The International Watercross Association kicked off their 2010 race season June 6-7 in Moose Lake, MN. The Moose Lake Grand Prix debuted two new sponsors, new drivers and some of the fastest racing you’ll see on water.
One of those new racers was Cody Engstrand, of Luck, Wisconsin. Aboard his Polaris he was able to take home his first ever watercross win in the 600 Drag class. Finishing behind him was another first-timer, Nick Benoy, of Pine City, Minnesota. Son of former watercross racer and current IWA President Mike Benoy, Nick is certainly no stranger to the sport. Rounding out the top three in the Wahl Brothers Racing sponsored class was Shawn Cummings, also hailing from Pine City.
In the Country Cat Stock 800 Drags it was close racing but David Fischer, on his Ski-Doo, ultimately got the win in the final. Krista Maki-Zurn was tough to beat in qualifying but finished second, with John Stadick taking third.
Saving the fastest for last, it was Matt Ledin who claimed the victory in the Mod Drag class on his Polaris. It was also Ledin who proved in a qualifying round that it is possible to drive a snowmobile back to shore despite having lost a ski some one hundred feet away from it.
On the oval side of things Ski-Doo’s Andy Busse and Chad Maki were the guys to beat. Each got a win with Busse taking Pro Open and Maki, the current number one pro driver, taking Pro Stock. Busse also finished second behind Maki in Pro Stock.
In Semi Pro ovals Dan Dombrowsky, on his Yamaha, won the Stock class and also finished third in Open. Taking the win in the Open class was Nate Winberg, also on a Yamaha.
The IWA takes a couple weekends off before heading to Ely, Minnesota June 26-27 for their next event. For more information please visit the IWA’s website at www.iwausa.org.
