It might be called Snowbash, but there's no snow involved. Every September in the town of Ohio, drivers race on grass drags. Hundreds of spectators and dozens of vendors come out in support. But some tell Melissa Krull that the event is more than just for fun.
OHIO, N.Y. -- It's the month of September. You smell the gasoline. You hear the revving of engines. You feel the gusts of air as snowmobiles race past you. And you know, you're at the Ohio Snow Bash.
"Everybody has races on snow, but we have a clientele that has grass drags and they just build them for grass drags. They just want to do it, and that's what they do," said Ohio Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club President John Bates.
"This is the largest race in the country. There's another race a week earlier called 'Hay Days'. They have maybe 60 percent of the entries this race has," said Adam Mosha, a snowmobile racer.
But some say Snow Bash is more than just a good time. It also serves as a successful fundraising opportunity for several organizations and businesses. Like the Gateway Senior Citizens Center in Ohio. This year they estimated to have made more than $400 after expenses, selling sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches.
"This is our only time that we make money and we go through the year to do things. It's great for the economy of the town of Ohio," said Bill Bates, a Gateway Senior Citizens Center member.
And it seems everyone was feeling the wealth this year. One of the 434 racers at the event, Adam Mosha won the biggest prize ever awarded, $9,000.
"You're racing against the fastest in the country and it was really neat. I mean, it was great. But there again, it's not possible without our team," Mosha said.
A common theme, as organizers say this is an event that simply wouldn't be possible if not for a great team effort.