76' I-500 story

[jep_800]

I'd like to try and relate a story I was told from the 76' I-500. I had my JD 800 and 74' El Tigre at a vintage show in East Grand Forks, MN this weekend. Just 3 sleds down from my El Tigre was a Cross Country Cat that had a race number (#101), and the windshield indicated it raced in the 76' I-500. The owner/driver came to talk to me, as he was looking over the 800. Find out that his name was Harlan Hanson, from Mayville, ND. Started talking about Waconia, vintage Deere's & Cats, and he began to speak about the I-500. This was from Harlan himself, and as he spoke he even admitted that he may not remember everything correct, as it was nearly 40 years ago. (So if this differs from other's accounts, please don't get over-offended). Since I am a Deere fan, he of course talked about Brian Nelson, and the other ETD members who made their mark on that season. He stated that when they left St. Paul, it was quite warm ( I think around 40 degrees), so there were a lot of drivers that changed jetting, and made adjustments for the conditions. Harlan said that he left his pretty much alone, as somehow he got word that there was a cold front coming that would be in Alexandria by the time they got there. As it turned out, he said many of the Team Arctic drivers ran out of gas prior to the first fuel stop due to their miscalculation. This of course, caused them to be late coming into Alexandria, and thus disqualified. He made it, and said it work out very well for him, as the Arctic Cat trailer, and corporate guys were looking for anyone riding Cat. He and his mechanic got anything they needed for parts and support since the Team guys weren't there. He also said that since he elected to keep all his gear on for the ride, he was sweating a lot leaving St. Paul, but the 45 degree drop in temps made him almost hypothermic when he got to Alexandria. Said it took 3 guys to get him off his sled, since he was frozen to the bone. The next day Harlan said he was sitting pretty good, and maybe two to three flights behind Nelson, and the leaders (on Polaris I believe at that leg), so he felt good. As the raced progressed to Theif River Falls, he didn't remember much of that leg. Just the beating he took on the route. But the last day he said, when Nelson took off, driving like a man possessed, he was unstoppable. He recalled driving those ditches, and trying to drive into and out of the drifts without flipping or wrecking his machine, but Nelson looked like he could drive right over them. He said Nelson (as well as some of the other ETD, like Enns & Otte) were just that much better than everyone else. Harlan says he gets really offended when someone mentions the word "cheating" during the race. Harlan said, "I was there, and there's no way he could have cheated. He was just better than everyone." This was one of the coolest stories I'd ever heard. Harlan then said, he contacted Brian and asked if he could help him with the I-500 race this year. Needless to say, he was quite disappointed it didn't happen, as he knew that Brian put in so much time, effort, and money to pull it off. I started to talk to him about "Ride with the Champs", and I think convinced him that he should make a trip down there next year, or sometime in the future. He said he'd like to meet some of the guys he competed against, and relive those memories. He spoke very highly of Brian Nelson, Jon Carlson, Tom Otte, Bob Enns, Dale Cormican, Guy Useldinger, Don Amber, and others who competed in the sport during that era. Being an independent guy, he said he didn't think much about it then. "Just didn't know better, I guess". I was just privileged to take this story in, and hope that it translates well. Thanks.

jep_800

[snowfire1]

That is an interesting story. Well told.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Trust me, that Don Amber guy should never be put into a group like that..........but what an honor!! Hope to meet him sometime.

DA

[sledhead16]

Thanks for sharing great story

[Matt]

It sounds like he would LOVE Ride with the champs.

[jep_800]

A friend of Guy Useldinger brought his 74' Polaris I-500 sled too. I didn't snap a photo (dummy), so this pic is from the website. Still looks exactly like this today. Really fun to see it there.

[JRC ETD]

I remember Harlan, very good memories, this is what the sport is all about. Please pass on my regards if possible. Thanks for sharing! JRC

[jep_800]

I will do that Jon. And I will try to keep convincing him to attend RWTC next year. I think he would really enjoy talking to you and others he raced against.

Jason