Gavel family catches racing fever!

Ken Johnston
Editor

It truly was like catching a contagious fever.
That is the best way to describe what happened in December of 2000 at the John and Janette Gavel residence in Stratton.
“John found a racing sled on the internet and asked Rob (their son) if he wanted to race,” said Janette. Rob said yes and that was when the fever first started to take hold.
They raced their 2001Arctic Cat Sno Pro Z440 (fan cooled) in the 2001 Can-Am Racing Circuit. Janette said that initially it was Rob doing the racing but it was not long into the game that they decided to all (except her) get on the sled and try their hand at it. That year Rob, John (dad), Dan Fuhrer raced.
The next year the family applied for a Arctic Cat Sno Pro ZR 440 Liquid through the Arctic Cat racing program but were only allowed to buy a ZR 440 Fan. Now they had two sleds to race and Rob, John and Dan Fuhrer raced them in five events. Rob’s brothers Danny and Mike caught the racing fever and started racing full time that year as well. Christina Goodman also wanted to try racing and the Gavels invited her along to Kenora for a race. At the end of the 2001-2002 season John placed 3rd in the Beginner 440 Fan with year end points.
Last year (2002-2003) they applied again for ZR440 Liquids and this time they were able to purchase two of them. Janette said that there are a limited number of racing sleds built by the manufacturers each year, so it is tough to get them.
John (age 42) raced the Masters 30+, Sport Fan 440 (on the 2001 fan and 2003 liquid).
Mike (age 18) raced Sport Fan 440, Sport Liquid 440 (riding the 2002 fan).
Danny (age 15) raced Junior 14/15, Junior 16/17 (riding the 2003 liquid).
Rob (age 14) raced Junior 14/15, Junior 16/17 (riding the 2003 liquid).
Christina Goodman raced in the Women’s and the Sport 440 Liquid (riding the 2003 liquid).
They competed in the North West Racing Association circuit and made it to two Minnesota WSA district events in Cloquet and Coleraine.
While they did not make the finals at the WSA Nationals in Winnipeg, Janette said it was really a good experience. They were able to meet professional racers Tucker Hibber and Blair Morgan.
The current year saw the traditionally Arctic Cat team digress to two 2004 Ski-Doo Rev’s and three 2003 Arctic Cat Sno Pros. Why the change? Janette said that the previous year Arctic Cat made too many of their racing sleds and they were hard to sell this year. So they found a good deal on two Ski-Doos and decided to race both brands.
In addition to the expense of buying the racing sleds, Janette said the costs of racing add up quickly. For the kids it is $35 per class for a total of $140 per weekend (four classes). For John it is $65 per class to race. Plus they have to pay an annual $100 yearly fee to NWRA and $25 per race for insurance. “That does not even include the cost of travelling to and from the event and accommodations while there,” said Janette. But it is all worth it. “We really love it as a family!”
Janette likes to ride but does not have any interest in racing. Instead she is content being the head cheerleader for the team and official videographer. “After we get home from racing we all sit down and watch the races on video,” said Janette.
A typical racing week encompasses ordering any parts they need on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday they all go to work or school. Then Thursday night they gather at the family business in Emo, John Gavel Custom Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and tune their sleds up. Friday they depart for the next race.
At NWRA races they race in a qualifier heat on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. At WSA races there are two heats on Saturday and one on Sunday. The tracks range in shape from ovals to ones with twists and turns and all have jumps and moguls.
So far this season the team has done well.
Prior to this past weekend John was leading the Plus 30 Open Class with 98 points. He scored 27 at Asessipi (Manitoba), 21 at Vermillion Bay (Ontario), 24 at Stonewall(MB). and 26 at Morris (MB). Nursing an injury he finished 3rd at Kenora over the weekend. How that affects the standings will not be available until later this week.
John was also 3rd with 83 points, only 16 out of first, before Kenora, in the Plus 30. He came in 4th in Kenora.
In the Masters he was in 2nd place before Kenora with 100 points, only 8 out of first place and he finished 2nd in Kenora.
In the Sports Fan class it was Gavel in the top three slots. Dan with 113, Rob with 107 and John with 69 pts. Over the weekend Rob came in first and Dan came in 4th. John did not race this class.
In the Sport 600 class Dan and Rob held 3rd and 4th respectively before Kenora with 103 and 75 points. Dan was only 1 point behind their arch rival Paul Moreau. Dan finished 8th and Rob 3rd in Kenora.
In the Sport Open Class Rob was third and Dan 6th before Kenora with 97 and 58 pts. Rob was only 8 pts. out of first. In Kenora Rob did not qualify and Dan came in 8th.
Danny had a tough weekend in Kenora, pulling a muscle Sunday morning in hot laps. That saw him miss the finals in four classes. After having it checked out at the hospital, he donned his racing gear and did one lap in each race to get his points.
Due to an injury from last year Mike only raced one race this year and agravated it again. He still travels with the team but has not been able to race any more this season.
There are three NWRA races left on the season and two MN North races. This weekend the team will be in Swan River, MB for a NWRA race. For up to date racing results and more information on the racing team you can visit their website at www.gavelracing.com.