HoF 35th RWC: Bogie Bash and Vintage Challange

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

In just a few weeks the Hall of Fame in St. Germain WI will host the 35th "Ride with the Champs" event the weekend of February 16th-17th. There are several events going on that weekend, starting with a Poker Run or the Bogie Bash Ride Friday morning, followed up by a cookout and open house at the expanding HoF. Later that evening Don Amber is hosting the Friday Night Fish Fry at the Whitetail.

Saturday starts off with breakfast at the Whitetail, where one of several rides can be selected by the RWC attendee's, including the 150 miles late model and Vintage Challenge rides to Lake Gogebic, The 100 mile Swamp Challenge, the Yamaha 100, The Cat 101, plus other modern and vintage groups. There should be plenty of rides to choose from.

After the day of riding and lunches, the evening kicks off with an autograph session back at the Whitetail where you will get to meet this years HoF inductees and celebrities from racing and the snowmobile industry. After dinner the 4 inductees will give there acceptance speeches, followed by a live auction of cool snowmobile memorabilia.

My part in this amazing weekend will be helping my friend Brian Lindner to guide the "Bogie Bash to Bolder" Friday morning. It's a mellow paced 'bogie themed' ride where were attempt take our old sleds to Bolder Junction to lunch and make it back to the HoF for the cookout. Last year we only made it to Stillwaters, a few lakes past Sayner, but still had great time. Any sled is welcome to join of course, but bogie sleds set the pace. We leave from the Whitetail Inn around 9:30 or so...

Assuming we survive the smooth ride bogies provide, Lindner will help me guide the Vintage Challenge Saturday morning 75 miles up to Fishtails for lunch on Lake Gogebic. This is the same 150 round trip the modern sleds take, led by Bob Anderson. This a briskly paced ride that can test even the best maintained vintage iron. The first vintage sled that ends up on the support trailer earns the coveted "First Out" award during the induction banquet.

With such a great group of inductees this year, we expect of full house, so register early, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!

-Joe Rainville
HoF Board Member
Bogie Bash / Vintage Challenge Guide

[jep_800]

David, Andrew and I will be as prepared as we can for this... I need to get my 800 on the trail this weekend to continue my carb and clutch tuning. I believe Andrew and David made some strides with their iron at Waconia this past weekend. We are arriving at St. Germain a day earlier this year (Wed), so we can trail ride, test, and tune all day on Thursday. Hope to be dialed in. So looking forward to it! See you there.

JP

[Ajc]

Jason, We made progress on the 800, put over 30 miles on it.But its seems to not be getting all the power to the ground. I think its in the secondary or belt. Also looks like the 600 is down. David wont run it with white drivers. I have more testing but cant wait.

AJC

[400brian]

On Friday morning, we will depart the Whitetail lodge parking lot, heading out looking for adventure and lunch.

We are serious about bashing some bogies! As I write this, I am finishing up transplanting a 440/21 into the wife's green machine that left Horicon as a '74 model 300. The 340/5 apparently needs to be torn down and re-built, but didn't quite get done. So, the '73 X8 engine will be tested in the green chassis. it made smoke for the first time in at least 30 years earlier this week, and is close to seeing snow.

The ride will be ran at the wife's pace, and trail conditions permitting, we plan to ride over to Boulder Junction for brunch, and return to the SHOF for the brat burn later in the afternoon.

[400brian]

The '73 44/21 installed, and making smoke!

[jep_800]

These bogies were meant to be bashed! I've got some fresh ones installed, and went through the others to ensure they'll operate well. I'm also throwing in a few good spares in case we need them. I found out that they need inspection every year so you don't get one that is froze up solid. Good way to wear out your track. I feel much better coming to WI this year with new drive axle bearings, and rear axle bearings as well. All NTN so they should perform well!! Hope they don't spin the shaft!

Jason