Fall Wet & Wild Weekend punctuates the season with drag racing, Superbikes, watercross, drifting and a swap meet

BRAINERD, Minn. – Brainerd International Raceway is hosting one of its final events of the season this weekend and it’s going to be a dandy, featuring watercross, drag racing, motorcycle racing, drifting and a swap meet. It’s the Fall Wet & Wild Weekend but with even more attractions for fans to enjoy.

New to the lineup is the SMS Slide Show, which is three days of drifting exhibitions by some of the top drivers in the Midwest. Hosted by the Self Made Status Drift Crew, a drifting course will be set up on the pro pad next to the brick condos, and drivers will show off their drifting skills as they navigate their way through the course in controlled skids. The event is also open to anyone who wants to give drifting a try in their own car. Experienced drivers will be on hand to provide instruction.

The main attraction at all Wet & Wild Weekends, though, is the racing. And this event will feature Grade A competition as all three racing series conclude their seasons this weekend with championships on the line. That’s good news for fans because racing will be fierce.

The International Watercross Association will be on Lake BIR, the water feature behind the main grandstands. This is snowmobile racing on open water, and it’s wildly popular at BIR, mostly because it’s so unique and fun to watch as riders defy gravity and work to stay on top of the water while also beating the competition. But fans also love it because they can either watch from bleachers or stake out a nice shady spot in the grass next to the lake.

The snowmobiles start and finish on land – unless they sink. In that case, a rescue pontoon pulls them out. The drag racing classes race from one shore to the other. The oval classes feature heats of riders who make laps around buoys and return to shore. The IWA races Saturday and Sunday.

The Bracket Drag Racing Series is wrapping up its 12-race season this weekend on the dragstrip. More than 250 dragsters, cars, trucks, bikes, snowmobiles and Junior Dragsters will be gunning for series championships in one of 10 racing classes.

Saturday is a big day for all racers as they have a chance to win a Wally trophy, like the stars of the NHRA win. Commonly called the Wally Race, the winners of each class at the end of the day take home a Wally, including the winners of the three Junior Dragster classes.

Friday is a Test & Tune Day for drivers. Saturday and Sunday each start with time trials and qualifying in the morning followed by elimination rounds. Winners are crowned both days.

The road course will be busy all weekend with wild Superbike racing, courtesy of the Central Roadracing Association. Riders – ranging from novices to experts – will test themselves and their bikes on the highly technical 2.5-mile, 13-turn road course. Friday is a practice day, and Saturday’s schedule features 6-lap sprints. Sunday opens with practice in the morning and then a five-hour team endurance race that runs from noon to 5 p.m.

“This is going to be a crazy weekend out here,” BIR Owner Kristi Copham said. “There will definitely be something for everyone. This is a great way to finish off the season and say thanks to all the racers and fans who came back this season and helped us celebrate motorsports again. We can’t thank them enough and we’re excited for this packed weekend.”

Sunday’s admission is only $10, and kids 12 and under are free all weekend. Daily admission Friday and Saturday is $30. Parking is free.

Now in its 52nd season, BIR is one of North America’s largest racetracks, featuring a world-class quarter-mile drag strip, two road courses, 300 acres for rustic camping, 164 full-service RV sites and 12 on-site condos. BIR is about 120 miles north of the Twin Cities. For more information, visit www.BrainerdRaceway.com, or call 1-866-444-4455.

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