1,100 See Elk Park Snow Race

Snowmobile racers and spectators witnessed several miraculous things at the Western Snowmobile Association Point Races Sunday, one of the better ones being a break in the weather.

Near-blizzard conditions prevailed at the Elk Park track right up to starting time. Then the weather cleared, leaving the track in perfect racing condition with a light snow covering. The storm resumed shortly after the last race was run.

Also miraculous was the fact no racer was injured, despite a number of spills during the races. Some spectators observed that more cars slid off the hazardous highway 91 going to and from the races than snowmobiles slid off the track, although the number of both was considerable.

About 1,100 persons viewed the races Sunday, with 170 racers from all over the Northwest competing for $2,500 in money and trophies.

Dave Foster of Driggs, Idaho, took first place in’ the 800 main race, the fastest category in which the machines turned about 80 miles per hour on straightaways. He was followed by Kay Mansfield of Driggs in second place and Darrell Triber of Spokane in third.

Butte’s Dave Leipheimer took first in the 600 main, with Ken Jackopson of Missoula in second and Gordy Listen of Kalispell in third.

Idahoans dominated the three lower classes for men. In the 440 main Cris Jones of Boise took first, Darrell Jerome of Idaho Falls was second, and Paul Fife of Idaho Falls was third.

In the 340 main, Wayland Vance of Caldwell led, followed by Mark Anderson of Idaho Falls and Larry Purnell of Moscow. First, second and third place winners in the 300 a main were Don Eck of Felt, Harry Jorgeson of Idaho Falls, and Buck Higgins of Idaho Falls.

Marcella Schroeder of Boise placed first in two Powder Puff races, the 440 and 340 classes. In both races, Becky Garland of Lincoln took second, and Penny Hubber of Butte was third.

Mrs. Hubber took a spill in the 300 Powder Puff which Becky Garland won. Audrey O’Keefe of Butte placed second, followed by Mrs. Schroeder.

Dick O’Leary of Butte led the pack in the 440 kids snow dash. In second place was Dayle Kountz of Bozeman, and O. Tezak of Sheridan brought up third.

In kids’ Oval Runs, Bandy O’Leary of Butte placed first in the 440 class, followed by Mark and Bill Leipheimer of Butte. E. G. Leipheimer of Butte took first.