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Archive for the ‘Vintage Living’ Category

Retiring a Hot Sled

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Mark Anderson's 800

Once upon a time, 20, 30 even 40 years ago, old snowmobiles didn’t get much respect. On occasion, one would win a big race or have some memory attached to it that caused the owners to hang on to a sled. Presereve it, store it – dare i even say respect it. But for the most part old snowmobiles were tossed aside in favor of a newer, shinier, faster model.

Many classic & historically significant sleds were sold for junk, sold for parts, or some even met the fate of being crushed and buried. With the years behind us now, it’s easy to shake our heads and feel a tinge of pity for the people who threw out not only the sleds history – but their own. Hopefully we’ve learned our lesson.

Once a machine is together and running, then finely tuned for maximum performance, it sure seems to me like they develop a personality and a even seem to argue with the driver and mechanics on occasion. Perhaps a machine is not without some kind of soul.

Well Mark Anderson and his friend Rod Evers (who partnered on this 1973 Starfire 800 racer) found a grand home for a sled that really did earn its place in history – two SnoPro titles and a World Championship. It’s now on permanent display at the Rodeo Bar & Grill in Neenah Wisconsin, with a huge framed picture of Mark just after his big win of the Eagle River World’s Championship. That’s pretty cool.

So how about that sled of yours that you’ve become attached to over the years? Where will it wind up?

I Love Beausejour.

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Wonder

The Girls

Enough said. But I will have more later. There was some really good snowmobile racing there as well. For now I posted a lot more pictures in SledTalk 24/7. Enjoy.

Waconia Charity Auction

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Charity Ski-DooMeanwhile, a group of vintage sled heads had a great time up in Menhaga, Minnesota last weekend. Hosted by SledTalk 24/7 moderator and collector Justin Clack, they brought together all the donated parts, pieces, paint, pipes and paraphernalia to build one sharp looking Ski-Doo sled that anyone would be proud to own.

There was around 50 people there to help build this beauty. By all accounts, they had a good time. Lots of free chips and barbeque was had by all, and all contributed to the amazingly fast restoration of this sled.

Charity Ski-DooThe sled is being built for one purpose only: It will be auctioned off at Waconia this year with ALL proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

I think a lot of us are still thankful to that organization not only for the good work they do, but because they brought Forrest Hess to the vintagesleds.com "Live on Skis" ride last year and he’s been a big part of the vintage community ever since. He even finished his first semester of college – way to go Forrest! Read more in the official thread on SledTalk 24/7.

Charity Ski-Doo

Winners of the 2008 Vintage Sleds Find of the Year

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

I wish I had more time – I could easily write 2-3 updates per day with all that is going on with vintage sled heads. I’ll have to summarize.

Minnesota Snowmobiler Magazine gave vintagesleds.com a very nice mention in their latest issue. I just wanted to say thanks.

Our Vintagesleds.com "Find of the Year" has some winners for 2008! The Find of the Year is just plain good fun year round, with bribes to the judges being not only allowed, they are encouraged. But seriously, some really remarkable old sleds came out of hiding in 2008 and gave much more proof that good stuff is still out there!

Congratulations to our winners!

First place is Chuck4199 with his Herter’s Falcon

2nd Place was Wigwam1 and his Polaris Lil’ Andy

3rd Place went to Justin Clack and his 650 Arctic Cat

4th went to Sledder Al and his Snow King

5th place also went to Justin Clack, this 78 Ski-Doo Navy Blizzard.

We’ll have judges in place for 2009 very soon.. so don’t forget to share your finds with the world and take a chance on winning a trophy for 2009.

More Hints on the Vintage Sled Find of the Year for 2008

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

We all wish you the best for 2009. On the way out of 2008, we will soon have our new "Find of the year". Not any kind of real contest per say, but a yearly running chronicle of the really neat sleds that have been found in the past year. We do have some judges and prizes.

Find of the yearHowever we strongly encourage bribing the judges – (tongue firmly planted in cheek). This years winner will get a spiffy trophy, and this brand new helmet, courtesy of Koch’s Performance of Crivitz Wisconsin.

This years judges go by their SledTalk 24/7 names: Polaris 440, Lasergal, Yamabunch and JLOPower. Each is eagerly anticipating each email and phone call to see what new goodies are being offered. So if you have a sled entered, start the bribing, bribe early and bribe often!

The judges are going to have a very, very tough time. This year some really fascinating new stuff showed up. It’s amazing to me how much stuff is out there:

Arctic Cat EXT’s, ‘Daddlers, Polaris Centurions, Polaris Starfires, Bruts, Ski-Doo Blizzards, Kawasaki Interceptors, Arctic Cat Z’s, Vikings, Dauphins, Speedways, Snow Cruisers, Moto-Ski Supersonics, Skeeters, Roll-O-Flex Wild Ones, Yamaha SRX’s, John Deere Spitfires, Snow Kings, Johnson JX 650’s, Ski Whiz 44WT, TX’s, Yamaha GPX’s, Kawasaki Invaders, Super Bugs, Polaris Colts, Skiroule RTX440, Ski-Doo TnT’s, Moto-Ski SnoPro, Sno*Jet Thunderjets, Rupp Nitros, Rupp Magnums, Ski-Doo SnoPros, Polaris SnoPros (1974, probably Larry Rugland’s 650), Johnsons, Polaris Playmates, Mer Trail Twisters, Herters Husky, John Deere Liquifires, Mantas, Arctic Cat Lynx, Yamaha VMax, Jerry Bunke’s 73 340cc Starfire, Arctic Cat Cheetah’s and Panthers.

That’s just one year of finds! Wow! Best of luck to the judges! Check out all the sleds yourself in the Find of the Year thread.

Holy Snow Fall! (Early 2007-2008 Winter Snow Fall)

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

Don’t know how it’s going in your neck of the woods, but here in Central Minnesota we’ve got more snow in December than we’ve had in years, possibly decades. Yeah Global Warming! I went for about a 50 mile ride over Christmas vacation with my relatives. Other than running out of gas 1.5 miles from home, it was a blast! Perfect snow, perfect trails, and a sunny, 20 degree day. It just doesn’t get any better. Most fun I’ve had with my clothes on in some time.

This has to be good news for the dealers and manufactures – in fact, I heard a Radio story on how the local dealers are surprised to find customers saying "I’m not letting the stupid economy ruin my hobby". Cool.

HOW NOT TO LOAD YOU RXL

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Wally Stephens owns a very sweet 1978 Polaris RXL. Last week he needed to get it loaded to take it a show in Turner Maine. Not sure how to best load the classic sled, his buddy, Gary Wright Bright decided to fire it up and just leap it off the trailer onto the truck. While no RXL was injured the taking of this photo, we still do not recommend treating your special sled like this. ;-)

RXL Snowmobiles

MEET KAWASAKI KATE

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

At drag racers all over the Midwest this summer, a very strange thing was going on.

In certain classes, all the guys were trying harder for second place, rather than first. The reason? They all wanted to stay behind and watch the girl who has come to be known as “Kawasaki Kate” as she races down the strip on her fast Speedway sleds.

Even though she’s and her crew (including her dad) have been Speedway buffs for some time, she got called “Kawasaki Kate” at one event and it just stuck. I got to meet her last weekend at Brainerd, and I noticed she’s developed quite the little following of admiring Bull Session readers and race fans. It’s easy to see why. She can hang on a drag strip as good, if not better than most of the guys. At about 95 lbs., she has a bit of a weight advantage. Kate’s having a good time with all of this and the having a great time hanging with her family and racing.

We’ll have more on Kate in the future.

Click on the picture to see a much larger shot. Yes, that’s Jeff Lausten’s Yamaha Kate is giving her blessing to.

Kawasaki Kate

DANICA PATRICK – SHOULD SHE GO?

Thursday, September 25th, 2008


Well, we’ve had Danica Patrick as the Patron Saint of Vintage Snowmobiling for some time now, only because of her dad who used to race, and because her mom is from Roseau. But in all this time, she’s never said boo about sleds, and she’s proven to have quite the little temper. Lately, guys on the Bull Sessions have been demanding she be replaced because of her attitude. So is it time for her to head into the void of being a former Patron Saint? If so, who should replace her. We need a nationally known figure for this position. So should Danica stay or go?

Another position may be opening up as well – for “Queen of Vintage Snowmobiling“. There are a couple of ladies out there who are in this hobby just as deep as any guy, and are just as good at it, and are a one heck of a lot more fun to look at than any of us dudes. There has already been an discussion on the Bull Sessions about this going full steam. Join in and take a look.

WRENCHMAN’S 2ND ANNUAL VINTAGE SLED GIVEAWAY

Saturday, September 13th, 2008


Pipe builder and nice guy Dave Crumb, aka “Wrenchman” is going to give away two vintage snowmobiles to some young sledders. You can win the sled by writing an honest, true and from the heart essay on why you love snowmobiles and why you should win the contest. It should be greater than 150 words.

SNo JetSki-DooThe winner in the ages 7-12 bracket will win the Sno*Jet pictures here, donated by Pete Kemp.

The winner in the 13-18 year old bracket will win a 1972 Ski-Doo TNT!

Essays will be posted in the Bull Sessions (some are already up now) and all the Bull Sessions members will vote for their favorite essay.

Essay’s must be in by end of day, September 17th, the winners announced on September 21. Please note the winners or winners parents must arrange transportation of the sled.

Follow this link to the thread that will tell you all about the contest – an good luck!