BELLAIRE -- Officials canceled the 6th annual Race the Face snowmobile event at Shanty Creek Resort, but not for lack of snow on its Schuss Mountain.
The Antrim County resort failed to secure liability insurance for the single-elimination drag competition in which riders race side-by-side up a ski slope. Organizer Tim Bingham busied himself Thursday night setting up $900 worth of trophies when he received the cancellation call.
The event should have begun Friday and continued today.
"Whoever runs the ordeal there dropped the ball on us," Bingham said. "We've got a lot invested: time, effort and dollars."
Organizers stand to lose several thousand dollars, he said.
"I think there are a lot of upset people," said Ron Rusnell, of Mancelona. "I sure didn't expect it to be canceled for the reason it was canceled."
Rusnell each year races at the event, considered by some the capper to winter's snowmobile season. He worried how deep the snow pack would be after a recent warm weather streak, but not whether the resort had proper insurance, he said.
"I'm disappointed. We put a big chunk of money out," Rusnell said.
He spent $750 in improvements on just one snowmobile in his group of 15 racers. That money could have been spent on something else, Rusnell said.
Racers annually flock to Race the Face from across the region and state. Some travel from as far away as Wisconsin, Ohio or New York, and some already left town, Bingham said.
"Despite efforts on our behalf toward the end to get the insurance, we ultimately weren't able to do it," said Michael Jordan, resort general manager.
Jordan said Shanty Creek changed insurance carriers in October and learned this week the new policy didn't cover motorized racing events. He tried to buy a liability policy, but it didn't happen and the resort canceled on the event's eve, he said.
"It's all very disappointing, but it comes down to a business decision. All you have to have is one accident or one $5 million suit and it would shut us all down," Jordan said.
Race the Face grew over the years and typically draws hundreds who often book rooms or condominiums, including 450 racers. Those who hadn't yet arrived won't be charged cancelation fees, Jordan said.
And the resort will lose money, too.
"I do know there are revenue streams for lodging, food and beverage and entrance fees. There are some revenue streams that won't happen," Jordan said.
Bingham said Race the Face won't return to Shanty Creek. Organizers will find another area ski resort to host races, he said.
