By John Gunnell
Known as the “Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobile Racing,” the Eagle River Snowmobile Derby is not only the largest and most prestigious snowmobile competition in the sport, it is one of the highest-ranking winter sports events in the Midwest and is recognized around the world for hosting oval and sno-cross racing.
Visitors to the Derby can enjoy seeing high-tech snowmobiles reach speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on a solid ice oval and marvel at the high-flying sno-cross pilots as they maneuver over the demanding sno-cross course.
For almost six decades, snowmobile racing and Eagle River have been intertwined, whereas the names are practically synonymous. As the years have gone by and the motorsports world has continued to grow, not only with snowmobiling, but with all off-road vehicle sporting, the World Championship Derby Complex has been staying on top of the industry to bring you these awesome race and event experiences to you.
January 15-16, 2022 will be the dates of the 59th annual Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby at the World Championship Derby Complex, 1311 N. Railroad St., Eagle River, Wis. Times are 9 am-5 pm. This Derby is not to be missed for anyone who owns or likes snowmobiles. For info call 1-715-479-4424 or visit www.derbycomplex.com.
(Images courtesy Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby.)
UPCOMING WINTER SPORTS EVENTS
Dec. 4, 2021. Dresser, Wis. Vintage Sled Extravaganza. Noon to 4 pm. 13th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Sled Extravaganza with trophies for various classes of snowmobiles from 1974 and older to 1975 and newer. Mini Sled and People’s Choice awards. Food and beverages. Trollhaugen Ski Resort, 2232 100th Ave. Information: 715-294-4640.
Dec. 4, 2021. Three Lakes, Wis. Northern Lights Snowmobile Club Christmas Party. 5 pm to 9 pm. Bonnies Lakeside, 1426 WI-32. Annual event for club members. Visit: www.northernlightsclub.com.
Dec. 11-12, 2021. Land O’ Lakes, Sunrise Lodge Snowmobile Breakfast Fundraiser. Sat. 1 pm to Sunday 5 pm. 5894 West Shore Rd. Sunrise Lodge will host the Annual Snowmobile Breakfast Fundraiser to benefit the Frosty Snowmobile Club. $11 All You Can Eat Breakfast. All proceeds go to fund trail grooming of the Land o’ Lakes. Information: 1-715-547-3084.
Dec. 11, 2021. St. Germain, Wis. Snowmobile Safety Class. 116 S. Railroad St. 12 am to 11:59 pm. 545 WI-155. Safety first at the St. Germain Snowmobile Safety Class. The class will be taught by the Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club. Pre-registration is required. To register call Peggy at 715-542-3548.
Dec. 11, 2021. Meyer Township, Mich. Vintage Snowmobile Show & Swap. 1st St. 3 pm. 4th annual Vintage Snowmobile Show & Swap. Dec 11th at William Anderson Sportsman Club. Hermansville, Mich. Registration 9am. Entry fee $5.00. Hosted by Vulcan Relic Riders. Information: 906-498-2520.
Jan. 5-6, 2022. Eagle River Depot, Wis. Sno-Eagles Guided Snowmobile Trail Rides. 116 S. Railroad St. 9 am to 2 pm. Weekly guided snowmobile trail rides open to everyone during the riding season. Meet at the Historic Railroad Depot in downtown Eagle River. For info call Rusty at 1-262-442-4876 or email president@snoeagles.org. (Also scheduled for Jan. 12 and 13; Jan. 19 and 20; Jan. 26 and 27; Feb. 2 and 3; Feb. 9 and 10; Feb. 16 and 17; Feb. 23-24; Mar. 2 and 3; Mar 9 and 10 and March 16 and 17.
Jan. 8, 2021. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. 3:30 am to 5 pm. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vet Lane. Contact Bob Bennett at sleedr4@gmail.com.
Jan. 12, Eagle River, WI. Sno Eagles Guided Trail Rides. 9 am – 2 pm. Eagle River Old Train Depot, 116 S. Railroad St. Information: 1-262-442-4876.
Jan. 14, 2022. Eagle River, Wis. World Championship Snowmobile Derby. World Championship Derby Complex, 1311 N. Railroad St. 9 am-10 pm. Known as the “Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobile Racing.” This Derby is one of the highest-ranking winter sports events in the Midwest and recognized around the world for hosting oval and snocross racing. High-tech snowmobiles reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph on a solid ice oval. Watch high-flying snocross pilots maneuver over a demanding snocross course. For info call 1-715-479-4424 or visit www.derbycomplex.com.
Jan. 15-16, 2022. Eagle River, Wis. World Championship Snowmobile Derby. World Championship Derby Complex, 1311 N. Railroad St. 9 am-5 pm. Known as the “Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobile Racing.” This Derby is one of the highest-ranking winter sports events in the Midwest and recognized around the world for hosting oval and snocross racing. For info call 1-715-479-4424 or visit www.derbytrack.com.
Jan. 29, 2022. Sayner, Wis. Jesse Roman Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Show. 9 am to 4 pm. Sayner Pub, 2962 WI-155. Step back in time and see snowmobiles from years ago in downtown Sayner, the snowmobile’s birthplace! There will be raffles, a silent auction and more! Proceeds benefit the Vilas County Historical Museum. For details, contact Kelly at 1-715-536-9845.
Feb. 4-6, 2022. Waupaca, Wis. Fire on Ice, Inc. Waupaca County Fairgrounds, 602 South St., Weyauwega. Snowmobile races on an ice oval track put on by the USSA Pro Star Racing Series, CWIRA, and WKCR. Covered grandstands. Warm up in between the show with food and drinks in a heated pavilion. Live music, pool and dart tournaments all weekend. Information: 1-715-412-2834.
Feb. 5, 2022. Arpin, Wis. Central Wisconsin Vintage Snocross Races. 9 am. Kandy Kane Park. More information on Facebook.
Feb. 5, 2022. Chippewa Falls, Wis. Annual Lake Wissota Trail Blazers Snowmobile drag races. Sat, 11 am. The Edge Pub & Eatery, 9504 County Hwy S Chippewa Falls, WI
Feb. 12, 2022. St. Germain, Wis. Barnstormers Snowmobile Club Chili Dump. 8120 Murmuring Water Dr. 2 pm-5 pm. Join the Barnstormers Snowmobile Club at Murmuring Waters for their Annual Chili Dump fundraiser. 2-5pm. Contact Anita Horan for more information at 1-715-542-2952.
Feb. 12, 2021. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. 3:30 am to 5 pm. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vet Lane. Contact Bob Bennett at sleedr4@gmail.com.
Feb. 19-20, 2022. Manawa, Wis. 15th Annual Manawa Snodeo. Four snow/ice tracks racing simultaneously. Lakecross (slalom), ProVintage oval racing (Sat/Sun), Radar Runs 1000′, WI Kitty Kat Championship, Motorcycles, Lawnmowers, Mini Bikes and Ice Car/Truck drag racing. Vintage Snowmobile Show. Sky Diving and much more. Bear Lake Resort in Manawa, WI. More details at: www.manawasnodeo.org $15/day or $25/weekend. For information call: (920) 470-1417
Feb. 18-19, 2022. St. Germain, Wis. Ride with the Champs. Snowmobile Hall of Fame & Museum, 1246 Sled World Blvd. Friday: Join one of our three poker runs followed by an awards presentation and wrap up the day with a fish fry/chicken dinner and special presentation. Saturday: Six rides to choose from, divided into vintage and late-model groups. Ride alongside some legendary racers, engineers, tuners and pioneers. Evening festivities include an autograph session featuring snowmobile legends of the past, present and future. Following the autograph session there will be dinner, a live auction and our annual induction ceremony. Visit website or Facebook or call 1-715-542-4463 for full details and updates.
Feb. 19, 2022. Woodruff, Wis. Snowmobile raffle drawing. At Lakeland Powersports, 8844 WI-47. 12 pm-5 pm. Annual snowmobile raffle. For information or tickets call 1-715-356-5551 or visit www.lakelandpowersports.net.
Feb. 19, 2022. Amery, Wis. Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride. Cattail Trail Head 136-148 Center St. E. 7 am-7:30 am. Staging of sleds begins at 7am at the Cattail Trailhead in Amery, Wisconsin. Show, Rides, Lunch, more rides and trophies! See https://www.amerysnowmobileclub.com/ for more information.
Feb. 20, 2022. Sayner, Wis. Barnstormers Snowmobile Club Pizza Fund Raiser. 8065 County Hwy N. 4 pm-8 pm. Join the Barnstormers Snowmobile Club for their Annual Pizza Fund Raiser. Contact Anita Horan for more information at 1-715-542-2952.
Mar. 5, 2022. Conover, Wis. Sno-Buddies Poker Run Draw Party. At Twin Lake Pub, 3894 Twin Lake Rd. 1 pm-3 pm. Get your game card at local area businesses. Ride the trails to as many stops as you wish and then join us March 5th for the Draw Party. Also, raffles, 50/50 games, food and more. Proceeds benefit the Conover snowmobile trail system. For information call 1-715-479-9620.
Mar. 5, 2022. Wausau, Wis. Nutterville Beatercross. At Twin Lake Pub, 3894 Twin Lake Rd. 10:30 am-8:30 pm. Nutterville Snonuts will be hosting the second annual Nutterville Beatercross Snowmobile Races. Dust off those old barn find beater snowmobiles and get ready for an action packed event. Phone: (715) 479-6224.
May 29, 2022. St. Germain, Wis. Classic Sled Roundup. St. Germain Pavilion, 545 State Highway 155. 7 am -3 pm. Snowmobile season may be over, but it’s never really over for enthusiasts. Dream of the next snowmobile season at the Snowmobile Hall of Fame’s Classic Sled Roundup. Displays and competitions of antique sleds. Find bargains at the swap meet located at the St. Germain Community Park. Call 1-715-542-4463 or visit: www.snowmobilehalloffame.com.