The Riel Day weekend saw Crescent Lake in Portage la Prairie turned into a race track, as Winnipeg Sports Car Club ice racing returned.

Co-ice Race Director Mat Leveille calls coming here super exciting, because no community supports the event like Portage.

"And it's apparent when you show up," he says, "There's the security there. When you drive in, you can tell we're welcomed by Portage. The spectator count is probably ten time, maybe more, than, anywhere else. So, every driver is always excited to come out, and we always do our best to get as many drivers out, and to try to put on a show."

Leveille describes seeing a large crowd for ice racing as validation.

"When you're in the pits," he says, "And you take that second to look away from your car, look away from what you're doing, and see the banks lined up with people, it's super awesome."