INDUSTRY NEWS

ISHOF ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2021

The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) announced their 2021 inductees. For thirty two years the ISHOF has been recognizing excellence in snowmobiling under the following categories: • Inventors, Designers & Manufacturers • Explorers & Adventurers • Trail & Program Developers • Volunteers & Club Organizers • Publishers & Journalists

This year’s inductees include:

Henry & Peggy Hartman from Hanover, PA under the Publishers & Journalist category. Henry and Peggy were editors and publishers of the “Keystone Snowmobiler”. The Keystone Snowmobiler newspaper was the official publication for the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) and was published from 1985 through 1997. Team Jim Langley and Clark Dahlin from Anoka/Cambridge, MN are inducted under the Explorers and Adventurers category. Jim and Clark completed a transcontinental snowmobile expedition aboard their Polaris Colts in 1966, leaving Vancouver, BC and arrived in Portland, ME. The expedition took a total of 24 days and traversed 4,018 miles.

Dave and Joann Smith from Mosinee, WI are inducted in the Volunteers and Club Organizers category. Dave and Joann have been recognized and respected in organized snowmobiling on a state, national and international level. Joann became the first woman vice president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). She served as V.P. for two years continuing to champion the importance of club membership. No matter how involved the Smiths were on a national level they remained grounded with the AWSC and their local snowmobile clubs. Dave was voted in as AWSC executive director for 2 years and then vice president for 4 years. He was the AWSC Director for Marathon County and Vice President of the Marathon County Snowmobile Council for several years. He served the Wausau Trailmates Snowmobile Club as vice president, being their racetrack chairman for their annual grass drags for over 20 years and was a groomer operator. Joann manages the Trailmates website and monthly newsletters.

Charlie and Marilyn Vallier of Naubinway, MI have been inducted in the Explorers and Adventures category. Charlie’s obsession with snowmobiling began when his dad purchased a HusSki 444 snow machine. In 1971, Charlie’s father opened a Viking snowmobile dealership. When Viking went out of business, they switched to a Scorpion dealership until Scorpion’s demise in the early 80’s. With a strong passion for snowmobiles, Charlie was always finding and working on old sleds and became an active member of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America where he serves as a director.

Charlie had gained a personal collection of over 200 sleds. This is where his dream of having his own museum began. Charlie and Marilyn first opened the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum on July 4, 2007, from a rented building they remodeled. It wasn’t long before they filled that space and needed to relocate. They broke ground on a much larger new building at what is now their current location, highly visible on Highway 2 in Naubinway. It opened in October 2013. They dedicate most of their time to the museum so it could be open to the public seven days a week.

Currently the museum is home to 185 snowmobiles and countless snowmobile related items.

Other 2021 special award recipients at this year’s ISHOF are:

The Red Arrow Snowmobile/ATV Club from Townsend, WI won the International Snowmobile Club of the Year Award, sponsored by Woody’s and supported by the Midwest Chapter of snowmobile Associations: Ken’s Sports from Kaukauna, WI won the International Snowmobile Dealer of the Year Award, sponsored by Snow Goer Magazine and supported by the Midwest Chapter and Western chapter of Snowmobile Associations.

Don Matheson from Bruce Mines, ON won the International Groomer of the Year Award, sponsored by Arrowhead Groomers, Track Inc., Pisten Bully, Prinoth Ltd. And the SnoBoss Groomers.

Mickey Rupp, Mansfield, OH won the Edgar Hetteen Memorial Award of Merit sponsored by the Elmer Cone family and the Iron Dog Brigade.

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT IRON DOG UP IN SMOKE! BRP’S STORAGE YARD CATCHES FIRE

CSRA RELEASES TENTATIVE 2022 RACE SCHEDULE

The Iron Dog Board is pleased to announce the selection of Bob Menne as the new executive director.Menne, a lifelong snowmobile enthusiast and racer brings a long career of experience in themotorsports industry and business management expertise. As the Executive Director, Menne will oversee all operations, fund raising, andpublic relations for the World’s Longest Toughest Snowmobile Race. Mennehopes to utilize his ties to the racing community to encourage more “lower 48”racers to take on the Iron Dog. “We are very excited about the future and lookingforward to working with Bob,” says Iron Dog Board President, Roger Brown. “Hehas lifelong relationships with many snowmobile industry insiders and we’rehoping this will translate into more support and publicity from themanufacturers.” Menne will work closely with board members, volunteers andstaff to promote the sport of snowmobile racing and winter safety around Alaska,while making a positive impact in the communities that Iron Dog travels through.

The 2022 Iron Dog Expedition Class begins February 17, 2022 and the Pro Class races start February19, 2022. Earlier this summer, BRP announced that there was a fire in their storage yard located in Juarez 2, Mexico facility. All employees that were on site were safely evacuated with no reported injuries. “I am pleased that all our employees are safe and followed our health and safety protocols.We appreciate the quick assistance from the firefighters, local businesses, and authorities.We do not anticipate any material impact to our business”, stated José Boisjoli, President &Chief Executive Officer, BRP. BRP is working with authorities and internal and external experts to determine the cause of the fire. Some SSV units were destroyed in the fire representing roughly six days of production.

As we near the 2022 CSRA race season, races sites are being confirmed but dates are not. CSRA has eight cities that it will be stopping at for 2022. Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Lindsay, Valcourt, Innisfil, Timmins, Kitchener and Barrie will all be stops in 2022. Stay tuned for dates!

COR POWERSPORTS GIVES LATE SPRING RACE UPDATE

The 2021/2022 Cor PowerSports race season is ramping up for another successful year. The website and social media updated for the race schedule, which will feature seven events in total with three lake courses and four terrain courses. 2021/2022 rider number list posted as well as the rule updated for season. Early Bird Membership registration is also now open.

Returning racers will have their number reserved until October 1st. Cor PowerSports will not be allowing duplicate numbers for new racers. New racers will have to choose a number not listed.

There is a brief highlight of that rules that have changed for the upcoming season. Racers are asked to visit www.corpowersports.com and refer to page four of the handbook.

Racers are reminded if they haven’t picked up their Membership packets or awards from last season that they will be available for pick up at Hay Days.

MIDWEST INTERNATIONAL RACING ASSOCIATION (M.I.R.A.) RELEASES 2022 RACE DATES

M.I.R.A. weekend events will have a full sprint racing program on Saturday, with Kitty Kat 120’s and the main event endure to follow on Sunday. The class structure is similar to that of most other sprint racing associations, which allows them to participate without having to make drastic changes to their equipment. The feature competitors in their endures are the 600 modified series. The series race dates are: January 14-16, 2022 World Championships, Eagle River, WI (endure only) January 29-30, 2022 Extreme Powersports 250, Gaylord, MI February 12-13, 2022 E.U.P. Merchants 250, Kinross, MI February 19-20, 2022 FireRite 250, Lincoln, MI