RPM Powersports, Riderz, Riverside Motorsports, CJ Campbell Insurance, and ATV World.
Also thanks to Wendy from Kaptive 8 Photography for this years event photo, and to Levi Ellis for keeping all the racers safe through creation and implementation of the safety plan for this event.
Directions;
Same staging area as last year so if you were there and remember stop reading now. Otherwise here is a link to a map of the area.
https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Unname ... 8a9367a962
Firstly the race site itself is not in the town of Vega AB. so don't go there please. These directions are quite specific but I don't want anyone new to get lost. I was once new and lost at 0300 Saturday morning and it sucks.
1. If coming from the south the first thing to do is get to or near the town of Barrhead AB, it as you can see by the map is just shy of the junction of HWY 18 and HWY 33. If coming from western AB then it may be more prudent for you to go directly to Fort Assinibione. HWY 18 actually ends at the turn off to Barrhead when coming West from Westlock.
2. Anyway follow HWY 33 West towards Fort Assiniboine. When approaching from the East you will cross the Athabasca River just before the STOP sign where you will go right to enter Fort Assiniboine. On the left is Bear Hills Gas and liquor bar this is the closest place to fill up your Diesel pusher, and if you like drinks they sell booze there to.
3. From the STOP sign go right (North) into the town of Fort Assiniboine, please observe the speed limit of 30km/hr when in town. Half way through town on the left (2.5 blocks in, it's a small town) there is a small grocery store and another chance to buy booze, this is the last chance for these two essential products.
4. As you exit town follow the directions to "Klondike Ferry" along HWY 661, you will turn left onto 661 and go up a good sized hill as you exit the town, you will be going West then North by the top of the hill. The road through town turns to gravel just north of town, so if you run into gravel you missed the turn.
5. From the top of the hill it is 22km until 661 east turnoff to the Klondike Ferry. This is a freshly paved section that in previous years was gravel. Once it turns to from East to North you should look for the next right, it is just after a cemetery. There is signage stating Klondike Ferry and HWY 661. Turn right towards the "Klondike Ferry", If you zoom in on the map you can see that Northbound is RR45A. This corner will be flagged.
6. Follow 661 about 6-8km and watch for flagging. You will be going left into the staging area. If you hit the powerline (it is huge and 661 passes under it) you have gone too far. This is the best place to turn around your rig.
Can I take the Ferry after going through Vega and following HWY 769 through Nerlandia then HWY 661 through Vega ???
If you have just a truck or van or car with a very small (like 8-10' max) trailer then yes, going this route will save you about 15 minutes of driving. Otherwise go around, the entry and exit to the ferry is very steep and damage and/or getting stuck would be the result. If you are taking the Ferry allow extra travel time on race day as it can get busy, also take note that there are hours of operation and dude takes lunch and dinner breaks at 1130 and 1730 respectively (I think those times are correct).
More information on the ferry can be obtained through the following link
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/1965.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Information can also be found on our facebook page, just search N.A.S.T.E.
Any other questions please e-mail me at sydor555@gmail.com. You can also call me @ 780-951-5486 or call Art Potter @ 780-778-5332.
Hope to see you all there, Tab….
)
I hope to finish this race, its a long long drive so hopefully I get enough rest before the race.