Eagle River World Championship Oval Racing
Photos by Linda Aksomitis
Snowmobile racing has many forms, but the ice oval track is the showplace
for sled racers to demonstrate their finesse and finest skills. Straightaway speed is only half
the battle--accelerating smoothly around the corner is the biggest challenge to the
driver who wants to take away the World Championship title.
The Eagle River Derby was born Sunday, February 9, 1964, billed by local newspapers as
the "World's first snowmobile derby." In 2003, to celebrate its
40th anniversary, the community is running a re-enactment at the original site on
Dollar Lake.
The first event was an outstanding success with more than 5000
people, along with 96 snowmobiles from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. The program included: ski joring or sking behing a snowmobile,
hill climbing, timed speed runs, and cross-country obstacle races. While the events
are different today, the enthusiasm is still the same! Winning an "Eagle" is still the
goal to strive for in an oval snowmobile race driver's career.
Oval Snowmobile Racing Pictures
#17, Chris Hortness, Bienfait, SK. 1st Pro-Formula 600 oval.
Semi Pro Sprint - USSA/Eastern Pro Tour. Driver, Jeff Mitchell, #330, takes 2nd place.
Todd Chartier, #39, takes the checkered flag in the Sport 500 class.
Ever wondered how the snocross guys would do on an oval track? Better than you'd
expect! The Ice Cross Snow class [3 laps on ice, then 3 on snocross, then repeat] was
won by Dennis Eckstrom on his Polaris, with Justin Tate's Polaris in second. It was
a feature race of the Friday Night Thunder event.
Dustin Wahl, #74, takes 2nd place in the Semi-Pro Open
Notice the riding style of these drivers. The lead Ski-Doo driver has his leg
stuck straight past the seat--try that some time! This is the Sport 600 Class.
Sport 600 at the starting line.
For full race results from this event, click to:
2003 World Championship Oval Results.
Vintage Racing at Eagle River
Snocross Racing at Eagle River
Racing at Eagle River
Read another snowmobile article
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