Grantsburg to host 36th annual Snowmobile Watercross event

Racers are once again gearing up for the World Championship Snowmobile Watercross in Grantsburg, July 20-22.

The annual event enters its 36th year and will include more than 100 racers from the United State and Canada. Racers compete on open water on Memory Lake in both drags and oval classes.

The first Grantsburg Watercross competition was held in July 1977, when racers simply competed to see who could make it straight from the island to the shore, approximately 300 feet away. Most failed to reach the shore, but in the years following racers became more skilled and machines became more powerful. Today, sleds reach up to 85 mph and run ovals competitions on open water.

Watercross Racing is sanctioned by the International Watercross Association (IWA). The Grantsburg Watercross is the World Championship within the yearly circuit and offers the largest purse.

The weekend begins with qualifying races starting at noon July 20 and continuing all day July 21. Finals conclude Sunday afternoon with a six-man, eight-lap pro-open grand finale to determine the 2012 World Champion.

The weekend also features vintage racing (open to anyone) on Friday; the Pit Crew “Dash for Cash” race Saturday evening; and a snowmobile jumping show.

Vendors will be on hand to sell food and beverage, and fireworks are planned for dusk on Saturday.

NOTES: Grantsburg is located approximately 85 miles south of Superior. … More information may be found at www.grantsburgwatercross.com or by calling 715-463-4269 or e-mailing info@grantsburgwatercross.com.

Tags: sports, snowmobile, racing, wisconsin