36 partake in largest Garfield Lake ice racing weekend this season

020922.S.BP.ICERACERS 5.JPG — Zach Tolman (14) and Rob Martinson race side-by-side in B class racing on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.

By Dennis Peterson / Special to the Pioneer

February 07, 2022 01:12 PM

LAPORTE -- The largest turnout of the season brought out 36 ice racers on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Sunday. With cool temperatures, bright sun and a northwest wind, the racers battled through snow dust in the A and B class races.

Big winners on Sunday in the A class were Chad Tabaka with two feature wins and a heat win. Also winning heat races in the A class were John Farrington, Frita Myers and Josh Sautbine.

In the B class, Reid Watson picked up two feature wins and a heat win. Bob Pawlitschek and Josh Bitker also won features. Picking up heat wins were Sam Delaney, Abe Forseman and Zach Tilberry.

Races will resume at noon on Sunday, Feb. 13, on Garfield Lake in Laporte. Fans can watch for free on the east side of the track.

1/7: Rich Semmler (30), John Farrington (40) and Bryan Karl race three-wide in an A class race on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.

2/7: Four-wide B class action featured Joel Harvey (78), Brent Nichalson (29), Gordon Hunter (417) and Reid Watson (50) on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.

3/7: Flagman Tom Lindahl readies to start the races on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.

4/7: Josh Bitker won the second Set B class feature on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.

5/7: Class A double featuer winner Chad Tabaka, second from left, is joined by family and crew on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, on Garfield Lake near Laporte.