This winter, Northwoods fun arrives at full speed in St. Germain. On Feb. 13–14, the St. Germain Radar Run returns with a weekend of high-speed action you won’t want to miss. This family-friendly Northwoods event is a tradition that has it all: a chance to see some of the fastest snowmobiles on earth, bikini runs that provide big support to an awesome cause, speed gun-timed runs on a snow track on a frozen lake, and plenty of hot food, cold beverages, and warm smiles.
The runs take place on West Bay on Little St. Germain Lake, and it’s a festive weekend for friends, families, and anyone who loves a high-speed show.
Feeling the need for speed? Here’s what you need to know about the St. Germain Radar Run.
The Legacy
Radar runs have been taking place in St. Germain for a long time. The heart of the event is simple: race snowmobiles down a snow track on a frozen lake, measuring their speed with a speed gun. For many years, Hiller’s Radar Runs drew huge crowds onto the lake, fueled by the vision and passion of Mark Hiller. After a brief pause, the event is back with new organizers and an expanded scope, with the aim of continuing this high speed winter tradition.
The Snow Outlaws
This year’s event features the Snow Outlaws Shoot-Out, a race series that showcases some highly powered and seriously fast sleds. The Snow Outlaws Shoot-Out includes three classes of sleds, and the action starts under the lights Friday night with qualifying runs at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m., along with music and fireworks.
Chad Nyhus, who runs the Snow Outlaws series, said it’s awesome to see the high-powered sleds racing under the lights, blowing exhaust and sending ice chips 60 feet into the air.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s probably the best thing in the country for snowmobile racing,” he said.
Shoot-Out runs will continue Saturday, on the hour, from noon–4 p.m.
The speed of the sleds is simply incredible.
“The big sleds are probably going to be in the upper 160s in 500 feet, which is really fast,” Nyhus said. “People need to come see these sleds, because it is unbelievable to see them leave. A lot of these sleds will go 500 feet in a little over three seconds. That’s 3–4 g-forces coming down the lake.”
The sleds have carbon-fiber seats that hold a rider’s back—because they otherwise couldn’t hang on!
Spectators may want to bring some ear protection, especially for small kids. The sleds can get very loud!
The Fun Runs
On a separate track from the Outlaws, Fun Runs will take place Saturday afternoon. It’s something that never gets old— for a small registration fee that can be paid on site, sleds will have a chance to make a timed run, or multiple timed runs, to see what speeds they can hit.
The races take place on a 660-foot snow track.
“It’s a lot of fun, and there are a lot of grudge matches,” said Amy Greenberg, a longtime event coordinator and backer who is running the Bikini Runs this year. “Like, ‘my sled is faster than your sled—well, let’s take it to the track and see.’ It’s a lot of fun for anyone and everyone to do it.”
Some kids even join the action on small sleds.
“(The event) made for everybody,” Greenberg said.
On Saturday morning, the Wisconsin Kids Snowmobile Racing Association will be competing on a snow track. The association includes racers in various classes, from age 4-15.
The Bikini Runs
A big event highlight takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday—Knocker’s Bikini Runs. The runs draw big crowds of spectators, as well as a crew of racers who reach impressive speeds without bothering with snowmobile suits. A frosty St. Germain afternoon won’t stop these racers as they battle it out in the cold for a very important cause.
The races raise thousands of dollars for the Pink Ribbon Riders, which supports people impacted by breast cancer. Funds raised also contribute to the St. Germain Fire & Rescue and the Plum Lake Ambulance Service.
“It stays in the state of Wisconsin and goes directly to patients,” Greenberg said. “They receive $500 gift cards they can spend on anything—something to put a smile on their face or help get caught up on a bill. It truly is a neat cause.”
The Support
The Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club makes every mile of the the area’s tremendous trail system possible and it does an incredible amount to support snowmobiling in the region. For the Radar Runs, the club will be selling food and beer in a large heated tent at the event and it will run the Fun Runs. Members will also assist with traffic control and other event details.
“It’s just a good event,” said Bill Humphrey, a Bo-Boen director. “It’s good for the community, it’s good for St. Germain, it’s good for Bo-Boen, and it’s good for the chamber. It brings a lot of business in, and the whole experience on the ice is really cool. We’re very fortunate to be able to offer it in St. Germain.”
The Parking
The event is free, and everyone is welcome at West Bay. To keep weight off the ice, there will be no spectator parking on the lake. Instead, a free shuttle will run Saturday from the Community Center. Free parking will be available there, along with an expo featuring a variety of vendors.
“We’ll be shuttling people back and forth so they can park in a safe lot and ride a bus to the ice,” Greenberg said. “The (St. Germain) ATV club will help get people onto the lake easily, without having to worry about parking on the ice or dealing with that commotion.”
Vendor Spaces Still Available
Interested in becoming a vendor at the St. Germain Snowmobile Expo? Opportunities are still available. Contact the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce for more information.
