| The thrill of ditch of "ditch banging " your | | | | the same story and stories, told and retold |
| snowmobile on the winter snowmobiling trail | | | | in different formats, and icy cold |
| is that adrenaline "high" that many winter | | | | backgrounds and scenery. The differences do |
| sled drivers live for. Simply put these | | | | begin long before the challenge ever begins. |
| fanatical snow and ice divers are adrenalin | | | | Sno-x racers wear a lot more protective gear |
| junkies performing different feats in the | | | | than the vast majority of ditch bangers. Long |
| ditch. , ditches and trails to challenge each | | | | before the racer even fires up his sled. |
| and every other member of their close-knit | | | | protective gear is put on under their "race |
| group. They launch their sleds over | | | | suits". The rider's knee/shin pads get braced |
| approaches with speed then traverse the | | | | and padded. Next in line is that their boots |
| natural moguls in the ditches as fast as | | | | are a special boot with very rigid supports. |
| humanely possible. All of this with tighter | | | | In terms of upper body protection the Snox-x |
| and tighter corners on the trails. This they | | | | racer gets a vest for chest protection along |
| do for on end. Naturally this goes on for | | | | with a substantial amount of upper arm |
| hours and the competition becomes more and | | | | padding. Finishing it off, many racers are |
| more risky and even downright dangerous. Of | | | | now starting to wear a racing collar to |
| course the stories get told later, rehashed | | | | support their necks. The ditch bang challenge |
| and rehashed. As time goes on the feat | | | | is much like that of the Sno-x challenge. |
| becomes more and more dangerous and the trail | | | | Always, always, always their passion and goal |
| more and more dangerous. Story telling is | | | | is to be "number one". It is often said that |
| always about "the fish that got away." The | | | | "there can only be one winner". The biggest |
| thrill of "Sno-x" racing is also that | | | | and most crucial difference between the two |
| adrenaline high, only more in magnitude and | | | | different forms of snowmobile racing is that |
| higher and much more intense. The "Sno-x" | | | | while Sno-x racers will have qualified |
| experience is a rush that is only experienced | | | | medical staff and attention within seconds of |
| by a relatively small and very fortunate | | | | any accident whereas in ditch banging care |
| group of snow sledders. Many people in the | | | | after an accident is much more chancy and |
| field look askance upon this form of sledding | | | | depends on location , logistics and basically |
| ad downright dangerous. Riders do take risks. | | | | just luck and chance. In the end it can be |
| What is most important to consider, is that | | | | said that even though Sno-x snowmobile racing |
| these risks are calculated - calculated very | | | | would appear to be more dangerous and have |
| carefully and not much out much forethought, | | | | more risks attached to it , that it safer in |
| planning and preparation. The challenge | | | | its own right for the snowmobiling race |
| between Sno-x riders begins long before that | | | | participants due to the preparation , |
| big race ever begins. "Trash talk: is the | | | | planning involved as well as support staff |
| term given to it. It has also been noted and | | | | and safety features and structures on the |
| recorded that devoted Sno-x racers also tend | | | | race course. Lastly no matter how you choose |
| to prolong and exaggerate their tales of | | | | to race your snowmobile, it is always best |
| racing and triumph. The thrill and adrenaline | | | | not to travel alone both for safety and |
| high of hardcore ditch banging and Sno-x s | | | | companionship. |
| winter time snowmobile racing are very | | | | |
| similar. This "trash talk "and "sled bashing" | | | | Lake Winnipeg Beaches Riv. |
| overall do not differ much at all. It's all | | | | |