2011 Sno*Drift Rally ready to roll Jan. 28-29

 It’s time again for the Sno*Drift Rally that brings thousands of race car fans to Northern Michigan. Sno*Drift is the only Rally America National Championship race that takes place on icy, snow-covered back roads.

Sno*Drift will be held Friday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 29, within Montmorency County. It will utilize the towns of Lewiston, Atlanta and Hillman for specific events. Participants come from across the United States, Canada and occasionally overseas.

The event will begin with a public viewing in downtown Lewiston from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday. The opening ceremony will take place at 2:31 p.m. On Saturday in downtown Atlanta, cars will be available for viewing from 8 to 10 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 9:01 a.m.

Since its inception in 2005, the  Sno*Drift has traditionally  been the first race of the series of six races held by Rally America across the country. It is organized each year by the Sno*Drift Rally committee. Kent Balogh of Lewiston is the only committee member who resides in Northern Michigan.

“The rest live downstate,” Balogh said. “I lived downstate when I first joined the committee, but then I decided to retire up here.”

Balogh pointed out there is a new event on Saturday this year called the Super Special. It will permit spectators a good view of the race for two stages and will be held at Lewiston Sand & Gravel. The entry fee is $5, but children are admitted free.

There will be limited parking for the Super Special at $10 per car, but it is highly recommended that Lewiston spectators take the free bus that will run continuously from Ace Hardware on the corner of County Roads 612 and 489, starting at 12:15 p.m. Atlanta spectators can take the bus that runs from noon from Atlanta High School.

“We usually have a crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 at the Sno*Drift,” Balogh said. “It’s a big party; people have a really good time at it.”

Sno*Drift guides with details about the event can be found at most businesses in Atlanta and Lewiston. In Gaylord, guides are available at the Alpine Chocolat Haus, Jim’s Alpine Auto Parts, Big Boy and other businesses. Details also may be found at www.sno-drift.org.