District & Club News from OFSC Districts 6, 7 & 11
Volume V olume 3 Issue Issue 1
Publication Agreement Number 42105034
$4.95 CDN
N November ovember 2 2012 012
THE LATEST ON: 2013 Snowmobiles THE WORLD’S BEST Snowmobile Club WINTER WEATHER FORECAST For Central Ontario ABITIBI-TEMISCAMINGUE SLED TOUR
PURCHASE FROM YOUR LOCAL SNOWMOBILE DISTRICT
OFSC District 6 Snow Country 40484 Hwy 41 Pembroke ON K8A 6W5 877-376-7669 / 613-735-8882 www.snowcountyscsa.net
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OFSC District 7 Muskoka Box 987 - 1 Robert Dollar Dr Bracebridge ON P1L 1V2 800-328-7245 / 705-645-3123 www.msrsnowtrails.com
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
OFSC District 11 Near North Trail Assoc. Box 237 - 160 Pinewood Park Dr North Bay ON P1B 8H2 866-338-6682 / 705-495-4333 www.nnta.ca
November 2012
Message From The Editor: I’m thrilled about starting our 3rd season of SCO and with two seasons under our belts; things continue to get better and better. There is still a lot going on in the snowmobile industry and in Districts 6, 7 and 11, We are proud to be in the middle of Central Ontario where the most snowmobile news is happening and being a part of this never gets old. Our stories continue flow as the information representing Central Ontario is strong with enthusiasm where so many folks ride every year. This area is blessed with its fair share of snow, while others on the continent are not so fortunate. In this fall issue of SCO we have district and club updates, a winter forecast for Central Ontario, 2013 sled updates and other fun information, that we hope you enjoy!
OFSC District 6 Snow Country DM Report Page 11 Bonn Trae Page 11 White Water Page 12 Opeongo Snowbirds Page 12 OFSC District 7 Muskoka Tall Pines Page 16 Algonquin Page 16 Du Ya Wanna Page 17 Highland Rovers Page 17 Snowcrest Riders Page 17 SMART Page 18 Page 18 MSB Happy Wanderers Page 19 MLSTA Page 19 OFSC District 11 NNTA Almaguin Page 20 Bonfield Page 20 Mattawa Page 20 North Bay Page 21 West Nipissing Page 21 S. Shore Restoule Page 21 Extras Race News Page 5 Yamaha New Nytro Page 8 Antique Section Page 9 Osgoode Carlton Page 13 Economic Impact Page 14 Oil Isn’t Just Oil Page 22 Abitibi-Temiscamingue Page 25
Making a Difference
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario magazine is published three times a year and is mailed free of charge to permit holders of OFSC Districts 6, 7 & 11 who have completed the OFSC member benefits page of the permit application. We do allow members and clubs to opt out of receiving and paying for this publication. Subscriptions are available at $10.95 per year, please send your request to the address below or contact us by email. SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario has an online component available year round. Also, our contributing districts will be online in conjunction with the magazine, another communication tool for our members and interested snowmobilers. Return undelivered items to SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario at the address listed below.
Home of the RAN and RAP Tours Known How To Contact Us: for TNT-Trails and Tourism in Central Ontario. Mail: Snowmobile! Central Ontario ISSN 1925-1262 62 Hiawatha Drive Port Sydney ON P0B 1L0 Editor and Publisher: Bob Island bob@snowmobilecentralontario.com Phone: 705-385-1964 Fax: 705-385-4141 Advertising Director: Larry Horton Web: www.snowmobilecentralontario.com larry@snowmobilecentralontario.com Contributors: OFSC Districts 6, 7 & 11
Notice: SCO can not be held responsible for the material that is sent in from its various sources. We trust that the information is true and accurate. Always wear a helmet and the appropriate snowmobile gear. We endorse the policies and safe practices as set by the OFSC (Ontario Federation Snowmobile Clubs). Reproduction of any material published in Snowmobile! Central Ontario magazine is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Address changes should be sent to the address above. On the cover: The cover shot, by Bob Island, was taken on the D101B with the Oxtonge Shelter in the background
November 2012
Two years ago SCO started a campaign by publishing stories on Lake Bubbler Hazards, now things have really turned around on this issue. We have had several SCO readers send in information to help us with this cause and this too made a big difference. After several articles in SCO, we really started to gain some momentum on this dangerous issue. Then I suddenly realized that I was preaching to the choir, the choir being snowmobilers. Generally snowmobilers have already noticed and were aware of these problems. This is when I decided to take this hazardous issue to different Cottage Associations and Townships for discussion. This is when the regular media streams picked up on the risky business and then things really started to happen. After working with every government agency, it wasn’t until Sergeant Larry Butterfied of the OPP Huntsville detachment went on record and said; “people operating bubblers are liable. And under the Criminal Code Section 263, they could be charged if anyone is hurt and possibly charged with manslaughter”. CC Section 263 (1), Duty to safeguard opening in ice, which addresses a man made opening in the ice and in the event of a death allows for the penalty of manslaughter, not to mention the potential for a wrongful death lawsuit in a civil case. In the latest issue of Cottage life magazine, they have quoted SCO and our concerns. Cottage Life’s story
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
is titled; Your bubbler could make you a criminal”. SCO is mentioned several times throughout their story, this story Trouble in Bubbler Land” also covers cottage insurance and how the insurance companies are taken a second look at their position. The insurance companies are advising their clients of the risk and discouraging the use of bubblers. SCO has taken this issue far and wide; we have talked to councils, different lake associations all over Ontario. The information has been published in several periodicals across North America and we have done live radio shows and TV. I believe the story is out and through education we can all take credit in this achievement. Last winter local stores ran out of “Danger Open Water” signs, even flashing yellow lights are hard to find. But there are no excuses for cottagers, there is a place on line that sells caution lights, choices range form $20 -200.00 the site is; www.signalguys.com and signs can be custom made. SCO is proud to have made a difference with the bubbler issue and we are very concerned about snowmobile safety in general. We are currently looking into several sled safety issues that are potential problems, once we have done the proper research, you will be the first to know. If you have any safety concerns that you would like to bring to light, please email me at; bob@snowmobilecentralontario.com until next time, be safe, Ride and Enjoy!
Do You Know?
Snowmobile Central Ontario is produced, designed and printed in Muskoka. SCO is a strong promoter of local businesses. We support our advertisers and bring the snowmobiling community together as a family.
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ATTENTION
The Weather Network
By Carrie Olver, Anchor, Weather Network It had been more than 25 years since I’d been snowmobiling, but the feeling of fun I had as a child was even better 1 YEAR WARRANTY YEAR W ARRANTY as an adult. I have fond memories as a ON OUR SERVICE O NO UR S ERVICE WORK. WORK. Sled, ATV, Marine, Motorcycle, Small Engine S led, A TV, M arine, M otorcycle, S mall E ngine kid sledding with my family when it seemed as though the snow was 10 feet NEW S led & A Sled TV P arts! USED S ATV Parts! led P arts Sled Parts high. As a child everything seems larger ACCESSORIES AT ATV, Sled, Trailers! than life. Riding the trail system in OnOVER OVER 300 300 tario is so much more amazing than I SNOWMOBILE SNOWMOBILE OVER OVER 500 500 ATV ATV CHECK OUT OUT OUR OUR CHECK TRACKS TRACKS IN IN STOCK STOCK TIRES TIRES IN IN STOCK STOCK AND AND ON ON SALE SALE REPLATED C YLINDERS could have ever imagined. We were lucky REPLATED CYLINDERS AND AND ON ON SALE SALE to have Larry Horton, President of The (PLUS (PLUS EXCHANGE!) EXCHANGE!) Hill and Gully Riders Snowmobile Club HUNDREDS OF NEW NEW PISTONS, PISTONS, HUNDREDS OF as our personal tour guide. The rolling CYLINDERS, CRANK REBUILT C CYLINDERS, REBUILT RANK ON DISPLAY SHAFTS SHAF TS O ND ISPLAY scenic trail system of central Muskoka READY TO TO GO! GO! READY was breathtaking. My only complaint is that we didn’t have enough time to enjoy CYLINDERS CYLINDERS it. I really wish we had set aside several RE-PLATED RE-PLATED days to explore. A mistake I won’t make PLUS CORE PLUS C ORE this season. The weather was perfect for our adventure, there were bright blue skies, a light breeze and temperatures just below freezing. Even though I was dressed for the cold, the built-in grip warmers came in handy. After spending New New Lowell, Lowell, ON ON (20 (20 kms kms west west of of Barrie) Barrie) a few hours on the trails we enjoyed 705-424-1691 1-800-465-5668 05-424-1691 1 -800-465-5668 lunch at Pine Lodge Inn in Port Sydney, Muskoka, this is a local jewel in the region. The atmosphere was warm, rustic and completely contemporary. Grille ’27 offered such unique and delicious menu options, which included herb infused duck fat fries. Yes, I said duck fat! I have to say the experience ruined me for all other fries I have eaten since. Much to my surprise, I am hooked on the great Canadian sport of snowmobiling. The reason I’m so surprised and didn’t see it coming was my future husband showed up at home with a pair of sleds out of the blue. A present meant for us, but I think (wink, wink) more for himself. Regardless, a great surprise and now a brand new past time for the two of us.
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Snow in the Forecast for this season
Now with my newfound enthusiasm I can’t wait for it to snow. So the big question is, “What does the winter in Ontario look like this year?” I asked my colleague, TWN Meteorologist Bryn Jones, for some insight. Bryn said that for the Great Lakes Basin, El Nino gives mixed winter signals and we look to another pattern which is much more difficult to pin down called the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Southern Ontario will likely have an average winter temperature-wise, where we have bouts of cold weather separated by milder spells; some of which could be quite pronounced and last a few days or even the better part of Page 4
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Photo by Karina Sinclair
a month, but not longer. Considering the near average temperatures expected and the tendency for cold spells, which tend to be dry in the winter, and mild spells, which tend to be wet, imply a near normal winter for precipitation. If the cold spells are more pronounced at the beginning of winter we will have more intense and frequent lake effect snows in the snow belts and this could help tip the scales locally for a somewhat snowier than average winter. This would come as great news for snowmobilers! While state-of-the-art seasonal weather forecasting takes some skill, it also has its limitations so, let’s hope for recording breaking snow. When you see me out on the trails remember I just report the weather, I’m not responsible for it. So please be kind to your local snowmobile-riding weather lady. Happy trails, and see you this winter.
The New Pointcast
Knowing that local forecast conditions are vital to any outdoor enthusiast The Weather Network has introduced a brand new exclusive technology that will allow you to have hyper-local forecasting weather information within 1km of your location. It’s called Pointcast. By using your Canadian postal code on your mobile device you can access your own Pointcast. The short term, long term, hourly and 14 day trends are now generated to over 800,00 locations across Canada, and it’s only available at The Weather Network.
November 2012
OPP SAVE Team in Training The OPP have successfully finished their first year with their SAVE (Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel, Enforcement) Team training and operations. SCO came across the SAVE Team snowmobile group last season to witness a small part of what goes on during training. This find sparked this story and led to a recent interview with P.C. Steve Mihills, SAVE Team for Central Region. P.C. Mihills is also a trainer for this program and he outlined how this OPP training works and what the officers learn in this new course. P.C. Mihills takes part in all three disciplines of SAVE; Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel, Enforcement. But the purpose of this story, we will be focusing on the snowmobile program. Last season, SCO saw 22 OPP riders, and 16 of these where officers in training and the balance were OPP trainers. Each trainer had a class of 4 students that were identified with numbered coloured vests. All officers were using Ski-Doo GTX machines with 550 fan powered engines. Everything was black, their machines as well as their snowmobile clothing, in true typical OPP fashion.
The Five Day Course
In the past the OPP snowmobile course was two days, but the new SAVE program is now five days. The extended program is in its early stages and now covers much more and part of new program is more seat time. They cover everything to do with how to ride a snowmobile, trailering, sled maintenance, survival training, search and rescue. The first day of this program starts with a full day of classroom training, but on day two the course moves off much like one would expect, with a series of pylons, were each student/officer goes through a slalom course to practice their cornering, but this course does have a steep learning curve. They learn how to get a sled stuck and how to get it out safely. They course covers the trail locations and how they are interconnected. They also cover off trail riding, but this is not promoted. P.C. Mihillls explains, “It’s like an officer learns how to drive a cruiser fast, but this is not promoted. They need to know how to do this and what to expect if needed.” That steep learning curve includes survival techniques, were a November 2012
team of 4 works together in an overnight exercise. They travel deep into the bush and learn how to build a shelter, how to start a fire and all of this with little food on hand. P.C. Mihills said, “The officers need to know what its like to feel hungry over night, the training includes several worse case scenarios.” How about cold water immersion, personally I can’t see many would line up for this exercise? This segment is done at the Dorset Narrows, in District #7; this section of The course covers everything to do with how to ride a snowmobile water very seldom freezes. This maneuver is closely supervised by the trainers; P.C. Mihills wears a dry suit and waits in the water away from the ice edge while the student/officers to practice pulling themselves out of the water, by using ice picks. What’s worse is they have to do this twice in a row and after they are out of the water the second time, they need to start a fire on their own. P.C. Mihills said, “The officers need to learn to feel this experience, what the initial cold water shock feels like and how to cope when they gasp for air, and how to recover from all of this.”
The OPP SAVE Team course is still The SAVE training program is five full days and covers much more seat time. in development stages, while they do plan to run 2-3 additional groups in OFSC District 7 this season and another 2-3 groups in northern Ontario. After finding out about this program, we at SCO believe that they www.byersequipment e q u i p m e n t ..com com are heading in the right direction. Certainly, 5666 HWY 12 S., 1 Mile East of of Orillia Orillia 11-888-710-8015 -888-710-8015 this training will enable and better prepare the officers for trail patrol and emergency service for all of us in the province. SCO would like to thank the O.P.P. and P. C. Steve Mihills for all the information and insight into this worthwhile training that will better enable these officers to keep *3.99% *3.99% Finance Finance rate rate for for 36 36 Months: Months: this this is is a limited-time limited-time offer offer which which is is valid valid for for the the purchase purchase of of selected selected q qualifying models and approval TD Auto ualifying m odels a nd iis s ssubject ubject tto o ccredit redit a pproval ffrom rom T DA uto Finance Finance us all safe! ®
(TDAF) (TDAF) on on qualified qualified purchases purchases financed financed during during this this program. program. o offer may not be with other offers, and may be extended orr tterminated without ffer m ay n ot b e ccombined ombined w ith ccertain ertain o ther o ffers, iis s ssubject ubject tto o cchange hange a nd m ay b ee xtended o erminated w ithout further further notice. notice. see see participating participating retailers retailers for for complete complete details details and and conditions. will depending on amount conditions. Rates Rates from from other other lenders lenders may may vary. vary. Monthly Monthly l payment pay a ment and and cost cost of of borrowing borrow o ing w ill vvary ary r d epending o na mou o nt borrowed borrowed and and down down payment/trade. payment/trade. Minimum Minimum amount amount to to finance finance is is $5,000. $5,000. example: example: $7,500 $7,500 financed financed at at 3.99% 3.99% over over 36 36 months months = 36 36 monthly monthly payments payments of of $221.40 $221.40 with with a cost cost of of borrowing borrowing of of $470.27 $470.27 and and a total total obligation obligation of of $7,970.27. $7,970.27. Freight, Freight, licence, licence, PPSA/RPDRM, PPSA/RPDRM, insurance, insurance, registration, registration, any any retailer retailer administration administration fees, fees, and and other other applicable applicable fees fees and and taxes taxes are are not not included included in in the the financed financed amount. amount. Dealers Dealers are are free free to to set set individual individual prices, prices, but but must must be be enrolled enrolled with with TDAF TDAF to to participate. participate. Professional Professional rider rider on on a closed closed course. course. do do not not attempt attempt maneuvers maneuvers beyond beyond your your capability. capability. Always Always wear wear a helmet helmet and and other other safety safety apparel. apparel. Never Never drink drink and and ride. ride. ©2012 ©2012 Polaris Polaris Industries Industries Inc. Inc.
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
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2013 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 ESPN’s Winter X-Games: Off Again, On Again!
Last year’s Winter X-Games was missing something; they did not host the annual Snowcross event like they have in the past. There were many sled heads that were disappointed with ESPN’s decision to cancel Snowcross. ESPN has cancelled events in the past, but no one could speculate on why they would cancel the popular Snowcross event. Now for the good news, Snowcross is back on for this year, the race will be held in Aspen CO at Buttermilk Mountain along with all the other ESPN Winter X-Games events. BTW, ESPN cancelled some snowboarding events to make room for the Snowcross event to be held in late January 2013.
WINTER
Iain Hayden gears up for another CSRA Championship
With the Rockstar Energy Polaris Racing team’s first race coming up in Duluth, Minnesota on November 2325, technicians and drivers are busy doing the final prepping on the Polaris IQ sleds. They are in the Duluth area for a week before the event at Spirit Mountain to do some final testing of the sleds. Although Team Rockstar Energy Polaris Racing is focusing again on the CSRA Canadian Snowcross Championship and some selected ISOC races in the United States are also on their schedule. The Canadian series kicks off with the Capital Cup National Snowcross at Calabogie Peaks Resort outside of Ottawa on the weekend of December 7-9, 2012.
rounds had to be cancelled due to a lack of snow. “It would have been nice to race those events, but it looks like Mother Nature had the last word,” said Hayden, “still, I’m thrilled to have won my fifth championship.”
More good news from Rockstar NOVICE 250cc Class Energy Polaris Racing Team The Novice 250cc class is designed for new riders, or for children that have never ridden before. The riders all use the new Phantom snowmobiles, this class is designated for kids 8-13 years of age. The Phantom snowmobile is made for children and has half the weight of a full sized machine, half the weight and half the size makes it easier for children to handle and feel successful. “This success builds confidence,” says Bill Moffatt of CPI Recreational Products. This is a specialty class that is intended for kids to learn how to ride, race and be safe. CPI Jakob Rosko-Fong joins Rockstar Energy Polaris Racing Team 2013 Recreational Products does have a Rockstar Energy Polaris Racing team special offer to racers only; CPI Recremanager Andre Laurin is pleased to ational Products will sell a new Phantom announce the signing of Jakob Rosko- 250cc sled to any CSRA members that Fong. The 15-year-old Kirkland Lake, race a minimum of 5 races at a disON native will campaign both the Na- counted price. tional and Regional Pro Lite Champi- Vintage Classes onship for the team. “Not only does The popular vintage classes are back Jakob show a lot of promise as a pro this season and are to be held at every rider, he possesses a level of maturity CSRA event, but these races are on and professionalism not everybody his age has. Those qualities are an added Sundays only. bonus for the team and our sponsors. We’re happy to have him on board,” Laurin said.
Last year was a shortened snowcross season due to unusually warm weather, Iain Hayden was officially crowned CSRA National Pro Open Champion on the first day of spring, after the Rosko-Fong, who early on proved snow was long gone. CSRA’s Ken Avann his mettle, winning a number of amateur announced that the final two national titles, made his debut in the Pro Lite class last season, finishing top five in the series. “I’m very excited to have been offered
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the opportunity to be part of an established championship winning team like Rockstar Energy Polaris Racing. For me that’s a real career and confidence boost and I’m extremely pumped for the upcoming season,” Rosko-Fong said.
Arctic Cat has a winning history and introduces their updated race sled for this season. This is a fine-tuned 2013 Sno Pro 600 that comes race ready with improvements to durability, precision cornering and suspension control. This race sled has been changed from the front bumper to the snow flap. Listed here are the winning key features; the 600R race engine with Heated 40mm Mikuni rack style TM carburetors and comes with TPS. The power is transferred through the Arctic Drive System (ADS) with a magnesium chaincase and Torque Overload Sensing (TOS) bottom sprocket, the power is delivered to the1.7-in. Snowcross track or 1.25-in. or the Cobra 2ply Cross Country track. The new chassis has a many changes to geometry and added strength to improve handling and control. The chassis is fitted with Arctic Race Suspension (ARS) and Fox Float X Evol Shox on the front and Race Slide
Action rear suspension equipped with Fox Racing Shox in the rear. The new suspension changes will improve the ability of the driver to steer and control the sled while on the gas. This updated race sled also comes with a Radial Master Cylinder brake system, this new brake system will give the driver a more positive feel and control throughout the race. This sled is built for both snowcross or cross country racing, for example a choice of gas tank sizes; a 5-gallon Snowcross or 13-gallon Cross Country fuel tank, the narrower Snowcross seat than standard Cross Country seat. The Snowcross model comes with a lowheight windshield and Cross Country has mid-height and there are different The CSRA Canadian series kicks off skis; C&A XT Snowcross or C&A ADX with the Capital Cup National Snow- Cross Country Ski. These race sleds are cross at Calabogie Peaks Resort, just finished in a new Team Arctic Green outside of Ottawa on the weekend of colour to complete this aggressive looking December 7-9, 2012. This event will package. host all classes, don’t miss this one!
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
November 2012
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
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Yamaha’s New Supercharged FX Nytro
Supercharged FX Nytros have been in the mountain segment for some time, but this version is now available for the Low Landers. This is a new low-elevation; forced induction upgrade is for the FX Nytro models only. Yamaha Motor Canada, in conjunction with Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A., has announced it will distribute the Trail Supercharger kit, a low-elevation bolton, premium pump-gas upgrade for its FX Nytro models and exclusive to Yamaha from Mountain Performance Inc. (MPI). The supercharger provides instant throttle response and a power increase of up to 45 horsepower over stock. The Trail Supercharger kit is designed and engineered to provide quality installation, fit and finish with no modifications to the Nytro’s hood or side panels. So the overall look will remain stock, this sleeper sled will sur-
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re ffield ield p ro O ver 1 45,000 a Over 145,000 are proven!
prise those who are unaware of what’s under the hood. All wiring uses stockstyle connectors, eliminating the need to cut or splice the wiring harness. MPI’s experts designed this kit to work seamlessly with Yamaha fuel injection system components and to use the stock exhaust. The result is a performance boost while delivering day to day operational characteristics similar to the stock sled. Until you punch the throttle; the supercharger produces 180 horsepower and 116 pound-feet of torque. Yamaha has the reputation of under estimating their horsepower ratings, so watch out for this rocket ship! Designed to fit all 2008 – 2011 FX Nytro model snowmobiles, this kit includes a tunnelmounted auxiliary cooler, a set of accessory ice scratchers and all necessary clutch and gearing calibration components. This kit also includes a one year limited warranty from the manufacturer. Base MSRP of the kit is $4,399.99, (This is the same price as in the U.S.) and Yamaha Motor Canada is taking delivery now. Important: MPI has a 1 year warranty on their parts, while installation of this kit will not ‘void’ the snowmobile’s warranty, specific failures determined by Yamaha to have resulted from installation of kit components or other modifications may not be covered by the Yamaha limited warranty or extended service coverage.
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November 2012
Antique Section: Technology Continues to Improve
By Ross Jewiss
Kee ping in mind I had a total of one year’s riding under my belt, all on a low-powered Ski-Doo Olympique, picture this. I squeezed the throttle hard and the cleated track, standard on Polaris and Arctic Cats of the day, grabbed the packed snow in the field
and slid me backwards down the seat. Then it got worse. Because what happens when you get thrown backwards? Yup… you squeeze harder! That little sled bolted across the field faster than I could ever imagine. And it just kept getting faster. My knees were slamming against the handlebars, and I was lurching all over the seat. I still recall the feeling that my eyeballs were rattling loose with the hard suspension pounding on the packed snow. I could see the terrain bobbing all over. I looked down at the speedometer with my goggles sliding down over my nose and cheeks and was shocked to see that was I going almost 50 mph! My eyes were watering and panic reigned. How was I going to stop this thing? The sled had a kill switch and an oh-so-cool hydraulic brake (no tethers in the early 70’s) but do you think I could find either one? I was scared to a point of terror, clinging to the handlebars, not thinking straight and, as crazy as it sounds, it didn’t even cross my mind to let go of the gas! I had the throttle pinned and was holding on for dear life. I was running a straight line and could see the fence approaching at the end of the field. To this day, I recall screaming out loud while my bouncing eyeballs were trying to focus on something, anything. And I am not sure how I decided but I never did touch the brake or the kill switch. I lifted both hands off the handlebar and prayed for salvation. The sled veered left as it slowed and found some
deep snow in a gully and I absolutely buried it, out of sight of the onlookers back at the house. Fortunately, there was no damage to the sled or the rider. And digging out was way better than ploughing into a farm gate! Or telling John what I had done. And, just so you know… the secret was safe until just now! I never told a soul! I came back across the field, slowly, with my fear fading and turning into a big stupid grin. But I will tell you straight up, that I never rode that foolishly again. I had learned a life-long lesson about the power inherent in snowmobiles that day. But I also gotta tell ya… What a rush that was! The little Colt was a winner. I was sold on bigger engines; better features, better turning and softer seats. My time for all of that would come the following year. My next sled was, and is, still one of the best-known and yet most-chastised sleds ever made… the 1973 Ski-Doo T’NT Silver Bullet.
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In 1970, the year before I had my first snowmobile, I used to pour over all brochures imagining what it would be like to choose a new snowmobile… all those brands, all those colours. And I used to dream while riding in the back seat of my parents’ car watching the fields go by on the way back from cottage south of Minden, wondering what it would be like to go as fast as a car on a snowmobile. Heck, every manufacturer had at least one model over 700 cc’s, even though the norms for the day were 340 singles and up to 440 twins. Those 700 cc models were few and far between, noisy and notoriously unreliable, but can you imagine being able to go an advertised 60 mph (100 kph) on a snowmobile? It was a notion too exciting at that time to even really fathom. But that was 1970. So, when I was riding my 1971 Ski-Doo into 1972, like many teenagers, I was blissfully unaware that anyone could actually go any faster, despite what the brochures and dealers said. After all, what could possibly go faster than a 300 cc single going flat out on Lake Muskoka? But I had a rude awakening when my brother’s friend John arrived at the house in Gravenhurst with a little 1972 Polaris Colt SS 340. Now to me, the difference was only 40 cc’s and the machine was so tiny, I even had trouble sitting my 6 foot frame down on it. Where was I supposed to put my knees after all? Little did I know I was in for an attitude adjustment. At that time Polaris machines were still festooned with a bright red seat to go with a light blue chassis with a white hood. The red, white and blue were strikingly evident! Magazines of the day claimed Polaris let someone loose with a bar of Ivory soap and a carving knife to design their hoods. But it wasn’t the odd
looks that grabbed your attention as much as the engines, the power and the performance. Nestled under the hood of this sled was a 340 cc twin engine that was “free air”. That means there was no fan to cool it. It was the latest technology! Liquid cooled engines were still a pipe dream that wouldn’t appear for several more years. The free air meant the engine had big honkin’ fins to catch the cold air for cooling, and with less drag on the engine itself because there was no fan, the sleds were generally faster than their fan cooled cousins. Free airs had been used in racing snowmobiles and a few high performance sleds, but not down-to-earth mom and pop sleds. I was still sceptical though when John asked me if I wanted to try the Colt. I’ll admit the little twin was smooth compared to my single when we fired it up and the tuned exhaust much more pleasant than what amounted to a tin can with an exhaust pipe on my sled. But, pfft… I had a Ski-Doo Olympique! First of all… I wasn’t sold on the slide suspension. Although touted to be the be all and end all, sliders were relatively new and the Polaris rode a bit like an ironing board with a seat. But hey… that sucker could turn! My Olympique required a snow bank to run into or deep snow to lean into in order to make an about face. But you could play with the Colt in any front yard and still have fun. With the engine mounted over the skis, the little Colt turned that well! And, that was amazing enough. But, then I pointed the little snowmobile into the 25 acre field in front of my brother’s house.
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bbyamaha@vianet.on.ca | 31 31 E.P E.P.Lee .Lee Drive, bbyamaha@vianet.on.ca Drive, Bracebridge Bracebridge ON ON
November 2012
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Page 9
1066 Main St, DORSET bridge) ((beside beside tthe he b ridge)
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Please check proof carefully. Any errors Approved with changes | £ Needs Second Proof approval will not be the responsibility o proof carefully. Any errors or omission after Central Ontario publication, or the publishe ot be the responsibility of the Your Snowmobile Support LOCALREQUIRED Snowmobile Club RESPONSE WITHIN 48 HOURS. TRAIL publication, or the publisher. CONSIDER THE AD APPROVED. PLEASE R PERMITS: QUIRED WITHIN 48 HOURS. AFTER WHICH, WE AD APPROVED. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. Larry Horton Page 10 SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario November 2012
BUY WHERE YOU RIDE Advertising Representative
OFSC District 6 OFSC District 6 Snow Country 40484 Hwy 41 Pembroke ON K8A 6W5 1 877-376-7669 / 613-735-8882
• Bonn-Trae S/C • Eganville Sno-Drifters • Griffith & Matawatchan Sno-Dusters • Haliburton County S/A
District 6: With Many Trail Improvements By Terry Vaudry, District Administrator Our Clubs in Snow Country are hard at work readying for the upcoming season and are getting the trail system in good shape. Another great sledding season is on the way and we hope you all get a chance to sample our area this winter. You’re always welcome in Snow Country! I thought I’d give you an update of what our Clubs have been up to this fall. Along with our normal trail repair funding, District 6 received much needed assistance this season to complete some major infrastructure projects, thanks to the Provincial Tourism Development Funding Program. Many of these trail projects would not be affordable with our limited resources, but due to this grant funding we are now underway. All of these dollars go to trail improvements and you the user benefits. The BonnTrae S/C has completed a reroute around a landowner lockout on the B102 trail near Wilno. The Eganville Sno-Drifters have made trail surface repairs to both their B101A and E102 corridors. Griffith and Matawatchen are working on re-opening the E101 between Griffith and Denbigh, Keetna S/C have made improvements to the Top B between Barry’s Bay and Pembroke. Opeongo Snowbirds made repairs to the TOP B in
their area including new culverts, washout repairs, grading and brushing. Whitewater Sno-Goers made surface repairs and installed a culvert on the Top A. Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers made culvert and surface repairs to the E109 trail near Lake St Peter and they have repaired their #175 trail. North Renfrew S/C continued its improvements on the TOP A near Deep River. Timberline S/C completed surface improvements to the Top A and B101A trails. Combined, District 6 will spend close to $400,000 dollars in trail improvements this season, for you the rider to enjoy. Groomers are tuned up and ready to go, last season we groomed over 7400 hours! Hopefully you had an opportunity to ride our area last season, if not what are you waiting for? All our D6 Clubs are volunteer driven and would welcome some extra help, so please consider giving them some of your time by volunteering with a local Club. Contact the office or one of the Clubs for more information on how to get involved. In closing, if you enjoyed our trails last season please consider purchasing your 2013 OFSC trail permit from a District 6 member club. Projects like the ones noted above can only happen if our customers support our Clubs efforts to bring you safe enjoyable trails. See you on the trail!
By Mike Cayer, Club President I predict that the precipitation we did not get this summer will come down as snow this winter…and that means lots of snow! Trail permits have gone up by $10 this year, this extra $10 is being dedicated solely for the purchasing of groomers. We need these expensive machines are what keep our trails nice and smooth. You will notice a change on the B102 trail going through Wilno. Due to a landowner lockout we had to do a reroute of this trail. Thanks to the Red Canoe Café who have given us permission to reroute around and through their property. The trail will be going right by their front door. The club applied for and was fortunate to obtain grant money to get the work done. The cost of the reroute is $7000. Trail #141 is now permanently closed. This is the club trail that ran between Killaloe and Deacon running mostly in the ditch beside Hwy. 60 and across the bridge in Deacon. The MTO no longer allows sleds to cross the bridge. This means the trail has nowhere to go. Also this trail was an alternative to crossing the lake. The trail will still be used to move the groomer from Deacon to Killaloe
and vice versa. The section of trail between Wayne’s Repairs in Killaloe connecting to trail B102 will remain open to provide access for fuel and to Annie’s Inn. For updated information on Bonn-Trae S/C and other snowmobile clubs in our area visit the OFSC District #6 Snow Country Snowmobile Association web site: www.snowcountryscsa.ca. Don’t forget to sign for membership benefits when completing your application for a trail permit application. The Bonn-Trae S/C strives to improve and make your trail system better. For this we need volunteers and revenue from trail permits. Providing a great trail system helps to attract tourists who in turn spend money in our area helping our local economy. We meet on the last Tuesday of every month at the Sands on Golden Lake, so please come join us. Get involved, there’s a place for you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the landowners that allow us the use of their property for our trails and our dedicated volunteers for their great work. Without you, none of this would be possible. Wishing everyone a safe and a great sledding season ahead, let it snow, let it snow!!
• Keetna S/C • Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers • Missing Link S/C • North Renfrew S/A •Opeongo Snow Birds
• Peterson Pathfinders • Timberline S/C • Whitewater Sno-Goers
Dale Jackson President Snow Country Snowmobile Association & Terry Vaudry Manager Distirct 6 doing their duty at the Toronto Show.
Haliburton County Snowmobile Association
HCSA will be having their annual Poker Run this season on January 26th 2013. The run will start at RPM Haliburton and registration opens at 9:00. It will be a 50/50 draw and the cost is $40 for the first hand and $25 for any additional hands.
The Bonn-Trae S/C: Ready for some Great Sledding
November 2012
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Page 11
Whitewater Sno-Goers: Update By Josh Hicks, Club Director Greeting’s fellow snowmobilers, the Whitewater Sno-Goers have been very busy this year in the off season. We have made many small improvements this year; these improvements will make the riding through our wonderful trails even better. The Top A trail has seen a lot of work, things like improving road entrances and culverts. A small reroute between Northcote and Cobden has been done. This will allow for earlier grooming this year, by moving the trail away from some small ponds that don't like to freeze early. The new
Douglas bypass last year has now been incorporated in the Top B101A trail. This means the trail will no longer will go through the town of Douglas, but we are still keeping access to the town with a club trail. We are pleased to see new club members this year, as well as members from last year, we are really grateful for all the work done by our volunteers. Hopefully there is early snow this year for there are many people just waiting to hit the trails. We would like to invite you over to our trails, hope to see you in the Whitewater region this year!
The Top A Trail has seen a lot of work, things like smoothing the trail and culvert replacements.
Opeongo Snowbirds S/C
This new large culvert was installed to improve water flow and it’s strong enough to hold an excavator!
Opeongo Snowmobile Club’s trail work is completed and blessed with a snow rainbow on the right side of this photograph
Page 12
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
Osgoode Carleton S/C: Comes Out on Top
By Bob Island
The Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club has won the International Snowmobile Club of the Year for 2012, leaving them on the Top of the World. The news just keeps getting better for this snowmobile club, last season; the group won the OFSC club of the year award and a volunteer of the year award for all of Ontario in 2011, and was later awarded the club of the year award for all of Canada. The club has since been recognized for its stellar volunteer base, and has even won new grooming equipment for its efforts.
SCO had an opportunity to interview this club executive recently to explain what has been going on. “This all started at the club level and then went onto the District level”, said club president George Darouze. The District nominated this club and submitted the club’s 34 page document for the Ontario level presentation (OFSC), they won. The document contained all the different projects the club has accomplished and was still working on. The same presentation went on to the Canadian level, they won again. Now, thanks to a nomination by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), this group has been named the best club in North America by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Wisconsin. Darouze was unable to attend this award ceremony, but his executive was there, they all had the same thing to say, “They were all treated like royalty.” Darouze talks about the process, “Their lengthy 34 page presentation was cut down to 14 pages because it was just too long.” But even the shorter version won them the highNovember 2012
est honours. Darouze continues, “It’s been just overwhelming, although it is technically an international award, Darouze said, “The hall of fame’s membership largely comes from North America, so the award is considered the best on the continent.” Darouze said they are the first Canadian club to win the award, and he attributes the honour to the club’s commitment to the community. “We’re building a culture in the club. It’s our socializing, our volunteering, our involvement in the community,” said Darouze.
About the Club
the town ruled in favour of keeping the trail open to snowmobilers. All of this has contributed to the group’s awards and after talking with the club’s president it easy to understand why this club is the best snowmobile club on so many levels.
The Club’s Future
Darouze said, “He likes to think out of the box to keep people happy and keep things g rowing.” This club prides it self with their trail grooming, signage, and they always keep the club house warm. They want to make sure that every snowmobiler has a great experience when they travel on the OCSTC trails. So if you are looking for a sled trip in Eastern Ontario, very close to Ottawa, you should consider checking out what this club considers to be the best trails anywhere.
for the club is to get the local youth more involved. Presently he is meeting with governments to arrange working with the local schools. With the current unrest with the Ontario teachers, he has offered his club to help the schools with what ever they need after hours. There are arrangements for high school students, so they can get their 40 hour volunteer credit, which is required for graduation in Ontario. This club takes community involvement seriously and is in the public eye on every occasion. Darouze wanted to make sure that everyone was thanked, he said, “You can never say thank you enough!” He wanted to thank the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, OFSC, CCSO, OFSC District #1 Governor and John Boals. He wanted to extend his thanks locally; to the landowners, volunteers and business partners.
The OCSTC is 28 year s old, has175 landowners, g rooms 235 kilometers of trial and has 700 members, but what makes this club different are their executive and its force of volunteers. With 14 executives and over 150 active volunteers, this club makes things happen. Darouze has a philosophy about This club is very in tune with volunteers, he explained, “by using For more information visit the what’s happening in the community the 3Rs, Recruit, Retain and Reward! club’s active website: www.osgoodand Darouze said his next objective For example we will have 50 volesnowmobileclub.ca unteers show up for this weekend to do trail work.” He added, “We take our snowmobiling very seriously and we operate our club like a business.” The club executive feels the same as I do and we also work very hard with all 3 governments. Darouze is modest, but one can tell he is very proud when he talks about the club’s “new beautiful clubhouse” and “winning” the right to use the Osgoode multi-use pathway after a long battle with residents and the city. This battle was, to close the trail to motorized vehicles, but for Darouze, he held his ground, “snowmobilers live here and we are tax payers too, we are trail stewards and are a great asset for the MultiFrom L to R, Martin Michels, Dennis Burns, George Darouze and Rick Cheslock Use Trail.” After the lengthy battle SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Page 13
Positive Economic Impact of Snowmobiling Outperforms Economy
By Ed Klim, International nowmobile Manufacturers Association
Recreational spending and outdoor activities are much bigger economic drivers than most people realize. A recent study found that consumer spending on outdoor recreational activities generated $646 Billion dollars in national sales and services last year in the US alone. Economic impact analysts report that snowmobilers in North America have generated more than $30 Billion on economic activity directly related to snowmobiling each year. These expenditures include; equipment, clothing, accessories and snowmobiling vacations. The economic benefits of snowmobiling in North America generate jobs for approximately 100,000 individuals, mostly in rural parts of North America. The snowmobiling community generates significant income tax revenues and state tax revenues as well as reducing unemployment and welfare pay-
ments. Millions of dollars in tax revenues are derived from snowmobile related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, manufacturers, service stations, insurance agencies, hardware stores, banks, credit unions, and more. In addition to the positive economic impact, snowmobilers also pay millions of dollars in gas tax which helps build our trails, trail heads, and roadways to snowmobiling destinations. An example of an economic impact study showing the growth of snowmobiling activity and the importance of snowmobiling can be seen in reviewing the study recently done for the New York State Snowmobile Association by the Potsdam Institute for Applied Research in Potsdam, NY. The organization showed a 1998 economic report of $476 million dollars. In the 2012 report, snowmobilers were surveyed and the economic impact of snowmobiling was calculated to be $875 million dollars annually! Yes, this is an 84% increase in 14 years! This is a substantive increase, above
and beyond the growth of the economy, the rate of inflation. The positive impact snowmobiling has on the economy compared to other activities is remarkable.
The survey also profiled snowmobilers and shows that snowmobilers have a high level of satisfaction with the snowmobile trails and with access to restaurants, fuel, and rated the overall fun of the sport at over 90%. The direct effects of snowmobiling are impressive in providing employment opportunities for hundreds of workers in the snowmobile industry and the related hospitality industries and tourism industries. The staff of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire conducted a study for the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and found that the total impact on New Hampshire’s economy generated by snowmobiling was $586 million dollars annually. The survey found that visitors to New Hampshire spend approximately $114.00 per visitor per day when snowmobiling in New Hampshire. Yes, snowmobiling is
an important part of the economic engine for all winter tourism areas. If you have the infrastructure of trails and related accommodations along with snow cover, your area will generate millions of dollars of economic activity by welcoming snowmobilers to visit and enjoy your area. Individuals questioned in the surveys told us that on an average annual basis, the take 8 snowmobile related trips per winter. Typically a snowmobiling trip lasts two days and snowmobilers are finding the level of service and quality while snowmobiling is high and above average on the satisfactory table. Snowmobiling is a very important part of the economic engine throughout North America and is growing in Northern Europe and Russia. It is estimated that snowmobiling generates over $3 Billion worth of economic activity in the countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. It is expected that the economic impact of snowmobiling will continue to outperform the GDP growth of most countries.
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Clarion Resort Pinewood Park, A Snowmobiler Friendly Resort Page 14
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
2013 Yamaha SRX 120: A True Partnership!
Never before has a partnership like this happened with Yamaha and Arctic Cat, this is a historic build were everyone benefits! Now young Yamaha fans can finally take their first ride on a Yamaha! For the 2013 model year, Yamaha is excited to introduce the Yamaha SRX 120 Youth Snowmobile. This snowmobile is the result of a co-branded partnership with Arctic Cat. Since model year 2009, Yamaha has supplied Arctic Cat with the reliable, four-stroke, 123cc engine for the popular Sno Pro Youth sled. The decision was extended too make a co-brand snowmobile for 2013 and allow young Yamaha fans an opportunity to take their first ride on a blue machine. The SRX 120 will be manufactured in Arctic Cat’s Thief River Falls, MN facility to Yamaha’s specifications. Apart from colour and graphics, the Sno Pro and SRX 120 are functionally identical, with all parts being completely interchangeable and the same 1 year warranty applying to both.” Many of our dealers and loyal customers have encouraged us to offer a youth snowmobile over the years,” commented Chris Reid, National Manager, Product Planning at Yamaha Motor
Canada. “This partnership allows us to accommodate those requests and makes it easier for the next generation of Yamaha fans to get started in snowmobiling.” Here is what the brass at Arctic Cat had to say, Arctic Cat’s Snow Division General Manager, Brad Darling said, “This partnership makes perfect sense for our companies as we’ve been buying Yamaha’s 123cc 4-stroke engine for our Sno Pro 120 since 2009.” Darling goes on to say, “Snowmobile consumers are extremely brand loyal, so we don’t see this partnership cannibalizing any of our current Sno Pro 120 sales. Instead, the SRX120 will attract an added number of Yamaha youth to the industry. Any time we can be a part of growing the snowmobile industry, it’s a good thing.” Now that history has been made and this partnership has developed to this level, what next? Will this OEM Dynamic Duo continue to build more products in the future? We hope so!
Yamaha SRX 120 Youth Snowmobile
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The easy-to-start, fan-cooled, 123cc, 4-stroke engine found in the 120 is easy to manage for parents, yet is extremely fun to operate for the youth rider. Wrapped in a package with bold graphics and blue colour combinations, the 120 will instil a lifelong snowmobiling passion into youth riders. The SRX 120 is available in dealer showrooms now.
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OFSC District 7
• Algonquin S/C • Baxter S/C OFSC District 7 Muskoka Box 987, 1 Robert Dollar Dr., Bracebridge ON • Du-Ya-Wanna S/C P1L 1V2 1 800-328-7245 / 705-645-3123 • Happy Wanderers S/C
• Highland Rovers S/C • SMART S/C • Hill & Gully Riders • Snowcrest Riders S/C • MLSTA • Tall Pines S/C • Muskoka Sno-Bombers
District 7: OFSC AGM Report and HRSC By Chas Clark, Governor of District 7 Wow!! What a great year for the clubs and personalities in District 7. At the OFSC AGM in Blue Mountain, we swept the board. The OFSC Club of the Year was won by Snowcrest Riders, so our heartiest congratulations to Bob Clarke and all his club members for their outstanding achievement towards snowmobiling and their community. Every district and club have those members that are always there to help out, take on any number of tasks and club duties and can always be relied upon to be there when needed. I was particularly pleased that this year the award for OFSC Family of the Year went to Doreen and Bud Knowles from the Baxter Snow Riders. Bud was the previous Governor of District 7 and a long-time member of the MSR Board. From my acquaintance with Bud and Doreen, I know the many thousands of hours, yes thousands, that they have contributed to making snowmobiling great in Muskoka and in Ontario. This was a well merited and deserved award, so congratulations again. Our evening at the Pres-
ident’s Award kept getting better and better. The Lois Beckett Award for Driver Trainer of the Year was won by Lorrice Carruthers from Du Ya Wanna Snowmobile Club. Again from personal experience, I know how many hours Lorrice, helped by her husband David, have contributed to snowmobiling over the years. Hers is a particularly important role in that, as a Driver Trainer, she introduces our next generation of snowmobilers to our sport and she imbibes them with the same enthusiasm and passion that she has for it. So huge congratulations to all our winners in District 7 and thank you for your efforts. Highland Rovers SC was fortunate to receive a grant from the OFSC External Funding Task Force to repair and fix the many water holes on Top D between Rochester Lake Road, near Kearney, and Sprucedale. Work has already started and the first section of the project has already been completed as you can see from these photos.
Hopefully, by the time you come to ride the trail, we will have ironed out the lumps, bumps and the water holes
Tall Pines S/C: New Upgrades
to give you a smooth ride on Top D. taking up the sport. Remember, the I had an interesting chat with my 18 year old driver’s first car is usually friend Dieter the other day. He was at the Accord level but by 30 they thinking of buying a new snowmobile want a Porsche. This is just a thought to replace his wife’s old machine, but for the manufactures to dwell upon. was put off the idea by the cost and So see you out on the trails and enjoy power of the machines presently on the white stuff as I feel that we are the market where there doesn’t seem going to have a great winter to follow to be anything under $9000. He com- the great summer we just had. plained that there were no low cost machines. If we make a comparison between snowmobiles and cars, all we are being offered for snowmobiles is comparable say to the top range of Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Infinity. Where are the Ford Focus, Honda Accord, Yaris, and Skoda of snowmobiles? If I can buy a really good sit on mower for under $3000, why can’t I buy an entry snowmobile for the same price? In recent OFSC surveys, cost has been the biggest factor deterring people from taking up snowmobiling. If they had the option of a low cost machine to allow all the family to go out together, then perhaps we will see more people
will be a welcome upgrade to many. Finally By Gord McBride, Club Director After a relatively poor winter last season the Black River bridge on Trail #64 has let’s hope for a decent season this year. had new steel railings recently installed Presently, Tall Pines SC has several projects bringing this restoration project to comon the go; Trail 62 to Kennisis Lake will pletion. These improvements will make a have heavy equipment going in from both difference this season making the TPSC the north and south ends, during the later trails better and safer for everyone. Save the date; The Tall Pines / Dorset part of October this will improve this challenging trail including the corduroy Lions Camp Annual Poker Rally will be work on a swamp north of the shelter at held this year on Feb 9th 2013 .Please Buckhorn Creek. Other projects include check our website at www.tallpines.org corduroy work on D101B on the end of for more details. Maple Ridge Rd., on a couple of different swamps. This is great news, because this work will allow us to open this trail earlier in the season. More good news, there will be four new outhouses through out the Tall Pines trail network this season. The new Muskoka Snow Region map will reflect the exact locations of these new landmarks and these new buildings The new railing installed on the Black River Bridge on Trail #64 Tall Pines. Thanks to Gary Evans and his son Shone.
Page 16
Algonquin S/C: Update By Paul Murray, Club VP First off congratulations to District 7’s Rookie of the Year, Algonquin’s own Sean Macdonald! Sean joined the club last year; he worked on the trails and became a member of the Trail Patrol. It’s good to see Sean Macdonald to get this recognition, congratulations from all of us! Last winter, our area saw increased number of visitors to our trails; this put a lot of stress on the system, machinery and club volunteers. Our team worked overtime to keep up with the additional traffic and maintain quality grooming. Many of you who came our way and experienced our trails for the first time purchased your permits outside of Muskoka. This year we would appreciate anyone that rode Algonquin Snowmobile
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Club trails to buy their permits from us so that we can continue to deliver the quality of ride that everyone has come to expect from our trails. One of the biggest challenges clubs face is the continuous growth of brush on the trails and over time the edge of the trail becomes overgrown and brush creeps into the trail. Algonquin SC has purchased a new brushing unit to cut back these trails. We have already begun using this equipment and cleared a couple of the trails. With only one pass we can trim back three feet of brush and bring the trails to their original width. This will make it easier for grooming and make the trails safer for you the rider. The club is still finalizing our social calendar for this year so check the website and plan your visit to join us. Our web address is www.algonquin-sc.on.ca. November 2012
Du-Ya-Wanna Trail Riders S/C: By Glen Cowing, Club Volunteer Well friends and neighbours, it is that time of the year again – the hunters are out so trail work has stopped. It has been a busy summer for trail work. The warm, dry weather has allowed us to get to parts of the trail system that are normally inaccessible due to swamps and low laying water courses. There have been bridges fixed or rebuilt, washouts filled, trails cleared, brushed and generally made ready for the winter. It’s a shame so many riders don’t see what these trails look like in the summer and what work goes into keeping them up. Most riders would be shocked to see what
they are riding over in the winter months.
By Gary Irving, Club President On a positive note, I received a call yesterday from Rickward’s Polaris in Kearney to say that my “Snowchecked” sled is in, please come and pick it up. If any of you that have “Snowchecked” a new sled before know what I am going through right now, getting a new sled in September or October and then having to look at it every day in the garage until there is enough snow on the trails to test it out is just agonizing! I foresee an outing to the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife preserve, a private spot where you can ride on their trail system for a daily fee. It usually is open a few weeks before
our OFSC Trail System, allowing us “sledheads” an early season ride. More pre-season good news, the Highland Rovers Snowmobile Club applied for grant and we were approved, the work is underway to fix our Top D (Seguin) Trail from Rochester Lake Road (close to Kearney) out to Sprucedale. This will make this section of trail smoother and will take care of those low areas that we always had problems with in the past. Well that’s about it for now, off to get the annual sled maintenance items i.e., plugs, belts, slides, carbides, studs and start getting the machines ready for the snow.
By Bob Clarke, Club President The Snowcrest Riders Snowmobile Club of Gravenhurst, OFSC District 7, has been awarded the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, President’s Award the OFSC Club of the Year. Snowcrest Riders received this award at the recent OFSC AGM in Blue Mountain on September 15, 2012. Out of 229 Clubs in the Province of Ontario, Snowcrest Riders has brought home top honours as #1 in Ontario, based on their achievements and dedication to the family recreation of snowmobiling and their community. The criteria includes, but is not limited to, activities associated with trail per-
mit sales, club and charitable fundraising, safety and environment programs, club events, community partnerships or any other unique or special accomplishments that makes a club outstanding. This accomplishment is a true testament of the dedication, efforts, camaraderie, and achievements of our landowners, businesses that support us, our club volunteers, admin staff, groomer operators, board of directors and everyone who purchases a trail permit. This award is a result from all of us working together; to make our Club and Communities stronger, Well Done Everyone!
A big thank you to the volunteer workers and a large and heartfelt thank you also to go out to all the landowners who give us access to their land and allow the trail system to be as extensive as it is. Let’s hope the snow is plentiful and the season lasts well into June, since there may be no hockey, we need to do something to fill the time. Our web site has been missing for a short while, but our site is soon to be revamped, this will be up and running at www.duyawanna.com
Highland Rovers S/C: Looking for Snow
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Snowcrest Riders S/C: OFSC Club of the Year!
November 2012
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705-645-8763 705-645-8763 S ervice: 7 05-645-3010 Service: 705-645-3010 P arts: 7 05-645-3019 Parts: 705-645-3019
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SMART: Gearing up for a Great Season By Lisa Martin, Treasurer The SMART club is gearing up for what we hope will be a great snowmobiling season. Time to start praying for cold weather and snow; it has to be better than last season. The club is always looking for volunteers to help with trail brushing and maintenance. This is a good way for teens to earn their volunteer hours for high school. If you are interested on being on our volunteer list please email me at lisa@smartsnowmobile.com. It is important to buy where you ride as those permit dollars go back into helping those clubs maintain the trails that you use. SMART permits are on sale at Midland Recreation and the Home Hardware in Coldwater as well as Team Power Sports in Waubaushene. You can get your Classic permits at Midland Recreation. Permits are $210.00 and $130.00 (Classics) until December 1st. After December 1st the price increases $50.00 for a permit. It really is a great value for what it allows you to do.....explore Ontario on your snowmobile and see parts of the province that you cannot see otherwise. Poker Run: The club held its an-
nual summer Poker Run on June 30th. I would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that donated prizes. I would like to also thank the volunteers that helped run the event and the many people that came out to support the club. This event serves as a fundraiser for our club and the money raised helps us to maintain the trails. Thank you to Julie Pehar and SRAPO for their donations to the club. Congratulations to Randy Martin, SMART Club Volunteer of the Year. Once the snow flies and the trails are open there will be parking available at the SMART groomer shop located on Upper Big Chute Road towards Severn Falls. From here you can access many of the SMART trails for great day of riding, see some awesome country and hopefully some wildlife. We are looking at hosting our annual Valentine’s Ride on February 8th, 2013. Watch our website www.smartsnowmobile.ca for details. Our website will let you know trail conditions as well as events happening in our club. So let’s hope for a great winter of snowmobiling. Remember to RIDE SAFE, RIDE SOBER, RIDE SMART.
Muskoka Sno-Bombers: Autumn Greetings By Dustin Cleveland, Club Secretary The natural Muskoka woodlands outside my window serve up an exemplary slew of authentic autumn ar tistr y while the trails of the Muskoka Sno-Bombers have begun to revive their traditional summertime dormancy. Herein I present you with noteworthy news. A myriad of trail updates and changes have been ushered forth this 2012 and perhaps most noteworthy, a major trail renovation just north of “Bardsville”: many snowmobilers shall surely be delighted to discover over 40% of road travel along Secondary 33 South has been completely eliminated. This extensive and much dreaded stretch of road travel along Beatrice Town Line is in process of being replaced with a new bridge and gentle curves through field and forest. This is an improvement that, paired with the 2010 re-routes to eliminate a portion of Doherty Road travel, may compensate for the loss of the field based trail six years ago south of Three Mile Lake on the corner of Winder mere Road and Doher ty Road. As always a Great Success
www.northridgeinn.com
Eat. Sleep. Play.
Page 18
was the 6th Annual Muskoka SnoBombers Golf Tour nament well hosted by the staff of the South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club and the Volunteers, producing a great deal of “pork barrel”, up 26% over the previous season. This up-tick in funds shall surely have a most positive influence on the trail network this season looking onward. To continue with their positive presence in the local community, the Muskoka Sno-Bombers have donated approximately 10% of the funds raised to the family of Nic Patterson, who was severely injured recently in a winter sporting accident. Special thanks to all involved. If you wish to lend a hand, you are welcome to get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Meystadt, at 705.646.1987. Please note changes to the regular monthly meetings; they shall be held every third Thursday of each month, September through April at 7:30 PM at the Muskoka Riverside Inn in Bracebridge. All are invited and welcome to attend. Until next time, best wishes for a prosperous remaining 2012 “snowmobile-ready”.
Do You Know?
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Break downs on the trail do happen, sometimes on older machines the spark plug cap will pop off. The rubber in the cap loses strength, but a little help from a zip tie can make the difference here. Always carry zip ties and duct tape, there are truly a million uses, don’t leave without it! November 2012
Happy Wanderers Snowmobile Club: Sled History
By Dan McCormack, Club Director
When you consider there were about 140 snowmobile manufacturers back in the late ‘60s, have you ever wondered why there are only 4 today? Naw, me neither, but since this is the first article of the 2012/13 season I’m going to write about it anyway. To understand how there came to be so many different makes back then, you just need to look at the potential to make a lot of money, capitalism. Many of the companies who waded into the snowmobile market had their hand in other things as a principal product. Think back to Coleman who made camping equipment (Ski-Roule), Massey Ferguson who made tractors (Ski-Whiz), AMF who made a huge range of sporting equipment (Ski Daddler & Harley Davidson). These companies realized that they could buy up components from a variety of other manufacturers and put them together.
They were really assembly companies. Only a handful of companies actually made their own engines and snowmobile chassis at this time. It was OMC, Yamaha and Mercury; they were really in the minority as they had the resources to develop all their own components. It was Mercury that approached Polaris Industries to buy them out, as a means to obtain an established engineering and to obtain their assembly facility. This approach didn’t happen, so they did it all themselves. Most everyone else sourced their engines from Germany, like; JLO, Hirth, Sachs and so on. Even so, the unit cost for such an engine in those days was around $156.00 assuming that there was a contract to supply 10,000 engines per year. At this time suspensions, clutches, skis, handlebars, etc. were still quite primitive and very similar designs were seen on numerous machines of different makes. Bolens and Northway snowmobiles sourced
Kiekhaefer Aeromarine engines .These engines were available in 399 cc and 440 cc configurations and were state of the art in their time. Yet the manufacturer’s cost per engine was under $250.00 each. The total cost per snowmobile averaged around $550.00 out the door. The volume of snowmobiles being sold at the time was staggering by today’s standards. Ski-Doo alone was selling 100,000 + units and OMC (Snow Cruiser) was very close to these numbers as well. These machines were hugely popular and the public hadn’t yet realized how generally unreliable most of them were. Fast forward a couple of years to the winter s of 1970/71 and 71/72. These years were both disastrous for snow levels and sled sales volumes fell off for every manufacture by 60%. After this, any business person would know that this market could not be sustained and the majority of the manufacturers bailed.
Eventually OEMs either sold out to competitors or shutdown their snowmobile divisions or even went bankrupt. Rupp is a good example of a well made, high volume company that could not deal with sustained sales declines. OMC held on to 1976 and then decided that the marine world is where they should stay focused. Mercury was only in it to compete, head to head, with OMC and they shut down their promising operation only days after OMC announced their departure. Even the remaining 4 companies have struggled from time to time to survive. Arctic Cat has been bankrupt once or twice since those days and everyone’s sales volumes are much less than those early hey days. What has any of this got to do with the Happy Wanderers SC? Nothing, just for a change, I thought I would write about something different. Cheers to a great snow season!
OMC prototype racing sleds from the mid ‘70s. According to the ad in one, the Johnson Pegasus was the world’s fastest machine; it was powered by two of their V4 outboards engines
MLSTA: Trail Update By Margaret Kenwright, Club Secretary
to MLSTA snowmobiler Adam Scott is donating his time and materials to rebuild Welcome Winter! You can’t arrive too a caved in bridge just north of a railway soon for all of us anxious snowmobilers. crossing previously mentioned. A quick note on our trails, the Oka Trail More thanks to our new landowners, into Bala, this beautiful trail north of the property South of Johnston’s CranLong Lake was completed last year. A jog berry Marsh gave us permission for our around a portion of private land has been trail C114 to go through this area. Thanks requested and this additional work will to the generosity of the new landowners, be finished before the start of this season. Mike Webb and Bob McTavish were able The C114 North of Bala, both the CN to find a way to reroute a portion of the and CP Rail installed new railway ties trail from Hwy #169 to Medora Lake north of Bala on C114 and in the process, Road. We are grateful to Pro Line Rentals removed the snowmobile trail crossings. in Port Carling for supplying the necessary Bob Kenwright is arranging for CN and excavator for the work that needed to be CP to replace them before snowfall. BTW, done. every year the Club pays between $100 Moon River Bridge update, the Townand $300 to CN and CP for the use of ship of Georgian Bay has closed the bridge each crossing over railway tracks. Thanks November 2012
until such time as necessary repairs are complete. The cost is expected to be between $16,000 -$19,000. We did not have the necessary funds, mainly due to slow permit sales over the last couple of winters when weather did not cooperate. But, René Leenaars secured a grant from OFSC’s External Funding Task Force for the repairs. This is another major hurdle that will be overcome.
Check out Muskoka Snowmobile Region Website www.msrsnowtrails.com
Buy online (and Buy Where You Ride) or visit one of our MLSTA Permit Vendors: Bala General Store: 705-762-3716, Glen Orchard Store: 705-765-3251, Port Carling Home Hardware: 705-765-3193, The Cove Marine: 705-375-2099
Club Rides: Watch for emails scheduling January and February MLSTA Club Rides. To add your name to our distribution list, please email margaret@medwin.com . (Please use MLSTA in subject line). Here’s to a super snowy snowmobile season ahead!
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Page 19
OFSC District 11 OFSC District 11 Near North Trail Assocuation Box 237 160 Pinewood Park Dr. North Bay ON P1B 8H2 866-338-6682 / 705-495-4333
• Almaguin District S/C • Argyle Ryders S/C • Bonfield S/C • French River Snow Devils • French River Snow Voyageurs
• Mattawa & Area S/C • Temagami Trails / • Near North Snowdrifters NNTA S/C • Nipissing Veuve River S/C • West Nipissing S/C • North Bay S/C • South Shore / Restoule S/C
Almaguin District Snowmobile Club: Update By Blair Ballantyne, Club Director
Hello fellow sledders. I hope you all had a great summer and you are getting ready for an even better winter. If you were one of the thousands of riders we saw on our trails last season, please consider buying your 2013 trail pass from the ADSC. Our grooming budget took a real beating last season, due to the increased traffic we saw due to
such a lack of snow to the south. The cost has increased $10.00 this year and that increase is being directed to the purchase of new grooming equipment only, this increase is province wide, which is a great idea due to the aging fleet of grooming equipment here in Ontario. Also, please buy directly from the club as buying a permit online will cost you and the club more money. Look for some major improvements on
our system this season, including excavation work on sections of the TOP D and D123 trail. Also there will be a reroute on the section of the TOP D where it meets up with the north end of D123, just follow the signs. The club is in negotiations with Jolly Twp. regarding the fate of our trail 306 which is our access to Sundridge. I should have an update on this trail in the next issue of SCO.
Up coming events; Driver training courses are scheduled for Nov.24, 2012 and Jan.12, 2013. The cost is $40. Please contact Penny Dearden at 705-382-9558 if you are interested. Our annual Poker run is Feb.9, 2013. Lastly, our club is looking to hire another groomer operator. If you are interested, please contact Jack Backus at 705-636-7336. Happy Trails!
By Vic Trahan, President I really hope that, for as warm as the summer was, that this will translate into a ton of snow this winter. With the state of snowmobiling over the last decade, we could use all the help we can get from Mother Nature. The BSC had a very busy summer with grooming equipment. Our LamTrac 5000 had to have the engine rebuilt. This required our dedicated volunteers; Mike Parent and Wib Sperberg spending time taking the motor out, sending it away to be rebuilt and then re-installing it back into the unit. Also on the preventative maintenance side, we sent the drag back to the Shop in Sudbury, to be totally refurbished. At the start of this season, the BSC will have virtually new equipment to groom our renowned trail system. The drag was all painted up by Wib and looks like new. Darcy and his son painted our fuel tanks and cleaned up the "garage". Things are looking good. We will be hosting an Early Bird 2013 permit sale/open house at the BSC garage at 315 Sunnyside Rd in Bonfield on Saturday Nov 24 from 10am to 5pm; you
can come in and buy a permit. At the same time you can see where your trail permit dollars are going. Come out meet some new people and all the volunteers of Your Snowmobile Club. The next big job is to re-install all of our signage. This is a long process as we have to take most signs down, "hunter’s" like to use them for target practice. This adds up to a lot of needless cost to the local clubs through time and money wasted. Frankly, I would only shoot something I can eat. On a more positive note, the BSC will be doing more trail work and brushing after hunting season. This will help ensure that once the snow is here, we will have our usual safe, smooth trails. Our core group of volunteers spend an incredible amount of time doing this chore to help keep snowmobilers' safe as can be. Remember though, it is still an outdoor event on a trail system in the bush. You don't always have perfect conditions or cell service. Common sense is still the number one factor in staying safe. Be ready for the unexpected. Remember, Ride Safe, Ride Sober!
By: Jeff McGirr, Vice President We had an absolutely mind blowing snowmobile season last year; this resulted in thousands of new snowmobilers riding our trails. With this momentum, we have never been more excited for winter! Last winter, with no snow in Southern Ontario, the Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club wanted to make sure that our trails were in great shape. This lead to a partnership with the Georgian Bay Snow Riders in late January; as a result, they sent their Piston Bully Groomer and Operator Christian Murray up to Mattawa to help out. Chris and Matt Viel (MASC Groomer Supervisor) groomed the trails wider and longer, which resulted in many positive comments from the riders! More good news, Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club also received funding to purchase a new CASE IH Maxxum 125 Groomer and Drag from Ebert Welding, we have the new groomer now and are very excited to try out the new unit which has an 8 way blade. This new groomer will make a huge impact in our ability to maintain the trails for you this coming winter! But, we didn’t stop here; we applied to the OFSC with our neighbouring club the
North Bay Snowmobilers Club to redesignate almost 100km of the most scenic club trail in the province to TOP Connector status. This season the trails formally known as MA101, MA150 and NB301 will be A112A. This trail takes you through the foot hills of the Laurentian Mountains and is home to some of Ontario’s highest elevations. We have also secured dollars through the OFSC Tourism Development fund to replace two bridges on this trail which will help us open early and ride later into the spring safely. We have been busy this summer, we have held two golf tournaments (July and October) and a Fall ATV Poker Run to raise money for our snowmobile club and other community organizations such as the Mattawa Public Library. All events were a great success and we look forward to having them again in the future. On behalf of the Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club, our local businesses and municipalities we would like to welcome you to come, play and stay in Mattawa Voyageur Country this winter! Please visit our website www.mattawasc.ca and like us on our page on FACEBOOK page.
Bonfield S/C: Have New Equipment will Groom
Mattawa & Area S/C: Excited for Snow!
Do You Know?
Look at this scratched snow flap, it’s terrible. There are several that would cut the damaged section off the bottom, now it looks good, but this is when the real problems start. Now the engine doesn’t get the proper cooling, overheating issues will start to happen. The snow flap design needs this allow for enough cooling. A snow flap relower section of the snow flap. This larger placement is the only choice to keep everything flap encapsulates more snow in the rear to cool Page 20
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
North Bay Snowmobile Club: Ready to Go!
been re-decked at an average cost of By Brian Baker, Club President It’s that time of year, our Volunteers $1,200 each. Our ‘Think Snow Fundraisare getting the trails ready with bridge ing Auction’ is scheduled for Saturday, repairs, cleaning up downed trees, paint- December 1st at The Portage. Get your ing sign posts and replacing damaged Trail Permits before the Early Bird or lost signs. Groomer and drag repairs deadline expires. Over $10,000 worth have been ongoing since the record of goods and services are up for auction. meltdown last season. Our trails were So come out, have some fun and support a bit late in starting last year due to your Club. Congratulations to our Volthe late snowfall, but they were in great unteers. Our 75 year old Club Secretary, shape for January and February and Al Clark, received the District 11 Trail the first few days of March. We had Patroller of the Year. In addition to lots of traffic from other areas and those duties, Clark also looks after our plenty of compliments on our trail Think Snow Auction as well as organizing the sale of the Trail Permits. grooming and signage. Unfortunately, the extra traffic didn’t materialize in increased Trail Permit sales for our Club; in fact we were down with a very significant financial loss. Some positive news: The new designation is TOP A112A and the new signs are ordered and will be installed before the snow flies. NBSC was recently advised that our application for the replacement of a 30’ (10m) bridge on TOP AD just south of Four Mile Lake Road was approved NBSC Vice President and Operations Director, by the OFSC and the Ontario John Miller, was named the District 11 VolunTourism Development fund. This teer of the Year at the recent OFSC AGM in project is in excess of $40,000 Collingwood. Brian Baker, NBSC President, said,” I can honestly say that we wouldn’t with the Club’s cost around $4,800. have a Club in North Bay without John Miller, congratulations John!" (That’s a lot of Trail Permits folks) Several other bridges have
South Shore Restoule S/C: Rider Appreciation Day - A Real Hit!
By Helen Vaillancourt, Club Treasurer For many years the South Shore Restoule Snowmobile Club has had a Rider Appreciation Day. This is an outdoor event, a type of picnic that is held on the trail. Last season’s event was held on Family Day in February, this attracted over 100 riders. Volunteers set up for this event in a small clearing at the side of C110D at Nipissing. This site was made possible by a club volunteer whose house is conveniently next to the trail and gave us the use of his barbecue and an electrical outlet. A young girl made several signs to promote and direct snowmobilers to the event along the trail. The groomer was parked off to the side; this also attracted a lot of onlookers. Travellers feasted on venison chilli, beef barley soup, hotdogs, some special homemade baking, hot chocolate and coffee, all at no cost to them. Some people wanted to pay, so we just put November 2012
out a donation jar. At the end of the afternoon, much to our surprise, there was enough money in the jar to fund a dinner for the club volunteers in August! Maps were available, directions and suggestions were freely given. During the RA Day event there was a lot of visiting and swapping of trail stories that took place. Discussions of merits of various machines abounded, of course. Overall, this was a very good way to provide a hot lunch to riders on our trails and at the same time promote our club.
WNSC: Hoping to Open Soon
By Rheal & Ghislaine Rivet District Rep. Today, as I gaze at the sky, I see grey clouds pass by and wonder, could these be snow clouds, but then to my disappointment, it starts to rain. I will have to wait for the next clouds, with the hope that these will bring snow. And snow for sure, will reignite my enthusiasm to get my sled ready to go, but then I realize, it is after all, early in the season. This was just wishful thinking! Like every year, the ever hard working volunteers have already been on the trails, resurfacing bridges, cutting branches and downed
trees in the trails. The biggest project undertaken by the volunteers was actually done in June, that is, the D-Trail from Tilden Lake to Lake Tomiko. This trail went through a major improvement, which included cutting back the branches and widening a major portion of this section. In closing, I would like to remind all snowmobilers to buy their trail passes early, to save money and be included in the early bird draws. As our president, Tim Callaghan continuously reminds us, to be safe, respect private properties and also make an effort to thank landowners, as without them; we simply would not have a trail system. Happy Trails!
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Page 21
Oil Isn’t Just Oil Anymore
By Bob Island
Snowmobilers put a lot of thought into their sport, from what sled to buy, what gear to wear, to where to ride and even what kind of truck and trailer they use. The choice of what oil to run is a critical one that most sledders have also thought about, but the fact is, many may be making the wrong choice in what oil to run. Whether it’s 4-stroke or 2-stroke oil, the days of one-size-fits-all oils are coming to an end and when you tip that bottle to fill your oil tank, what you’re pouring in may be a recipe for catastrophic engine failure.
needs of the ETEC 800R engine have resulted in the development of one of the most technologically-advanced snowmobile oils on the planet. “After extensive testing, both on the dyno and in the field we have found that the key to engine durability in the E-TEC 800R is proper lubrication,” said Frederick Desjardins, Head Engineer, Power Pack at BRP. “XPS synthetic is by far the best oil for this engine, in fact its the only oil that we’ve seen provide the protection this cutting edge engine design needs.”
What Are Synthetics And Why Are They Better?
The E-TEC 800R oil pump uses an electronic solenoid that activates four pistons that pump oil through four lines, two lines lubricate the crankcase and two lines lubricate the 3D RAVE valves. Sophisticated engine software controls oil delivery for how the rider is using the sled, break-in and changes in altitude and oiling rates can vary from 50:1 all the way up to 100:1 depending on how the engine is being run. Thus, the oiling system uses its own curve not unlike a fuel curve. It’s a far cry from oiling systems of even a decade ago, and the specific lubrication Page 22
at higher RPMs, they have a lower oil volume and some use a common sump for the engine and transmission.(Utility sleds) This harsh, multi-faceted environment means an oil has to do more jobs across a broader range of condiLet’s use the following filled 3 glasses tions than any automotive oil. to simulate different oils. The first glass The additive package is what makes is filled the exact same marbles, these an oil “work” and, because of these more marbles are smooth, and the same size severe and demanding conditions, a sled with the identical look. These marbles demands a vastly different set of additives have same molecular structure and have than your car or truck does. Typically, been produced for a specific engine sled oils are formulated to help prevent need; this would symbolize synthetic rust and corrosion from happening inside oil. The next glass has a few of the the engine. Sled engines that are run for same these synthetic marbles, but the repeated short periods of time or that majority of these marbles is different sit for extended periods make for a perfect sizes and there are some various stones breeding ground for rust and corrosion with rough edges in there as well. For since this type of operation results in the most part the glass is filled with condensation. Automotive engines run the same approximate size, but the mo- every day for extended periods so their lecular structures vary from marble to oils don’t need to address rust or corromarble. This oil blend has generic blend sion. Also, some additives found in auwould symbolize a mineral oil. The tomotive oils that are designed to improve third glass is semi-synthetic oil and is fuel economy and lower viscosity autoa mixture of the first and second glasses, motive oils can cause increased gear pitboth visually and what you would expect ting and oil consumption. from semi-synthetic oil blend. Remember that all oil is developed, sorted and refined to become better oil.
4-Stroke oil
2-Stroke oil
Today’s 2-stroke snowmobile engines bristle with technology. With increasingly strict EPA regulations and the ever-present inter-brand competition, engines such as Ski-Doo’s Rotax ETEC 800R have sprouted new technologies such as direct injection and are cleaner and quieter than ever. Though the fuel system on the E-TEC 800R gets most of the attention, the engine also boasts perhaps the most sophisticated oiling system of any 2stroke snowmobile ever built. The result is an engine that is as efficient with oil as it is with fuel.
When it comes to oil, synthetics are the better choice. But it’s also good to understand what synthetic oil is and what makes it better. Whether oil is classified as synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral is determined by the base stock.
Synthetic Oil
Mineral Oil
When you buy a bottle of oil the bulk of its contents are the base stock. Let’s talk 4-stroke oil a typical bottle of oil contains about three-quarters base stock and the rest is typically a viscosity modifier and various additives. There are a variety of different levels and qualities of synthetic base stocks with no easy way for a consumer to know which they getting, however synthetic base stocks do have a clear advantage. Synthetic base stocks go through chemical processes that create consistent molecules – resulting in a product that provides consistently better performance.
Viscosity is a measure of oil’s resistance to flow and snowmobile vehicle engines work best with unique viscosity measurements not found in automotive oils and one that can only be achieved in sled applications by using a viscosity modifier. Traditional automotive motor oils are usually 10W-30 or 5W-20 viscosity; however Polaris for instance uses a 5W-50 viscosity for their engines. Why? Polaris engineers found their engines needed this wide range to provide proper protection and starting in cold conditions while also providing needed extreme high temperature protection.
Put simply, synthetic lubricants really are better than “normal” lubricants primarily for four reasons: synthetics perform better in extreme temperature conditions, they have better oxidative stability, better shear resistance and Other OEM’s snowmobile oils range they last much longer than mineral oil, from 0W-40 to 10W-40, depending on meaning their molecular chains stay consistent longer.
Oil is Oil, Right?
Semi-synthetic Oil
You may ask, “Why can’t I just use car oil in my 4-stroke sled? It’s the same thing, right?” The answer, in short, is no. The snowmobile oil “environment” is far more severe than that of an automobile. Sleds run hotter and
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
Making a Choice
We’ll try to make it easy for you. Traditionally, OEM oils have been seen as more expensive than some of the aftermarket brands and at times that’s still the case. But in other cases OEM oils have been surpassed in price by “premium” aftermarket brands.
what the engineers have determined the best viscosity for their engines.
Snowmobile engine oils need to flow in extremely cold temperatures so there is enough lubricant on startup on a cold winter morning. On the other end, the oil needs high shear stability so they don’t break down under extremely hot temperatures. It’s viscosity modifier that allows the oil to work across this broad range of conditions. Since most cars get regular oil changes, automotive oils are not formulated to maintain stable viscosity or shear stability over long periods of time. Sleds demand oil that remains stable so when you go to use it six months after an oil change the oil works the same as it did when it was poured in. To answer the question more bluntly, using automotive oils can eventually damage a snowmobile engine, in some extreme cases, even eventually lead to catastrophic failure and an expensive repair bill.
At a recent event this author talked to a chemist from an OEM oil manufacturer and he gave me a quick education of the in-depth chemical, Dyno and field-testing those OEM lubricants need to go through to ensure they provide the best performance and protection in all conditions. He drove his point home when he said independent oil manufacturers don’t have to worry about warranty issues due to oil related failures, but that is a stark reality in the world of the OEM. This is exactly why companies such as; Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, BRP and others spend so much money testing and formulating oils to work specifically for their products. With price difference being marginal and OEM products specialized to work as a package, using the OEM oil is the safest and best choice.
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Whether it is oil for 2-stroke or 4stroke engines, the OEM engineers approve what their engines will need in the oil package, there is special considerations made for the modern fuel injection engines. After going through a barrage of testing, engine Dyno testing, there is still a host of field testing done to make sure that the oil package meets all the needs required for the particular engine. After meeting all the different needs, this is when the OEM engineers will sign off or approve the oil designed package. No other oil on the market goes through this type of testing, there isn’t any even close.
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During storage, here is a rusty cam from using car oil
November 2012
Using OEM oil is the safest and best choice
*3.99% Finance rate for 36 Months: this is a limited-time offer which is valid for the purchase of selected qualifying models and is subject to credit approval from TD Auto Finance® (TDAF) on qualified purchases financed during this program. offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. see participating retailers for complete details and conditions. Rates from other lenders may vary. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Minimum amount to finance is $5,000. example: $7,500 financed at 3.99% over 36 months = 36 monthly payments of $221.40 with a cost of borrowing of $470.27 and a total obligation of $7,970.27. Freight, licence, PPSA/RPDRM, insurance, registration, any retailer administration fees, and other applicable fees and taxes are not included in the financed amount. Dealers are free to set individual prices, but must be enrolled with TDAF to participate. Professional rider on a closed course. do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. ©2012 Polaris Industries Inc.
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
Page 23
2 year old Nolan Lobb can’t wait for snow.
Sam Bloedow Keetna Snowmbile Club President Happy to head out and brush the trails.
Greetings from the District 7 booth at the Toronto Snowmobile Show - left to right: OFSC Treasurer Mike Kuechler, Algonquin Snowmobile Club volunteers Tim Drouin and Mimi Cliff, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation Honourable Michael Chan, OFSC Executive Director Paul Shaughnessy.
Snowmobile Central Ontario and Michigan Sledders out on the last ride of the season.
Where was all the snow last season? on missing links trail 197
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Here is a happy Split Rail Couple, now he has a pair of skis too, so they both can steer better.
Everyone is okay, can you lend a hand?
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
Touring the Great White North in Abitibi-Temiscamingue By Bob Island Looking for an amazing sled trip into an area that is different and offers the very best groomed trails and services? How about an area that is the best kept secret, this secret has trails that are not busy and offer a different culture that add up to the ultimate in a sled vacation. This magical place is found in Abitibi-Temiscamingue region of Quebec. SCO had the pleasure of touring in this region last season with lots to report. Some sledders are reluctant to venture into Quebec because of the French language and the unknown. But not everyone, on our first day we met two snowmobilers on late model Ski-doos, a banker from Pittsburg Pennsylvania and the other gentleman was from Charlotte North Carolina. They told us, “We usually ride from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario and wanted a change.” They continued, “These trails are unbelieveable and we both wonder why there was so little traffic.” One can cover a lot of ground in a day, for example; you can travel from Ville-Marie Quebec, not far from North Bay Ontario and can be close to James Bay Region all in the same day, due to their fabulous trail network. The Quebec trail system is known for being the best in the world and par ticularly the Abitibi- Temiscaminque area is second to none with its first class accommodations, dinning and support systems. Certainly a trip into this region will not disappoint.
On our first night we staid at La Bannik Lodge which is approximately 10 miles south of VilleMarie, right on Quebec Trail 63. This resort has a good view of the Lake Temiscamingue along with great accommodations, and award winning dining. The next morning we headed north through rolling farm and bush lots skirting the east shore of the Lake Temiscamingue. We traveled through to Ville-Marie and further north via shore and lake routes to Notre Dame du Nord on Trail 63. We also took Trail 83 as a side trip into see a covered bridge built in the 1930’s. In our group of travelers for the day, it included the snowmobile club president who told us that, “These covered bridges are painted with the political colour of who is in power at the time of construction, red means the Liberal party.” The balance of the day was challenging as we traveled with high winds and blowing snow, especially when you see trees falling on the trail in front of you. Later on in the day we made it to Rouyn-Noranda, where we stayed over night. Rouyn-Noranda is a mining town, a mining center with smelters running 24/7, but unless you come by their properties you would never know it, as the area is pristine and moments from downtown you could be lost in a picturesque wilderness. The next morning we started with warm temperatures and bright skies after great breakfast. We set out on Trail 93; these are wide trails that wind
along on the ridges affording wonderful vista views. We fueled at a village called DAlembert, which was a gold mine site with a large brick stack, approx 200 ft tall. There seemed to be recent rejuvenated activity, probably due to recent rise in gold prices. We found fuel to be reasonable price even though many of the areas were remote. We took in the view of the beautiful Lake Duparquet and continued north on Trail 93 along the shore line of Lake Abitibi arriving on perfect trails at the municipality of La Sarre, a snowmobile friendly town just like all towns in Quebec. We also found several wood producing small villages, which is why these
This covered bridge is painted with the political colour of who is in power at the time of construction, red means the Liberal Party
November 2012
SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
local trails exist and there are many. La Sarre is also known as a wood center and the trail possibilities are great as you can run west out to Cochrane, Ontario, which is approx 100 miles to the west.
On our third day, we started our journey further north 180 miles on Trail 396 to Mattagami. We did call ahead first; to the James Bay club to make sure the trail is passable, there is fuel at Villebouis about 40 miles north of La Sarre and you can buy fuel at a logging operation which was at about the ½ way point. I might add the price was the same as Toronto prices which is incredible, but they take only cash. The trail was perfect and very scenic
The fuel price here was the same as Toronto prices
Page 25
The trials in this region are outstanding
and almost no signs of civilization. We arrived at Mattagami at about 3:30pm; we fueled, had a late lunch and started back south. You can’t beat the scenery and the trails were
Start your
wide and flat. Part way down just past 396 junction, we found a cabin equipped with fur niture, a stove and plenty of fire wood. It’s a club feature and I know you could spend a comfortable night if the weather turned bad all of a sudden or you had a break down. We noticed that these cabins are scattered everywhere in this region.
here!
The following day we expected to see some trail traffic being a Saturday, there was some traffic, but not what we had expected. We pressed on, south on route 93, past Mount Video,
This groomer was making a perfect trail even better
this area was steep and deep with many breath taking views. We met some riders and the trails were again perfect. We had lunch in Val-d’Or; Val-d'Or is another wood center/mining town that has every thing you would need, even an airport. We rejoined Trail 309 traveling south west to our destination. On our way we saw a family of Lynx on the trail. This section of trail was our favourite, it was just spectacular. We had traveled 5 days and put on over 1200 miles on trails that did not have a bump or a groove. The trails were well marked and finding fuel or a village was never an issue. These meticulous trails are maintained consistently and continuously making them the very best. The
locals were warm and friendly and sometimes we could not understand their French, but they would go out of their way to find someone to help or give directions. At one point I was ahead of the group and stopped at a highway crossing at Hwy 107, near Amos, the first car by stopped, backed up and asked me if all was okay. He was concerned and asked me, “Are you traveling by yourself ? That is not a smart idea in this area.” Later that day I thought, this is a cold land, but it is filled a warm people. Everyone on tour agrees that this is a magical place can add up to anyone’s ultimate sled vacation. Ride and Enjoy!
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SNOWMOBILE! Central Ontario
November 2012
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