This past weekend, a brave and hearty group of souls, who all wanted to help the Snowmobile Hall of Fame, braved the weather and the ever present danger of a broken down sled to ride over 150 miles in a single day on sleds over 30 years old!

I had been looking forward to this ride all year long. In fact, I set out last spring to build a special sled just for the ride. But my first idea turned out to be not so clever, and I never got anywhere near getting it done on time.

No problem, several people offered me sleds – my thanks to Jon Carlson and Roger Jordan amongst other for the offers to ride their sleds. But when it came time to head out of town last weekend, I’m afraid work got in the way of the hobby, and I found myself working all day Saturday.

The stories about the weekend started pouring in over the next few days, and I’ve been following them ever since. With each new story I read, I am regretting not being there more and more.

Roger Jordan’s account of the very long vintage ride was a great read, and I want to thank him here personally for putting that all up.

What I gathered was that the biggest majority of the vintage sleds that went on the ride made it all the way there and back. One of the few who did not was the aforementioned Jon Carlson, who lost a clutch. Probably the one part no one had extras of.

The other notable experience I read about was being able to sit with so many of the guys that actually ran the race from Winnipeg to St. Paul on the old leaf springs sled back in the day. Those stories are priceless and again and I’m bummed I missed them.

Well, I won’t let those guys have all the fun. The way I look at it, I’ve got 360 some days to get ready for next year.

Here’s some more photos of the event: Click them to see a larger version.

Mother nature has stepped in and saved the 2009 Ride with the Champs for the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain Wisconsin this weekend. Nearly naked trails are once again ready to roar as riders from all over the country converge on the Hall of Fame for the famed ride with the sports superstars. Late model riders have a choice of a shorter run or a longer, faster run way up into the Upper peninsula of Michigan and back.

Vintage sleds have the choice of the short route from Hall of Fame Museum to Bosackis Boathouse in Minocqua. If you are really feeling strong and adventurous with your old sled, you can run the full 175 mile vintage enduro run from the Hall all the way up into Michigan and back!

Jon Carlson and Joe Rainville will be leading this pack on what could be the adventure ride of a lifetime. If you’ve got an old sled you think is up for a challenge – you need to get there this weekend!

After the days ride, the Hall of Fame will induct Mike Houle, Paul Groth, Ken Konop and Donald Finck for 2009. There will be some fun auctions, the raffle winner will be announced (you still have time to buy tickets here), and a great time will be had by all – don’t miss it!

Don’t forget also that they only way to get your copy of “I Raced Ski-Doo … A Different Point of View” is to order it from The Hall of Fame. This is a fantastic picture book featuring some of the rarest Ski-Doo racing photos you’ll ever see!

Four new people will be inducted into the Snowmobile Hall Of Fame this winter. Here they are:

Mike Houle is synonymous with oval racing greatness, having risen to the top of that discipline in the 1980s and continuing as one of the best in the 1990s. Houle, of Cedar, Minn., made his mark in the Midwest snocross and oval circuits aboard Polaris and later with Ski-Doo. A smart, strong rider who was set-up rider whose style often drew on strength, Houle enjoyed multiple wins at the Eagle River World Championships, USSA High Point titles and MRP championships.

Speed run competition achieved high popularity in the 1980s, due to the fantastic machines, competitive personalities and outstanding speeds. Paul Groth of Frontenac, Minn., was chief among these protagonists and a driving force in speed run popularity. His reiteration of Boss Cat II as the Budweiser Sno-King brought a huge multinational advertiser to the sport and set multiple speed records in the NSSR circuit.

For more than 30 years snowmobile racers and trail riders have enjoyed greater personal safety thanks to Ken Konop, inventor of the Saf-Jac protective vest. Inspired by the accidental death of his wife, Jacque, at a snowmobile race in 1974, Konop brought his Saf-Jac to market for the 1975 season. It has since established an exemplary legacy of quality and safety, having prevented countless serious injuries to thousands of thankful riders and racers.

The sport of snowmobiling is built upon the tireless efforts of club and association members. Donald Finck is one such person, having served as President (two terms), Director and Trail Master in the Vermont Association Snow Travelers (VAST), as well as introducing innovative snowmobiling services and programs in the association. Finck, now of Carson, Wash., also founded the successful and venerable Rock Maple Racing Circuit in Vermont.

Congratulations to all! For more information on the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum, including attending the 2009 induction banquet and Ride with the Champs, go to www.snowmobilehalloffame.com or call the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum at (715) 542-4HOF (4463).

Fresh off the press is this new 146 black and white photographs, featuring “behind the scenes” action from 1968 to 1978 It includes an 8 page introduction to the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain Wisconsin. It’s a different point of view of the “big time” racing scene at its peak.

Photos are from the C.J. Ramstad memorial library at the Hall of Fame, and are not to be missed. Just in time for Ski-Doo’s big 50th anniversary!

This book features photos of greats like Yvonn Duhamel, Mike Trapp, Doug Hayes, Larry Rugland, LeRoy Lindblad, Bobby Donahue and others.

To order, mail your return address and $35 for U.S. orders and $40 for Canadian orders to the address below. Or fax your order with your credit card info and return address to (715) 542-4477.

SHOF
PO BOX 720
St. Germain, Wisconsin 54588

Drum roll please….

We interuppt this story of fabled Arctic Cat racers to bring you the following announcement:

The Board of Directors of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) and Museum are proud to announce the 2008 Inductees. Four distinguished honorees will be enshrined on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the banquet held at the Whitetail Inn, Hwy 70 W, St. Germain, Wisconsin.

They are ANDY BAKER of Beausejour, Manitoba, CHRISTOPHER TWOMEY of Thief River Falls, MN, C. J. RAMSTAD (p) of Deephaven, MN and CLAYTON NUEMAN (p) of Coon Rapids, MN.

The Induction Banquet is the finale of an exciting weekend and is the concluding event for the 25th annual RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS by Modine HotDawg Garage Heaters. The RIDE is one of the SHOF’s major fund raising events of the year. The RIDE begins at the Whitetail Inn at 7:30 am with registration and breakfast and ends with the autograph session and cocktail party at 6:00 pm with the banquet at 7:00 pm. Friday, February 8, 2008 will be the dedication of the RAMSTAD LIBRARY AND MEDIA CENTER at the SHOF’s new expanded museum building. Watch the web site for detailed information about this event the day before the RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS. For more information, email the Hall of Fame.

Andy Baker	Christopher Twomey
CJ Ramstad	Clayton Nueman

Andy Baker
DATE OF INDUCTION: January 9, 2008
CAREER SPAN: 1966 –
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Polaris, Moto-Ski
AGE AT INDUCTION: 51
Beginning his snowmobile racing career in 1966 at age 10 in his hometown of Beausejour, Manitoba, Andy Baker immediately developed a love and dedication for the sport and its people. Baker’s respect and commitment to snowmobile oval racing produced two championship titles, presidency of the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships at Beausejour and annual devotion to the races made famous by his hometown.

Competing with the help of (and alongside) his dad, Baker’s personal racing success began early and focused on regional events around Manitoba. While at the height of his career, Baker succeeded his father as the CPTC President in 1977 and 1978 while simultaneously racing with great success on an independent Moto-Ski distributor team. Baker won the Manitoba championship and wore the #1 bib for 1979 and 1980, before retiring from active competition that year. He has continued to help run the famed Beausejour races every year since and was instrumental in the features that have made the track famous for its speed and safety.

Extremely humble and quick to credit the amazing people of Beausejour for any personal recognition he’s received, Baker’s love of snowmobile racing is surpassed only by his appreciation and respect for the racers, crews and workers who comprise the world of snowmobile racing. A true friend to all in the sport, Baker and his family embody the spirit of dedication and comprise a significant portion of the great “backbone” of snowmobile racing.

Christopher Twomey
DATE OF INDUCTION: January 9, 2008
CAREER SPAN: 1983 –
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Arctic Cat
AGE AT INDUCTION: 59
A business tactician who guided the important business principles at Arctic Cat, Chris Twomey of Thief River Falls, Minn., led the company’s transition from humble reemergence to industry innovator by combining solid management with a work environment that fostered creativity and passion. As President and CEO of Arctic Cat beginning in 1986, Twomey guided the company through more than a decade of unprecedented growth and success.

A leader who clearly understood the importance of answering customers’ desires with progressive product development, Twomey’s close-to-the-customer approach was as natural as it was effective. He backed it up by focusing company resources towards its prized and dedicated engineering department to respond to customers’ expectations. Likewise, his belief that racing could shape the development of industry-leading snowmobiles fueled an unprecedented period of success and race-influenced product development, including the 1990 EXT Special and 1993 ZR series.

Twomey was certain of the need for industry solidarity, which is why he worked aggressively with other industry leaders to create the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association. His leadership and responsibility to the sport coupled with his understanding of land-use politics helped save snowmobile use in West Yellowstone National Park during a tumultuous period beginning in 2000. In a watershed moment, Twomey gave the go-ahead to unveil a prototype Arctic Cat powered by a four-stroke engine, which helped sway government officials to preserve snowmobile operation in the park.

C.J. Ramstad
DATE OF INDUCTION: January 9, 2008
CAREER SPAN: 1969 – 2007
AGE AT INDUCTION: Posthumous
The most influential and prolific writer and photographer in the sport’s history, Clifford John (C.J.) Ramstad set the standard for snowmobile journalism while a creating a historical record that will forever aid and reflect the industry. His tireless involvement at all levels of the sport, from land-use advocacy to club promotion and race history preservation, made him one of the most influential and recognizable figures in all of snowmobiling.

Ramstad began his career in the snowmobile industry in 1969 as a copywriter for Arctic Cat. He later founded Snow Week magazine and would write for and/or edit nearly every snowmobile publication during his career, including Supertrax, Snowmobile, Snow Goer and Minnesota Snowmobiling. He wrote four books about the sport, including “The Collected Works of Pappy,” “Legend: Arctic Cat’s First Four Decades” and “Of Ice and Engines.” In 1983 Ramstad helped conceive and launch the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and served as an invaluable board member for 24 years. He helped introduce and promote the Jeep 500 in 1987, and was a behind-the-scenes force and mentor in innumerable snowmobile racing, industry and club activities during his nearly four decades in the sport.

A legend in every aspect, the Deephaven, Minn., resident embraced every aspect of the sport with excitement and purpose. His tragic death, along with his son J.J., in an automobile accident in May, 2007, at age 62 was a crushing blow to an industry and sport that was so completely influenced by his work. Yet his amazing legacy is a powerful reminder of his unbridled enthusiasm and passion for the sport and people he dearly loved.

Clayton Neuman
DATE OF INDUCTION: January 9, 2008
CAREER SPAN: 1972 – 2002
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Arctic Cat
AGE AT INDUCTION: Posthumous
A creative, innovative engineer from Coon Rapids, Minn., who epitomized the “independent” racer/tuner, Clayton Neuman began his storied career in snowmobile drag racing in 1972 and continued for more than 30 years. He was as passionate about drag racing as he was creative in his engineering approach, combining the two with great success at all levels, including the ISR World Series of Drags, MSDRA and events across North America.

Starting with a 1972 Puma, Neuman’s fascination with high-performance was borne on a 1972 Arctic Cat Puma, which was heavily modified and raced by his younger brother, Lloyd, beginning a long run of the family-based Neuman team. Always searching for higher performance, Clayton ran a series of more powerful machines before building his custom 1977 Z 250, which featured crankcase induction mounted on the front of the engine, revised port designs and other ideas of his own creation. Driven by his son Steve, this machine dominated the 250 Mod class for many years.

In 1990 Clayton built an experimental 800cc, opposed four-cylinder engine that served as a test bed for new ideas and was raced with great success by the Neuman team. Along with brothers Lloyd, Gordon and Frank, he made the Neuman Race Team a household name in snowmobile drag racing, and one whose legacy is more than just winning races, but also a friendly, family-oriented approach and smart, clever sled building. Clayton learned of his induction just weeks before dying of cancer at age 73.