Sunday marked the 48th running of the AMSOIL World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River, Wis., and this one will have the industry buzzing for weeks to come. Team AMSOIL racer P. J. Wanderschied now stands alone as the Derby's only four-time champion after a hard-fought battle with another AMSOIL-backed driver, Gary Moyle. Officials at the AMSOIL Derby Track shook things up this year by changing the format of the WC race from a 25-lap race to a 30-lap race split into two sections. Drivers raced 15 laps, had a five-minute pit session to change carbides, add lubricants and fuel and check the sled over. Then the race resumed with a staggered start according to how drivers finished the first 15-lap session.
Wanderscheid earned the pole position by winning the Sweet 16 race during Friday Night Thunder, but it was Moyle who jumped out to an early lead on lap one with Wanderscheid following close behind. The Houghton, Mich. native led from flag to flag as the first 15 laps closed with no red flags and Wanderscheid only narrowing the gap slightly around lap 13. The race resumed after the mandatory pit-stop and fans were treated to an epic battle between Moyle and Wanderscheid as the two exchanged the lead a number of times until Wanderscheid finally took the lead for good on lap 29 to solidify his place in snowmobile racing history as the first four-time AMSOIL World Champion. Wanderscheid was followed on his Arctic Cat by Moyle and ice oval racing legend Jacques Villeneuve, both on Ski-Doo.The world championship weekend at the AMSOIL Derby Track also features snocross, where the podium was also dominated by Team AMSOIL drivers. It was an AMSOIL podium sweep in the Pro Stock class during Friday Night Thunder with Scheuring Speed Sports’ Robbie Malinoski taking the checkers followed by Ross Martin and Mike Bauer from the Judnick Motorsports trailer.
Malinoski also took third in Friday night’s Pro Open final behind young-gun Justin Broberg and third-year pro Brett Turcotte. Sunday’s Pro Stock final saw Marin finish on top, followed by Malinoski and Kaven Benoit. Malinoski’s teammate Darrin Mees finished fourth. The Pro Open final featured a fantastic battle between Marin and Turcotte, culminating with an awe-inspiring charge by Martin from the final turn to the finish line for the win. Martin was followed by Turcotte, Broberg and Malinoski. Mees finished sixth.
It was a fantastic weekend for Team AMSOIL with riders on the podium in every final and world championships in snocross and ice ovals. Wanderscheid’s feat is truly special and will solidify his position in history as one of the sport’s best. Congratulations, P.J.
It was a fantastic weekend for Team AMSOIL with riders on the podium in every final and world championships in snocross and ice ovals. Wanderscheid’s feat is truly special and will solidify his position in history as one of the sport’s best. Congratulations, P.J.
