Provided Photos Snowmobile racing legends Devin Fackrel, left, and World Champion Gary Moyle staging in the paddock ready to make laps on the legendary Derby track and World Champion Gary Moyle staging in paddock ready to make laps on the legendary Derby trac

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — It was a homecoming of sorts for snowmobile enthusiasts at the World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Around 50 racers along with their fans gathered at the historic race oval for the third annual Legends Laps event in mid-February.

Sponsored by Pat’s Motor Sports in Greenland, the one-day event was the brainchild of Mark Resch, a former member of the board of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, Wisconsin.

“My thought was, ‘Let’s invite some of the famous drivers back to this historic track, and have them go around the ice like they used to,'” he stated. “Let them relive the fun of their youth. As well, we can have fans participate as they can bring their sleds and ride with their heroes.”

He noted that the event serves as a fundraiser for the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, and the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Eagle River. Riders paid a fee to participate in the day’s activities.

According to Resch, the racing oval at Eagle River has a “Mecca” quality to it in the world of snowmobile racing. Races began there in 1964 as way to increase Winter-tourism in northern Wisconsin. Sixty years later, the race complex is hopping come January with thousands of racers and fans making it to the pilgrimage spot.

“We have a great history here,” stated Resch.

One of the legends participating in this year’s Legends Lap was Houghton’s Gary Moyle. Moyle and his Copper County team won the World Championship race twice — first in 2005, and again in 2007. He retired from racing in 2015.

To win a world championship, Moyle had to outpace 12 other riders 25 times around the half-mile, ice-banked track. He said that this year he and his son went down a day early to the event to get his sled out of the Hall of Fame in St. Germain and make sure it was up and running.

“It started right up,” he shared. “The track there is so iconic and to be able to get on it with my son was even better.”

Moyle was joined by fellow Copper Country racer Neil Marietta.

He too brought his son for a trip down memory lane.

“It was awesome to bring James (his son) back to my old stomping grounds,” Marietta said, “and get on a super speedway like that.”

He said his only complaint was that more people do not come as it was free for spectators and race fans alike.

“It (Legends Lap) is a great idea,” he added. “It was awesome to see old friends. I hope it continues to grow as we will definitely go back each year.”