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LAPORTE — It’s been a long time since the Garfield Lake Ice Racing Club has been able to put on a race.

Last season's 2024 races were completely washed out due to poor ice conditions. This winter is shaping up to be a great season of ice racing for the club.

On Sunday, the ice racers converged on Garfield Lake in Laporte for its first race in two years. The races are held each Sunday on the lake. Fans are welcome to come and watch free of charge from the warmth of their cars on the east side of the race track. The green flag waves at noon for the races.

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Longtime flagman Tom Lindahl is excited for the return of racing and looks forward to seeing new drivers joining the ranks of the B Class set up for beginners and hobby enthusiasts, and the return of the experienced A Class drivers showing their racing skills.

The Garfield Lake Race Club is not just about racing. Over the many years of the club's existence, it has donated thousands of dollars to charities, schools, veteran’s groups and individuals in need. In 2024 alone, the club donated over $100,000.

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The drivers pay a membership fee and pay each Sunday to race and receive nothing in return, other than the opportunity to race and a chance for a plaque or jacket at the end of the season if they place high in the points standings. The money all goes to pay club expenses and for charity work.

Sunday’s races were highlighted by feature wins in the B Class for Bob Pawlitschek and Chad Tabaka, with Cam Labelle claiming the A crown. Picking up heat wins in each class were Nick Jessen, Blake Watson, Bob Pawlitschek and Reid Watson in the B Class and Cam Labelle in the A Class. Winning the special ladies-only Powder Puff race was Jordan Walker.

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Final Results

B Class

Set 1

Heat 1 – Blake Watson, Mariah LaPatka, Abe Forseman, William Coan/Sean Feia, Brad Krotzer, Madison Tabaka.

Heat 2 – Nick Jessen, Reid Watson, Tyler Johnson, Bob Pawlitschek, CJ Roller.

Set 1 Feature – Bob Pawlitschek, Chad Tabaka, Reid Watson, Nick Jessen, Tyler Johnson, Abe Forseman, Blake Watson, Faye Lewis, CJ Roller, Brad Krotzer, William Coan/Sean Feia.

A Class

Set 1

Heat 1 – Cam Labelle, Jon Geschwill, John Hadrava.

Set 1 Feature – Cam Labelle, Jon Geschwill.

B Class

Set 2

Heat 1 – Bob Pawlitschek, Nick Jessen, Tyler Johnson, Blake Watson, CJ Roller, Brad Krotzer.

Heat 2 – Reid Watson, Abe Forseman, Faye Lewis, Madison Tabaka, William Coan/Sean Feia

Set 2 Feature – Chad Tabaka, Tyler Johnson, Abe Forseman, Bob Pawlitschek, Nick Jessen, Reid Watson, Faye Lewis, CJ Roller, William Coan/Sean Feia, Brad Krotzer.

A Class

Set 2

No results provided.

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