The Miami Power Toboggan Club is once again hosting its vintage sled races on Saturday, March 8. Following a highly successful event in 2023, the local club is excited to bring the races back for 2025. Although they intended to host the races last year, a lack of snow prevented the event from happening. Club member Russ Suderman is eager to revive the races this year.
The Miami Power Toboggan Club organizes various events throughout the year, with only a few taking place in the winter. The club is responsible for an annual New Year’s social, numerous fundraisers, town events, a women’s ride in June, movie nights, an annual mud bog, a tractor pull, and much more.
A few years ago, Suderman and some club members decided to gather people with vintage sleds. They recognized that Miami had the perfect location—the fairgrounds, which feature a half-mile-long horse racing track. After testing the waters, they were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response, both in terms of entries and spectators. The 2023 vintage sled races attracted over 60 vintage sleds and more than 500 spectators.
“We were expecting a minimal number of people,” said Suderman. “We had such a great turnout. We sold out of the homemade chilli before lunch, at like 11 a.m.”
With last year’s success in mind, the Miami Power Toboggan Club is preparing for an even bigger event this year. Suderman noted that many people have inquired about the races throughout the year, prompting the club to stock up on chili, soup, chili fries, hot chocolate, and coffee to accommodate the crowd.
Anyone with a sled from 1985 or earlier is eligible to enter the vintage sled races. Suderman himself will be racing a 244 Polaris Colt single-cylinder. Each sled will be classified based on its specifications, including modifications, and drivers will compete in three-lap heats around the Miami circle track.
Races will begin at 11 a.m. on March 8, but participants must arrive earlier to register, likely starting at 9 a.m. The morning heats will be followed by an intermission to organize the afternoon feature races, which will be determined by the heat results. The feature races will consist of five laps, with drivers starting in the order of their finish from the heats.
The top three finishers in each class will receive a payout, funded by the registration fees of $10 per class. Suderman encourages anyone interested to participate, emphasizing that the racing is meant to be fun rather than highly competitive.
