SALAMANCA — With ideal freezing temperatures in the forecast, there will be plenty of snowmaking taking place in the area, but not all on the hills of Ellicottville.
Several gigantic mounds of snow are beginning to build up on the east parking lot of the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in preparation for the annual US Air Force Snocross National, set to return Feb. 16 and 17.
The region’s winter tradition of twists, turns, thrills, and high-speed action promises to provide fun for the whole family during the two-day, nationally televised event that brings tens of thousands of fans to Salamanca each February.
“Planning and preparations are underway and will be ramping up over the coming weeks,” said Melissa Free, Chief Marketing Officer at Seneca Gaming Corporation. “We’re very excited to welcome this signature event back to Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and we hope that fans from across the Southern Tier, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area are gearing up for a great weekend.”
Crews with International Series of Champions (ISOC) Racing have begun turning 1 million gallons of water into snow over the football-field-sized parking lot, hoping for some natural snow to help the process. As always, the race course will include wicked twists and giant ramps that will send vehicles flying dozens of feet into the air.
The races were canceled in Salamanca last February as a major heatwave melted most of the track the week before the races.
“The lack of winter conditions last year was definitely a surprise,” Free said. “We expect more typical February weather and another great race weekend this year.”
More than 200 of the top snowmobile racers from North America and nearly a dozen countries worldwide will face off in a full-throttle, action-packed series of races that combine big-air jumps and competitive racing.
Approximately 50 practice, qualifying and final races will take place each day, including 22 races during both the Friday and Saturday night main events. As many as 15 vehicles will be on the track during a race, and individual races are broken down by age, gender and snowmobile type.
“We’re very excited to welcome everyone back after the weather forced us to take a year off,” Free said. “Anyone who has attended and taken part in Snocross weekend at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in the past can expect the same excitement, fun, and attractions that have made it such a popular, must-attend event.”
Bleachers set up around the track can accommodate thousands of fans, and bright lights will illuminate the track during the evening hours on Friday and Saturday when the main events take place and are recorded for television. Various vendors, including food and beverage, will also be on site.
Inside the Seneca Allegany Events Center, fans will have the chance to interact with racers and get autographs. Snowmobile gear will be on sale, and the popular Traxxas Try Me Track will return with a course filled with remote-controlled miniature trucks.
“One of the best things about the weekend is that it gives us the chance to celebrate and showcase all of the great things about a Western New York winter in a really fun and exciting way,” Free said.
Free said that Seneca Gaming has enjoyed a great partnership with the Snocross team for several years, noting this is one of their signature events at Seneca Allegany.
“We are able to introduce new people to all of the amenities, attractions and beauty of the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory, our world-class resort and the entire region,” she said. “Then, once the races start, the excitement, speed and thrill are incredible. Being able to experience that up close is something our guests really enjoy and look forward to every year.”
For more information, visit senecaalleganycasino.com or snocross.com.
