With names like Wahl, Moyle, Wanderscheid and Bewcyk in the line up, you know your in for a good day of racing. The cold and windy Sunday started with round one of Pro Champ 440 racing. Malcolm Chartier, PJ Wanderscheid and Brandon Johnson each won their heat races, not a bad way to start off.
As rounds of heat races went on, it became clear that anybody had a shot at winning the final. One competitor, however, was not present on Sunday. After crashing early in the Pro Formula 600 final on Saturday, Jacques Villeneuve broke his femur and also did some damage to his ribs.
Although fans and crews alike were excited for the Champ final, there was certainly much close racing to be seen in the other classes. Travis MacDonald, on his Wahl sled, had early success as he beat Beau Van Strydonk and Gunnar Sterne to win the Sprint 500 Open final.
Beau Van Strydonk, on his Polaris, went on to win Junior III 600 Sprint, Sprint 550 and Sprint 600 Open. Running on the mudflap of Van Strydonk for most of the day was Gunnar Sterne, on his Wahl prepared sled. Sterne finished third in Sprint 500 Open, second in Junior III 600 Sprint, Sprint 550 and Junior I 380 Sprint and won Junior II 600 Sprint.
Malcolm Chartier cleaned house in the Stock classes and was untouchable in the finals. Chartier, on his Ski-Doo, won both Pro Stock 600 and Super Stock 600. Trevor Fontaine and Mitch Diamond, both on Ski-Doos took second and third, respectively, in Pro Stock 600 and switched that order in Super Stock 600.
Some of the closest racing of the weekend was in the Semi-Pro Champ 440 class. Joey Fjerstad, on his Wahl prepared Polaris, led all the ten lap final but not without MacDonald and Curtis Boivin giving him a run for his money. The three were often times three deep in the corners. Boivin, on his Polaris, was running in second until the sixth lap when his spark plug cap came off and was unable to finish the race. Fjerstad took the win with MacDonald finishing in a close second.
12 racers qualified to compete in the 15 lap Pro Champ 440 final. Moyle had a great start and led the race for the first ten laps. Just as Dustin Wahl was getting closer and closer, Moyles sled burnt down. With Wahl now in the lead and five laps to go, it was up to the number 28 Arctic Cat of Wanderscheid to catch him. Battling for a second place finish behind Wanderscheid was Nick Van Strydonk, on his Polaris. The two were unable to catch Wahl and finished in that order.
Beausejour will host the last race of the season the first weekend in March. WSA Pro-Ice Racing will host its next race December 13-14 in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
just wanted to say that wahl passed moyle and was ahead before gary his belt blew which was a bummer! ! Great job guys!