It might have been an Iqaluit event, but snowmobile racing is clearly in Kivalliq blood.
Toonik Tyme’s premiere race – dubbed the Iqaluit Circuit Race Finals after a season of competition in the capital – saw 12 racers compete in 22 laps on a 2.7 kilometre track. Jarvis Towtongie came out on top, with Tugaaq Netser in second, Joseph Curley in third and Rock Kakuktinniq in fourth.
Curley and Gabe Choquette hosted the races, which were an extension of the Iqaluit circuit races Curley was helping run throughout the latter half of winter.
Early in the season, weekend circuits in the capital weren’t quite taking off as many competitors hoped, so Curley stepped in and created lap sheets and a points system for racers to accumulate points throughout the year, starting in February. It gained popularity in the capital as racers and fans enjoyed seeing the statistics side of it. The success of the season was due to the group effort between organizers and racers, said Curley.
In the season points, Arthur Bouchard of Iqaluit claimed first, with Joshua Kilabuk second and Rankin Inlet’s Rock Kakuktinniq in third.
“The Weekend Warrior circuit races slowly progressed into something the city looked forward to every weekend, spectators and racers alike more and more, as restrictions started lifting,” said Curley. “The atmosphere was amazing for the year-end race.”
He gave a shout out to some of the younger guys such as Netser, Amaujaq Groves, Aiden Williams, Terence Veevee and Reagen Niakrok as strong new faces in the scene.
“They all did a great job,” said Curley.
Now, he’s looking forward to keeping the competitive spirit burning and seeing all his family and friends he grew up racing with for Pakallak Tyme.
“It’s a special time for the community,” said Curley, who also hopes to start his own committee for racing in Iqaluit and continue to grow the sport in the capital.
