It's finally race weekend!  The Benna Ford Roush Superior Watercross Shootout starts at 10am both Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available at the gate.

You've heard about the races, you know about the food, drinks and the Saturday night party at the Barkers Island Inn.  However, you may not be too familiar with the International Watercross Association.

So, just what is the story with this organization that came up with the idea to race snowmobiles on the water?  From their website, here is what the IWA is all about:

The International Watercross Association is a member owned and operated nonprofit organization founded in 1988.  The mission of the IWA is to provide a safe, uniform environment for the sanctioning and promotion of the sport of Snowmobile Watercross Racing.

The IWA was formed during what most would consider the “adolescence” of the sport.  Beginning (for all practical purposes) in the summer of 1977 with the first event held in Grantsburg, WI, the sport grew quickly during the first 10 years.  During the World Championship Watercross in 1987, a group of pioneers of the sport put their heads together and decided to form the IWA in an effort to make a uniform set of rules and procedures with which the events could operate for the sake of fair and safe competition.  Much of the original format, primarily the brain child of original IWA President Mark Maki, remains intact to this day, 25 years later.

While the times have progressed and technology has grown, the IWA has remained committed to keeping the level of competition consistent, the rules fair for all participants, and to ensuring the safety of all attendees at IWA events.

The IWA has also been an active participant and supporter of International Snowmobile Racing (ISR), a service organization established to provide for the needs of individual clubs and organizations that conduct snowmobile races in an organized and safe manner.  ISR has been developed over the past 30 years, working with both racing organizations and Manufacturers to develop technical specifications for safe and fair competition and continues to provide access to the most comprehensive insurance package available; something that is imperative to the interests of both racers and organizers alike.  ISR is continually striving to provide the safest venues in all of racing and that is always the top priority of any world class racing organization.

As you can see, it's a well grounded organization that just so happens to provide a very entertaining weekend of racing.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend at Barkers Island!

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