The 47th Annual Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby not only saw near record temps flirting with the 40’s, but also a record setting win by Matt Schulz. The Wausau, Wisconsin native’s win was never in doubt as he led from start to finish in all 25 laps of the most famous oval race on the circuit. It was his first ever win at the Derby and was especially satisfying as the race had four ex-champions gunning for him.
“I knew P.J. Wanderscheid was going to be the guy to beat. He’s won this race three times and was going for a fourth”, said Schulz, “we got out front and we got ‘er done.” Wanderscheid finished second place to Shulz. The victory was even sweeter for Schulz who watched last year’s race with a broken neck. “This is huge. This is what we dream about. If it wasn’t for Eagle River, there probably wouldn’t be oval racing.”
With thousands of fans attending the granddaddy of snowmobile races, Schulz couldn’t help but give some shout-outs to his racing family, “My grandpa actually started racing in the early 70’s and from there my uncle started racing. He won in ’93 and it’s been in the blood forever. This is basically what we do in the winter time.”
Schulz took home a cool $20,000 for his efforts and is looking forward to next year’s race already, “Once you get the first one off your back, it seems a little easier.”
P.J. Wanderscheid added, “They wouldn’t have to put up any purse and people would still come here just because it’s your name that won the race and nobody can ever take that away from you.”
Schulz is the first Wisconsin racer to win the World Championship since 1995 and the first to do so on a Polaris since 1978.
Long Island native Darrin Mees made his Derby debut this year, and achieved the first huge win of his career in the Snocross Championship.
"I started out riding dirtbikes and I've been riding snowmobiles. My grandparents live in New Hampshire so when we go up there we ride snowmobiles."
If you’re into speed, adrenaline and loud engines, plan your visit to Eagle River for next year’s World Championship Snowmobile Derby. Find out for yourself why it's called the Snowmobile Capital of the World!