JUDY WRIGHT 2024 CHAMPION’S PROFILE

Judy Wright climbed four spots to the top of the standings to win the 2024 championship in the Powder Puff Class at Qlispe Raceway Park. Wright dethroned 2023 title winner Heather Eller who was second this season.

“I think the key to winning any season championship is being consistent, being at every race and trying your best,“ Wright wrote in an email.

Wright won 3 out of the 7 races and went past first round in all other races except one.

Powder Puff is an all ladies class of bracket racers where the competition can be quite varied.

“One day I could race a 12-second Mustang or a 20-second Hyundai,“ Wright explained.

She races a 2017 Kia Sportage, called “Scarlett,“ and while she describes her ride as “super slow,“ but the driver is somewhat consistent on the tree and top end.

“I run 17.50-18.50 depending the weather or how the wind is blowing,“ she said with a laugh.

Wright grew up at the track and her dad, Jim “Sugarbear“ Clark raced for years at Spokane Raceway Park. “I still race every race for him,“ she said.

“Now my husband and I have a race team called #fatkidracing. His name is Ron and he drives a 1979 Mustang and he finished 3rd in Sportsman this year,“ Wright said.

Wright races through the help of a variety of sponsors including her husband, Sugarbear racing and JJ American designs.

Judy Wright, a face behind the championship.

QLISPE RACEWAY POWDER PUFF POINT LEADERS

Position         Name                      Points
1.................. Judy Wright..............175
2.................. Heather Eller............152
3.................. Danyelle Boller........139
4.................. Jessica Boller............128
5.................. Shelly Dietrich...........55

“Scarlett,“ is Judy Wright’s ride that won her the 2024 Powder Puff championship at Qlispe Raceway Park. Judy Wright photos

MOTORIZED SNO-PARK 2024-25 TEMPORARY CLOSURES ANNOUNCED

OLYMPIA — The Winter Recreation Program at Washington State Parks will be temporarily closing 14 motorized Sno-parks for the 2024-2025 season.

The parks are being temporarily closed for the 2024-25 winter season, due primarily to a roughly 25% reduction in funds available from snowmobile registrations to support the motorized part of the program.

The number of registered snowmobiles has decreased by 52% over the past two decades, from a high of 38,331 in 2002 to 18,434 in 2024.

The following motorized Sno-Parks are slated for temporary closure: Echo Valley, Skate Creek, Bethel Ridge/Soup Creek, Crow Creek, Cloverland, Elk Heights, Fish Creek, French Cabin, Nile, Taneum, Reecer Creek, Crawfish, Nine Bark, and Clear Lake.

Closure of 14 of 89 motorized Sno-parks represents 16% of Sno-parks serving snowmobiling trails across the state.

The snowmobile program is self-funded from snowmobile registration fees and a percentage of the gas tax. The program currently receives $94.20 per registered snowmobile.

Funding per snowmobile registration:

• $50 Snowmobile Registration Fee
• $45.20 Gas Tax (135 gallons (average yearly fuel usage per snowmobile) x 34.9 cents per gallon of gas x the annual number of registered snowmobiles.)

Funds are used to pay for services at motorized Sno-parks such as snow removal, sanitation, education, enforcement, and trail grooming.

The Winter Recreation Program worked with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee, local snowmobile clubs, and managers of lands on which the Sno-parks are located to finalize the list of Sno-park closures. The principal goal was continuing operation of the most used Sno-parks and preserving access to the broader network of groomed snowmobile trails. Discussions addressed the feasibility, practical limitations, and implications of closures, including the following considerations:

• Other nearby Sno-parks accessing the same trail system
• Recommendations from land managers, local grooming councils, and clubs
• Popularity and use levels determined by user server data
• Previous closure or contractor availability
• Elevation and typical snowfall

The closures are for the 2024-25 winter season, pending future funding availability. The program is continuing to work with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee and stakeholders to look at the long-term future of the snowmobile program.

Sno-parks slated for closure are designated and funded for motorized use. Designated non-motorized Sno-parks supporting activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing are not impacted by this decision.

A snowmobile rider at the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. Washington State Parks photo