Thunder roars through fairgrounds

SAXON,Wis. - Sounds of roaring engines echoed across Saxon during Rolling Thunder races Saturday at the Iron County Fairgrouds.

As rain poured, snowmobiles, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans and off-roading vehicles flung mud high into the sky.

Snowmobiles on snow is a common sight in the Northwoods, but snowmobiles on grass? That is a different story.

Traveling at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour, racers sped across a grass drag strip riding retro snowmobiles.

Wearing pink clothing and a flamingo helmet, Kathy Olson took park in the action. She and several other woman wore pink and raced to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer. Together, they raised $2,500. The proceeds will go towards the Iron County Health Department to be used for breast cancer screenings.

More than 50 spectators were treated to mud racing action. When the starting light turned to green, racers accelerated and mud flew into the air.

While racing through the thick mud, Jake Tijan, of Hurley, said it can be "hard to see" because mud covers the windshield.

To compensate, Tijan said he looked back and out the windows to help guide him across the finish line. He said he has been mud racing since he was 13.

Trucks and other vehicles flew through the air during tuff truck race. Drivers navigated across a course of jumps, a mud pit and a tire pit.

Driving a sport utility vehicle, Mitchell Anderson, of Ironwood, had his hood pop open when he landed from a jump.

Despite that, he still manged to find his way across the finish line. He said it was an adrenaline rush to the moment he crossed the finish line.

At the pavilion, there was an antique snowmobiles display. The day ended with a loudest pipes competition.

Despite the rain, event organizers said the event was "successful."