2010/2011 USCC Program

UNITED STATES CROSS-COUNTRY SNOWMOBILE RACING SERIES

2011 TOUR PROGRAM

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WHAT'S INSIDE 5 5 6 8 10 11 12 14 18 24 26

MEET THE USCC STILL FRAMED CLICKED COURSE MARKER SEVEN CLANS CASINO NATIONAL GUARD PROFILE - BRIAN DICK THE VENUES THE CONTENDERS CROSS COUNTRY 101 THE LEGEND RETURNS

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www.usccracing.com P.O. Box 273 Minto ND 58261 Phone: 701 248 2029 Fax: 701 248 2029

USCC PROGRAM PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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USCC For 2011, the USCC will hold races in five states from North Dakota to Maine. It takes a lot of people to put together a cross-country race and many of them are never seen or appreciated.

Here are some of the people who make sure each USCC event is a success: Rick Beasley, Flagman Chris Evenson , Course setter Justin Mitzel, Course setter Steve Ray, Course setter Derek Anderson, Staging Chad Bjornaby, Staging Draper Lundquist, Staging Phil Zimple, Staging Brady Grant, Staging Dan McDonald, Tech Director Scott Schuster, Tech Rodney Riskey, Tech Lorraine Riskey, Registration Mary Mach, Registration Lisa Mach, Registration/Scoring Lonnie Thompson, Timing Harold Mach, Timing Chad Colby, Marketing Director Don Jorstad, Track Announcer Noel Schanilec, Sponsorship Director Lee Gudajtes, I-500 course coordinator Roger Gorder, I-500 course coordinator Erik Frigon, USCC East Coordinator

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STILL FRAMED

From wind blown ditch lines and twisted rivers to frozen lakes and drifted fields, the racers of USCC cross-country tackle it all and it takes a special breed of photographer to capture the action. Fortunately USCC works with a pair of top-notch shooters who battle the elements and get the shots regardless of conditions. For the past several years, top shelf shooter Tyler Mathwich has captured nearly every racer and every race USCC has hosted. In fact, Tyler took nearly all the photos found in the 2011 USCC National Guard Cross-Country program including the cover photo of last year’s champion Brian Dick. You can view all and purchase any one of Tyler’s cross-country photos at his website www.tylermathwich.com.

Behind the lens for the 2011 season is Jim Urquhart. Jim has worked with the team at USCC since 2008 and has been photographing snowmobile racing for ten years. You’ll be able to check out all of Jim’s USCC pics this winter via the photo link at www.uscracing.com.

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CLICKED

“Seriously Trevor, what took you so long to get here?”

Gabe Bunke takes fuel in the I-500. He’s finished second in the race a few times, can he win this year?

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> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> > Nick Roehl learns the hard way that running out of gas is not fun.

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When you’re a big deal you have people who update your Facebook status for you.

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The sixth rule of cross-country: You never see another rider until you crash, at which time, there is usually at least one other rider who sees the whole thing.

Sorry ladies, Arne was married this summer so he’s off the market!

When you announce as many I-500s as Don Jorstad, you get cool stuff like this USCC sweatshirt signed by all the Pro riders.

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MARKER

LETTER FROM USCC PRESIDENT PAT MACH

The

USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship has its own race program! This is a first for the USCC and is something we’ve been working toward for the past few seasons. What you hold in your hands is the culmination of nine years of work the USCC and its racers have put into cross-country snowmobile racing. Our friends at On Snow Magazine (OSM) have produced a professional-looking Race Program for us that expands the scope of the race circuit and gives fans a look inside USCC to expose the personalities behind the circuit.

A lot of people ask me why I started the USCC. There’s not much to tell other than I love cross-country snowmobile racing. I grew up idolizing guys like Brian Nelson and

Archie Simonson, and I knew that someday I wanted to race just like those guys. But life sometimes gets in the way, and after high school I went to college where I played baseball. The whole time I was there I was thinking about going cross-country snowmobile racing. Once I graduated I bought my first race sled, a 1991 Prowler Special.

That started a Pro race career that lasted over a decade.

Then, in the fall of 2002, cross-country guys like me were suddenly left without a place to race. I took it upon myself to put together a survey that I sent out to every racer I knew. It basically asked if they would be interested in racing cross-country again and the majority of them said yes.

So I knew there were a bunch of guys out there like me who didn’t want to go snocross racing and had nowhere to race.

That’s when I decided to start the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association, or USCC. Our first season was 2002-2003, and from the beginning I tried to make sure the schedule held true to traditional crosscountry venues, while at the same time exploring new ones. One race I knew we had to do was the I-500. It is such an important race for cross-country snowmobile racing and for the sport in general. We’ve

been very fortunate to have Seven Clans partner with us for he past seven years to put on this race. There is no doubt that this race is the USCC’s flagship event and you can read more about this race elsewhere in this program.

Cross-country is all about grassroots racing, but USCC’s early races were the epitome of the term. With just a handful of Pros and a core group of racers, we used to fit the entire group into the USCC gooseneck trailer for the driver’s meetings early in the morning on race day. Now, nine years later, we have so many racers we have to use a public address system so everyone can hear what’s being said!

There’s something special about crosscountry racing. You don’t need anything fancy to do it; all you need is a good trail sled, a bit of riding skill and a lot of practice. Cross-country racers aren’t racing each other, they’re racing the clock. Success is a result of skilled setup, a fast, consistent rider and a bit of luck. It’s the ultimate challenge for man and machine, and for many it brings a satisfaction nothing else in the sport, or for some even life, can bring.

This race program gives us a chance to share just a little bit of what we do with you, the snowmobile racing fan. We’re proud of what the USCC has accomplished in the past 10 years and we’re looking to keep moving forward. We invite you to follow along as a fan or even as a racer.

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SPONSORS

SLEDS & TRAILERS LLC

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A LASTING RELATIONSHIP

T

he Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is part of the Algonquian family of aboriginal North Americans. Red Lake operates three casinos all under the Seven Clans Casinos brand and they are located in the heart of USCC racing territory in the communities of Thief River Falls, Warroad, and Red Lake.

The casino in Thief River Falls plays host to the USCC Red Lake I-500, perhaps the most prestigious race in snowmobiling as well as the Red Lake 200. The Warroad casino hosts the final race of the season in March and it has become a race that carries a lighthearted atmosphere and one racers always look forward to. Last season the three races were combined to form the 7-7-7 Challenge, a three-race points championship within the USCC Championship that offered rich payouts to the winners.

The USCC and Seven Clans have had a long-lasting relationship. Seven Clans became the host for the Red Lake I-500 in 2004 and have been gracious hosts to the race since. Ray Brenny is Chief Operating Officer for the Seven Clans casino in Thief River Falls and is one of the people who work behind the scenes each year to make sure the race is a success.

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USCC: How did the relationship with USCC and seven clans get started?

Ray Brenny: We started running the I-500 from Thief River Falls over to the Red Lake Indian Reservation and it’s been pretty successful. It’s been growing and each year we set a new high mark for racers and people who come out to watch.

USCC: What do you like about working with the USCC? Brenny: The USCC is always easy to work with and they have the best intentions in mind for both sides. On race weekends we fill up the hotel, casino and water park.

USCC race weekends are always big weekends for us.

USCC: Why sponsor a race like the Red Lake I-500?

Brenny: When we originally sat down with Pat Mach to talk about sponsoring a race we looked at what they had to offer and just said, “Let’s go with the biggest and best,” and that’s the I-500.

USCC: What are the benefits of being involved with the USCC? Brenny: This is snowmobile country and sponsoring the USCC is great way to get in front of people so they recognize whom we are and that we support snowmobiling. With Arctic Cat and Polaris both

in this area it’s a hotbed for the sport and it makes Seven Clans and USCC a good match.

Thanks to 7 Clans Casino, Dan Ebert, last year’s winner of the I-500 enjoyed a sizeable payday for his efforts.

SUPPORTS CROSS-COUNTRY

T

he United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association is proud to have the National Guard as its title sponsor for the 2010-2011 racing the season. The USCC and the National Guard are working together to bring racers and fans the USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Championship. With the title sponsorship, the USCC joins other prestigious National Guard-sponsored race disciplines such as NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Racing League and AMA Superbike.

This season USCC will also have a National Guard racing class open to any Guard mem-

ber who wishes to come out and try crosscountry racing.

The National Guard serves both state and federal governments. The difference between the Guard and other branches is that while Guard units are combat-trained and can be deployed overseas, they are just as likely to serve in their home communities—training just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.

During local emergencies, Guard units assist those endangered by storms, floods, fires and other disasters. Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat, but are often found building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers or teaching local farmers more efficient techniques and better uses of their land. The oldest of the United States’ Armed Forces, the National Guard has stood ready to protect the country for nearly 374 years and operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia.

“We are fortunate and proud to have the United States National Guard as our title sponsor for the season,” said USCC President Pat Mach. “We take a lot of pride in being involved with the local communities where we race. And like us, the Guard un-

derstands the importance of building and supporting those local communities too.

It’s a great fit for both of us and one we hope will continue and grow for many seasons to come.”

For more information on National Guard visit www.nationalguard.com; for more information on National Guard racing visit www.nationalguard.com/events/guard-racing.

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USCC • RIDER PROFILE Some might call Dick fearless, but his approach to riding is a result of his confidence in his machine setup and many years of riding at a crazy fast pace.

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DICK

BLUE COLLAR CHAMPION

It’s

a story that fits the template of so many of our heroes.

Brian Dick, Project Engineer for the Snowmobile Chassis/Suspension group at Arctic Cat by day, spends his weekends racing the Pro classes on the USCC circuit; and he doesn’t just race, he wins. But it wasn’t always such a fairy tale story for Dick. He’s spent over a decade grinding it out in the pack and pushing through long bouts of bad luck. He is a rare individual who possesses the mind and ability to hold the position of engineer, and also has the ability and desire to compete amongst the elite in the world of cross-country snowmobile racing.

“I’m backed pretty good by the race department, but it’s not my job,” Dick said.

“I’m not getting paid to race; I’m paid to be an engineer. I basically sneak away on the weekends to race.”

By Day… As an engineer at Arctic Cat, Dick spends half his time working at a desk, and the other half working in the fabrication shop or out in the field riding snowmobiles. It’s a combination, he says, that suits him well.

He is the hub for the Snowmobile Chassis/ Suspension group and works with designers, product team managers and fabricators to develop new chassis and suspension systems. While most people can’t wait to step away from their jobs when the day is over, Dick goes home and works on his race sleds.

And on weekends he pulls on his race pants, dons his pullover and hits the USCC courses.

Dick’s racing is a completely separate endeavor from his job at Arctic Cat, meaning he buys his own sleds and runs his own program. But he does get help from the race shop.

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Dick cites speed as one of the most important aspects of machine setup. He says just one or two MPH can make or break you in the USCC Pro classes.

With his racing ability and engineering knowledge it’s inevitable that the two overlap, and Dick’s Open class snowmobiles are often test beds for what he and his fellow engineers are working on at Arctic Cat. But the image of a factory rider running out of a shiny 53-foot rig is far from reality, and Dick has spent most of his racing career hauling sleds around with his pickup and working on them on the ground along with his mechanic, Joe Lesmeister. If he’s lucky there’s an empty flatbed snowmobile trailer nearby he can use as a workbench in the pits.

Racing Bloodlines While one would think Dick’s job and his racing became intertwined at the same time, his racing roots run far deeper than his employment roots at Arctic Cat. Paul Dick, Brian’s Father, has raced snowmobiles since the 1970s and still does, most recently in the 2010 Red Lake I-500. Brian’s Brother Jeff has raced too. Brian’s first race was a local Buddy Race in 1992 in Grand Rapids, Minn., where he rode a 1990 Arctic Cat EXT Special.

“I managed to barrel roll it on the first lap, right in front of my Dad,” said Dick with a laugh.

In 1997 he raced his first I-500 and he’s been a fixture in the USCC Pro class since 2003. Racing is something the Dick family does because they love the sport, not because it’s part of their job.

Though he was setting fast times in his early USCC days, wins in the Pro 600 class eluded Dick. He logged a Pro class sweep at Barnesville, Minn., in 2005, but after that was unable to win a Pro 600 final until most recently during the 2010 season. Also, the I-500 has been particularly unkind to Dick. In 2004 he ran out of gas but still finished second. In 2005 he had the lead going into Day 3, crashed hard, but finished second again. The most bittersweet was 2006 when the leader, Bryan Dyrdahl, broke a clutch spring and was limping to the finish on Day 3 with Dick closing in. Ten miles from the finish, with Dyrdahl less than a mile in front of him, Dick lost a crank bearing in his engine.

But in 2010 things started going Dick’s way. The season started slow at the Grafton 100 where Dick logged a sixth place finish. Next was a problem-plagued Red Lake I-500 where, among other things, part of Dick’s pipe came apart. But after that it seemed Dick could do no wrong

as he scored a second place finish at the Red Lake 200, and then came a weekend sweep of the Grand Cities 100 and the Monster Energy 107.9 100. Next, Dick won the brutal Munising race and capped off the season with a third place finish at the Seven Clans 100. Stellar results put Dick 27 points clear of second place Pro D.J. Ekre by season’s end, giving Dick his first USCC Pro 600 year-end championship.

Among The Elite Cross-country’s elite riders gain such stature through hard work and years of racing. They became masters of machine setup and are simply, gifted snowmobile riders. Once a rider has reached the ranks of elite cross-country racers, a certain amount of respect comes with it and Dick has definitely earned the respect of his fellow competitors. “Races are won because you ride a lot and you’re comfortable on your equipment,� said USCC Pro Gabe Bunke. “Brian Dick doesn’t even have time to go to the gym and work out, but he’s a phenomenal rider because he rides all the time and that’s one of the reasons he wins.�

Dick is also respected within Arctic Cat and is looked upon as one of the leaders in the engineering department as well as the race department. “Brian has been a key player in our race results as well as for the other Arctic Cat rac-

ers to talk with and learn from,� said Team Arctic Race Manager Mike Kloety. “As a company, Arctic Cat has been lucky to have so many employees like Brian who are dedicated to racing. It seems the desire to race fuels the fire to work on new projects and then working on new projects fuels the fires to prove them on the race track.�

In similar racing such as snocross and motocross, 30-year-old riders are considered dinosaurs. It’s a young man’s game, but cross-country snowmobile racing often defies this stereotype and older riders typically find much success. “I thought I was slowing down because I’m over 30 now and I don’t have a lot of time during the week to get out and ride,� said Dick. “The race wins and points championship are proof that experience is worth something I guess.�

Dick will begin the 2011 season as reigning USCC Pro 600 points champion, but as soon as the flag drops it will be a new season; one that is up for grabs. Rest assured, the No. 23 Arctic Cat will be at the top of the time sheets as Dick attempts to repeat his success.

Looking Forward At the USCC awards banquet last April, Dick asked if he could speak after the award presentations were over. He stood up and spoke about the value of crosscountry racing to machine development and thanked Kloety and Arctic Cat for supporting cross-country racing. It was the culmination of his racing efforts and his efforts in developing the Sno Pro 600 snowmobile that nearly brought him to tears while he spoke of the dedication of his peers at Arctic Cat.

Dick and his mechanic Joe Lesmeister exemplify the classic racer/mechanic combos that have dominated cross-country racing for decades.

They are the modern day version of Nelson/Fixsen or Wolff/Coffin.

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VENUES The USCC Schedule is a combination of traditional cross-country venues and new ones USCC has claimed as its own. Race locations are found in the areas that play host to terrain cross-country riders love the most – ditches, fields, woods, lakes and rivers. They range from remote areas to the middle of urban cities. No matter where USCC races one thing’s for sure, the course will be challenging for even the most seasoned snowmobile racer.

MIDWEST TOUR

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GRAFTON 100 Grafton, North Dakota January 1, 2011 Grafton is located about 46 miles north of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1881, Grafton is home to more than 4,500 people. But, more importantly, it features terrain that closely mimics that in the area where the I-500 is held and that’s why this race is liked so much by the racers. When USCC polls its riders on what courses they like most Grafton always scores high on the list. With winding river sections, ditches and whooped-out tree lines, it is always a challenge to ride.

Where? Forty-six miles north of Grand Forks on Highway 17 just off Hwy 81.

Course features: Technical woods and river, fast ditch and field Lodging: AmericInn: 701-352-2788; Select Inn 701-352-0888; Motel Leonard 701-352-1730 Staging: Just north of town where Highway 81 crosses the Park River

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GRAND CITIES 100 Grand Forks, North Dakota January 2, 2011 Grand Forks is located 80 miles north of Fargo, North Dakota, on Interstate 29. The city’s location at the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River gives the city its name. A vibrant college town, the USCC race here is unique in that it is held mostly within the city.

The course here is typically about 11 miles long and runs along the banks of the Red River and heads South through the Red River State Recreation Area.

Where? Eighty miles north of Fargo on Interstate 29.

Course features: Technical woods, fast river Lodging: Canad Inn, 701-772-8404; Americ Inn, 701-780-9925; Super 8, 701-775-8138; C’mon Inn, 701-775-3320; Days Inn, 701-775-0060; Holiday Inn Express, 866-453-9466; Travelodge, 701-772-8151 Staging: Just off DeMers Avenue, right next to Cabelas.

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RED LAKE I-500 Thief River Falls, Minnesota January 21-23, 2011 Thief River Falls is home to manufacturer Arctic Cat, Inc. Rich in snowmobiling history, it’s also home to Seven Clans Casino, one of the major sponsors of the Red Lake I-500. Run in and around Thief River Falls since 2004, the race is a major attraction in an area where snowmobiling is literally a way of life for so many of its inhabitants. With miles of ditches, river, woods and fields, the terrain allows for a challenging, exciting course that always satisfies spectators and racers.

Where? Fifty-one miles East Northeast of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Course features: You’ll find just about everything in the I-500, but ditch and river dominate. There is also technical woods running and high-speed minimum maintenance roads.

Lodging: Seven Clans Casino 218-681-4062; C’mon Inn, 218-681-3000; America’s Best Value Inn & Suites, 218-681-6205; Americ Inn, 800-396-5007; Best Western, 218-681-7555.

Staging: Behind Seven Clans Casino on County Road 3, just off Highway 59.

14

> THE VENUES

LEECH LAKE 100 Walker, Minnesota February 13, 2011 Home to just over 1,000 people, Walker, Minn., is located on the Southwest shore of Leech Lake. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the state, there is also some snowmobile racing history here as the old I-500 route used to run across the lake.

Watch for a USCC course that will use the lake and surrounding woods.

Where? One hundred ninety miles North of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Course features: Lake top and woods Lodging: Northern Lights Casino, 218-547-2744; Chase on the Lake, 218-547-7777; Country Inn, 218-547-1400; Americ Inn, 800-634-3444.

Staging: TBD

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SEVEN CLANS 200

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Red Lake, Minnesota February 19-20, 2011 In its second year, the Seven Clans 200 already has a reputation for being one of the most challenging races on the USCC schedule.

Racers must negotiate woods, river and ditch lines in some of the most remote areas in Minnesota. A two-day event, the new Seven Clans Casino Red Lake plays host to the event.

Where? Thirty-four miles north of Bemidji, Minnesota, on Highway 89 Course features: Technical woods, woods roads, ditch Lodging: Seven Clans Casino Red Lake, 888-679-2501 Staging: West of the casino along Hwy 89.

15

> THE VENUES

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MUNISING 300 Munising Michigan February 25-26, 2011 Billed as the East/West shootout, the Munising 300 is where USCC and USCC East racers meet to see who is the best. A pure woods race, the course mostly weaves through trees and along power lines and is one of the most unique on the USCC schedule. The deep snow the area receives usually results in a heavily whooped-out course that can best be described as brutal. Riders must use skill, endurance and a lot of nerve to find success here.

Where? One hundred twenty-one miles West of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan on Highway 28.

Course features: Technical woods Lodging: Cherrywood Lodge, 906-387-4864; Holiday Inn Express, 906-387-4800; Days Inn 906-387-2493; Munising Motel, 906-387-3187; Terrace Motel, 906-387-2735; Superior Motel, 906-387-1600 Staging: Cherrywood Lodge, E 10160 Highway M-28 E

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SEVEN CLANS 100 Warroad, Minnesota March 13, 2011 The final race in the 7-7-7 Challenge, the Warroad 100 offers a challenging mix of ice and terrain racing. Riders must negotiate twisting, arm-pumping lake sections and whooped-out shoreline making for a setup nightmare for mechanics. This race features a bit of crosscountry racing history as the Warroad 500 was held here from 1998-2001.

Where? One hundred forty-one miles Northeast of Grand Forks, North Dakota Course features: Technical woods, lake Lodging: Seven Clans Casino, 218-386-3381; Super 8, 218-386-3723; Patch Motel, 218-386-2723; Can-Am Motel, 218-386-3807 Staging: City beach area West of Seven Clans Casino

EASTERN TOUR

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NEW HAMPSHIRE 100 TBA January 8, 2011 A new venue for USCC East, New Hampshire is home to 6,830 miles of snowmobile trails and 115 snowmobile clubs. With such a rich snowmobiling heritage the New Hampshire event promises to be a memorable one.

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MADAWASKA 100

MAINE 100

Madawaska, Maine February 19, 2011

Greenville, Maine March 19, 2011

Located in Northern-most Maine, Madawaska promises to be a great race venue for USCC East. Plenty of snow, beautiful terrain including lakes and forest and a diverse crop of drivers should make for a memorable first-time event.

Located on the south shore of Moosehead Lake, Greenville, Maine, is a picturesque winter wonderland. It’s also a great place to hold a cross-country snowmobile race and last year’s event proved a memorable one. With plenty of challenging terrain on hand, it has all the elements to make the 2011 Maine 100 race another great event.

Where? Forty-six miles from Caribou at the very northern tip of Maine.

Course features: Woods and trail.

Lodging: Martin’s Motel, 207-728-3395; Gateway Motel, 207-728-3318.

There is more lodging available in Caribou.

Staging: TBA

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Where? Seventy-one miles Northwest of Bangor, Maine.

Course features: Woods, lake Lodging: Greenville Inn, 888-695-6000; Lodge at Moosehead Lake, 207-695-4400; Kineo View Motor Lodge, 207-695-4470; Leisure Life Family Resort, 207-695-3737; Moose Mountain Inn, 207-695-3321 Staging: The City Wharf

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CONTENDERS Cross-country racers are a special breed. They shun the intense drama of bar-to-bar racing in favor of navigating miles of uncharted territory in a solo run against the clock. They must read terrain and pick lines constantly, and there is no second chance to get it right. A mistake can lead to a long walk back to the nearest road or a long wait for the course sweepers to come and lend a tow strap. The best cross-country racer has excellent vision, a quick mind and superb riding skills. He is a master of sled setup and a competent mechanic.

In many ways, the cross-country racer is the ultimate snowmobiler. Here are some of the top riders on the USCC circuit.

COREY DAVIDSON

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AARON CHRISTENSEN BRIAN DICK

No. 3 Home: Holt, Minnesota Age: 40 Sled: Polaris 2010 Vet 30+ Champion A veteran cross-country racer, Corey Davidson has won the I-500 three times (1997, 2003, 2005). He combines his smooth, consistent riding style with meticulous machine setup as a recipe for success. He hates to lose and, though he has slowed slightly with age, he’s still a threat to win the big races.

No. 10 Home: Metiskow, Alberta Age: 29 Sled: Polaris 7-7-7 Challenge Winner A former Pro snocross racer, Aaron Christensen has raced the Pro National circuit and appeared at the Winter X Games in the snocross competition. A huge talent, Christensen won the Seven Clans 7-7-7 Challenge points last season. He is a threat to win on any given weekend.

No. 23 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 32 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Pro 600 Champion The reigning USCC FXR Pro 600 points champion, Brian Dick has been a top USCC Pro rider since 2003. He nearly won the Red Lake I-500 in 2006 when he was in second place on Day 3 and chasing down the leader who was on an ailing sled before his own sled broke down. Last season was a breakout one for Dick with the highlight being his weekend sweep at the Grand Cities 100/ Monster Energy 107.9 100. Dick works as an engineer at Arctic Cat during the week.

He’s a threat to win on any given weekend.

RYAN HUSTON

BRAD PECKA

ADAM MACH

No. 7 Home: Walker, Minnesota Age: 24 Sled: Arctic Cat A relative newcomer to cross-country racing, Ryan Huston had great success as a rookie Pro last year. He entered Day 3 of the Red Lake I-500 in the Top 4 last year and was up to second at one point before he fell victim to track failure. He’s a smart rider and is still on his way up – he switched from number plate 9 to 7 for 2011 so watch for luck and big things from him.

No. 16x Home: East Grand Forks, Minnesota Age: 20 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Expert 85 Improved Champion Racing his first full season last season, Brad Pecka took to cross-country like a grizzled veteran. He logged consistent finishes and used an equally consistent riding style to put in some fast times. Pecka got faster every race and, while he’s still learning the ropes, watch for him to be one of the frontrunners this season.

No. 27 Home: Minto, North Dakota Age: 14 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Junior 10-13 Champion Adam Mach is an up-and-comer in the USCC Junior classes. A smart rider who uses his smooth style to make time on the competition, he won the Junior 10-13 points last season scoring race wins at Grand Forks, Fargo and Warroad.

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JUSTIN LAVOIE No. 42 Home: Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba Age: 33 Sled: Yamaha Justin Lavoie set some pretty fast times in the Semi-Pro 600 class last season. His best finish was at Grand Forks where he placed eighth. A smart, well-prepared racer, Lavoie works at a Yamaha dealership and uses the resources at his disposal to his advantage.

Watch for him to get some good finishes this season.

D.J. EKRE No. 52 Home: Shevlin, Minnesota Age: 30 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Pro Open Champion One of his best rides last year was Day 1 of the Red Lake I-500 when he set fast time and carried an average speed of 71mph over the 150+-mile course route. He had a huge lead heading into Day 3 before track failure put him out of the race. Ekre won the Pro Open points last year and heading into 2011 is a favorite to win the points as well as the I-500.

BRYAN DYRDAHL

No. 55 Home: Bagley, Minnesota Age: 31 Sled: TBA One of the greatest crosscountry snowmobile racers of all time, Bryan Dyrdahl has won the I-500 a stunning five times (2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009), more than any other rider. Dyrdahl is a master at sled setup and rides faster through all different terrain than anyone else on the circuit. When he shows up, he is the rider to beat. Period.

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CONTENDERS DAN EBERT

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BILL SLOMINSKI

CHRIS KLIE

No. 97 Home: Minto, North Dakota Age: 51 Sled: Arctic Cat No. 60 2010 Masters 40+ Home: Lake Shore, Minnesota and Masters 50+ Champion Age: 22 Bill Slominski is making his second run at Sled: Arctic Cat racing cross-country. He got a late start 2010 Red Lake I-500 Winner during his first run in the late 1990s-early Last year’s Red Lake I-500 winner, Dan Eb- 2000s, delving into the racing world in his ert is the son of former Team Arctic Race late 30s. Now in his early 50s, Slominski is Manager and Tucker Hibbert crew chief a revelation, He races the Pro 600 class as Russ Ebert. While still young, Ebert pos- well as the Masters classes. In fact, he won sesses a keen analytical mind and is al- the points in the Masters 40+ and Masters ready a master at sled setup. He rides with 50+ classes last season and finished ninth his head instead of his throttle thumb and a in the Pro 600 class. Slominski is proof lot of times that will make all the difference that success can come at any age in crossin cross-country. country racing.

No. 120 Home: Grafton, North Dakota Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Sport 85 Champion Last season Chris Klie went from a midpack rider to probably the most improved rider in the pack in the Junior class. Klie was in the mix to win the points championship in the Junior 14-17 class and he won the points in Sport 85, two of the most competitive classes in the USCC. Klie and his dad come prepared to race every weekend and he utilizes a personal trainer to make sure he’s in the best shape he can to compete.

GABE BUNKE

RYAN TROUT

CORY DAVIS

No. 74 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota Age: 34 Sled: Polaris Known as the USCC’s Iron Man because he has not missed a race since the circuit began in 2002-2003, Gabe Bunke is also one of the top Pros in cross-country racing.

Though he admits he’s fonder of the longer races, Bunke is a threat to win on any given weekend. The epitome of the blue collar racer, Bunke balances family, a small business and racing and somehow makes it work. He finished second in the Red Lake I-500 last year, a race he has never won but has been oh-so-close many times.

No. 160 Home: Soldotna, Alaska Age: 22 Sled: Arctic Cat Son of famed seven-time Iron Dog champion Scott Davis, Cory Davis grew up riding No. 105 the backcountry of Alaska and developed a Home: Browerville, Minnesota superb ability to read and react to the terAge: 12 rain he’s riding. One of the best all-around Sled: Ski-Doo snowmobilers on the planet, Davis races He’s not very tall, but Ryan Trout rides like a snocross, cross-country, competes in freegiant. His performances last season in the style competitions and has appeared in nuJunior 10-13 class opened everyone’s eyes merous extreme snowmobiling films. Expeand at the Red Lake 200 his lap times were rience, natural talent and a drive to win has better than some of the veteran USCC rac- made him one of the fastest Pros on the ers riding liquid-cooled sleds (Trout was rid- USCC circuit. He sustained a severe foot ing a fan). Trout keeps in shape in the sum- injury while riding motocross this past summer by racing ATVs and he loves to ride. mer but should be ready for the season.

ROSS ERDMAN

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No. 338 Home: Winona, Minnesota Age: 22 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Women’s Champion Part of the Sobeck racing family, Jenna Sobeck is a student during the week and Women’s class racer in the USCC on weekends.

She’s fast too, and she won the points in that class last season, logging four straight wins to seal the deal. Her team comes prepared, and combined with her ability, makes her tough to beat. Jenna will be riding Arctic Cat for 2011, making the switch from Ski-doo.

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CONTENDERS

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COLE NYMANN

CHRIS HOFF

C.J. VANDEPUTTE

No. 404 Home: Plummer, Minnesota Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat Cole Nymann entered the 2010 season with a mix of snocross and cross-country experience under his belt. While he finished third in Semi-Pro 600 points, the high point of his season was a win in the Red Lake I-500. Not only did Nymann win the race, he won by some 24 minutes. Nymann had sled issues during the year that kept him out of the points championship but he is a favorite to win in 2011.

No. 513 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 31 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Sport 600 Champion New to cross-country last year, Chris Hoff won the Sport 600 championship while giving up one race to his nearest competitor. Hoff, who works at Arctic Cat, rode an older sled and, though he wasn’t sure if he’d stick with it, found success and won the points.

No. 555 Home: Pillager, Minnesota Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Junior 14-17 Champion With four wins in six races last season, C.J. Vandeputte was the dominant rider in the Junior 14-17 class. The Junior classes are highly-competitive and there is no room for error. Vandeputte’s consistency and speed put him at the front of the pack all season.

Watch for it to continue this season.

LUKE PERRAULT

RYAN FAUST

CHAD LIAN

No. 422 Home: East Grand Forks, Minnesota Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Trail Champion Luke Perrault has a motocross background but his dad Brian used to race cross-country. Once Luke graduated and was free of high school sports the pair decided to go snowmobile racing. His first season netted him a championship in the Trail class where Luke scored three wins on the season. With their racing and mechanical background and Luke’s ability he should be a contender in 2011.

No. 537 Home: Rubicon, Wisconsin Age: 22 Sled: Polaris 2010 Semi-Pro 600 and Semi-Pro Improved Champion There must be something in the water in Rubicon, Wisconsin, because Ryan is fast, scary fast as made evident by his first season of racing in USCC last winter. Ryan locked-up both Semi-Pro points titles with a determined style and tough as nail Polaris buggy. A smart rider who comes well prepared, Faust should do well in the Pro class this season. Keep drinking the water Ryan.

No. 681 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 35 Sled: Arctic Cat Chad Lian firmly established himself as a factor in the Pro 600 last season. With a season-long string of consistent finishes he landed a solid third in Pro 600 points, ahead of a long list of riders who are perhaps more well-known. Lian also finished second in the highly-competitive Vet 30+ class with a string of second place race finishes.

BRYCE BUCHANAN

MATT AUSTIN

No. 867 Home: Minnedosa, Manitoba Age: 32 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Expert 85 Champion A former Pro who converted to the Expert 85 class, Bryce Buchanan is both fast and smart – a dangerous combination in any form of racing. He’s one of the first people on a sled every fall and does a ton of testing, often entering the season with weeks more seat time than anyone else on the circuit. In short, he comes prepared to win and often does. He locked down the points championship in Expert 85 and logged three race wins in Expert 85 Improved last season.

No. 872 Home: Byron, Illinois Age: 21 Sled: Arctic Cat 2010 Sport 600 Improved Champion A finalist for the 2010 Most Improved Rider award, Matt Austin won the Sport 600 Improved points. Austin makes the long drive from Illinois with his brother Colin and his dad every weekend. He entered the 2010 season with a little experience and he made it count, taking a race win at the Red Lake 200 en route to winning the points.

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> CROSS

COUNTRY

Proper handlebar setup is crucial to the Pr cross-country racer. When you’re riding cr as as hard as you can for hours at a time the th slightest error in control placement or or handlebar angle can result in increased fatigue and slower times. in

Setting up a sled for cross-country racing is an art that many practice but few have mastered. When you look at the ranks of the great cross-country racers such as Kirk Hibbert, Brad Pake, Todd Wolff, Brian Nelson, Gerard Karpik and Jack Struthers they all had one thing in common, they were masters of setup. Whether it was by their own hands or the skilled mechanics supporting them, they knew it took more than a fast sled to win races, but one that would last as well. The sled in this photo is a Ski-Doo MX Z 600 X-RS racer that belongs to USCC Pro rider Sam Vandeputte. Read on as we take a look at the basics of a cross-country race sled.

When you’re racing for an hour at a time in sub-zero conditions frostbite happens fast and those low-cut windshields that make the sleds look so cool looking on the showroom floor just don’t cut it. Often a medium-height windshield like this one will be faster too as it creates a pocket for the rider to tuck into, cutting wind resistance.

Skis S on a cross-country sled are like tires on a race car. What works for one rider doesn’t necessarily work for another. That holds true for sleds and conditions, too. The right combination of skis and carbides can make or break you.

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As A in any form of snowmobile racing clutching is huge. Proper r clutch setup can mean the c difference in 3-5mph, a huge d margin especially when you’re m running a frozen river. It’s always r better to pass than be passed. b

E EPA rules regarding fuel tank p permeability has affected m manufacturer’s use of clear p plastic. Riders choose to rreplace their tanks with clear ones or, in the case of this o Ski-Doo, to scrape away the S opaque outer layer to reveal o tthe clear inner liner. When ffuel stops come into play tthere’s no quicker way to ccheck fuel level than a quick gglance at a clear tank.

Many cross-country racers use tunnel grippers to give their boots traction on the sled’s tunnel. You need all the help you can get when you’re blasting down a frozen ditch in flat light.

Shocks are hugely important in cross-country and the best racers are often skilled at setting up shocks and suspension.

St d lik ki are crucial i l tto making ki g Studs, like skis, the sled work in the various conditions cross-country racers encounter. And, like skis, each racer has their own preference regarding stud counts and patterns. The 600-class sleds are restricted to using no smaller than 1.25-inch lug tracks. This helps keep speeds down.

25

THE LEGEND

RETURNS

By Pat Bourgeois Photos Courtesy of the CJ Ramstad Archives – visit www.sledder.net for more details.

The

first written account of a race from Winnipeg to St. Paul dates back to the 1850s when winter travelers traversing the terrain via sled dogs transformed a supply run to a friendly challenge.

In 1886 the St. Paul Winter Carnival officially began holding sled dog races and ski competitions to highlight the winter attractions Minnesota had to offer. These were the kernel from which the idea to hold a snowmobile race from Winnipeg to St. Paul, roughly following the dog sled course from the 1800s, grew.

Another event said to inspire the first running of the Winnipeg to St. Paul race was Ralph Plaisted’s point-to-point snowmobile ride from Ely to St. Paul in 1965.

It was a distance ride many in the sport took note of and this, combined with the idea of holding a “modern day” version of the sled dog races from Winnipeg to St. Paul, was enough to make the St. Paul Winter Carnival decide to hold the first Winnipeg to St. Paul snowmobile race.

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The Winnipeg Race: 1966-1980 In 1965 the sport of snowmobiling was still in its infancy. Riding a snowmobile just 50 miles was an undertaking and snowmobiling really wasn’t the high-mile sport it is today. When the St. Paul Winter Carnival committee quietly announced it would hold a 500-mile race starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and ending in St. Paul, Minnesota for the 80th Anniversary of the Winter Carnival, no one took them very seriously.

In January of 1966 a few brave racers, 57 to be exact (though some accounts say 58), gathered in Winnipeg in sub-zero temperatures for the start of the Great Race and a chance to win a chunk of the $700 purse. It was -42 Fahrenheit when the riders left the starting line in Winnipeg and 28 riders crossed the finish line four days later with Herb Howe on a Polaris Colt at the front of the pack. It turned out to be a grueling and adventurous race, packed with drama, and the media loved it.

The media attention the 1966 race garnered opened the eyes of both snowmobile manufacturers and sponsors alike who saw an opportunity to get huge exposure for their products. Engineers saw it as a perfect proving ground for their ideas, and racers saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain a little fame and fortune. As a result, the 1967 race saw a dramatic increase in riders and was rife with cheating and controversy. Race organizers weren’t prepared for the increased participation and the increased desire by those involved to win the race.

Thus the stage was set. The Winnipeg to St. Paul race had collected all the ingredients that would make it one of the greatest races in snowmobiling – huge media coverage, intense factory involvement, an almost insurmountable route, and a core of racers so rabid for success they would do just about anything to win. For the next 14 years, until the last time the race was

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THE LEGEND RE RETU TURN TU RNS RN S The “Winnipeg Race” as it has become known amongst snowmobile racing historians and fans, has been responsible for defining the careers of many racers such as Archie Simonson who won the famed race in 1977.

run in conjunction with the Winter Carnival in 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul race would be one of the biggest, richest, and most prestigious races in snowmobiling (and, at some times, the most controversial). Peaking in 1975 with a total of 375 riders; the race saw television reporters, magazines and newspapers editors, and radio commentators scattered along the entire length of the course. The communities the race sliced through would literally shut down on race day. Kids and families would line the race route as schools were closed early allowing kids to catch a fleeting glimpse of these warriors of winter. The Winnipeg to St. Paul International 500 became more than a race, it was a spectacle; and in 1981, after several years of low snow and a struggling national economy, it all came to an abrupt end.

The Jeep 500 1987-1994 From 1966 to 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 had woven itself into the fabric of snowmobiling community, but passion alone was not enough to keep the

legendary race afloat. Snowmobiling hit a downturn as a bad economy and consecutive years of low (or no) snow, forced many manufacturers out of business, while others were restructured or absorbed. Racing was the least of many worries, but people missed the I-500 and some endeavored to bring it back.

The resurrection started in 1984, when a young Arctic Cat employee and a veteran snowmobile journalist got together.

Joel Hallstrom had raced the Winnipeg to St. Paul twice in 1979 and 1980 and C.J. Ramstad had worked in advertising and, among other things, founded Snow Week Magazine. Both had a love for crosscountry racing and a love for the I-500; and both, whether consciously knowing it or not, realized the importance of the race in the world of snowmobiling.

The pair started an organization called “Friends of the 500” to try and bring the race back. They knew they’d need money, so they started taking $15 donations and depositing them into an account at Northern States Bank in Thief River Falls. While

During the heyday of snowmobiling in the early 1970s, the I-500 was a significant race to unveil and test new models. This picture from the CJ Ramstad archives shows a bevy of John Deere sleds ready to embark on the 500-mile journey.

28

the money came slow, attention came fast.

Word had gotten out there was an effort to bring the race back and a defense attorney from Forest Lake, Minn., named Dick Sands soon requested a meeting with Hallstrom and Ramstad.

Sands had an interest in the I-500 as well. He was the attorney for the St. Paul Winter Carnival and he had been involved with the original race as its legal counsel.

While the Winter Carnival had no interest in the race anymore, Sands and the group that staged the original race for the Winter Carnival wanted to bring it back just as Hallstrom and Ramstad did.

Sands had a connection in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and his group had the idea to bring the race south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul along the North Shore Trail. Low snow had killed the original I-500 and the benefit of this proposed new route was that the North Shore Trail was almost guaranteed to have snow since it was so close to Lake Superior. The three groups got together (the old Winter Carnival group, Friends of the 500 and Thunder Bay) and settled on a plan. The race would run south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul and would then reverse the following year, running north to Thunder Bay. It wasn’t the Winnipeg route, but Hallstrom, Ramstad and Sands’ people thought it sounded good nonetheless.

The group went into action with Hallstrom serving as liaison to the manufacturers, Sands and the old Winter Carnival group handling the logistics, legal aspects and permits and Ramstad handling media and promotion. Ramstad soon landed Jeep as a sponsor of the first race and provider

Herb Howe won the first ever Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 and went on to be a key player in the organization and execution of subsequent I-500 races for many years.

of the grand prize to the winner, a new Jeep vehicle, insuring the race would pack some punch in attracting racers. George Rettner, former race director for the Winnipeg race in its waning years, and Herb Howe, the first winner of the race in 1966 and a person instrumental in staging the race in subsequent years, were key individuals in developing and honing the rules and staging the race The group got approval to cross the border and the green light for the proposed route, which took riders south out of Thunder Bay, across the border then along the length of the North Shore Trail to Duluth, then south until they basically ran out of snow. With the chance to race a new, reborn I-500 and a new Jeep as a grand prize, over 100 riders showed up for the race. It is interesting that the proposed first leg ran all the way to Duluth, but was cut short in Two Harbors due to fading light.

That’s 365-miles in one day! With so many sleds and so much snow the course became incredibly rough and to this day riders tell of negotiating the massive whoops that developed on the North Shore Trail.

With no dominant cross-country race circuit, that first Jeep 500 and later I-500s ran as their own race until 1994, and boasted a peak of 268 riders. Though it wasn’t the “Winnipeg Race,” it held all the excitement, challenges, and prestige of the original race and in many ways was better for its use of the magnificent North Shore Trail. The Jeep 500 put “The 500” back on the snowmobile racing map in a huge way.

ISOC 500 1995-1997 In 1995 the I-500 underwent a name change and gained a new promoter, the International Series of Champions, or ISOC. Before 1993, racers bounced from race to race, competing for purses and trophies at races such as Pine Lake, Albertville, Thief River Falls and, of course, the I-500. ISOC was started in 1993 and it exploded, becoming the dominant race circuit in snowmobiling even in its first year.

A former racer and trucking company owner named John Daniels, who had an idea to encompass all of the independent races into one series with a points champi-

Cat struggled during the 1980’s to develop a proficient terrain racer, but in 1990, under the command of Kirk Hibbert, the 1990 EXT Special brought home the I-500 title to Arctic Cat.

onship, founded ISOC and a common set of rules. With everything under one banner with one central sanctioning body it would make it easier for the manufacturers and racers to commit time and money to racing cross-country. ISOC would also claim the I-500 as its own and attempt to bring it back to its original route.

To leverage the heritage of the race, ISOC made the decision to once again run the race from Winnipeg and go south. Their first running of the 500 was in 1995 when it was called the Gould Brothers Chevrolet Grand 500. Riders left Winnipeg and went until they literally ran out of snow. From there, the field put their sleds on trailers and hauled them to Mille Lacs Lake where the race concluded. It was an unfortunate ending to what was hoped to have been a triumphant return of the “original” Winnipeg 500. However for Brad Pake, the winner of the 1995 event, a new Chevy Blazer and $23,000 in prize money made it easy for him to overlook the snowless end to the race.

Low snow would continue to plague the ISOC-sanctioned events. In 1996 the race concluded in Roseau, Minnesota and in 1997 Bemidji, Minnesota before the entire circuit was sold to would-be racing promoter Clay Cich. Cich calculated the cost to the run the I-500 in 1997 at $300 per mile. At

The Thunder Bay to St. Paul I-500 saw some of the largest driver fields in the history of the famed cross country race, with as many as 268 racers competing.

$150,000 it proved to be a race to expensive to sanction.

Warroad 500 1998-2001 By 1998, cost became such a crucial factor in the execution of the race, it changed the race’s very structure for the foreseeable future. Once again left without a promoter, the manufacturers approached cross-country promoters Jerry Erickson and Paul English, who operated the First American North Start Or FANS cross-country circuit, to gauge their interest in staging a 500-mile cross-country race. They accepted, and in order to curb the financial appetite of the race, the race would change to encompass multiple loops departing form the community of Warroad, Minnesota. The plan kept the 500 alive, but it could no longer boast an “international” format.

However, the format didn’t take anything away from the excitement and challenges the race would bring to those involved. With varied terrain that mimicked the Winnipeg

Now known as one of the greatest snowmobile racers of all time, Kirk Hibbert scored two wins in the “Jeep 500” the second coming in 1993 aboard the first year ZR, a sled in which he helped develop.

29

THE LEGEND RE RETU TURN TU RNS RN S

best. Soon the two had worked out a deal and the Seven Clans Casino 500 was born along with a first year purse of $10,000 cash courtesy of Seven Clans. In that one meeting, the race had gained a historic venue, a huge payout, and a new home.

When the I-500 returned under the Jeep name, the Polaris Indy was the sled to beat, with literally hundreds of the square-jawed sleds filling the staging area.

Polaris won the race six times in an eight-year span from 1987 to 1994.

races of old including drifted ditches and brutal lake runs, the Warroad race was as much a spectacle as 500s of years past.

What’s more, the Warroad I-500 became historically significant for at least one manufacturer. With just one 500 win coming in 1972, Ski-Doo rider Todd Wolff won the first two Warroad races breaking the Arctic Cat and Polaris stranglehold on the race.

Despite the apparent success of the Warroad based event, Jerry Erickson folded the FANS circuit and with it the 1-500, citing family, a new baby, and lack of time.

Once again, the 500 was left without a promoter and there would be no race in 2002.

Mach put together a schedule including a 500-mile race near Belcourt, North Dakota in cooperation with the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians a tribal council member named Brady Grant.

Dubbed the Skydancer 500, the three-day race carried with it the international namesake as it crossed in and out of tribal land.

Forty-three riders showed up to compete in the rekindled I-500 in 2003. Admittedly a shadow if its former Winnipeg and Jeep 500 days, Mach’s crew learned a lot from the first event and committed themselves to make future USCC versions of the I-500 a race worthy of its heritage.

Skydancer 500 2003 Founded in 2002, the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association (USCC) was the brainchild of a veteran cross-country racer named Pat Mach.

Most of the manufacturers’ support for snowmobile racing had shifted from crosscountry to snocross and it left Mach and a lot of other cross-country racers without a place to race. The new USCC association was determined to fill that void and with it, once again reignite the I-500 flame.

Red Lake 500 2004-Present In further hopes of growing the I-500, Mach brought the race back to areas it historically ran. He got in touch with Jeff Jasperson at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Jasperson was a huge fan of snowmobile racing and Seven Clans was already sponsoring some snowmobile racers. Mach began talks with Seven Clans about sponsoring an event and Jasperson made it clear if they were going to sponsor a race they wanted the biggest and

In 1998, Ski-Doo rider Todd Wolff won the then loop format race based out of Warroad, Minnesota in back to back attempts. It was the first win for Ski-Doo since Yvon DuHamel gave Ski-Doo there first and only I-500 win in 1972.

30

The Future It is hard to gauge just how important the I-500 race is to the sport of snowmobile racing. No other race has woven itself so tightly into the fabric of snowmobile racing history. Generations have grown up hearing the stories, seeing the old photos, and watching the grainy films. Others have been lucky enough to stand near the course as the riders come through, catching them for just a moment on their 500-mile quest. A lucky few have actually raced it.

It would seem with so much rural land being developed quickly, and increasing restrictions on where people can ride recreational vehicles, the race might never relive its former point-to-point glory of running from Winnipeg to St. Paul. But the St. Paul Winter Carnival lives on, and initial dealings by the USCC with the U.S. Customs, the Minnesota DNR, and Minnesota Tourism have proved promising. In fact, it has been promising enough that the USCC has mapped a proposed route for the 40th running of the I-500 and it runs from Winnipeg to the outskirts of the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro area.

One thing is for sure, whatever form the race takes on, be it Winnipeg to St. Paul or its current form near Red Lake, the USCC will make sure it is an event worthy of the history and status of the greatest race in snowmobiling.

While the Winnipeg 500 holds plenty of nostalgia, the North Shore trail section of the Jeep 500 perhaps holds the most memories and stories for those who raced it.

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