By Laurie Lenten

The countdown is on until the sleds take to the ice at the Hiller’s Radar Run, to be held on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, on the West Bay of Little St. Germain Lake.

This is the 17th year of the event, which is billed as one of the premiere high-speed snowmobiling traditions in the Northwoods taking place on one of the fastest shaved ice tracks in Wisconsin.

Long-time sponsors Discover Wisconsin (the longest running tourism television show in the nation), Boondock Nation, and Clutch Energy have teamed up to bring the thrills and chills to St. Germain.

The two-day event is filled with something for everyone with racing held both days on two tracks – the Timbers Bar & Grill 660-foot groomed snow track and the Thunderbird Pass 1,000-foot shaved ice track.

Friday’s events will run from noon to 8 p.m. and will include Snow Outlaws Outlaw Racing, the Arrowhead Groomers Speed Runs, and the Pink Ribbon Riders Men’s Bikini Run at 4 p.m. The day will conclude with the Premier Powersports and Marine “Friday Night Under the Lights” event featuring the Snow Outlaws Outlaw Racing from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday’s events will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include Sno*Boss Radar Runs and Arrowhead Groomers Speed Runs, Rustic Manor Recliner Races at 12 p.m., and the Knocker’s Pizza Co. Bikini Run featuring DSG at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the Bikini Run will be donated to the Pink Ribbon Riders and local Fire, Rescue, and EMT Services. A Trophy Presentation including prizes will be held at 5 p.m. at Knocker’s Pizza Co.

Both days will include the John Deere Vendors Row, the Boondock Nation Heated Concierge and Party Tent featuring the Clutch Energy Stage which will feature live music throughout the event, and food provided by the Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club.

Entrance fees are: $5 each run or five runs for $20 on the Timbers 660’ snow track; $25 for three runs on the 1,000’ Shaved Ice track with extra runs $5 each, and $40 entrance fee for “Open Modified Unlimited Class.”

The Radar Run is held on the West Bay of Little St. Germain Lake near the intersection of Paton Road and Hwy. 70. Follow signs from Schocker’s to the track.

For more information on the Hiller’s Radar Run, call the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce at 715-477-2205, or log onto www.radarracers.com for full event details.

Laurie Lenten is a freelance writer who lives in Rhinelander. Her articles also appear in Northwoods Commerce, Northwoods ‘boomers and Beyond and Living on the Lake magazines.