David Archambeau/For the Gazette Snowmobiles and Motorcycles have been bringing racers and fans to the Copper Country for years. It is the MASTERS Racing Circuit that has worked with the private landowner in holding these hillclimbs.

Whether it is enjoying the outdoors via a trail ride on an off-road vehicle or a snowmobile or attending a motorcycle/snowmobile event, it is the motorsport community that has no choice but to respect private property, even though the Western Upper Peninsula is fortunate to have so much public land, i.e., county, state, federally managed land.

On the front page of Tuesday’s Daily Mining Gazette, an article about Houghton County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation of an abandoned vehicle at Whealkate Bluff next to South Range was printed. The truck was apparently pushed down the steep bluff, burned and left at the bottom of the hill.

Whether the individual or individuals will be held responsible for the damage to the hill and removing the vehicle and debris is left to be determined.

What is known is that the irresponsible act of these individuals can put at risk hillclimbs that have drawn thousands of fans and competitors to South Range and our area. It is known that the MASTERS Racing Circuit officials, racers and fans have invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours in the motorcycle and snowmobile hillclimbs at Whealkate Bluff since 1991.

These hillclimbs would not have happened if it wasn’t for the permission of the landowner. The bluff’s private landowners have given the MASTERS the permission to not only hold the hillclimbs, but to maintain the hill and the property for the fans.

“One thing I noticed is how clean the property is after a hillclimb,” is the comment on social media by the individual that first noticed the abandoned truck. The MASTERS is fortunate that the fans keep the property free of litter. The MASTERS requires the racers to keep the property clean. The MASTERS also requires the vendors to keep the property clean.

It is the landowner of this property that has allowed snowmobilers and ORV riders the privilege to ride throughout his property. All the landowner has asked is to not ride or do any damage to the hill where the hillclimb is held…that’s all!

Ride the forest road, even go off the road away from the hillclimb area and have fun. Just respect the property, and don’t leave your trash behind.

Is that too much for this private landowner, a supporter of motorsports, to ask?

This past summer, a number of racers and friends of the MASTERS donated numerous hours and use of their own heavy equipment to develop an entirely new area to set up this winter’s Hillclimb course. The individual that is responsible for helping to start snowmobile hillclimbs in the Midwest, Mike Fraki, used his Bulldozer for hill improvements. Wyatt McIntyre of Bobcat of Greenland donated his time and equipment on the hill. A number of racers, such as Kirtland Racing, Jordan and Layne Stank and Chain Gang Racing worked on the hill, as did a fan of the events, William Lystila, who worked on the east side of the hill, where the new runs will take place.

All this work, and what do we hear this past Monday? Some people did such a childish, and possibly dangerous, act of pushing a truck down the hill. Now who is going to repair the hill and will the landowner continue to be willing to allow its use for responsible motorsport enthusiasts?

Two major hillclimbs are scheduled for this summer. Please help the motorsports community by always respecting the rights of the private landowner.