Joel Fiebig, Owner
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
I have had love for snowmobiling since I was a kid, we used to go to the i500 years ago as a spectators and always thought how cool it would be to race there, Our kids are on snowmobiles and my two boys race the younger classes at MIRA.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
We started back in 2010 as partial sponsor pulling the semi race trailer and morphed into what it is today, In 2018 we finished 5th place at the I-500, which for us was a great achievement.
What is your career goal as an owner?
Our goal is always to win, we have made a lot of progress with our race program over the last three years and want to finish a year as points champions, also another goal of our team is take first place at I-500.
What were the driving factors to start the race team?
At the time we weren’t looking but I had a energetic strong willed Grant Vermeersch convinced us that we needed to be a part of MIRA and his current race team. His love for racing, perseverance to keep the sport going and drive to build a championship race team has kept us wanting to do better, as for him, our great drivers and a team with a great cohesiveness and drive for the same exact goals will get us to the championship soon
Eric Churchill, Driver
Who got you into snowmobling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
My dad, John churchill got me into snowmobile racing when I was 6 years old “2001” at Lucky Thumb on a 1970 340 Rupp Sno Sport.
My dad influenced me with snowmobile racing by buying me my first sled when I was was 4 years old and teaching me how to ride then eventually how to race “ always telling me Im letting off to early and using to much break”
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
It’s hard to pick my proudest achievements so far, I’ve had many great things happen including, my top finish at the SOO I-500 “4th place” in 2017, winning rookie of the year in MIRA in 2014 and also influencing the young generation of snowmobile racing like my nephew Carter.
What is your career goal?
My career goal would be to win the SOO I-500.
How did you become part of this racing team?
I became part of Countryside Motorsports when Grant Vermeersch came and asked me if I wanted to run semi-pro when I was 15.
Cam Vermeersch, Driver
Who got you into snowmobiling and when; and what was their influence on you with regard to the sport?
My dad (Grant Vermeersch) got me into racing when I was 2 years old. It was Albright shores race and he got me a kitty kat to race. My dad religiously tells the famous story of how I pinned the throttle and was first into the corner, from there I let off the gas and finished dead last. My dad is my role model, he was my number 1 person I have ever got to race with (nothing against Eric Churchill who I race with now, there’s just something special about racing with your dad) We we’re not only teammates as I grew up through the year but he built sleds and put me first in everything racing. He’s the best and smartest racer I’ve ever encountered, and now I’m fortunate enough to have him as my crew chief. He has taught me so much about how to set a sled up to handle, how to pick different lines to pass, how to save your goggles and strength when your racing. So many little things that others never get the chance to know or learn. I know I’d never be where I am today without him. He’s pushed me to never settle for 2nd and to keep pushing, he’s taught me how to win the right way, to respect everyone on the track and off the track. To treat every racer as family and help everyone with any issue they have with there sled even if it makes them faster, you can still outrace them when it comes to driving.
When did you start racing and what is your proudest achievement so far on the track?
I grew up racing kitty kats following my dad around to races. Eventually when I got big enough he bought me a Polaris XCF 440 to start racing the junior division. Much like my kitty kat days I would always get the hole shot then back out of the throttle. Eventually when I became 16 he bought me a XC 500 from Felzke Farms. I finally started to figure out this racing thing at that time. At that time I started winning some races, I eventually went on to race the Semi-pro enduro at the final race and finished just outside the top 3.
The next year (2009) everything was coming together. It was our first race of the year, we were working on sleds all summer long and it was the week of the big race finally. Nobody from our team at the time could make the race. We had no rig to go up racing in, and no crew members. So dad and myself hooked a 2 place enclosed trailer up to my moms Buick Roundevous with no proper working gas gauge and made our own trip up. We made it within 5 miles of mackinaw city and ran out of gas. So we were starting to wonder why even are making the trip up at that point. We siphon gas out of the race sled to get us into town where we could get some gas and eventually made the trip to the island. We got to the race track late due to running out of gas and never got hot laps. Unloaded the sleds and just went racing. It was my first full season as semi-pro and my first ever try at a Pro enduro at age 17. I won every class I entered that day in sprint racing and won the semi pro enduro. Later we had the Pro Enduro which I was very nervous about. Luckily we had 1 crew member show up just in time for racing to start and he noticed our lower right A Arm bolt was backing out as we were pulling the sled onto the track ( Mark Layhard aka crew chief that day). We went out and won the Pro Enduro that day! Through the year we had great success and ended up winning the points championship for the pro enduro. I also won every class I ran that year but nothing compares to that win at Drummond island and the points championship in the pro enduro.
What is your career goal?
I would love to set pole at the SOO I-500 so my dad can stop rubbing it in my face that he has done it multiple times and I’ve never done it. I would like it even more if we could win the race! Something we have tried for so long and have yet to achieve. Winning Eagle River world championship would also be a bonus. We have not won a race with our Team since we started and I’d really love to get them that taste of victory this year for sure.
How did you become part of this racing team?
I’m not even sure how it all came about. Everyone at the track is like family, we started talking to the Russell boys that help us race now and we all got together and started racing. We brought there buddy Eric Churchill on the team and started grooming him for enduros and now myself and Eric race together. Somehow we became family and dad got a friend from work to come help, now I even have my father in law helping and many others. Somehow Joel Fiebig owner of Countryside Sales and Service stepped up to take over the team after years of support and now we are known as Countryside Motorsports. He believes in us enough to buy us the best equipment available, and I just hope we can return the favor of kicking some butt this year. We have top notch equipment, Top Notch crew and We have no excuses to not be a top contender every single weekend. So Thank you to everyone involved, they let me live my dream of racing and I know Eric is just as appreciative.
And I know there’s no question where I can throw in a thanks to my wife for putting up with me being gone so much working on sleds. She’s expecting our 3rd child at the beginning of December and yet she still supports me. So I need to say thank you to her and the kids for letting me be gone so much and still putting up with me. •