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Initiator of the Wetaskiwin
North-Am International Snowmobile Race
Chairman, North-Am International
Snowmobile
Race Committee 1968, 1969, 1970
Consultant, North-Am International
Snowmobile
Race 1971-1986
 George
Hunerfauth immigrated to Canada from Switzerland when he was a young
man. He was interested in starting an agricultural equipment
distribution business in a farming area. After traveling across Canada
he discovered a welcoming community in Wetaskiwin and settled here. He
developed his business, married, raised his family and became involved
in his church and community. In 1967 he had a vision for a unique
community enterprise. The event was the Wetaskiwin North-Am
International Snowmobile Race. His vision became a reality in 1968 and
was an annual event from 1968 until 1986. Within a few years of its
inauguration the race attracted 20,000 spectators, was covered by
national media, and drew competitors from across Canada and the United
States. George is being inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports
Hall of Fame for his leadership in initiating the North-Am International
Snowmobile Race and helping to put Wetaskiwin on the international
sporting scene.
Community Embraces
Festivities to Attract
20,000 Spectators and 100's of Racers
Snowmobile races were
first held in Wetaskiwin as part of the 1967 Centennial Winter
Carnival. They took place on an ice covered oval at the Exhibition
Grounds, sharing the track with horse drawn chucksleds. It was soon
apparent that the exhibition oval was too flat and not a great venue for
spectators. George was inspired to have an international snowmobile
race
 “that would show what the machines could really do” in the right
conditions. Few took him seriously at first, doubting that racers would
come to the city or that suitable prize money could be raised. George
convinced the Kinsmen and Kiwanis to put up $20,000 in prize money,
recoverable from entry fees of $50 per machine and from spectator ticket
sales. A new racetrack was developed and George chaired the volunteer
group that was formed to organize the 1968 event. A successful race was
held that year.
In 1969 another
international race was held under George’s leadership and two hundred
and seventy drivers competed in the races and all of the events were
sold out. During the five days of the races, the Winter Carnival turned
Wetaskiwin into a swinging city. The serious business of racing by day
gave way to the fun of dancing and entertainment by night.
Wetaskiwin Visionary Makes
North-Am Snowmobile Racing Largest in Canada
and Front Runner for Eighteen Years
In 1970 a formal Winter
Carnival organizing committee with members from all facets of the
community was established with George again at the helm of the North Am
races. The group spent months preparing for the Carnival and every club
in Wetaskiwin was involved. Wetaskiwin totally embraced the
festivities. More events were added, businesses decorated their
premises, a carnival atmosphere captured the city and fireworks ended
each evening. In 1970 the North Am races were officially recognized as
an international event and from then on, television and radio coverage
was considerable. The North-Am race was the largest snowmobile race in
Canada, a credit to the city and a reward for the many volunteers.
International Recognition by Media Covering
Snowmobile Racing by Year Three
From 1971 and until 1986
George was a consultant for North-Am organizers. The snowmobile races
continued through the decade. Successes varied from year to year mostly
depending on the weather and snow conditions. The largest number of
racers was in 1973 when 433 racing snowmobiles were registered.
However, preparations were taking up the better part of the fall and
winter months for the people organizing the events. As North-Am grew in
size and reputation it depleted the city’s resources and by 1975 many of
the volunteers were finding it difficult to continue. Also, the North-Am
races were facing competition from many other race meets in other parts
of Canada. The North-Am Races and their place in the winter Carnival
were maintained until 1981 when the venue changed to the Panee
Exhibition Grounds at Hobbema. In 1982 the races were relocated to Coal
Lake where the lake ice was used as the base for the racing oval. By
then interest in snowmobile racing had faded and the North-Am struggled
until 1986 when the races came to an end.
Only Fitting that Inductee's Plaque Sits in a
Hall of Fame Location he Helped Build
Fittingly, George’s plaque
that is unveiled tonight will hang in the Wetaskiwin and County Sports
Hall of Fame Gallery in the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre. As CEO of Supreme
International, George was instrumental in Supreme being a major platinum
donor in the fundraiser set up to raise the funds necessary to build the
foyer joining the two rinks and Drill Hall where the Sports Hall of Fame
is presently located.
 George Hunerfauth’s
vision, determination, dedication, and the hard work of many individuals
and organizations made Wetaskiwin a front runner in the sport of
snowmobiling racing for an eighteen year span from
1968 to 1986. Thanks
to George, the memories of the North-Am and the winter Carnival became a
part of Wetaskiwin’s history. Its success would never be repeated but
North Am had brought the city national and international fame. On
behalf of all of the citizens of our community we laud George for his
vision of and efforts in launching the North-Am International Snowmobile
Races by inducting him into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of
Fame.
George was unable to attend the induction
ceremony. Afterwards, Bill Milnthorpe visited George and presented
him with the plaque he so richly deserves.
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