Courtesy Photo Austin Leeck competes in a snowmobile race in this courtesy photo. Leeck is competing in this weekend’s Cedar Tavern and Grill 250 in Lincoln.

LINCOLN — More than 250 snowmobile racers are registered to compete in the Cedar Tavern and Grill 250 this weekend at the Fairgrounds in Lincoln.

“Lincoln is a racing favorite based on location for racers and spectators,” Austin Leeck, racer and Midwest International Racing Association board member, said.

Fans can expect racing to commence at 10:45 a.m. today with qualifying laps for Sunday’s big race. Sprint races will follow the qualifying laps and Mini Enduro Class will start at 2:15 p.m.

The “Kitty Cat” program for youth racers will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. Each participant will receive a trophy. A program of this nature is designed for youth to get practice so they can eventually compete in the bigger races.

Leeck has competed in the Lincoln race for nine years and said the race is always exciting as both a racer and as a fan.

“I grew up around racing my entire life, I watched my grandfather and my dad race,” Leeck said. “Lincoln is my favorite place to race not only because it’s my hometown track, but it’s always packed! Fans line up around both sides of the track making it a packed house. As a fan, there isn’t a bad place to watch! Lincoln is the fastest half mile track we race on, reaching speeds up to 100 mph.”

Leeck is local to Hubbard Lake and has been racing for 13 years. He has also served on the MIRA Board for one year.

“The MIRA organization is like one big family,” he said.

In recent years, Cadarette Collision Racing out of Alpena has been the team to beat in the annual February Lincoln race.

Charlie Wiltsie, currently the MIRA board vice president and operations manager, speaks highly of M.I.R.A. Racing.

“M.I.R.A. is the fastest growing snowmobile organization in the country, we have racers from six different states and Canada competing this weekend,” he said.

The “Big Race” starts Sunday at 1 p.m. and consists of a “NASCAR-style 250 lap race,” Wiltsie said.

The winner of this race will receive a large trophy and a cash prize.

Spectators admission is $10 a day, or $15 for the whole weekend. A great viewing platform is located on the top of the hill for race fans.