Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 07/05) - Keeping a snowmachine in top shape is a big priority for James Day.

Day, 41, has lived in Inuvik his whole life with his family of seven. He owns and operates Westwind Recreation.

"This guy should have been maintaining his machine yearly," Day said as he hunched over an un-assembled engine.

As Day reached for a fastening bolt, he stressed the obvious.

"If you want your machine running at its best, you need to service it now and again."

Day was working on a machine that was five years old, and had never been serviced. Westwind is a repair shop for small engines: snowmobiles, ATVs and outboard motors for boats.

"Hans Lennie, Edgar Maring and I opened Westwind seven years ago," said Day.

"Now I am the owner and operator, as my partners are no longer involved."

When he isn't in the shop fixing snowmachines, Day enjoys riding snowmobiles and spending time on the land with his family.

"My dad has a camp on the Delta, and I try to bring my family out as much as possible," said Day. "We all enjoy riding these machines. They've been a big part of our family."

Day is an avid caribou hunter, and snowmobiles have made it easier to go on the land quickly and efficiently.

Despite spending a lot of time near racing sleds, Day resists the temptation to race himself.

"I don't care to jump on anything going over 100 kilometres-per-hour," he laughed. "I am not a racer, I just fix them after the races are done."

In fact, only one of Day's children has been involved in snowmobile racing.

"My son Richard tried it out last year, in the Tuk Jamboree."

With the recent snowfall in Inuvik, Day has seen an increase in snowmobile use.

"People have to realize that the ice is not ready to be used yet," he said. "We already pulled a machine out of the river this week."

Day also reminded people who are using their machines to stay safe.

"Travelling alone is never a good idea. Always tell someone where you are going, in case of emergency," he said.