Industry News

snowmobile.org

The members of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris, and Yamaha) are pleased to announce the ISMA Grant Program will award around $40,000 in grants distributed to 13 organizations in the United States and Canada. The organizations are active members of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) or the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA). The ISMA grants are awarded to the state and provincial associations based on their support of key issues of importance in the grant process. The ISMA grant process includes, but is not limited to: • Supporting efforts which enable snowmobilers to continue snowmobiling in regions and riding areas enjoyed by enthusiasts. • Supporting and participating in Legislative enlightenment rides for elected local, federal, provincial, and state representatives. • Supporting introductory rides for non-snowmobilers have also been realized through the Grant Program. • The promotion of the Safe Riders! campaign and the Take the Pledge Program – highlighting snowmobile safety and staying on designated trails and legal riding areas. • In this year’s allocation of ISMA Grants, ISMA was pleased to support Search and Rescue educational projects along with continuing to expand and support safe snowmobiling in Avalanche country.

The ISMA Grant Program began in 2001 and to date, has awarded over $818,000 in grants to state snowmobile associations, and over $700,000 in grants to provincial associations! Well over $1.5 million dollars has been distributed to snowmobile associations in North America supporting key activities supporting organized snowmobiling. The manufacturers of ISMA are pleased to note that matching funds raised by the associations in performing these activities has generated over $2 million dollars in economic investments in the organized snowmobile community. These investments help to improve our riding areas, trails and safety training. The ISMA Grant Program has been successful in accomplishing many small to mid-range construction projects, improving riding areas, trailheads, and more… as well as dramatic expansion in the Safe Riders! You Make Snowmobiling Safe Campaign.

snowmobilehalloffame.com

The Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) and Museum in St. Germain, Wis., announce its four inductees for 2021: John Faeo, Dale Loritz, Craig Marchbank, and Brian Sturgeon. These honorees will be inducted into the SHOF during a two-day induction ceremony weekend, February 18-19, 2021 in St. Germain, coinciding with the 38th Annual Ride With the Champs and other events, presented by Livingston’s Arctic Cat. All snowmobile enthusiasts and race fans are invited.

The inductees for 2021 are: John Faeo (Racer)

John Faeo is synonymous with the famed 2,000mile Iron Dog through the Alaska’s rugged and remote wilderness, winning this grueling multiday event seven times between 1984 and 1996. In addition to his record-tying number of victories, the Wasilla, AK, legend also finished the Iron Dog race 23 consecutive times, with 13 podium finishes. Fast, smart and consistent beyond measure, Faeo is also a 9-time Alaska Motor Musher XC race champion; a 6-time winner of the Talkeetna-to-Anchorage XC, and an 11-time Alaska Calcutta 120 XC Champ. He raced on Polaris snowmobiles for the majority of his career.

Dale Loritz (Racer)

One of the most enduring oval racers of his generation, Dale Loritz of Green Bay, Wisc., scored innumerable wins—in a range of classes—at all levels of the sport. He qualified for the Eagle River World Championships an astounding 18 times, and won the pinnacle event in 1994 and 1995. Racing for Ski-Doo throughout his career, Loritz notched 14 USSA high-point class championships, including seven Formula 1 titles. He was the USSA and Snow Week magazine Driver of the Year in 1989, as well as USSA Oval Racer of the Year (2003) and a 2-time Sportsman of the Year.

Craig Marchbank (Racer)

Motivated, focused and unwavering in his pursuit of success, Craig Marchbank of New Lennox, Ill., set benchmarks and records in snowmobile drag racing that may never be exceeded. In a 30-year career that began in 1982, Marchbank claimed more than 2,500 class final victories en route to 28 High Point Championships in Pro Stock and 26 High Point Championships in Improved Stock, all aboard Ski-Doo snowmobiles. He was the Minnesota Cup Champion a record nine times; a 5-time Michigan Cup Champion; and 3-time Wisconsin Cup Champion. He was the 2005 Snow Week magazine Racer of the Year, as well as the ISR Woody’s Traction Racer of the Year.

Brian Sturgeon (Racer)

Team Arctic’s Brian Sturgeon of Thief River Falls, Minn., achieved remarkable success in snowmobile oval and terrain competitions. In ovals, Sturgeon won 12 Eagle River World Championship class titles, including the Formula III win in 1995. He also earned nine USSA High Point Championships, including eight in Stock classes and one in Formula III. In ice lemans he won two MRP Formula III high-point championship and World Series titles, and he scored two snocross Pro Class wins at the Duluth National. He was awarded Racer of the Year honors by Snow Week magazine, SnoWest magazine, and MIRA. After retiring from racing, Sturgeon became the Arctic Cat Race Manager beginning in 1999. Snowmobile racing fans and enthusiasts are invited to the 38th Annual Ride With the Champs and induction ceremony weekend, presented by Livingston’s Arctic Cat, February 18-19, 2022. The expanded two-day event features guest speakers, vintage and modern trail riding opportunities, a meet-andgreet with past and current SHOF inductees along with other snowmobile industry celebrities, and a formal induction ceremony with dinner. In addition, the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Museum will be open throughout the weekend. Learn more details on the complete weekend schedule and purchase advance tickets at snowmobilehalloffame.com.