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Hey Larry, Mick Fesko here again … finally got a chance to go looking for the pictures from the 1975 World Series I took … found some of them, and thought I’d pass them along … the weather was not very good for sled racing, as you can see in these pictures … it pretty much sucked! … it was warm, and they trucked in what little snow they could find in the area, and mixed it with chemicals just to get this race weekend in … pretty pitiful, not to put too fine a word on it … In case your wondering, my family was a Moto-Ski dealer from 1971 till 1978, so that’s why there are so many Sonic shots .. Thanks for sharing Mick! |
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"Team Deckers 340 Sonic Mod sled they ran against the Factory PDC
sleds .. I think Steve Decker was the rider." |
"Team Deckers 340 Sonic Mod with the hood off ( notice Jim Bernat’s
Factory Polaris right beside them )."" |
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"Steve Decker crosses the finish line in the 340 PDC race with the 340
Sonic" |
"340 Sonic of Moto-Ski dealer DG Wheeler of East Syracuse, NY and rider Jim Fonger."
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"Larry Coltom heads out on the Factory Cat."
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340 Sonic of Ski-Doo/Moto-ski dealer Morse-Collins of Ithaca, NY and rider Jim Dries.
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"The 340 PDC sleds on the line."
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"Turns 1 & 2 of the 340 PDC race."
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" I believe this is Team Abolds 250 Mod Z and rider Ron Hall after the
fight." |
"The Kalamazoo Engineering Rupp Magnums of Sammy Sessions"
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"Jim Fonger and the Sonic, all clean and ready for a mud bath!"
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"The Factory Sno-Twisters of Stan & Doug Hayes."
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Archive for the ‘Vintage Photos’ Category
Mick Fesko 1975 PDC Race Photos
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Dave Schark Photos (Boss Cats)
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Never before published photos from Dave Schark
1970 speed run sled that was run by Dale Cormicion in 1970
The Boss Cat pictures I are believe to have been taken near Cat’s home town of Thief River Falls Minnesota.
The Boss Cat was destroyed many years ago and is gone for all time.
Never before published photos from Dave Schark
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| 1970 speed run sled that was run by Dale Cormicion in 1970 |
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| The Boss Cat pictures I are believe to have been taken near Cat’s home town of Thief River Falls Minnesota. |
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| The Boss Cat was destroyed many years ago and is gone for all time. |
Rare Photos From Loren Anderson
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
These photos where sent in by Loren Anderson of Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame. – thanks for sharing Loren!
"Hi guys…..here are some slides (recently discovered) converted to digital from my farm in Williams Bay when we built the oval to the specs of ER’s new Lions Club track on Hwy 45. It includes Dick Kraft (now deceased) with me and the MannBros crew from their highway building company out of Elkorn, WI. There are also some random shots of us racing at the Walworth County Fairgrouds (on dirt) and oth other SWSRA events on my 72 Blizzards………….even a shot of me wrenching on one!
Other shots were at the Green Bay snow show when the new Blizzards were shown and also note the great shots of the Boss Cat and other speed sleds at that show…………..Ski-Doo had just signed us to race and change from Rupp. We later went to Duluth to pick up 6 Blizzards! (2 each of 440, 650 and 800)
Ahh the good old days……….Loren."
You can say thanks by buying supporting thee snowmobile hall of fame.
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These photos where sent in by Loren Anderson of Thee Snowmobile Hall of Fame. – thanks for sharing Loren! "Hi guys…..here are some slides (recently discovered) converted to digital from my farm in Williams Bay when we built the oval to the specs of ER’s new Lions Club track on Hwy 45. It includes Dick Kraft (now deceased) with me and the MannBros crew from their highway building company out of Elkorn, WI. There are also some random shots of us racing at the Walworth County Fairgrouds (on dirt) and oth other SWSRA events on my 72 Blizzards………….even a shot of me wrenching on one! You can say thanks by buying supporting thee snowmobile hall of fame. |
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1979 I-500 Photos
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Dean Larson sent in a whole pile of these really great photos from the 1979 I-500 Winnipeg to St. Paul Race. Note how many brands are well represented, from Scorpion, to Ski-Doo, Cat, Polaris and Kawasaki. If you can’t get enough and want to read some GREAT cross-country stories, I encourage your to read through this thread on Bull Sessions. It contains some more great photos and great stories from a lot of the great people who lived the experience that I’m sure you’ll be reading it contstantly like I have been.
Enjoy! And if your in Princeton this weekend, please stop by and say hello! We’ll have some surprises in the tent for visitors!
Dean Larson sent in a whole pile of these really great photos from the 1979 I-500 Winnipeg to St. Paul Race. Note how many brands are well represented, from Scorpion, to Ski-Doo, Cat, Polaris and Kawasaki. If you can’t get enough and want to read some GREAT cross-country stories, I encourage your to read through this thread on Bull Sessions. It contains some more great photos and great stories from a lot of the great people who lived the experience that I’m sure you’ll be reading it contstantly like I have been.
Enjoy! And if your in Princeton this weekend, please stop by and say hello! We’ll have some surprises in the tent for visitors!
A Couple of Random Photos
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Here’s just a couple of quick cool photos from Mark Anderson’s private stash. Both were taken in the pits at Ironwood, Michigan, December of 1976.
Note the super sexy 77 440 leafer Polaris SnoPro in the background of both. Hard to decide if that, the Cat or the IFS Doo is cooler looking!
Bobby Elsner getting psyched up before a race.
Here’s just a couple of quick cool photos from Mark Anderson’s private stash. Both were taken in the pits at Ironwood, Michigan, December of 1976.
Note the super sexy 77 440 leafer Polaris SnoPro in the background of both. Hard to decide if that, the Cat or the IFS Doo is cooler looking!
Bobby Elsner getting psyched up before a race.
Mark Anderson Photo Collection
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
I’ll let the photos do the talking… these were all shot by Vintage SnoPro Champ Mark Anderson’s dad way back in the day. Good thing he was there and good with a camera. My thanks to Mark for sharing.
1977 Ski-Doo SnoPro racers.
Note Jon Berard in the ARMY leathers.
Do you know who he is talking to?
Abraham’s Twister trailer. Click on the photo
to see the special prayer on the back.
1977 Pabst Racing.
Drivers Jeff May and John Wiesner.
Al Sterns on his hot rod Yamaha. I got a
chance to talk with Al at Eagle River last year.
Man has this guy got great racing stories!
340 77 Kawasaki SnoPro. Note the tunnel –
has to be a Sno*Jet tunnel don’t you think?
Lined up and ready to race in Ironwood, Michigan.
One of the first photos of the 1977 Kawasaki’s
when they made their debut in International
Falls Minnesota in December of 1976.
That’s a very young Mark Anderson on his
first 1973 Polaris Starfire. He owns this one
to this day. Mark went on to be a two-time
Vintage SnoPro champ driving three special
73 Starfires that he hand built.
I’ll let the photos do the talking… these were all shot by Vintage SnoPro Champ Mark Anderson’s dad way back in the day. Good thing he was there and good with a camera. My thanks to Mark for sharing.
1977 Ski-Doo SnoPro racers.
Note Jon Berard in the ARMY leathers.
Do you know who he is talking to?
Abraham’s Twister trailer. Click on the photo
to see the special prayer on the back.
1977 Pabst Racing.
Drivers Jeff May and John Wiesner.
Al Sterns on his hot rod Yamaha. I got a
chance to talk with Al at Eagle River last year.
Man has this guy got great racing stories!
340 77 Kawasaki SnoPro. Note the tunnel –
has to be a Sno*Jet tunnel don’t you think?
Lined up and ready to race in Ironwood, Michigan.
One of the first photos of the 1977 Kawasaki’s
when they made their debut in International
Falls Minnesota in December of 1976.
That’s a very young Mark Anderson on his
first 1973 Polaris Starfire. He owns this one
to this day. Mark went on to be a two-time
Vintage SnoPro champ driving three special
73 Starfires that he hand built.
Random Race Photos on a Hot Summer Day
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
It’s hot outside… approaching 100 degrees with humidity so thick you can feel it splitting as you walk through. What better way to cool off than with a few random pictures from yesterday and today of old race sleds?
Click on any photo to see a larger version.
First up is this starting line photo from the race in Boonville, New York last winter. This was sent in by Marcel Fontaine, who does outstanding updates on all the Eastern racing every year.
Next one was sent in by Greg Karbowski. The sled is owned by Pat Erskine, a major support of vintage racing in Michigan. Note the all-too-true bumper sticker on the rear end.
These shots were sent in by someone who wants to remain anonymous. This is the full line up of the Decker Racing team’s Ski-Doos heading into 1982. Note the giant garage wall of extra race motors. Care to take a guess on the value of those today?
It’s hot outside… approaching 100 degrees with humidity so thick you can feel it splitting as you walk through. What better way to cool off than with a few random pictures from yesterday and today of old race sleds?
Click on any photo to see a larger version.
First up is this starting line photo from the race in Boonville, New York last winter. This was sent in by Marcel Fontaine, who does outstanding updates on all the Eastern racing every year.
Next one was sent in by Greg Karbowski. The sled is owned by Pat Erskine, a major support of vintage racing in Michigan. Note the all-too-true bumper sticker on the rear end.
These shots were sent in by someone who wants to remain anonymous. This is the full line up of the Decker Racing team’s Ski-Doos heading into 1982. Note the giant garage wall of extra race motors. Care to take a guess on the value of those today?
Jon Berard Classic Race Shots
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
If you were a race fan back in the day, you’ll recall the name Jon Berard as having been a race driver – most notably for the ARMY race team. Jon has recently gotten into this whole vintage thing, and started digging through his old pictures. I should mention he is a photographer now. Good thing he had the camera back then, because these are some rare shots. My thanks to Jon for sending them in.
First up is this photo of Bob Elsner shortly befor he became part of the Arctic Cat factroy team. This shot was taken after winning the big race in Shawano, Wisconsin and $1,000!
The guy about to go off the track is Hollas Zockie (badly mispelled?) #10, a great racer from Oskosh Wi. Note the crude looking Blizzard behind him. Possibly at Neenah Wisconsin.
The big accident at the Milwaukee Mile in I believe, 1974. So many sleds were totaled in that one accident! It was huge – yet this is one of very few pictures of the twisted wreckage and carnage from that day. Jon dropped off a couple more that can be seen at the Hall of Fame in St. Germain.
This lovely lady is Jon’s wife. She was racing right along side him. Behind her is Dick Bahr, who worked his motor magic for the Hayes boys for most of thier career, including Stan Haye’s 74 SnoPro championship, and for both Stan and Doug at Mercury. One of the kids on the right is none other than Al Fenhaus who would go on to be an Eagle River champ.
Side note: When Al was 11 years old, he helped Bobby Donahue pull an all nighter fixing his stock 338 Yamaha after Bobby totaled it in turn one. Yamaha flew up a tub from Chicago to Eagle River and they worked all night, had the sled ready to go by 8:00 AM.
When Al was about 7 or 8 his Dad (Elroy Jr.) had him break in his 340 mod Polaris in the back yard. When Al was 12, John Dittbrender (USSA champion 1976) had Al break in his 340 liquid stock Merc. Al and Jon would race up and down the corn field breaking in the sleds. He had the 340, Jon had a 440. Jon says that little schiester would pass him in the corners with a non studded 340. Very talented individual.
That’s Sno*Jet great Jim Adeam, about to put a whoopn’ on that poor Snow-Twister.
If you were a race fan back in the day, you’ll recall the name Jon Berard as having been a race driver – most notably for the ARMY race team. Jon has recently gotten into this whole vintage thing, and started digging through his old pictures. I should mention he is a photographer now. Good thing he had the camera back then, because these are some rare shots. My thanks to Jon for sending them in.
First up is this photo of Bob Elsner shortly befor he became part of the Arctic Cat factroy team. This shot was taken after winning the big race in Shawano, Wisconsin and $1,000!
The guy about to go off the track is Hollas Zockie (badly mispelled?) #10, a great racer from Oskosh Wi. Note the crude looking Blizzard behind him. Possibly at Neenah Wisconsin.
The big accident at the Milwaukee Mile in I believe, 1974. So many sleds were totaled in that one accident! It was huge – yet this is one of very few pictures of the twisted wreckage and carnage from that day. Jon dropped off a couple more that can be seen at the Hall of Fame in St. Germain.
This lovely lady is Jon’s wife. She was racing right along side him. Behind her is Dick Bahr, who worked his motor magic for the Hayes boys for most of thier career, including Stan Haye’s 74 SnoPro championship, and for both Stan and Doug at Mercury. One of the kids on the right is none other than Al Fenhaus who would go on to be an Eagle River champ.
Side note: When Al was 11 years old, he helped Bobby Donahue pull an all nighter fixing his stock 338 Yamaha after Bobby totaled it in turn one. Yamaha flew up a tub from Chicago to Eagle River and they worked all night, had the sled ready to go by 8:00 AM.
When Al was about 7 or 8 his Dad (Elroy Jr.) had him break in his 340 mod Polaris in the back yard. When Al was 12, John Dittbrender (USSA champion 1976) had Al break in his 340 liquid stock Merc. Al and Jon would race up and down the corn field breaking in the sleds. He had the 340, Jon had a 440. Jon says that little schiester would pass him in the corners with a non studded 340. Very talented individual.
That’s Sno*Jet great Jim Adeam, about to put a whoopn’ on that poor Snow-Twister.
West Yellowstone 1970 Photos – Featuring the Mythical Polaris "NX"
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Ken Jacobson sent in some more classic, really fascinating pictures from West Yellowstone in 1970. Some how as a young man, Ken figured out to take pictures of the really interesting stuff and save it for decades… pretty cool.
First up is a sled only mentioned in legend and rumors. The ill-fated Polaris NX. Yes, an NX. It was to be the new “Colt” but early testing was not so good. Even though many of the parts went into production, the sled itself never made it that far. Years ago while digging through Bud McCullums salvage yard, I found all kinds of parts for the NX, but until today I never seen a complete sled. There is one in Roseau I hear…
Update: I’ve been informed that this is not likely to be the NX. I’m hoping to get some photos soon.
This fellow is a 69 racer… with a twist. That’s one of the first new “Star” engines in the one labeled 567B. The motor did not set the world on fire that day in West Yellowstone. But twins and triples that would follow sure would.
That’s just Bob Eastman relaxing before he goes out and stomps on the other 800’s 650’s at West Yellowstone in 1970.
My thanks again to Ken Jacobsen for sharing these really great photos!
Ken Jacobson sent in some more classic, really fascinating pictures from West Yellowstone in 1970. Some how as a young man, Ken figured out to take pictures of the really interesting stuff and save it for decades… pretty cool.
First up is a sled only mentioned in legend and rumors. The ill-fated Polaris NX. Yes, an NX. It was to be the new “Colt” but early testing was not so good. Even though many of the parts went into production, the sled itself never made it that far. Years ago while digging through Bud McCullums salvage yard, I found all kinds of parts for the NX, but until today I never seen a complete sled. There is one in Roseau I hear…
Update: I’ve been informed that this is not likely to be the NX. I’m hoping to get some photos soon.
This fellow is a 69 racer… with a twist. That’s one of the first new “Star” engines in the one labeled 567B. The motor did not set the world on fire that day in West Yellowstone. But twins and triples that would follow sure would.
That’s just Bob Eastman relaxing before he goes out and stomps on the other 800’s 650’s at West Yellowstone in 1970.
My thanks again to Ken Jacobsen for sharing these really great photos!
DON MERIT PHOTO
Friday, December 8th, 2006
72tx340 was one of the first guys to hop on the Bull Sessions and contribute fast and furious to the fun there. he disappeared for awhile, tending to the loss of his father, Don Merritt.
I didn’t know Don, but his son posted a link to their family website. I;d never seen it before, but Don was quite a fan of vintage snowmobiles. I found this photo from his website. I don’t know the story behind it but WOW! What a shot!
Wow! Does that make you want to go for a ride or what?
72tx340 was one of the first guys to hop on the Bull Sessions and contribute fast and furious to the fun there. he disappeared for awhile, tending to the loss of his father, Don Merritt.
I didn’t know Don, but his son posted a link to their family website. I;d never seen it before, but Don was quite a fan of vintage snowmobiles. I found this photo from his website. I don’t know the story behind it but WOW! What a shot!
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Wow! Does that make you want to go for a ride or what?
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