The 55th running of the International 500 Snowmobile Endurance race is just over three weeks away.
The green flag drops Saturday at 10 a.m. Feb 3 at the one-mile over track in Sault Ste. Marie.
The lack of snow and cold the past several weeks may have put doubts in some fan's minds if the race would even be held this year.
While the snow is nice to have the build up the anticipation of the race and build up the banks around the track, it is the cold that is needed to make the ice for the track.
I-500 race officials say not to worry because, according to extended weather forecasts through the end of the month, show ideal cold weather for ice-making is here.
Plenty of ice is needed to handle the three dozen sleds racing for around nine hours at speeds over 100mph at times.
Dozens of volunteers will work around the clock sometimes for the next three weeks to build the ice up to around 16 inches.
It will take around 1.7 million gallons of water for ideal track thickness.
Up to three water trucks are driven by dedicated volunteers for hours on end to build up the track ice.
Bill Cryderman has been a part of the I-500 for 33 years. This will be his 16th year as I-500 race director.
He says they are about a week behind schedule for making ice but if Mother Nature cooperates, the ice will be plenty thick enough come race week and race day.
"We are late. I won't sugarcoat it. But there is a science to putting this water down and when Mother Nature throws us a curve ball, we do it when we can. Ultimately we would like to see low to high teens and no humidity because that really makes the ice bond together with every layer we put on. Tonight is the first night that we will run through the night watering. We can put on an inch or two a night on real good nights. It seems like we are going to get that. I have been looking at the weather too and it looks like we are going to get that for the next couple of weeks," Cryderman said.
Wednesday night was the first night that they ran through the night pouring water down on the track to start the build-up process.
Volunteers will spend countless hours, sometimes around the clock, to get the track in as best shape possible.
"We can put probably an inch or two of good ice at night on the track if the weather conditions are perfect. I have looked at the extended forecast and it looks good," Cryderman said.
After last year's exciting photo finish with Tommy Bauer Racing taking the checkered flag, Cryderman says it's an example of just how awesome this race is.
"Last year's race was the best I have ever been a part of with that finish. Shortly after the race, I attended a seminar with other race directors. Last year's race and finish was the talk of the race world. That finish was great for this sport and really shows what happens here," he continued.
For anyone who has never attended the race in person, Cryderman says they are missing out.
"It's like NASCAR on ice. I know that is a cliche but that is what it is like," he explained.
Cryderman praises all the hard work the volunteers put into making the race successful.
"We are a little late starting this year with ice-making so we are really going to rely on those guys and girls to work 24/7 to get the best possible track we can," he concluded.
There are events all week long at the I-500 track. For all the information, click here.
