The I-500 is a 100% volunteer organization, called the I-500 Committee. We are always looking for more volunteers. The race itself is put on by the I-500 Racing Group, which by racing rules is not part of the race committee.

The track was actually set on an old creek bed of gravel and clay. The site was originally developed in World War II as an ammunition dump. One bunker remains beneath the bridge. This was originally Fort Brady and later Camp Lucas.

The track was built in less than six months purely by volunteer help. The first year, the race was so slow that spectators could actually walk across the track between machines.

There are still traces of underground streams and drainage pipes that sometimes leak onto the track. They are usually found on the east side near turn 1.

It takes 3 weeks and 1,800,000 gallons of water to make the track. Water is transported from a hydrant in the pit area via the use of three 8,000 gallon tankers and many trips around the track. Icing usually takes place from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on very cold nights.

Lap counting is now done using an electronic system with each machine having transponder and a S-shaped wire planted under the track in front of the medical building. For 29 years, the laps were manually counted by volunteers sitting above the bunker.

When the race started in 1969, there were no written rules for snowmobile racing. Volunteers wrote the Indianapolis 500 racing rules to fit snow machines and used them for several years.

When the race started, in order to enter, you had to pre-register for time trials and were assigned a space. Time trails were four laps and you were allowed only two tries. Trials were run for 10 days starting two weeks before the race. Once in the race, you were required to change drivers every 50 laps or less and have to have at least three backup drivers. Today, if you wish to enter, you merely show up. There are qualifying requirements for each driver including a racing resume. You are allowed as many time trials as you can afford and need to make two laps around the track. Your speed is calculated using a computer and a specialized timing system. If you wish, you can drive the entire race yourself (four time winner John Wicht did just that!).

The first race paid a total of $10,000 for all places. Now the purse is in excess of $38,000 not counting contingency prizes.

Volunteers work all year around on the race. Work starts on the race proper after Thanksgiving with the main thrust coming after Christmas. A week before the time trials, the track and grounds are usually ready for racing.