Four-time champ Stephenson sets fast time Friday morning
EAGLE RIVER — A few familiar faces were atop the qualifying list following Friday morning World Championship time trials at the World Championship Derby Complex (WCDC) in Eagle River.
The Formula III division this year included drivers from all walks of racing including some of the best in ice oval enduro and sprint classes as well as some of the best vintage racers.
Four-time WC champ Blaine Stephenson of Hutchinson, Minn., was fast early and he looked comfortable on the fresh ice, turning a time of 35.525 which was the early time to beat.
That time held up through the opening round of qualifying and sets him atop the list going into the weekend.
Two-time defending champion Matt Goede of New Germany, Minn., was fast also turning a two-lap qualifying time of 35.710 which after fighting a few handling issues in corners three and four on his first and second lap was a surprising time.
He ended up second fastest overall.
The No. 221 Reed Klinger out of Athens, Wisc., turned some heads in the second session with a time of 35.579 which was third quickest overall. His choice of low in and out on the first turns seemed to work as he will be watched going into Friday night as a flyer.
In fourth was MIRA star Zach DeWald who’ll be competing in his third World Championship event on the Formula III sled, hoping to climb from his second place podium finish two years ago.
Teams will put the wrenches to the sleds this afternoon prior to Friday Night Thunder that gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies followed by racing starting at 6.
The evening will be headlined by the Sweet 16 race which will determine which driver sits on the pole for Sunday’s 25-lap World Championship race scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
All other front-row drivers will need to qualify Saturday afternoon through a series of heat races.
There will be a final last chance qualifier race Sunday at 11 a.m. to determine the two positions to start on the back row.
First Round Qualifying Times
102 Blaine Stephenson – Polaris – 35.525
28 Matt Goede – Ski-Doo – 35.710
221 Reed Klinger – Polaris – 35.579
57 Zach Dewald – Polaris – 35.773
29 Joey Burch – Polaris – 35.981
14 Tanner Foss – Polaris – 36.255
39 Thomas Olson – Polaris – 36.308
22 Andy Shoemaker – Polaris – 36.858
85X Tavish Perry – Ski-Doo – 36.924
6 Gavin Peterson – Ski-Doo – 36.995
326 Dustin Schwandt – Arctic Cat – 37.108
220 Gunnar Sterne – Ski-Doo – 37.152
48X Mason Schuette – Polaris – 37.246
04 Luke Olson – Polaris – 37.318
21 Zach Rogers – Polaris – 37.462
75 Calvin Cook – Polaris – 37.532
2 Tyler Towne – Ski-Doo – 37.950
67 Ryan McCaig – Polaris – 38.764
61 Ezra Graumann – Polaris – 38.938
33T Tyler Foster – Polaris – 39.357
231 Benjamin Langas – Arctic Cat – 39.893
23 Dakota Harris – Polaris – 41.316
11V Dan Voeltner – Polaris – 42.136