RANKIN INLET
Tristan Dias of Rankin Inlet will enter senior men's snowmobile racing this coming year as the 2013 Kivalliq Regional Junior Racing Champion.
Dias, 17, took the junior flag in Rankin, Arviat and Chesterfield Inlet this racing season.
The young champion began riding snowmobiles at the tender age of five and took part in his first race at 14.
He rides his 600 RS SkiDoo into battle, no matter what type of race he enters, and has no fear of any Kivalliq machine he knows of.
Dias said his SkiDoo is comfortable and smooth, with plenty of power for both crosscountry and drag racing.
He said he started to travel to other communities when his enjoyment of racing outgrew the one race a year in Rankin he could compete in.
"Everyone competes hard, but it's friendly competition," said Dias.
"I was surprised and disappointed there were only three of us from Rankin in the juniors at Arviat.
"It was kind of boring because Jeremy (Maley), Quinton (Karlik) and I know each other well, so we knew the position we'd finish in, and that's how it went with me first, Jeremy second and Quinton third.
"It was a lot different in Chester because there were more machines there."
Dias said word of someone's fast new machine doesn't really travel across the Kivalliq to Rankin.
He said you find out who has the machines to beat when you begin racing in a community.
"Most of the Kivalliq machines are pretty close, so it's more about the rider's skill than anything else.
"Being regional champ is pretty awesome and I'm looking forward to moving up with the seniors next year.
"There seems to be fewer juniors racing now because it's getting a bit expensive, and all the time spent on social media and stuff like that is also part of it.
"It would be good for the region if more youths would get involved and make racing really popular again."
Dias said he tries hard not to think about injuries when he's on the track.
He said he pushes it from his mind so it won't interfere with his approach to, or enjoyment of, racing.
"I just try not to worry about getting hurt at all.
"I wear a helmet, a Tech vest underneath my jacket and knee pads under my wind pants, and that's it.
"Then I go out and race and concentrate on doing my best."
