Thursday marks the start of the most historical snowmobile race of the year. The AMSOIL World Championship Snowmobile Derby will be held for the 46th 
time at the AMSOIL Eagle River Derby Track in Eagle River, Wis. starting on Thursday. Qualifying in the Pro 600 class, along with several support classes will begin tomorrow morning at 9:30. The weekend will be highlighted by several events and riders, including AMSOIL's PJ Wanderscheid. The Sauk Centre, Minn. native will be looking for a record setting fourth win in the AMSOIL World Championship race on Sunday afternoon.
Wanderscheid wraps up his 2007 quest and the importance of winning the AMSOIL World Championship
Along with Wanderscheid, Pro snocross racer and AMSOIL rider Shaun Crapo will make his first trip to the AMSOIL Eagle River Derby Track. Crapo, who has never raced in Eagle River, will 
use the event as a final test for the ESPN Winter X Games next week.
use the event as a final test for the ESPN Winter X Games next week. "I've always wanted to race in Eagle River but our schedule has never allowed us to get there the past few years," said Crapo. "With a break in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series schedule before X-Games, and with (Semi-Pro teammate) Ryan Carey also going to Eagle River, I thought I would come out take part in this great event."
The AMSOIL World Championship also has a long history of bringing together the stars of snowmobile racing and the stars from other race disciplines. Bobby Unser and Dick Trickle are just two of the names that attend the annual event and take part in Friday's sponsor ride. Joining the charitable event in 2009 will be NASCAR's Scott Wimmer, a Wisconsin native.
The celebrity charity ride started three years ago as a fundraiser for the families of two drivers who died at the Derby, Flip Merwin and Ed Devault. Snowmobile enthusiasts offer donations to ride along with the celebrity drivers over 50 miles of trail.
"I really look forward to getting back to the Northwood’s of Wisconsin to watch the greatest snowmobile race of the year; this has long been considered the Daytona 500 of iced oval snowmobile racing” said Wimmer."
Check back each day for updates on who won big and everything else that is going on at this year's AMSOIL Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.
