TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Gleason Community Club (GCC), made up of area volunteers promoting events and tourism in the Gleason area for more than 75 years, got a late start to their racing season in 2023 due to weather conditions. However, racing was in full swing last Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Gleason International Raceway, with ATV, cart, and snowmobile racing going full speed ahead on the ice oval racetrack in a number of classes.
The track, built and maintained with equipment provided by locally-owned Bennish & Sons Salvage, was in excellent condition for the race, and the green flags dropped to start off the first race around 10:00 a.m. Guys and girls of all ages had a blast racing, including the under-age-12 pee wee racers, and Markus Catlin won the F-500 World Championship race.
Proceeds from race events help the GCC support community agencies (such as the Town of Russell Fire Department and EMS, area Boy Scouts, the Merrill Food Pantry, and Merrill High School scholarships) and free family events, including the annual free Easter Egg Hunt and free Santa event.
Night race this weekend
The GCC will hold their annual Night Race Day this Saturday, Jan. 28, with registration beginning at 11:00 a.m. and racing to begin at 2:00 p.m. and continue until finished. The Dukes will play from 7:00-11:00 p.m. in the indoor heated GCC club house facility, so why not make it a day at the Night Races event? Hot food (pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, brats, pizza, and more) and bar available, with beer, mixers, coolers, soda, and water on-site. Jeremy Wicke, Treasurer of the GCC, said the facility is a full-service club house with a new locally-sourced food menu and an expanded beverage menu. “Fun for all ages,” Wicke said.
Please note: No carry-ins or pets allowed.
Last weekend’s successful race was the first under the direction of the new GCC Board of Directors, newly elected in Nov. 2022. The new Board is comprised of Bo Bennish, President; Jason Raasch, Vice President; Alice Prueser, Secretary; Jeremy Wicke, Treasurer; and Jason Yanke, Member at Large.
