Following a weekend of World Series of Snowmobile Racing action, competitive racing returns to Eagle River’s famed World Championship Derby Complex (WCDC) ice oval this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26-27, with the Arctic Derby Dash.

The Arctic Derby Dash UTV races are the season-opening event for Suamico-based SXS Sports.

WCDC President and General Manager Russ Davis anticipates 100 to 125 entries and 2,500 to 3,000 spectators for the two-day event.

Arctic Derby Dash races will also be livestreamed at derbycomplex.org.

The weather forecast from Rhinelander NBC affiliate WJFW-TV 12 calls for mostly cloudy and a high of 33 degrees Friday. Saturday’s forecast calls for a 20% chance of snow and a high of 35 degrees.

Billed as one of the ultimate side-by-side vehicle challenges and the “ultimate frozen rush,” Arctic Derby Dash is the first event in the new Monster Energy King of the Elements Ser­ies. 

In two days of racing action, Arctic Derby Dash UTV drivers will take to the WCDC ice oval with studded tires, sliding 90 degrees at speeds of 80 mph-plus in freezing temperatures.

Johnny Greaves, a four-time off-road world champion driver from Abrams is running the King of the Elements series, including the Arctic Derby Dash. Greaves will be assisted at Arctic Derby Dash by his son, noted off-road racer Colton “C.J.”?Greaves, also of Abrams.

While in Eagle River, Davis said Johnny Greaves will make a special appearance for the gathered Derby Dash crowd, driving his Pro 4 off-road truck on the ice oval for a couple of demo laps.

Competing classes at Arctic Derby Dash include the SXS Mini (ages 5-12), 570 SXS (ages 12-16), Pro Mod SXS, Pro Stock SXS and Sportsman SXS. 

Registration for the Arctic Derby Dash closes at noon Thursday, Feb. 25.

For the complete schedule of 2021 SXS Sports events, including the Arctic Derby Dash, May 21-22 dirt city short course Spring National at Lena, and the Sept. 17-18 dirt oval 141 Speedway under the lights at Maribel, visit sxssportsracing.com.

General admission and Hot Seat tickets for this weekend are available by contacting the Derby Complex at (715) 479-4424 or info@derbycomplex.com.

For more information on the WCDC’s 2021 event schedule, visit derbycomplex.com or call (715) 479-4424.