D.R. Crews put up some cool shots form back in the day – getting some big air on his vintage bubble-top Ski-Doo! There’s a good story and more photos on his blog, “Magic City Morning Star“.
Archive for the ‘Vintage Rides’ Category
VINTAGE SHOTS FROM AROUND THE WEB:
Monday, May 5th, 2008
THE SKI-WHIZ ARRIVES!
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
You might remember that last winter at Live On Skis, Forrest Hess used his Make-a-Wish wish to come and ride with all of us on Rainey lake in Northern Minnesota. We were stunned and honored that he picked the event, and after we all got to know this young man and his family, we even more thrilled with his choice.
Forrest Hess (left) and Joe Rainville with the customized and signed
Live on Skis Liquidator hood.
We asked Forrest for a list of sleds he would like to ride; at the top of the list was a Massey-Fergeson Ski-Whiz and a John Deere Liquidator. Vintagesleds.com readers read the request, and people from all over volunteered machines for the ride.
One man (who wishes to remain anonymous) restored the Liquidator to absolute perfection. Pictured below is the hood from the machine complete with signatures from all the people on the ride.
It’s been an amazing story to follow the Ski-Whiz from it’s origins to Forrest’s garage. Steve Thompson (kohler4403rs) donated the very first sled that he ever bought new, a 1974 Massey 304 twin. Swede donated another chassis for parts. JLOPower donated a correct set of skis, and Roger Jordon (Jekyll) donated straight up hard cold cash for the needed extra parts.
It was cleaned up and put together at Paul Shearer’s shop on December 1st, 2007. Volunteers on hand to help out included Steve Mclean (oldsled), Eric (purple raider), Brian( aka Rampage), Dan (Pooch) Mike Knutson( Physcho mikeo), Steve Thompson (Kohler4403rs).
You can see the process of the sled on this Bull Sessions thread.
The sled was then hauled to DDub’s place, where he re-did the hood and touched up the paint and applied the graphics. Frank from egraphicsltd.com donated the graphics (as well as the special “Live on Skis” decals).
Forrest and his Ski-Whiz at home in New York. The sled will join Forrest’s growing collection of sleds.
DDub was going to bring the competed sled to Live on Skis when his transmission quit 90 miles from International Falls Minnesota. Not to worry. Trucker and Kohler_K4403rs made a mad, early morning dash to rescue the Massey and get it to Live on Skis.
At the event, we auctioned off the Ski-Whiz with 100% of the proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish foundation – over $1,300. The winner (Doc Jim) turned around and gave gave the Ski-Whiz to Forrest.
After the event, the sled went through a second day of improvements at Swede’s shop. Rampage, Pooch, Doc Jim, Spike, Swede, Vahalla and Paul Shearer got together and converted it to a Mikuni carb, replaced the exhaust with a better one, and the seat got recovered. Pooch the hauled the machine to the Twin Cities to await transport to Forrest’s house.
The only problem was how do we get the Ski-Whiz from Northern Minnesota to New York state where Forrest lives? Enter Joe (“John Deere Joe”) Rainville. On a mission to pick up and deliver some items from the Midwest to the East, John brought the sled, and the John Deere hood to Forrest’s house.
From all of us who attended Live On Skis last year, I’d like to say thanks to Joe Rainville for the gracious and generous offer to deliver the machine to Forrest – and to all the guys who worked on the Ski-Whiz. Note: If I forgot anyone in this, it was not intentional and I really do thank everyone involved!
You might remember that last winter at Live On Skis, Forrest Hess used his Make-a-Wish wish to come and ride with all of us on Rainey lake in Northern Minnesota. We were stunned and honored that he picked the event, and after we all got to know this young man and his family, we even more thrilled with his choice.
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Forrest Hess (left) and Joe Rainville with the customized and signed
Live on Skis Liquidator hood. |
We asked Forrest for a list of sleds he would like to ride; at the top of the list was a Massey-Fergeson Ski-Whiz and a John Deere Liquidator. Vintagesleds.com readers read the request, and people from all over volunteered machines for the ride.
One man (who wishes to remain anonymous) restored the Liquidator to absolute perfection. Pictured below is the hood from the machine complete with signatures from all the people on the ride.
It’s been an amazing story to follow the Ski-Whiz from it’s origins to Forrest’s garage. Steve Thompson (kohler4403rs) donated the very first sled that he ever bought new, a 1974 Massey 304 twin. Swede donated another chassis for parts. JLOPower donated a correct set of skis, and Roger Jordon (Jekyll) donated straight up hard cold cash for the needed extra parts.
It was cleaned up and put together at Paul Shearer’s shop on December 1st, 2007. Volunteers on hand to help out included Steve Mclean (oldsled), Eric (purple raider), Brian( aka Rampage), Dan (Pooch) Mike Knutson( Physcho mikeo), Steve Thompson (Kohler4403rs).
You can see the process of the sled on this Bull Sessions thread.
The sled was then hauled to DDub’s place, where he re-did the hood and touched up the paint and applied the graphics. Frank from egraphicsltd.com donated the graphics (as well as the special “Live on Skis” decals).
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Forrest and his Ski-Whiz at home in New York. The sled will join Forrest’s growing collection of sleds.
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DDub was going to bring the competed sled to Live on Skis when his transmission quit 90 miles from International Falls Minnesota. Not to worry. Trucker and Kohler_K4403rs made a mad, early morning dash to rescue the Massey and get it to Live on Skis.
At the event, we auctioned off the Ski-Whiz with 100% of the proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish foundation – over $1,300. The winner (Doc Jim) turned around and gave gave the Ski-Whiz to Forrest.
After the event, the sled went through a second day of improvements at Swede’s shop. Rampage, Pooch, Doc Jim, Spike, Swede, Vahalla and Paul Shearer got together and converted it to a Mikuni carb, replaced the exhaust with a better one, and the seat got recovered. Pooch the hauled the machine to the Twin Cities to await transport to Forrest’s house.
The only problem was how do we get the Ski-Whiz from Northern Minnesota to New York state where Forrest lives? Enter Joe (“John Deere Joe”) Rainville. On a mission to pick up and deliver some items from the Midwest to the East, John brought the sled, and the John Deere hood to Forrest’s house.
From all of us who attended Live On Skis last year, I’d like to say thanks to Joe Rainville for the gracious and generous offer to deliver the machine to Forrest – and to all the guys who worked on the Ski-Whiz. Note: If I forgot anyone in this, it was not intentional and I really do thank everyone involved!
MORE ON THE HOF RIDE
Monday, February 11th, 2008
Here’s a shot of most of the sleds and riders who participated in the vintage section of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Ride with the Champs event on Feb. 9. I was joined on the ride by Pride Magazine editor John Sandberg of Prior Lake, Minn. (78 Jag). He and I agreed that the trail riding was fun, but the highlight of the day was sitting with Don Amber of Churubusco, Ind. at lunch and enjoying his stories about riding in the Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 on a Polaris in 1973 (when he finished) and 1974, and on a Deere in 1975. He’s now an active Deere collector and was at the HOF event to ride with a gang of other Deere-heads who have gotten to know each other through the jdsleds.com site. So you just never know who you’ll meet on these rides. The main ride from St. Germain to Minocqua and back was about 50 miles, but some of the Deere boys made a longer loop and went about 65 miles. There were no breakdowns, which was pretty amazing.
Shown in the photo (left to right) are: Perry Sekel (1989 AC Wildcat), Mike Weinfurter (1979 Ski-Doo Blizzard), Charles Plueddeman (1969 AC Panther), John Sandberg’s 1978 AC Jag, Bob Amber (1977 Deere), Brian Linder (1974 Deere), Ross Heavener (1977 Deere), Don Amber (1973 Deere) Kevin Campbell (1976 Deere) and Greg Shaboluk (1981 Deere). Missing from the photo are Keith Warning, who lead the group to Minocqua on a 1976 Ski-Doo RV, and Jon Bertolino on a Yamaha V-Max.
Sent in by Charles Plueddeman
Here’s a shot of most of the sleds and riders who participated in the vintage section of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Ride with the Champs event on Feb. 9. I was joined on the ride by Pride Magazine editor John Sandberg of Prior Lake, Minn. (78 Jag). He and I agreed that the trail riding was fun, but the highlight of the day was sitting with Don Amber of Churubusco, Ind. at lunch and enjoying his stories about riding in the Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 on a Polaris in 1973 (when he finished) and 1974, and on a Deere in 1975. He’s now an active Deere collector and was at the HOF event to ride with a gang of other Deere-heads who have gotten to know each other through the jdsleds.com site. So you just never know who you’ll meet on these rides. The main ride from St. Germain to Minocqua and back was about 50 miles, but some of the Deere boys made a longer loop and went about 65 miles. There were no breakdowns, which was pretty amazing.
Shown in the photo (left to right) are: Perry Sekel (1989 AC Wildcat), Mike Weinfurter (1979 Ski-Doo Blizzard), Charles Plueddeman (1969 AC Panther), John Sandberg’s 1978 AC Jag, Bob Amber (1977 Deere), Brian Linder (1974 Deere), Ross Heavener (1977 Deere), Don Amber (1973 Deere) Kevin Campbell (1976 Deere) and Greg Shaboluk (1981 Deere). Missing from the photo are Keith Warning, who lead the group to Minocqua on a 1976 Ski-Doo RV, and Jon Bertolino on a Yamaha V-Max.
Sent in by Charles Plueddeman
WEEKEND IN THE NORTH WOODS
Sunday, February 10th, 2008
Once again this winter, I made my way to the Northern aces of Wisconsin in St. Germain. This time it was for the grand opening of the new Hall of Fame museum, the CJ Ramstad memorial Library, the 2008 induction ceremony, and the Ride With The Champs.
The grand openings were on Friday, with many industry dignitaries, the news media and fans of all colors in attendance. This building really is the culmination of the dreams of a great many people, and will be the beginning of bigger things to come for the Hall of Fame. Saturday was all about the ride. I have to confess, I rented and rode a new machine – a 2007 600 Polaris as a matter of fact. I went on the longest, fastest ride with such notables as Roger Skime, Jon Carlson, Stan Hayes, Joey Hallstrom, Doug Hayes, Bob Anderson, Ray Monsrud, Doug Lamb, “John Deere” Joe Rainville, and several other Bull Sessions members. It was a hoot! I don’t think we went less than 60 miles an hour the whole way. The trails in Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are amazing and not to be missed.
The vintage riders went over 65 miles! And with NO breakdowns! That has to be some kind of record. Must have been all them John Deeres that made it possible.
Later, we had a great dinner at the White Tail Lodge, and inducted Andy Baker, Christopher Twomey, C.J. Ramstad and Clayton Neuman. Speaking of Clayton Neuman, our own Bull Session member Paul James (AKA “Dragcat”) brought up one of the sleds designed and built by Clayton and donated to the Hall of Fame! Clayton considered Paul one of the family, and often gave him advice and coaching on his drag racing efforts. The Hall of Fame put Paul in the line up with all the celebrities at the event and Paul spent the evening signing autographs. If you thought Paul’s night couldn’t get any better, he won the $8,000 raffle for a shopping spree at one of the local dealerships!
I’ll have a full write up on the 25th annual Ride WIth The Champs for the next issue of the VSCA magazine.
Loren Anderson, Kurt Kruger, Jon Carlson, and the Ramstad ladies cut the ribbon on CJ’s memorial library.
Paul James signs autographs with Ole Tweet and Paul Groth.
The Class of 2008: Mrs. Clayton Neuman, Andy Baker, Christopher Twomey, and Marly and Karla Ramstad for CJ.
Once again this winter, I made my way to the Northern aces of Wisconsin in St. Germain. This time it was for the grand opening of the new Hall of Fame museum, the CJ Ramstad memorial Library, the 2008 induction ceremony, and the Ride With The Champs.
The grand openings were on Friday, with many industry dignitaries, the news media and fans of all colors in attendance. This building really is the culmination of the dreams of a great many people, and will be the beginning of bigger things to come for the Hall of Fame. Saturday was all about the ride. I have to confess, I rented and rode a new machine – a 2007 600 Polaris as a matter of fact. I went on the longest, fastest ride with such notables as Roger Skime, Jon Carlson, Stan Hayes, Joey Hallstrom, Doug Hayes, Bob Anderson, Ray Monsrud, Doug Lamb, “John Deere” Joe Rainville, and several other Bull Sessions members. It was a hoot! I don’t think we went less than 60 miles an hour the whole way. The trails in Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are amazing and not to be missed.
The vintage riders went over 65 miles! And with NO breakdowns! That has to be some kind of record. Must have been all them John Deeres that made it possible.
Later, we had a great dinner at the White Tail Lodge, and inducted Andy Baker, Christopher Twomey, C.J. Ramstad and Clayton Neuman. Speaking of Clayton Neuman, our own Bull Session member Paul James (AKA “Dragcat”) brought up one of the sleds designed and built by Clayton and donated to the Hall of Fame! Clayton considered Paul one of the family, and often gave him advice and coaching on his drag racing efforts. The Hall of Fame put Paul in the line up with all the celebrities at the event and Paul spent the evening signing autographs. If you thought Paul’s night couldn’t get any better, he won the $8,000 raffle for a shopping spree at one of the local dealerships!
I’ll have a full write up on the 25th annual Ride WIth The Champs for the next issue of the VSCA magazine.
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Loren Anderson, Kurt Kruger, Jon Carlson, and the Ramstad ladies cut the ribbon on CJ’s memorial library.
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Paul James signs autographs with Ole Tweet and Paul Groth.
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The Class of 2008: Mrs. Clayton Neuman, Andy Baker, Christopher Twomey, and Marly and Karla Ramstad for CJ.
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UPDATE FROM THE NORTHLAND
Saturday, January 19th, 2008
Scott Coates, Scott Elliot, Jacque and his mechanic.
Since Jacques Villenueve was such a hit at the vintage Derby Weekend I thought this spy photo would interest everyone. Jacques hit the bales on Thursday. He was okay, but the sled was mangled. Jacques and his crew dismantled it, and took the chassis to Scott (of the James Gang) Elliot’s shop, where they put it on the frame rack to straighten it.
Jacques and his crew had it all together and running for Friday Night Thunder. But according to reports, Jacques was running in a heat race when he put up his arm to signal drivers behind him that his machine was having problems. But snow-dust and speed conspired, and Dan Gokey was unable to avoid Jacque and hit his sled hard. Jacques did make a trip to the hospital, and initial reports are a broken pelvis, maybe more. Jacques will be out for the rest of the season.
Everybody here from vitnagesleds.com wishes Jacques the very best and a speedy recovery.
For the World Championship, the qualifiers (unofficial) are: Brian Bewcyk, P.J. Wanderscheid, Dustin Wahl, Gary Moyle, Dan Fenhaus, Brandon Johnson, Matt Schultz, Dale Loritz and Brad Bettin.
Good luck to everyone! If your in the area, be sure to visit Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, where they have all kinds of new displays, a cash raffle and many other activities.
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Scott Coates, Scott Elliot, Jacque and his mechanic.
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Since Jacques Villenueve was such a hit at the vintage Derby Weekend I thought this spy photo would interest everyone. Jacques hit the bales on Thursday. He was okay, but the sled was mangled. Jacques and his crew dismantled it, and took the chassis to Scott (of the James Gang) Elliot’s shop, where they put it on the frame rack to straighten it.
Jacques and his crew had it all together and running for Friday Night Thunder. But according to reports, Jacques was running in a heat race when he put up his arm to signal drivers behind him that his machine was having problems. But snow-dust and speed conspired, and Dan Gokey was unable to avoid Jacque and hit his sled hard. Jacques did make a trip to the hospital, and initial reports are a broken pelvis, maybe more. Jacques will be out for the rest of the season.
Everybody here from vitnagesleds.com wishes Jacques the very best and a speedy recovery.
For the World Championship, the qualifiers (unofficial) are: Brian Bewcyk, P.J. Wanderscheid, Dustin Wahl, Gary Moyle, Dan Fenhaus, Brandon Johnson, Matt Schultz, Dale Loritz and Brad Bettin.
Good luck to everyone! If your in the area, be sure to visit Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, where they have all kinds of new displays, a cash raffle and many other activities.
LOW SNOW? WE CAN HELP!
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
I know a few of you are suffering through low snow, but up in International Falls Minnesota (were we will be getting together for Live On Skis February 16th) They got LOTS of snow. So because we like to share, please take a minute and go for a virtual ride with Doc Jim on his custom built sled AKA “Wildfire”. Have fun and enjoy the snow!
I know a few of you are suffering through low snow, but up in International Falls Minnesota (were we will be getting together for Live On Skis February 16th) They got LOTS of snow. So because we like to share, please take a minute and go for a virtual ride with Doc Jim on his custom built sled AKA “Wildfire”. Have fun and enjoy the snow!
FIRST LONG RIDE
Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
We got even more snow here in the midwest over the last week, and during the Christmas break, I got to go play in all the white fluffy new stuff. It was perfect weather for a vintage ride. The trails were open and there was hardly any other sleds on them. Ahhhhhh. The great thing about vintage riding is all the people on the late model sleds have to look at you and give you a big “thumbs up” as you go by. Even Snowtechmagazine’s Kevin Bielke stopped one of our riders just to remind him to “go fast, turn left and look cool”.
One minor disappointment in that my sled I cleaned up for this years Live On Skis event is actually slower than the 1972 500cc TX I had for last years ride. Oh well, I still have some time to fix that.
We hope to see as many people as possible for Live On Skis this year. We have a special guest from the Make-a-Wish foundation in Forrest Hess. He’ll be riding with his family, and many of the vintagesleds.com readers have gotten together and put together a “dream list” of sleds for Forrest to take for a spin.
Early reports from International Falls, Minnesota, indicate a nice snow base and plenty of fresh new snow already – meaning the riding could be the best it has ever been, in a place where the riding is already great.
We got even more snow here in the midwest over the last week, and during the Christmas break, I got to go play in all the white fluffy new stuff. It was perfect weather for a vintage ride. The trails were open and there was hardly any other sleds on them. Ahhhhhh. The great thing about vintage riding is all the people on the late model sleds have to look at you and give you a big “thumbs up” as you go by. Even Snowtechmagazine’s Kevin Bielke stopped one of our riders just to remind him to “go fast, turn left and look cool”.
One minor disappointment in that my sled I cleaned up for this years Live On Skis event is actually slower than the 1972 500cc TX I had for last years ride. Oh well, I still have some time to fix that.
We hope to see as many people as possible for Live On Skis this year. We have a special guest from the Make-a-Wish foundation in Forrest Hess. He’ll be riding with his family, and many of the vintagesleds.com readers have gotten together and put together a “dream list” of sleds for Forrest to take for a spin.
Early reports from International Falls, Minnesota, indicate a nice snow base and plenty of fresh new snow already – meaning the riding could be the best it has ever been, in a place where the riding is already great.
GETTING SOME OF IT DONE…
Sunday, December 16th, 2007
I took my very first ride of the season yesterday. I got a different sled all cleaned up and ready to go for this years LIVE ON SKI’S, that will take place in International Falls, Minnesota, the weekend of February 16th 2008. After getting the rodent next cleaned out of the clutches, she purred like a kitten around the yard.
Once that was ready, Jim Haug and I got the final touches on the race sleds so they are all ready for test-n-tune, assuming we can find some ice next weekend. After we got everything buttoned down and cleaned off, they looked so nice I had to drag them out for a little photo session.
In the back, the 250, in the middle a 340 (both 77 clone leaf spring SnoPros), in the front, The Elmer Special RXL with a slightly updated hood.
The business end of things.
Driver Jim Haug.
I took my very first ride of the season yesterday. I got a different sled all cleaned up and ready to go for this years LIVE ON SKI’S, that will take place in International Falls, Minnesota, the weekend of February 16th 2008. After getting the rodent next cleaned out of the clutches, she purred like a kitten around the yard.
Once that was ready, Jim Haug and I got the final touches on the race sleds so they are all ready for test-n-tune, assuming we can find some ice next weekend. After we got everything buttoned down and cleaned off, they looked so nice I had to drag them out for a little photo session.
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In the back, the 250, in the middle a 340 (both 77 clone leaf spring SnoPros), in the front, The Elmer Special RXL with a slightly updated hood.
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The business end of things.
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Driver Jim Haug.
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EARLY SNOW, EARLY CRAZY VINTAGE FUN
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007
With a quick snowfall this early in the year here in the Midwest, vintage snowmobile activity is nearing it’s winter frantic rate already. Take this first photo: Greg Lahr (aka ‘Sprocket’ on the Bull Sessions) didn’t have a plow for his truck. No problem, he just welded up one to put on his Johnson. I’m not kidding. Here’s the photo:
I doubt this accessry is available for
any other brand – is it?
Elsewhere, Bull Session members got together last weekend for a bit of an impromptu show, ride and BS session at 71TXman’s home here in Minnesota. From all accounts, the event was a very good time, with some very nice sleds showing up. You can read more, see more photos and discuss the event in the Bull Sessions. Here’s a small sample of the photos from the event:
With a quick snowfall this early in the year here in the Midwest, vintage snowmobile activity is nearing it’s winter frantic rate already. Take this first photo: Greg Lahr (aka ‘Sprocket’ on the Bull Sessions) didn’t have a plow for his truck. No problem, he just welded up one to put on his Johnson. I’m not kidding. Here’s the photo:
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I doubt this accessry is available for
any other brand – is it? |
Elsewhere, Bull Session members got together last weekend for a bit of an impromptu show, ride and BS session at 71TXman’s home here in Minnesota. From all accounts, the event was a very good time, with some very nice sleds showing up. You can read more, see more photos and discuss the event in the Bull Sessions. Here’s a small sample of the photos from the event:
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AN INCONVENIENT PAUSE IN GLOBAL WARMING
Friday, December 7th, 2007
Al Gore is collecting his Nobel Peace Prize as you read this for his efforts to convince us the world is going to hell in a basket. All of us, of course are to blame, and if you listen to Al, we should all toss out our cars, trucks, snowmobiles and ATV’s and walk everywhere – or take a bicycle. Maybe get a horse – except they also expel greenhouse gasses, so no, we have to walk everywhere.
Of course Al will take a private jet or limo everywhere he goes. He’s much too important to the world to have to live by the same rules he would have us live under. However, I hear he did opt for public transportation on the way to the ceremony, to save the gas his limo would have taken up. That crazy Al, he just keeps on giving. What a guy.
But here in Minnesota it’s cold. December cold. Typical Minnesota cold. And we have snow. About a foot or so around my neck of the woods. I’d say this weather is clearly putting a big question mark in his whole theory, but I’ll leave that up to others to argue.
I’m too busy enjoying the fact that the earth has turned white and I have to wear a heavy coat every where I go. Winter’s here and the sleds are out in near full force – we are still waiting for the lakes to catch up, so a lot of trails are not open just yet.
And the vintage season gets started officially tomorrow.
Up in Beausejour Manitoba, the first race of the season gets started. Late model and vintage racers will be going head to head on the big oval. I wish I was on my way up there, but the schedule is a little hectic at the moment. All I know so far is the Wahl Brothers have a truly crazy new race sled, and Gary Moyle’s new Arctic Cat’s look outstanding.
In the vintage racing world, all I’ve heard so far is that Aaron Johnson may have his new 73 Starfire up there – if it got done in time. I’ve visited with the Smith Brothers – they’ve got 6 (yes 6) new race sleds up on stands in their new Minnesota shop, with last years Z’s and EXT’s all ready to rumble. It’s going to be a huge display of Arctic race power where ever they go. Bill Stull’s name comes up every time I talk to anyone at a performance shop – it will be interesting to see what he’s up to. Last year’s SnoPro winner Jay Sperry should have new sleds at Eagle River, and I hear he’s built some sleds for others as well. Mark Anderson will race a few classes at Ironwood and Eagle River… always fun to see Mark out there.
One of our Bull Sessions members is on his way to Beausejour and promises photos – so check back on Monday.
Speaking of the schedule – I am officially booked every weekend from tomorrow until the weekend of March 8th with vintage sled events. It’s crazy. I’m looking forward to everyone of them. I just hope the truck can keep up – she’s in getting serviced as I write this, with more work being done to it over the weekend. Hopefully, the last of the work on the sleds that started way back last spring will be completed this weekend as well.
Then the fun begins. Testing, then racing in Rock Rapids Iowa on December 29th – the first race in the 2008 Vintage SnoPro series. After that, I’m at a race or a show every weekend. I hope I can catch up with as many of you as possible. Having Polaris the featured sled at Waconia is keeping me up at night. I can’t sleep thinking about it. Rumor has it folks – and you read it here first – Bob Eastman will be bringing the Shooting Star, and Jim Bernat will be bringing his 1975 World’s Championship 650cc PDC racer – probably thee most valuable vintage race sled in existence!
Have you noticed how much the ‘mainstream’ sled and even regular press has started talking about vintage sledding? She’s picking up steam folks. This is just getting good. Last night I caught a special on a Minnesota channel about the Scorpion reunion last year. Virtually every magazine now has a vintage story or section. Radio talk shows are even mentioning us now on a regular basis.
On the website I got some fun surprises coming. You know, a lot of really great sleds are coming out of the wood work. A lot of you are building some really interesting custom sleds and putting together some really neat old riders. I want to see them all!
The next installment of my quest to identify and find the 74 Cat SnoPros is coming up early next week, there will be several more parts to the full story. After that, I will expose the 5 sleds I have been hunting down since I started this hobby. I’ve been very quiet about it now, because I didn’t want to jinx it. I was down to just one sled that I could not find, when lo and behold – it showed up in my inbox one day from a total stranger. The puzzle pieces just fell together when I saw these photos – I found all five of the original sleds. Can’t wait to tell you about it.
Grab your hats, get your boots on, dust off the camera and the video camera (this will be the year of vintagesled videos on YouTube!) and get out there and have a good time before Al Gore finds out!
Al Gore is collecting his Nobel Peace Prize as you read this for his efforts to convince us the world is going to hell in a basket. All of us, of course are to blame, and if you listen to Al, we should all toss out our cars, trucks, snowmobiles and ATV’s and walk everywhere – or take a bicycle. Maybe get a horse – except they also expel greenhouse gasses, so no, we have to walk everywhere.
Of course Al will take a private jet or limo everywhere he goes. He’s much too important to the world to have to live by the same rules he would have us live under. However, I hear he did opt for public transportation on the way to the ceremony, to save the gas his limo would have taken up. That crazy Al, he just keeps on giving. What a guy.
But here in Minnesota it’s cold. December cold. Typical Minnesota cold. And we have snow. About a foot or so around my neck of the woods. I’d say this weather is clearly putting a big question mark in his whole theory, but I’ll leave that up to others to argue.
I’m too busy enjoying the fact that the earth has turned white and I have to wear a heavy coat every where I go. Winter’s here and the sleds are out in near full force – we are still waiting for the lakes to catch up, so a lot of trails are not open just yet.
And the vintage season gets started officially tomorrow.
Up in Beausejour Manitoba, the first race of the season gets started. Late model and vintage racers will be going head to head on the big oval. I wish I was on my way up there, but the schedule is a little hectic at the moment. All I know so far is the Wahl Brothers have a truly crazy new race sled, and Gary Moyle’s new Arctic Cat’s look outstanding.
In the vintage racing world, all I’ve heard so far is that Aaron Johnson may have his new 73 Starfire up there – if it got done in time. I’ve visited with the Smith Brothers – they’ve got 6 (yes 6) new race sleds up on stands in their new Minnesota shop, with last years Z’s and EXT’s all ready to rumble. It’s going to be a huge display of Arctic race power where ever they go. Bill Stull’s name comes up every time I talk to anyone at a performance shop – it will be interesting to see what he’s up to. Last year’s SnoPro winner Jay Sperry should have new sleds at Eagle River, and I hear he’s built some sleds for others as well. Mark Anderson will race a few classes at Ironwood and Eagle River… always fun to see Mark out there.
One of our Bull Sessions members is on his way to Beausejour and promises photos – so check back on Monday.
Speaking of the schedule – I am officially booked every weekend from tomorrow until the weekend of March 8th with vintage sled events. It’s crazy. I’m looking forward to everyone of them. I just hope the truck can keep up – she’s in getting serviced as I write this, with more work being done to it over the weekend. Hopefully, the last of the work on the sleds that started way back last spring will be completed this weekend as well.
Then the fun begins. Testing, then racing in Rock Rapids Iowa on December 29th – the first race in the 2008 Vintage SnoPro series. After that, I’m at a race or a show every weekend. I hope I can catch up with as many of you as possible. Having Polaris the featured sled at Waconia is keeping me up at night. I can’t sleep thinking about it. Rumor has it folks – and you read it here first – Bob Eastman will be bringing the Shooting Star, and Jim Bernat will be bringing his 1975 World’s Championship 650cc PDC racer – probably thee most valuable vintage race sled in existence!
Have you noticed how much the ‘mainstream’ sled and even regular press has started talking about vintage sledding? She’s picking up steam folks. This is just getting good. Last night I caught a special on a Minnesota channel about the Scorpion reunion last year. Virtually every magazine now has a vintage story or section. Radio talk shows are even mentioning us now on a regular basis.
On the website I got some fun surprises coming. You know, a lot of really great sleds are coming out of the wood work. A lot of you are building some really interesting custom sleds and putting together some really neat old riders. I want to see them all!
The next installment of my quest to identify and find the 74 Cat SnoPros is coming up early next week, there will be several more parts to the full story. After that, I will expose the 5 sleds I have been hunting down since I started this hobby. I’ve been very quiet about it now, because I didn’t want to jinx it. I was down to just one sled that I could not find, when lo and behold – it showed up in my inbox one day from a total stranger. The puzzle pieces just fell together when I saw these photos – I found all five of the original sleds. Can’t wait to tell you about it.
Grab your hats, get your boots on, dust off the camera and the video camera (this will be the year of vintagesled videos on YouTube!) and get out there and have a good time before Al Gore finds out!