Time Trials For The International 500 To Begin

The 48th annual International 500 kicks off this week in the Upper Peninsula.

Ric Federau is chairman of the I-500, a 500 mile snowmobile race on an ice-covered, oval track in Sault Ste. Marie.

He says over 60 teams from around the world will vie for the 38 slots on race day, which is Saturday.

Time trials begin Tuesday and will run through Wednesday or Thursday.

Federau says the snowmobiles will top out around 115 miles an hour.

Throw in nearly 40 snowmobiles and tight quarters on an ice-coated track and he says things can get a bit dicey.

Upwards of 15,000 people are expected to attend the qualifying runs and the I-500.