noted some of the more unusual vehicles being raced.
“Tonight we have semi-trucks, there are quite a few of those, and we even have motorcycles, the bigger asphalt motorcycles racing tonight, and we have snowmobiles,” Cleaver said.
One of the few snowmobiles entering the race was driven by Ryan Fetter. Fetter, who raced previously in Marion County’s KOI Drag Race, explained the difference of riding a snowmobile on the dirt as opposed to the snow.
“It’s a rush; an adrenaline rush,” Fetter said. “I think it is better.”
The KOI races weren’t just for grownups, as early on in the race kids 12 and under were able to compete against one another. Taking first place in Class E (125-250 ATV) was Gus Wurm. Wurm, who competed in the race for the first time, explained his favorite part of the race.
“My favorite part had to be just pinning it,” Wurm said.
Cheering on family racing was Aiden Johnson; Johnson explained his favorite part of the races as a fan.
“The races themselves are my favorite part,” Johnson said.
The races opened with the ATV classes 12 and under. As the sun set, the trucks and full size vehicles took center stage with the semi-trucks opening the trucks and full size vehicle classes.