The 2012 Derby Week will again start off with the Classic Vintage Races, the weekend prior to the Derby. January 13th, 14th, and 15th will be dedicated to the grand old racing machines of the sixties, seventies, and eighties. This race was chosen the 2008 Snowmobile Event of the Year by Snow Goer Magazine. Vintage racing is fast closing on it contemporary counterparts and matching the entry numbers of current sno-cross and ice oval competitors. This style of racing has come a long way from its first appearance, at the Derby in 1991. By 1999, Vintage entries and fan popularity had grown so large that Vintage racing claimed its own three day event, the weekend before the Derby. The machines today are meticulously restored. Engines are tuned and reliable. The competition is highly reminiscent of the “good old days”. Vintage has put Classic in front of its name, becoming Classic Vintage, and lives up to that adjective with superb equipment, popular and recognizable racer names. Vintage race weekend offers many of the features of the Derby event, such as vendor displays, indoor viewing from Hot Seats or Private Corporate Suites and trading race stories in the Last Lap Saloon. An interesting addition to the 2010 Vintage Weekend was the introduction of a new class – the “super senior” class (refers to age, drivers must be over sixty). Vintage drivers on Vintage sleds will qualify during Vintage weekend and the top ten will race during Friday Night Thunder at the Derby.  When this class debuted two years ago, there were 10 driver entries. This year, at the 2012 Vintage weekend, we are hoping there will be anywhere from 14 – 20 racers who will participate in this class. The competition is fierce among drivers in the “super senior class’’. I have heard through the grapevine that Roger Britt is going on an intense exercise regime to get in tip top shape to protect his title for another year. Watch out, Bob Weaver is right there hoping that he can overthrow Roger for first place!   But, lurking in third place, Lloyd Riggs, (whose been working on his tan in Arizona),  swears he will be well rested and ready for battle, hoping that he can  pass the two of them, while they are battling for first.   For all the women race fans out there, don’t forget about Eleanor Butler, she is always a hand full on the track and will provide some stiff competition for the guys. Another fun addition which we will continue at 2012 weekend is a Vintage Tour. Saturday, vintage sled owners are invited to take part in a 25-30 mile loop ride around Eagle River. The guided ride will leave the track at 11:00 o’clock, enjoy a lunch stop and be back at the track around 4:00 p.m. There is no charge and each rider is responsible for his own food and gas costs. One of the Vintage traditions is to invite fans to ride to the track on their own vintage sleds. The machines are parked inside the grounds in a static display for the crowd. Saturday, at 6:00 p.m., these same sleds form a parade into Eagle River and upon returning to the track, the riders take a lap or two on the most famous ice oval in snowmobile history. For a real nostalgic treat and some of the hottest competition on ice – race fans can catch it all at the Eleventh Annual Classic Vintage Championship.

The AMSOIL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SNOWMOBILE DERBY is unique in that it hosts three separate racing venues: ice oval, sno-cross and vintage racing. It is one of the highest ranking winter sports events in the Midwest, recognized around the world. The Derby, which is known as the “Indianapolis 500 of Snowmoible racing,” attracts more than 30,000 spectators from all over the world. The Derby Track builds and maintains the ice oval and sno cross track with over 2 million gallons of water, a 4,000 gallon water truck, a state of the art snow making machine, a Bombardier ME Plus Groomer, and a Nortec Ice Shaver. The Track has been home to the race for 48 years. You can either choose to watch the races standing side by side with other eager Derby fans, smelling the race fuel, outside on the banks or you can enjoy our indoor Hot seats, or our private suites. All equipped with a restroom, bar, closed circuit tv, and a catered beverage and food service. We also have 13 corporate suites for large groups. These facilities are staffed with a “Host and Hostess”. The 2012 Derby dates are January 19^th – 22^nd, making it the oldest continuous snowmobile race in the world.    And you know what comes after 49.....50.  Mark the dates of January 17^th – 20^th 2013 on your calendar, and be in Eagle River for history in the making.  This will be the 50^th Anniversary of the Derby. Once you have attended the Derby, you will know why spectators keep returning year after year.

It’s a formidable climb to the Sunday afternoon; World Championship TOP TEN.  It begins with Thursday evening time trials, then the Friday Night Thunder’s Sweet Sixteen sponsored by the TLR CUP where the sixteen fastest time qualifiers race for Pole Position in the Championship finals, into Saturday afternoon’s grueling heats, quarter and semi finals to fill nine more spots in the Top Ten.  Sunday morning is the LCQ (last chance qualifier) to put two racers on the second row (twelve make the final field).  In 2011, the drivers faced a new challenge, a thirty lap final with a mandatory pit stop after 15 laps.  To make the stop more rewarding there was a $2500 pay out to the Jimmy John’s Mid Race winner and checks for 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th also.

This new format brought more “inside” race action to the spectators who could watch what normally only happens in the pits, as race crews tended to the sleds, drivers stretched muscles, had pit action brought right into the front and center viewing.

The Jimmy Johns Mid Race Champ was Gary Moyle, who led the whole way. In second was a persistent P.J. Wanderscheid and third was occupied by Brandon Johnson.  This set up one of the most exciting finishes since Yvon Duhamel and Mike Trapp’s legendary battle. In the second 15 long hard laps Moyle and P.J. exchanged leads almost every lap with P.J. keeping it low and tight and Gary taking the high line.   Something fans have not seen since the Twin Track days.  Gary’s line proved fastest but without any help in this groove the snow got too deep for him to maintain his pace and P.J.’s line proved just a hair faster alowing P.J. to grab a record setting 4^th World Championship and engrave his name on the SnowGoer Cup.  To prove that age was not a problem with him, 57 year old Jacques Villenueve came from a second row start to a 3^rd place finish.  The action at 2011 Derby will be talked about for years.