Jim Zierden wins 2 classes at Vintage World Championship Snowmobile Races

Shawano resident Jim Zierden won two classes while competing at the 20th Vintage World Championship Snowmobile Races at the World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River.

Zierden, 68, won two 340 super stock classes between Jan. 8-10. One class included about 20 snowmobiles driven by riders over 60 years old. The other class included younger competitors and had between 30-35 participants.

“We won both our classes that we entered, which is a pretty good feat for at Eagle River because it’s pretty stiff competition,” said Zierden.

Racing strictly on ice, Zierden drives a 1976 Polaris snowmobile and has been racing for 50 years now.

Riders and fans from across the country attend the world championship. “This is the biggest event of the year,” said Zierden.

Zierden has had success at Eagle River in the past, but he had never won multiple classes during the same year. He was most proud of his finish against some of the younger snowmobilers.

“We were very happy to win the class with the younger competitors. We call them more like the kids. The guy that came in second place asked me how old I was. And he said, ‘Well, jeez. You’re older than my dad,’” Zierden said, chuckling.

“It’s good to be able to be competitive with the younger group because they are a little bit more fearless. You have to be competitive to do this to start with, but they haven’t crashed hard enough to realize when you crash it hurts a little bit.”

Zierden thanked Jeff Anker, who helps him tune up the snowmobile, and his sponsors for their support. Zierden called racing a team effort and mentioned the countless hours of preparation that take place before he takes the ice on the snowmobile.

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