Information Topic: Ride with the Champs

Post by **Matt** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:25 pm

Ride with the Champs is a fund raiser event held by the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, WI. It is a whole day of events, including a snowmobile trail ride for either modern or vintage snowmobiles, 3 meals, and the induction ceremony of 4 legends of the snowmobile industry.

Our main interest is the induction of Robert "Bob" Carlson, who was the backbone of the Deere snowmobile production and racing programs. Quoted from the HOF website:
ROBERT J. CARLSON: One of the industry?s great innovators and visionaries, Robert J. ?Bob? Carlson introduced the snowmobile product at Deere & Company in 1970 as the head of Deere?s Consumer Products Dealer organization and he spearheaded the Deere racing effort begun in 1971 that produced such notable sleds as the 295/S of 1974, the 340S of 1975 and the Liquidator of 1976 that rocketed the Deere brand into prominence with a win at the Winnipeg 500 in its first attempt. His leadership led to design features like liquid-cooling and his approach to racing nurtured a group of competitors who exerted tremendous influence in the sport for many years.

Other inductees include: Kirk Hibbert, Mark Maki, and Dick Gokey.

The schedule for the day:
7:30 a.m. Registration/Breakfast, Eagle River Inn, Hwy 70 West
8:45 a.m. Hit the trail...headed for Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods, 1st stop is the Hall of Fame, St. Germain
11:30 - 1:30 Lunch and Fellowship with Celebrity Riders at Bosacki's Boathouse, Minocqua
1:30 p.m. Hit the trails again taking different routes to Eagle River
4:30 p.m. Arrive back at Eagle River and get ready for the Hall of Fame Dinner
6:00 p.m. Cocktails, Autograph Session, etc. at Eagle River Inn
7:00 p.m. Hall of Fame Dinner followed by the Induction Ceremony

The cost for the day is $100 per person. You must pre-register, as the event will probably fill up.

That weekend, the WPSA is racing at the Eagle River Derby track, so there is plenty of action to see.

Visit the Hall of Fame web site for more information and registration form:
Snowmobile Hall of Fame

There is also a possibility of a reception on Wednesday evening before the event for members of this site, and any other Deere enthusiasts/racers that would like to attend.

If you are planning to attend, please reply!

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:37 pm

I will start this off I guess.

I am planning on attending. I will be bringing the 1973 JDX8.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:20 am

I'm looking forward to meeting the Deere sledheads!

Plan to be riding a '74 X8

JDGuy · Post by **JDGuy** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:10 pm

Plan to make it, if creeks don't rise in meantime and 80 LF still running, etc. Sent $ in today. Where is everybody staying? Haven't made motel reservations yet. Looking forward to meeting you guys.

Guy

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:45 pm

I am planning to register for myself and my girlfriend as soon as I get home from Germany. Waters Boy is still a maybe. Matt, are you and the girlfriend still interested in car-pooling?

Hope to see a nice strong Deere turn out!
-Rainville

Post by **Matt** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:35 pm

Joe, I definitely want to go, but my girlfirend is still a maybe. I was going to e-mail you shortly to see if we can make the plans. Let me know when you are back state side.

Post by **JRC ETD** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:30 pm

These are the guys I know are committed at this point, Carlson and wife Jan, Nelson, Fixon, Jansen, Enns, Ansuew, Knutson, Orvis, Hayes, Pederson, Kretzman, Otte, Swanson, Thompson, Hough's,......working on it are Oster, Tabor, Holquest, Anderson, Kruel, Riemer.....My folks and brother will attend, possible's are my son and daughter, alot of sled tuning at Balsam Tuesday and Wednesday. Best Jon PS.... Thanks Brian, really well done!

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:54 pm

Jon, it just doesn't look like I can make it. My best wishes to your father and yourself and please tell Otte I said hi. Don

Post by **JRC ETD** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:39 pm

Thanks Rich, talked to Bob this AM, as well as Jerome and Roger, all are wide open for the HOF. Jerome is building a RV of mine for my nephew to race the Red Lake 500....ECU went out today...7 more HP, aligning and reinforcing, clutchs, you know the drill, taked to the AC boys at TR also....sled sales are poor, only non-currents selling with big rebates, they still can't get mgmt to understand vintage. Best Jon

Hfounder · Post by **Hfounder** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:15 pm

GREETINGS FROM THE WORLD CENTER OF SNOWMOBILING...........Love the enthusiasm you guys have. Can not wait til Feb 22 for the RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS by Modine HotDawg Heaters. Sounds like the vintage group will have a good number this year. Got down to 5* last night here in St. Germain, WI.
Lakes starting to freeze but a couple of weeks behind. You can follow our local weather from our home page link at our temp sign. www.snowmobilehalloffame.com

With all of the publicity the WSA snow-cross event is getting, plus our event on Thursday, it is a good piece of advice to get those motels reserved A S A P.

Go to our web site (LINKS page) for links to some local motels and for the local Chamber information that lists most of them in the Northwoods area.

For any of you arriving early, I have some heated garage space available if you need last minute repairs. The HOF restoration shop will be very full of displays but my house is next door and their is a heated garage there too with air and tools if needed. Just give a call.

Hope all of you guys had a great Thanksgiving and now snow and Christmas is just around the corner.

Loren Anderson
Snowmobile Hall of Fame
715 542-4488
hallfame@newnorth.net

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:48 am

I sent Loren an email, but recieved no reply to date.

Should we recieve confirmation of registration to the Ride with the Champs, or tickets, or what?

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:03 am

Brian,

I called Loren yesterday. They still have openings. You need to down load the form off the HOF website, and send payment in by snail mail.

I am sending a check out this week so I get locked in.

Hope to see you there,
-Rainville

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:48 pm

Thanks Joe, but you misunderstand. I sent my registration fee in around a month ago.

BTW, have you found a room?

Hfounder · Post by **Hfounder** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:05 pm

Got your check........you are locked in for all the fun! ! !

Loren

Hfounder · Post by **Hfounder** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:55 pm

Greetings from the world center of snowmobiling

When all of you great John Deere guys send in your RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS by HotDawg Garage Heater, please indicate all the names in your party and that you want to ride with the vintage group and with Jon Carlson as one of your guides.

If this group ends up larger than 25, a second group will be formed.

This really helps with our advanced registration process and will speed up your early morning so you can get to the breakfast buffet sooner ! ! !

While we can not have you in your helmets for the group photo, nothing says you Deere guys can't wear matching JD caps ! ! ! (hint hint)

This is going to be one heck of a party !

Loren Anderson
Snowmobile Hall of Fame
hallfame@newnorth.net
www.snowmobilehalloffame.com
715 542-4488