Events kick off this Thursday, Jan. 7, on the eve of Classic Vintage Weekend, featuring more than 800 entries with a variety of old-time sleds running over the ice oval.
The vintage action starts Friday, Jan. 8. Vintage racing is fast closing in on its contemporary counterparts and matching the entry numbers of current sno-cross and ice oval competitors, said Dick Decker of the extended Decker family, which has been holding the signature event at the track north of Eagle River on state Highway 45 for the past four decades.
“It’s looking good and we’re fortunate to have good weather in making the track,” Decker told NN.N by phone from track headquarters. “We’ve got the snow machine, plus natural snow and plenty of snow and ice. We’re ready to go.”
Last year, the vintage portion drew over 700 entries featuring the machines of yesteryear, he said. “We expect 5,000 to 6,000 people for the first weekend and 25,000 to 35,000 over the course of the nearly two weeks,” said Decker.
“It’s impressive and extremely entertaining to watch sleds from 6, 7, 8, even more manufacturers all in one race together,” said Mark Savage, editor of American Snowmobiler. Each year The Vintage World Champion is awarded the sparkling American Eagle Trophy from American Snowmobiler magazine at the end of the festivities. Last year Tony Pettinelli Jr from Rome N.Y., won the trophy.
New this year at the Derby Track is a giant outdoor TV that will allow spectators to watch live action and replays, Decker said.
Fans will recognize popular racers still circling the ice, including World Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Chuck Decker. But there are dozens of serious race teams that work from their impressive race haulers to get their sleds in tip-top condition, and the races are always exciting, Dick Decker said.
The famed Eagle River Derby will be 47 years old in January. The Derby got off to a modest start in 1964, thanks to 10 Eagle River area businessmen who anted up $1,000 to create a tourist draw and boost what had been a slow winter season. While the Derby is best known for presentation of premier ice oval racing, it has also given spectators other variations of snowmobile competition. The very first Derby was a short cross country, which employed a modest hill in its route. By 1965, neighboring Rhinelander got on the band wagon, with a 35- mile cross country between the two towns.
The race and the stature it has earned is the primary reason that Eagle River has the trademarked title “Snowmobile Capital of the World®.”
On Thursday, Jan. 14, Championship racing starts in earnest, with time World Championship time trails. And then Oval and Sno-Cross qualifying.
Friday is a full day of qualifying action in both oval and sno-cross. The excitement peaks during the Parts Unlimited Friday Night Thunder. There’s Mini 120 races, Sweet Sixteen pole position Qualifying and the Ultimax Pro Sno-Cross Open. Returning are the Big Bore Motorcycles. Fireworks set for 7:00 p.m. sharp.
Saturday features championship qualifying. Sunday is the Championship Day, which draws the biggest crowds. Brian Bewcyk from Ontario, Canada, was last year’s champ for the second straight year, racing a Ski Doo.
