Bravo time in Arviat
Annual challenge races set for this coming weekend
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
ARVIAT
The 12th annual Xtreme Bravo Challenge is set to go this coming weekend in Arviat.
Jordan St. John, Chelsey Kaludjak and Peter Kaludjak, from left, will have a tough time defending their men's Women's and Master's titles respectively at the 12th annual Extreme Bravo Challenge this coming weekend, April 25 and 26 of 2015, in Arviat. - NNSL file photo |
The event is sponsored by the Arviat Bravo Racing Club.
Race committee president Pierre Ikakhik said there are three divisions set for this year's race, with men (18 and over), women (18 and over) and old-timers (masters, 40 and older) ready to run for the flag.
He said the male and female racers will run eight laps in their qualifiers and 12 laps in their final, while the old-timers will run a 10-lap, winner-take-all race.
"We'll be running eight heats on the 25th, and then have the two finals and the old-timer's race on the 26th," said Ikakhik.
"We don't have a youth race, but they have one in the drag races which is for kids 13 and 14, I believe.
"The drag races will be held sometime in May, but an exact date isn't set yet."
Ikakhik said the Bravo races stay popular in Arviat because they're a lot of fun and the smaller machines aren't that dangerous.
He said races featuring the big machines are exciting, but also dangerous.
"Sometimes I think those who race the big machines are a little crazy," said Ikakhik with a laugh.
"It's really sad they don't make the Bravo anymore, but, so far, getting parts for them hasn't got too hard.
"It's just a matter of time until they are, but, until then, we'll keep having a lot of fun racing our machines.
"We're hoping the Bravo will come back in a few years, but, if it doesn't, we'll keep holding the annual Xtreme Bravo Challenge until the parts get too hard to find."
Ikakhik said he's hoping to see racers from Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet at this year's Bravo challenge.
He said there were about 40 racers this past year, and he hopes to, at least, equal that this coming weekend.
"I hope to see all the racers from 2014 back again.
"We get a lot of fans out for the races, and we get good support from the business community.
"We thank the business community for its help and sponsorship of the Xtreme Bravo Challenge, especially Calm Air, Eskimo Point Lumber Supply, the Hamlet of Arviat, Padlei Co-op, Arctic Connections and Kivalliq News.
"We couldn't do this without their support."
