In case you missed the announcement earlier this year, The World Snowmobile Headquarters is now housing the World Championship Derby Hall of Fame at its Eagle River, Wis. location. The Headquarters is right next to the Derby Track on the north side.
The new hall of fame is meant to honor and induct past winners of the World Championship Derby and its first class was inducted in September with many race legends in attendance.
The first 10 inductees were: Stan Hayes of Crandon, Wis.; George Gensler of Three Lakes, Wis.; Steve Ave of Hurley, Wis.; Duane Frandsen of Pembine, Wis.; Roger Janssen of Crookston, Minn.; Yvon Duhamel of Valcourt, Que.; Mike Trapp of Woodruff, Wis.; Bob Eastman of Roseau, Minn.; Gilles Villeneuve of Quebec; and Jim Bernat of Roseau, Minn.
The new hall is sponsored and supported by the Eagle River Derby Track and is separate from the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame. For 2013 and the 50th anniversary of the Derby, the hall plans to induct the current Derby champ with a review of all past winners at a special celebration.
In addition, the Derby Track recently announced it has a new Rent To Race program designed to help potential ice oval racers get a jump-start in the sport. Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Woody’s, Wahl Racing, and Snowmobile USA Shows are combining forces to bring race access to the masses.
Those who participate in the program could have attended either a race school offered at one of Snowmobile USA’s three shows (Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wis., and Novi, Mich.) or attend a class at the Derby track. The school/class teaches maintenance, safety, and has a short test. New drivers will be required to participate in on-track driving sessions on a Saturday before racing on a Sunday. See the website below for practice and race dates.
Race Schools are free to attend, and if you just want to rent a sled and try out the track on Saturday the cost is $250. If you want to rent a sled on Saturday and try it out, but then race in the Sunday race, the cost is $575 (there’s a discount if you want to do this at numerous USSA events). Entry fees and one pit pass are included with your registration fee. More info:
www.derbytrack.com