05/01/2006
UNUSUAL POLARIS JUGS
God bless Ebay. You just never know what will show up on that wacky, wacky ebay. Here we see a fine example. This are clearly the largest Polaris jugs I have ever seen. The bidding on them is very low, probably because these jugs seems to very large, and very unusual for some vintage Polaris snowmobile.

UPDATE: I'm told I made a mistake on the ebay items above. Apparently, there is a T-shirt for sale. I don't see it, but everyone tells me it's there.

Manta SnoPro

04/27/2006
CLASSIC SHOT
This one is also from 1976, I believe. One of the Manta SnoPros in the pits.

BULL SESSIONS
If any of you have been following some of the threads on the Bull Sessions, you've see some pretty heated and emotional debates going on in the past couple of weeks.

Most of the posts were great! Well thought out, rational, lively debate. However, many posts had to be deleted - including some of mine.

When some of the posts got deleted, the people that put them up got very upset and starting accusing me or the site admin, Doc Jim, of deleting posts just because we did not agree with the content of the post.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If you go re-read many of the posts, you'll see there is all kinds of stuff I do not agree with, and many comments directed at me that are, shall we say, less then flattering. They were left up because the author put their name down, didn't swear, and was contributing to the conversation, no matter what I thought of it. If you think some of the ones left up are bad, you should have seen some of the ones that were deleted. Holy moly Batman. It's been kind of a wake up call.

The ones that were already deleted either: Contained foul language, made no sense what so ever (drinking and responding to messages is probably not a good thing!), was nothing except a personal attack on someone, was WAY off topic, or was posted by someone that did not put their name up (also known as an Anonymous Coward, a phrase that is used all over to describe people who put inflammatory remarks on a site, but do not post their name), or some combination of the above. Period. No other considerations were given in a decision to delete a post.

Some polls were deleted as well. I tried to explain to everyone that the polls are easily manipulated, so what is the point on poll about a real issue people care about? But we let some run anyway, and sure enough some people starting registering over, and over and over and over again so they could "vote" on the poll. Not only does this make the poll result complete nonsense, but it is also somewhat taxing on the site and makes managing it really annoying. Of course, I was immediately accused of deleting a poll because it wasn't "going my way", if it was or not.

We are trying to make the Bull Sessions a fun, entertaining and lively place to hang out. When it turns sour, no one likes it. But when used well, it can be a very valuable part of the hobby for everyone - free of charge. Most of the posts on there are very well thought out, reasoned, rational and very smart. That's the way we'd like to keep it.

But we need your help.

One of Bobby Elsner's SnoPros

04/24/2006
CLASSIC SHOTS
Yet another shot - this one also from Alexandria, Minnesota, December of 1976. Bobby Elsner's 7 SnoPro just before it got steamed over by the Midnight blue Express. Arctic would go on to buil their own IFS sleds in just a couple of weeks - from scratch!

04/21/2006
YOU GOT ANSWERS
Yesterday I asked what we all know about the 76 Merc SnoPros. Here's the first response (thanks Joe!)

I ended up with 1 of Stans #5 sno pros back in 86. Bought it from a guy up in northern WI who shipped it to me in Vermont. I put it back to original with a 440 free air mod. The chassis was in good shape as was the skis and track. The hood was a different story all bondo and fiberglass from its many wars on the track. But still had stans markings on the inside of the hood. I sold it to Jim Marston in Oakland Maine. Have not heard what was done with the sled or where it is since then.......JOE PAYEA

The 76 Merc SnoPros, St. Paul MN

04/20/2006
CLASSIC SHOTS
So guess how many 1976 Merc Snopros were driven by Stan and Doug Hayes? Could one assume there was also some spares? Are all these sleds accounted for? I'm pretty sure Bob at Image Enterprises has one or two of them? Didn't Lee Frederickson have a couple at ome time? As I recall Jeff Biddescombe raced some of these in 1977 correct? What else do we know bout them?

I always liked the looks of these sleds, although the 75 with the free-air motors sticking out of the hoods were awesome as well. Nothing says "Hayes Brothers" like the Merc SnoPros.

Outting up the shot of the Goodwin sled was really interesting. I got all kinds of great email with really good information about the sled. Thus, I was able to edit the post from the 17th about the sled and arrive at a much better understanding of it. For example did you know the paint scheme came from the fact that they were to be sponsored by Diet Coke? If you think back to the cans of that time, you can understand the reason for the stripes. Plus they just look racy don't they?

So lets tackle these classic Merc SnoPros guys. What do we know about them?

04/17/2006
CLASSIC SHOTS
While we are on a Ski-Doo theme from yesterday, here's the commercial sewing twin tracker - originally driven by Greg Goodwin in 1991. Rumor has it This sled has recently arrived at the home of a well known Ski-Doo restoration guy - Kurt Krueger and is on its way back to looking as good as it did here in its glory days. The picture was taken in Eagle River, I don't remember what year. Maybe some else does? in 1993 when Al Fenhous drove for Goodwins and won. Thanks to Loren Anderson at the Hall of Fame and Kurt Krueger for the info!

76 Ski-Doo SnoPros

04/17/2006
CLASSIC SHOTS
Just another shot out of the stash. This one is from St. Paul Minnesota in 1976. It's alwasy good to find photos of the old race sleds with the hood off. If you blow this one up, you get some pretty nice detail of what's going on under that hood.

Sammy Sessions 1976 SnoPro machines

04/16/2006
CLASSIC SHOTS
A couple of more from my private stash of photos. These are the late Sammy Sessions 1976 SnoPro sleds - thinly disguised Merc Snow-Twisters he campaigned for Kalamazoo Engineering that year. These shots beg the question: What ever happened to any of Sammy's sleds? I have never seen or heard of one that exists today - from his 74 SnoPro handbuilts, to the 75 Super-Rupps, to these 76 twisters, to the 77 & 78 Ski-Doos. Has anyone else seen them? Has anyone contacted Chuck from Kalamazoo engineering to see if they know what happened to them. Any of them would surely be a great addition to the Hall of Fame collection!

Speaking of the Hall of Fame - contact them now if you want to get in on the cash raffle they have going on. Only $200 tickets to be sold for a prize of $7,500.00! Drawing to be held at the Classic Sled Roundup on May 28th!. It's for a good cause.

Leroy Lindblad on Jerry Bunke's 77 250cc SnoPro, Alexandria, Minnesota, December of 1976.

04/14/2006
CLASSIC SHOT
Out of my private stash of photos - this is legendary Leroy Lindblad in 1977. After racing for Ski-Doo in 1976, he was welcomed back to the Polaris family, and worked hard to help make 1977 the best season the Polaris Factory Team ever had. Leroy is pictured here in Alexandria, Minnesota in December of 1976, driving Jerry Bunke's 1977 250cc SnoPro back to the pits after a long day of raci ng.

This is one of the very first races with the new IFS SnoPros, so this photo tells a lot about what the machines were like originally, or at least early in the season.

04/13/2006
GLOBAL WARMING - HOW DO VINTAGE SLED HEADS FEEL ABOUT IT?
Getting into the global warming debate can be a sticky mess. Both sides have a near religious like need to believe they are correct about it. I would think that most vintage sledders are not buying the doomsday scenario that is often in the headlines. Turns out, when I talk to many of you, the lame winters we've endured over the last 5-10 years have many convinced it is true. Or do you? Has "The Sky is Falling" type of headlines just drown out other opinions?

For myself, I always wonder who is behind the arguments - who gains of we all believe it is true? Who gains if it is not? Who loses or wins in either scenario? Does anyone profit by merely making the argument that global warming is real? Does anyone profit by arguing that the lame winters are a natural cycle?

One thing is for sure - if it is proven beyond any doubt that global warming is happening, and that it is caused by our activity - snowmobiles will be one of the first things regulated into museums of fossil fuel use.

Want to discuss more? Visit the Bull Sessions and make your opinion known!

BUTCH JERGENS
This came in today as a nice memorial about vintage guy - Butch Jergens, from his friend David Vande Berg:

Butch: I think back 10 years ago to Pine Lake MN. I had planned on making a comeback into sled racing. Butch and I took my motor home and battled a blizzard all the way there from Flandreau SD. Once we got to registration we found out that 300 other racers were crazy enough to make the same trip. The only ones not crazy enough were the race organizers!

Saturday during practice I noticed (I had been road racing cars since stopping sled racing in 89) that there was not any corner workers or assistance on the 13 mile lake/road course. It also occurred to me how dangerous a line abreast start of 10 to 15 sled was on a cross country. Well racing started even though is was like 15 below. Organization and visibility was at a all time low. Yet every minute another group of 10 to 15 sled lined up and blasted into the dense snow dust.

Butch and I sat in my motor home in awe of the poor conditions. Before long, a single sled came bombing across the lake sliding to a stop at the ambulance. The driver waving his hand franticly, then the EMT jumping on the sled with the race and heading out across the lake. Soon racing was suspended for the day, as we found out the a 16 year old boy had died racing in the poor conditions.

Since it was obvious that the organizers didn't know anything about safety or organization. I decided to withdrawal and just go home. On the way home Butch told me how glad and relieved he was that I decided not to participate. We got home late that night. Happy with life, our trip, and the best of friends.

Later that summer I won a national championship SCCA car race in Atlanta. I have not attempted nor had the urge to race sleds since. We all have to weigh the risks we take in life. It is good to know that friends like Butch judge you for who you are and not what you can do. I spent many winters on the Sioux River by Flandreau, SD. riding with Butch and Gwen. These memories are some of the best anyone could hope for.

I called him a month before his death and we talked at length about my vintage sled projects. He was very excited about seeing them this summer. When they are complete, the Polaris ones will say in memory of Butch.

God speed my friend.
David Vande Berg

Joe Harrington's 440 Z - winner of 7 out of 10 finals in New York. Note the bump on the hood to make room for the Aaen pipes!

04/12/2006
NEW YORK CAT
On 3/22 we showed a picture of a nice looking Z, complete with an interesting bump in the hood. Turns out that Z not only looks good, she cooks. Joe (no last name given) sent in a email to let me know the sled won 7 out of 10 races last year and finished 2nd in the other 3! That's an awesome record, considering there was a total of 10 sleds in his class!

It's good to hear about racing out East, we really don't get to see or hear much about it here in the Midwest. Do they have a web site? Mmmmm.

Speaking of vintage racing... We added four new DVDs to the store. Raw, uncut professionally shot coverage of Wolf Lake Outlaw races on March 6th 2005, February 5th, and February 12th 2006, as well as SLEDS race in Glenwood, MN. on February 11th, 2006. Fun footage of some nice looking and really fast sleds. The March 5 2005 DVD contains rare footage of the 1,000cc Johnson Rampage - you have to see and hear that sled - it's awesome!

04/10/2006
TERRY HOFFMAN UPDATE
Just to refresh your memory, Terry Hoffman was the FORMER director of the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America (VSCA). Terry ran into some trouble with the law and sold the VSCA to the current management, who are doing a great job with the magazine. Well, one of our vintagelseds.com readers caught a story in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune from April 7th. Terry has been sentenced to 8 years in prison, and will have to pay $122,000, and still has to stand trial in June on a dozen counts of stolen property. From 2001 to 2004 Hoffman admitted to stealing about 14 vehicles in South Dakota and Minnesota. See the story on startribune.com.

04/06/2006 PART II
REALLY GOOFY WEB SITE
Okay, not vintage sled related, but if you've ever been in a band, or were a big fan (or critic) of big hair 1980's style heavy rock-n-roll, you will laugh you butt off at this site - if you've ever played guitar, or would like to learn - this site is a must. Guitar Shred Show.com. Follow the instructions, and work your way to the final jam. Enjoy.

04/06/2006
BUTCH JURGENS PASSES AWAY
Sad news to learn today that vintage restoration/collector guy Butch Jurgens of Flandreau South Dakota, passed away April 4th in a hospital in Alabama. Butch had been battling lung cancer, and was in the hospital all of February. He is survived by his wife Gwen and two daughters. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but a memorial is in the planning. The memorial will be April 13th, Our Redemmer Luthern CHurch, Flandreau, South Dakota, 9:00 AM to 10:30 visitation, Memorial service at 11:00 AM. You can email Randy Pistulka for more information.

Many, many of us who got into this hobby a few years ago know who Butch is. He restored Starfires & TX's, and helped almost all of us find and restore a ton of sleds. Butch sold off all of his sleds in about 2000, Bud McCallum got some of them, and collector Steve Rothfork had some of them. Butch always went to the big shows in Granstburg, Haydays, Milbank, Waconia and more.

I met Butch at the show in Milbank, South Dakota several years back and found a kindred spirit in his love of the history of sport, in particular Polaris and Polaris racing. Butch had said he thought about writing a book about it. By the end of the conversation he was requesting me to write that book. I was honored, flattered and inspired.

It's on the way Butch.

Troy Moore's latest: 1974 Polaris 340cc Replica Rider.

04/05/2006
TROY MOORE STRIKES AGAIN!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Troy Moore stands out as one of the best in a small group of some of the best restoration guys in the hobby. His latest is an exciting addition to his collection of work he has done over the year.

Troy built a 1974 340cc replica Polaris SnoPro that not only looks cool - he intends to take her for a ride as well.

04/03/2006
JACQUES VILLENUEVE - RACER OF THE YEAR
Interesting discussion going on over on the SnowWeek forum suggesting Jacques Villenueve as the SnowWeek racer of the year.

Let me first say openly to Mr. Villenueve - My deepest apologies for last year suggesting that you really needed to hang it up before you hurt someone. I was wrong, I'd like nothing more then to now take my foot back out of my mouth, and kick my own butt for such a dumb posting.

This year Jacques really dominated the rest if the field and proved he deserves every high five and "atta-boy" he gets. He's been racing ovals professionally since 1974. Think of that: he started 34 years ago and just had one of his best years ever.

Just one thing Jacque - any way we can convert you away from the dark side and get you to race a Polaris?

Note to the Hall of Fame: When is Jacques year to get inducted? ;-)

DANICA REPORT
Danica finished 6th in last weeks race. I watched most of it, but was very confused when the cars kept turning right. Then they would do what they are supposed to do and turn left again. Then right again? No good. It's "Turn LEFT, go fast, look cool". Anyway, our girl did good and I look forward to the next race.

3/28/2006
VINTAGE RACING EXPANDS TO SWEDEN!
Johan Lindgren emailed in these links to a discussion board in Sweden talking about an outlaw vintage race near the city of Umeâ Sweden in January and again in March of this year. In the pictures and video, you can see Swedish racing star Fredrik Holmgren on his 73 Yamaha SR. Many of you will remember that Fredrik came to the US to race ovals in 1978 and 1979.

Click here to see the bulletin board photos, and here to see more. Click here for the first video (Windows AVI file) and here for the second video (Windows AVI file). Thank you Johan!

3/27/2006
WANT TO RIDE THE WINNEPEG TO ST. PAUL I-500?
Plans are being discussed to "re-create" the famed 500 mile Winnipeg to St. Paul race as more of a "timed ride" on vintage sleds, maybe as early as next winter. Would you be interested in such a thing, either as a rider or as a volunteer? If so, contact Kevin Lehse to learn more!

3/27/2006
HEY DANICA...
We're thinking about Paul, you and the team. Hope to see you back on the track soon. From her web site: " Team Danica would like to ask everyone to keep Paul Dana's family in your thoughts and prayers after the tragedy this morning. Danica and her other teammate Buddy Rice will not compete today as a result of what happened to Paul..."

DANICA'S NEW WEB SITE
Danica's web site got a whole new look. Most good, some bad. Designed for a younger audience. Lots of moving things, music, videos, incomprehensible navigation and lots of time looking at things as they are loading. She's got a news section and a blog... Last blog entry: March 9th, talking about her new commercial for Secret deodarant. There is a store with some pretty nice Danica gear. Take a look at danicaracing.com.

3/24/2006
SURFIN' SAFARI
To help out with your surfin' and looking for vintage snowmobile stuff all over the globe, tonight I thought I'd point out some of the more obscure (but interesting) vintage sleds sites I've dug up. Actually, I found most of these sites because they are using materials off of this site or the old smakk.com site without permission. But hey - they swiped he stuff because they love old sleds. So hopefully when they see their site listed here, they will be kind enough to give proper credit on the photos and link back to the 'ol vintagesleds.com site, if they have not already.

First up: Vintagesno.tk This site does not ay who it is authored by, but it has some good photos of Ski-Doo SnoPro stuff and a bunch of shots of all the other brands, some restoration tips, and more. Fun site to explore.

Next is Doug Hakal's site called "Free-Air Ski-Doo's" - with a GREAT bunch of details on the story behind the 74 Ski-Doo SnoPros that never raced - including dyno details!

Doug describes the site as "The following web pages present the unofficial history of Bombardier's Rotax-powered free-air cooled Ski-Doo's. Included is information on production race sleds, consumer sleds, one-off factory built prototype racers and speed machines. I've organized these pages by the model years in which free-air sleds were produced, 1970 to 1978. The model year 1970 for example referring to machines manufactured in the fall of 1969 and ridden in the winter of 1969-1970."

Get another cup of coffee before visiting this site. YOu'll be glued to the computer for hours.

Blake Read's Snojet.com has been around for a long time, and if your a Sno*Jet guy, I'm sure you've visited. But for our new vintagesleds.com readers, this is simply the best resource on the net for SnoJet information, and just fun reading on it's own. Of particular note are the sections on Jim Adema & the history behind the Thunderjet.

And the last one for today: The Boss Cat Legacy site by Stephen knox. This is the best history of the Boss Cats I've ever seen - and it also covers the big drag sleds by the other guys.

3/22/2006
RESTORED ROUNDUP
Catching up on things in the inbox, I found these interesting restorations from all over North America. Some have wondered in recent months if restorations have slowed down - not at all! Granted, some of the long time heavy hitter restoration guys are taking long and well deserved breaks, the vacuum is being quickly filled by new talent from Quebec to Seattle. Here are some examples.

"Hi all. My name is Edmund Vigneault and I live in Windsor Vermont. I have been in love with cats all my life and have restored a handful of common Cats. Now I have a few that are not so common that I am working on.

I would like to thank all that had helped me in my newest restoration. You all know who You are and I am vary thankful for all the help in finding parts and all the knowledge shared.

This is a clone built to as close as possible spec's.

Thanks Ed Vigneault"

Thank you Ed, and I'll bet it's a fun ride!

This one came in an email with no return address - just the name "Sarah".

"This is my baby. it a 76 Z that i restored the best that my brother and i can.. we live in New York so parts for the Z are not really available."

Looks good! Although I'd have to ask - it looks as though this picture was taken on a race track. I have to assume you did a little vintage racing this year? How did she run??

As for parts - not a day goes by that someone doesn't email me to tell me they found or sold what they were looking for on the Classifieds section. So if in the future you need some stuff - the Classifieds are always available!

Next we have a color that we just don't see enough on vintagesleds.com - ORANGE! Brad Birgy sent in his collection of AMF Ski-Daddlers.

"HI, I am Brad Birgy and I have a small collection of AMF Ski Daddlers. You never see many of these sleds around so I thought it would be neat to see them here. I have been collecting and restoring them for 2 years. I grew up riding these sleds and everyone in our neighborhood owned one, the dealer lived close buy. so I have been collecting and restoring all the models that I can remember that where in the neighborhood.

Right now I have a 1972 xx1300, 1972 xx1340, 1971 mark5, 1971 mark3 and a 1969 mark26. Right now I am getting ready to start restoring a 1971 xx1650 with a 650 red barron motor. I know these where not the pride of the snowmobile world but these are a part of snowmobile history . Thanks Brad Birgy."

Thank you Brad for preserving part of snowmobiling's rich history.

3/16/2006
2006 Jerry Bunke Memorial Winner - Howard Gifford
Howard Gifford of Ottawa Ontario, riding an early 80's Ski-Doo IFS SnoPro will go down as the first ever winner of the new Jerry Bunke memorial award at the historic Beausejour race track. Howard won $1,000 dollars for his efforts. Duncan Ried of Beausejour was second, followed by Gary Peltola of Thunder Bay Ontario.

Howard Gifford (inside) and Duncan Ried battle it out. Photo by Hughes Photo.

Posted by Howard in the Bull Sessions: "I think that the 340 races were the most fun I have had in years. Duncan [Ried] and I were ski to ski for 3 laps and only my extra cooling let me pull away late in the race. Vintage racing is the best bang for the buck and I encourage all you guys with vintage sleds in your barn or in your basements as coffee tables to get them dusted off and fired up cause vintage racing is alive and well!

The Jerry Bunke Memorial challenge is a great honor for me to win since he was one of my early heroes. I was awe inspired when I saw Brad Hulings, Steve Thorsen and Jerry Bunke pull on the track with their midnight blue express. Jerry was tragically taken from us in his prime but his inspiration lives on! "

Wish I could have seen it...

2006 Hall of Fame Inductees
Now that the winter is coming to a close (almost we got a couple of feet of new snow here in the Twin Cities - time to fire up the Centurion!) I have a chance to go back and get to all the updates I missed over the very busy winter months. Like these two pictures from the Snowmobile Hall of Fame induction ceremony last winter. As usual, the ceremony was great fun, with lots of laughter, good food and good fun - and some really great racing stories from veteran Frans Rosenquist.

2006 Inductees - E.B. Campbell (his wife accepting), Darcy Ewing (wife Heidi accepting), Coley Findlay and Frans Rosenquist.	A special award from the Hall of Fame was given to Keith, Jim and Brad Warning for outstanding support of the Hall of Fame and sport of snowmobiling.

THE 2007 ARE ALL OUT...
I got to see the new '07 Polaris sleds. Crisis averted. Although Polaris has nothing earth shattering for new sleds, the 600 & 700cc models do look like an improved version of the 2002 600cc XP I sold. So the question is... if I buy a new sled for '07, can I live with not having the biggest, loudest, fastest sled out there? Well, if I get to keep riding things only built in Roseau, then yeah. I can live maybe not having the fastest sled on the lake. Whew. I just mentioned maybe getting a Yamaha to the vintage polaris sleds in the garage and one promptly bit me.

3/10/2006
THE 2007 SLEDS NOD TO THE PAST...
I do occasionally take a look at what is going on with the new sleds. Having sold my 2002 Polaris 600 last year, I might well be in the market for a 2007. So I was intrigued to see what the big 4 manufacturers are coming up with. It appears they all are at least acknowledging their past - and I find that refreshing.

Case in point, Yamaha's newest big bad sled re-introduces the Phazer. I love the name, but the sled looks too much like an ATV for my tastes. I did kind of like the 2006 Yamaha Apex. It's kind of mean looking, and I think Yamaha's 4 strokes are pretty cool.

The Ski-Doo Freestyle to me seems to be a nod to the 'ol Bubbletops. Small motor, cheap, fun. I think this was a very clever idea on Ski-Doo's part. I've already heard of someone buying one just to stuff an 800cc motor in it. Why? So he could wait outside of bars and challenge people to races. My kind of snowmobiler.

Arctic cat released a 2007 version of the Panther, complete with the old 68 logo. Very nice guys. I really liked the idea of the retro SnoPro they made in 2005 as well. I thought it was one of the best looking sleds Cat made. Cat also released the 2007 Jaguar. I think this is a throwback to the Jag, but it's a 4 stroke with all new stuff. Kind of cool looking.

Then there is Polaris. They have not officially released the 2007 model stuff, but I've heard a rumor that they will not make anything bigger then a 600cc machine? Can't wait to hear the reasoning behind that if it's true. Out of the four, Polaris has had the least recognition of it's legacy in it's new models. How about a new TX? Or a Charger? I hope they have some blow away stuff for me to choose from in 2007. I sure didn't like anything from 2006 - and it kills me to say that being a die-hard "I only ride sleds built in Roseau" kind of guy. Polaris announces the 2007 sleds on the 14th at 9PM eastern time.

In fact, if there isn' anything sweet in the new 2007 Polaris sleds, I'll be test driving my first Arctic Cat. Thief River Falls isn't Roseau. But it's close.

If I don't find anything I like there, I'm buying a Yamaha. Of course in a garage full of Centurions & RXL's, it may not survive. We'll have to wait and see.

3/06/2006
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE RACE TRACK...
Of course it wasn't so funny if you were the owner of the truck. A slight sleet/rain mixture turned the road out of the Wolf Lake race track into a very treacherous, icy hill. This poor guy started sliding backwards and couldn't prevent the slide into the ditch. With the steep hill to the right of him, it meant one thing: No one was leaving the track until this rig was moved.

No one left until well after 7:30 PM. No one stuck on the ice was complaining much, however. With the racing season coming to an end yesterday for the gang at Wolf Lake, the mood was more of a celebration. I'd say more then a few of the people on the ice brought adult refreshments. When someone broke out the tunes, of course a party ensued.

Although the track was slushy and very rough by the end of the day, it was still a great day of vintage racing. It was for me, a nice end to the racing season & the winter of 2006. Of course, there is still one more race in Hayward Wisconsin this Saturday...

As yesterday was the last day of the 2006 season, you know what today is don't you?

The first day of the 2007 season.

3/03/2006
WOLF LAKE SNOPRO RACE

Scott Tillman is one fast Ski-Doo driver & an all-around good guy. He's also the official ring leader for the Wolf Lake Outlaw racers. Here's Scott Tillman's take on the final SnoPro race. I thought it was good... but it is always good to get another perspective:

"Wow, there was some awesome racing action west of Alexandria, MN on Sunday February 26. Larry Preston brought the final race of the VINTAGE SNOPRO MASTERS SERIES to the WOLF LAKE OUTLAW OVALS track – it did not disappoint! Racers and fans were treated to some of the fastest vintage snowmobile racing found anywhere.

Zach Saxton - one to watch!

Mark Anderson had a flawless day on his #62 Starfires. He took 1st place in six classes, winning a beautifully embroidered checkered flag for each win. Jacob Goede, the 2006 Vintage World Champion of the Eagle River Derby track made Anderson work for those wins, taking several 2nds. Just watching Geode charge into the corners you knew he wanted a flag for the trophy case and a piece of Anderson for lunch.

Devin Fackrell and Ken Kitzman brought their IFS SnoPro sleds. Watching Kitzman on his ’80 Cat chasing Fackrell on his ’78 Doo was reminiscent of the glory days when the factory racing teams came to town for the DAYCO HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. Fackrell was smooth and fast and won every class he entered on the yellow #2 sled.

Mike Meagher, a Wolf Lake regular, took home a couple flags and some cash. Sean Smith of Wasilla, AK was giving him trouble in the 250 LC MOD until a broken spindle slowed him down a little. He took the checkered flag on one ski! Preston captured second on the #77 Polaris.

Young Zach Saxton took home a flag in the Junior Class aboard his new Ski-Doo Citation racer. He rolled it in turn one after the green flag but ran a great race after the restart and was able to hold off the pack of five other young boys and girls. I’m not sure who was more proud - Zach or his parents.

One more race this Sunday and it will be another season to look back on. It’s been a great year, lots of good racing and good fun. Time to look ahead to the banquet and awards presentation. Some say it’s all about the banquet… hehe. 

Scott Tillmann #62  "     

3/02/2006
THE POLARIS (CON)FUSION. MAN IS IT HOT!

<SARCASM>
I really like the new Polaris Fusion 900. Do they run hot? YOU BETCHYA! Just ask the guy who sent in these photos... that new Polaris Fusion is smoking!
</SARCASM>

2/28/2006
JAY'S BACK!
Jay "Rude Dog" Carlsey is back after a long break and has updated retrosno.com - bless ya Jay. I needed a fix.

WHAT A FINISH!
Going into the final Vintage SnoPro race on Sunday, the points confusion was settled just before the racing started. Jay Sperry was in the lead with 41 points, followed by Bill Stull with 40 and Mark Anderson with a mere 36.

But from the first green flag to the final checkered, it was all Mark Anderson, who made history by winning all 6 leaf spring class he entered and placing 2nd behind Devin fackrell's smoking 78 Ski-Doo Blizzard in one IFS class. By the end of the day, all the other drivers made their way over to Mark's trailer to shake his hand on a performance that left the crowd breathless and mumbling "holy $%#...."

The other guy who got that reaction was Jay Sperry. His mid-mount 440 Rupp had the crowd seeing red in a whole new way. But some mechanical problems and some staging issues held Jay back a bit. None the less, he earned the respect of everyone who saw him handle that Rupp like it was as second nature to him as breathing.

Also putting in notable performances was Devin Fackrell who dominated the IFS class for a 2nd year in a row, and demonstrated at Alexandria that the old yellow has some life in it yet. Jacob Goede was way behind at the beginning of the day but took second in almost every race behind Mark Anderson, bumping himself to 4th overall.

Coming in March: The full story of the series, complete with a ton of photos and video!

Final Results - 2006 Vintage SnoPro Master Series.

Mark Anderson, #62 Neenah, Wisconsin Defending Champion and now: 2006 VINTAGE SNOPRO MASTER
Mark Anderson Neenah, WI. Winner: Overall Free-Air Division	Sean Smith Wasilla, Alaska Winner: Overall Liquid Division	Devin Fackrell Logan Utah Winner: Overall IFS Division

UPDATE! SNOPRO POINT TOTALS
After posting the points earlier today, I recieved several phone calls about the points totals. There is some confusion that I hope we have resolved. First confusion was over awarding a single point for starting a race, but not finishing. As the rules state, the SnoPro rules follow the association rules where it is running. After checking with one association, a point is awarded for starting a race, even if you are unable to finish.

Second confusion was the results from Freeport. As of this writing, one point is still being disputed - and it looks as though two people may have recieved a 2nd place trophy - for the same race. The other confusion at Freeport was that one driver ran a final after failing to qualify.

So what does this do to our points? Mostly it affects our top 3 in the overall points chase. As of this writing, Jay Sperry has 40. Bill Stull has 40 and Mark Anderson has 37 points.

My apologies for the confusion - and we will have it all straight for tomorrow.

2/25/2006
VINTAGE SNOPRO MASTER SERIES POINTS
This thing is as tight as it could get - and it will all be decided tomorrow at Wolf Lake in Alexandria, Minnesota. The total field is down to just 15 drivers battling for the top spot in 3 divisions, or the top spot overall to become the 2006 Vintage SnoPro Master. Points totals can be found in the racing section. Only one individual class is locked up - Sean Smith of Wasilla, Alaska owns the 250cc liquid class on his 77 Arctic Cat Z. Everything else will be decided tomorrow!

One very interesting note - Bill "Elvis" Stull. If you've been around vintage snowmobiling for any length of time, you likely know who Elvis is. Elvis is running 3 Rupp sleds in the series and is neck and neck with last years winner Mark Anderson and our other great story of the year, Jay Sperry Jr. who returned to racing this year after racing for many years back in the 70's!

And here is the interesting part: Even though Bill is ahead in the overall points, he has yet to make a first place finish in any race in the series! He has, however, finished consistently in the top of the pack, and in many classes. Persistance pays.

Can Bill hold off Mark, Nathan "I like coming from behind" Westlund, Jay Sperry Jr., Sean "If I win I meet more giris" Smith and World Champion Jacob Goede? I spoke with Bill over the weekend and he's making big changes to his sled to try and not only hold them off - but to break through and get to that checkered flag first!

See you in Alexandria! Directions to the race can be found here. (Bottom of the page)

Bill Stull Rupp	Mark Anderson Polaris	Jay Sperry Jr. Rupp
Nathan Westlund Polaris	Sean Smith Arctic Cat	Jacob Goede Polaris

72 Chaparral SSX Grass Pro

LOW BUCK VINTAGE SHOW
Charles Plueddeman reports on this years Low Buck Vintage Riders Show in Menasha, Wisconsin. The show features around 260 sleds with top prize going to Steve Doersch of Seymour, Wis., for an outstanding 1968 Polaris Super Voyager.

2/23/2006
KENNETH YOUNG
I stumbled upon the Snowweek message board to find an incredible thread about a young man named Kenneth (Kenny) Young who suffered an ugly crash in a (late-model) Pro-Stock 600 race on 2/19. At just 19 years of age, it sounds like there is a chance this young man might not walk again (I sincerely hope that is wrong). What struck me about the thread, is that although I do not know this person, it appears (through 6 pages of messages) that the whole racing community is really, really praying for him. It's really worth a look.

2/23/2006
SEND IN THE CLONES!
Big time collector Jerry McGee sent in these brand new photos of his brand new 1974 SKi-Doo 650cc SnoPro machine! Jerry and his accomplice Mark Taylor completed 2 of the sleds by working straight through last Saturday night and finishing them up at about 6:00 AM Sunday morning! They loaded them and headed straight for the New Hampshire show, but never unloaded them due to a lack of snow.

No doubt the 74 650 SnoPro is the sexiest thing to come out of Canada since Alanis Morisette. Jerry's sent me progress shots of these as they unfolded. I've known about them for a long time, but couldn't share till now! Wow do they look good! He set out to build the machine as close to the single surviving original as humanly possible.

Congratulations to Jerry and Mark on completing these stunning machines - and I can't wait to see them on the snow!

Want to chat about the Jerry's new sled and the other 74 SnoPros? Check out the Bull Sessions.

2/22/2006
VINTAGE SNOPRO POINTS RACE
We got the final results from Strathcona (Thanks to Nathan, Armand and Nicolette Westland) this evening. It's still anybody's race! Almost, that is. The rules state that a driver must go to at least 3 of the 5 races to be qualified. Therefore, we were able to eliminate a lot of drivers who only have gone to 1 of the races. So our final points standings in 9 classes and 3 divisions is down to just 15 drivers!. Man this is going to be close... Once we get some confirmations on a few points, we'll point the totals before this weekends final race in Alexandria.

I got my new "Magneto Rex" magazine tonight. This is a magazine put together by our good freind Rich who does not want to turn it into a business - but man is this magazine fun to get. Mostly pictures, this issue covers the SnoPro race in Hayward Wisconsin. Oh, the killer photos Rich took. Good job RIch - and thanks!

Jay Sperry leads Mark Anderson and Bill Stull in Strathcona this past weekend.

2/21/2006
IT'S OFFICIAL - "THE VSCA VINTAGE NATIONAL SHOW CHAMPIONSHIPS"
The Vintage Snowmobile Club is embarking on a series of annual national shows. Each year the "Vintage National Show Championship" will be in a different location across the snow belt.

The first event will be this spring, May 19, 20 & 21 at Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It will be an INDOOR event at a very nice facility - the Ralph Engelstad arena. There will be Sled displays, Vendors, Swap meet, and consignment auctions. Awards in all classes and we will be crowning an overall National Champion!! Special guest appearances from Arctic Cat & Polaris. Camping is free next door. Friday featuring show displays Arctic Cat & Polaris factory tours & an ice breaker reception. Saturday is open to the public and will have a swap meet, a consignment auction, and a buffet dinner with the awards ceremony.

Mark your calendar now and get your sled cleaned up! Times 'a wasting, and this will be a great warm-up show the Classic Sled Roundup for the Hall of Fame on May 28th.

JIM BERNAT COMMENTS
Keep them coming - what would you say to Jim Bernat on the occasion of his retirement? What's your favorite memory of Jim?

VINTAGE SNOPRO MASTER SERIES
Round 4 of the series took place in Strathcona last weekend, in bitter cold temperatures - that no one noticed. The racing action was so hot, I don't think anyone stopped to realize they couldn't feel their fingers anymore. The track in Stathcona is second to none, with smooth ice, a good infield and plenty of parking space for spectator to watch from the warmth of their vehicles. We are awaiting official results, but I believe the overall points and each division may have changed leaders again... meaning this Sunday's race in Alexandria is critical.

One bad accident in the mod 440 class nearly took out last years winner, Mark Anderson. Mark was literally flying on his 340 Starfire, looking for an opportunity to sneak past one of Jay Sperry's hot running Rupps. In turn one, Mark saw his opening and charged to take it. Unfortunately, Jay had no idea Mark was there, took the turn as he normally would have and closed the hole Mark was about to squeeze into. Mark's ski caught the inside snow bank and literally launched him butt-over-tea-kettle into the four foot high snow on the outside of the track. From my vantage point, it was no one's fault, but I was concerned Mark would be injured.

But die-hard racer as he is, Mark was on his feet in seconds, and if I'm not mistaken, it looked like he wanted to get back on the machine - until he noticed the damage to the handle bars. I talked to Mark earlier this week, and he said he just got a couple of minor bruises. A couple of bruises was the good news - the bad news was that his 340 was down for the day, and Mark was not able to run the full slate of races with it as he had hoped.

Mark's accident left the lead in the series vulnerable to Stull, Sperry, Schumacher, Goede, Fackrell and 2 out of 3 Smith Brothers! This thing is going right down to the wire and will be decided this Sunday in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Speaking of Alexandria, we may have DVD's available from selected Wolf Lake races so those of you who can't make it to the midwest to watch a race can see what all this vintage racing fuss is about!

	JIM BERNAT - POLARIS RACER
		JIM BERNAT - SNOPRO DRIVER
	JIM BERNAT - HE ISN'T ALWAYS SMILING! (or is he???)

2/16/2006
SMILING JIM BERNAT & THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Well it had to happen sometime... Long time engineer at Polaris and one of the all time great racers - Jim Bernat - finally retired from Polaris just before the Waconia show. Jim had an amazing racing career in the 1960's and 1970's, which was highlighted by winning the Eagle River World's Championship aboard that sexiest of all sleds - the 650cc PDC. Jim still owns that sled, and it is on display at the Polaris Experience Center in Roseau Minnesota. Jim paid $1 for the sled back them. Well, we know he made at least one good investment! Jim also won the 440cc class at Eagle River aboard one of the 1977 SnoPro machines, among many, many other wins.

I have just one question for Jim: How is it that he has yet to age? Has he discovered the fountain of youth in Roseau? I first caught up with Jim in about 2003. I was hoping to meet him at the Badger vintage show. I was walking around all day looking for him. I was looking for an older guy with gray hair, wrinkles and maybe some extra weight. I couldn't find him. Later, someone pointed it out, and I realized I had walked by him about 4 times already that day - he did not look a bit different then the pictures above! C'mon Jim, how's that possible? ;-)

So - let's hear from all of you out there. What do you want to tell Jim Bernat on his retirement? We'll post all the responses in about a week. Stay tuned!