Cain's Quest 2016 hopefuls prep for snowmobile endurance test

Snowmobilersin Newfoundland and Labradorare readying mind, body and machine as they gear up for their chance at endurance snowmobiling glory, in the countdown to the start ofCain's Quest 2016 on March4.

• Cain's Quest 2016 route revealed as the longest ever

"It's basically a game of survival.Just basically ride a snowmobile as hard and as fast as you can," competitor Mark Simms told the Corner Brook Morning Show.

This year'srace bills itself asthetoughest yet: teams of two racing through 3,500 kilometres ofLabradorwilderness and visiting some of its most remote communities.

Lucky number three?

Simms, based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, speaks from the sting ofexperience: he's been beat by Cain's Quest twice before, dropping out each time due to mechanical issues.

Despite that,Simmsremains undeterred from his dream of making it across the finish line in 2016.

"I haven't been lucky enough to finish one yet, and this is my third race, so we're hoping third time's the charm," Simmssaid, adding typically fewer than half of those who begin the race complete it.

• Finland pro snowmobile team to compete in Cain's Quest

37 racing teams, all the wayfrom Alberta to Finland, are trying their luck at this year's event, allvying for its $100,000 purse.

Serious shock absorption

For L'Anseau LoupracerMyles O'Brien, the lead-intime tothe race is being spent in the mechanic's shop.

"We got our snowmobiles basically all re-modified. We're putting shocks in, suspensions,skid plates, skis, lighting whatever we can reinforce on those machines to take the endurance," said O'Brien,

"Those machines are gonna be pushed It's a lot of impact."

You have to prepare yourself to endure. You gotta be tough.- Mark Simms

Simms agrees, but said beyond the physical reinforcements come the mental ones.

"More than anything, you have to prepare yourself to endure. You gotta be tough. resilient, gotta have your mind in the right place,prepared to overcome any obstacle that you encounter during the race," Simms advised.

No matter the mental pain nor the mechanical breakdowns, Cain's Quest has made a mark on these men.

"Itdon't seem like it gets out of your blood," said O'Brien, who has kepta close eye on it even whenhe hasn't competed.

"Inever fell away from the race at all. Itracked the race, Isupported teams. It's something that keeps growing on ya."