1973 Winnipeg-St Paul I-500 Info

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Yesterday while putting stuff away I found my scrapbook from the 1973 I-500. Granted I was not riding a John Deere. I posted the information on the VSCA "Bull Sessions" in the "Let's see some Winnipeg-St Paul I-500 Machines" thread. DA

[lynxer]

Could you post some of those pictures here? It would be cool to see some of those pics even though you werent on a John Deere.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Lynxer, I would have to leave that up to Matt. I'll post anything from the 75 race here (on a JD) but previous races were on a Polaris. Or, I would even send you the pictures via email if you prefer.
DA

[lynxer]

lynxer8@live.com

I would like to see them!!!!

Thanks WinnipegStPaul9!

[Matt]

Don, no big deal, I don't mind.

[JDT]

[WinnipegStPaul9]

OK, here goes. The first picture is a copy of my entry fee to the 1973 race. You had to send one check for $200.00 made out to the Winter Carnival and another check for $35.00 made out to Anchor Insurance.



As you can see that was sent in July of 1972. In September of 1972 I received an acceptance letter.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

In preparation for the race we held a few fundraisers. This picture came from a community fund raiser where we displayed the motor home that Franklin Coaches donated for the trip and the "Busco Bullet". I don't think the Bullet was in race trim at this point though with dual tanks, special seat, etc.



The local newspaper took our pictures as we were boarding the motor home for the trip to Winnipeg and then ran a story on the first or second day of the race. Someone got bad information though in the story when they wrote about us "putting wheels on the skis"

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I've probably bored most of you silly with my stories but if you remember I tell the story of being disqualified the first day. Well I was wrong. It must have been the second day. This first clip is a story about the mixup. Naturally we were all allowed back in the race.



Here's the rest of that article which was written by a fellow named Ron Schara. I think he was with the Minneapolis Tribune newspaper.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Every racer was required to have an inventory of their tools, parts, and sleds so that the customs folks could make sure you didn't leave anything in Canada or bring anything back that you didn't take in. Here's a copy of the parts inventory.



Here's the sled inventory and I couldn't believe this list when I saw it. I never remember taking the Scorpion with us and have no idea why we did. I was grass dragging Scorp's in those days and was 1973 Indiana "D" Stock Champion on a yellow hooded TK but why we had a second sled is beyond me at this time. I'm the only crew member still alive from the 1973 race.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Every night the race folks would post the daily times and combined times. This time sheet (first page only of three pages) shows some great racers. Please note you would have to go to page three to find my name. This is from the second day's leg ending at Walker. Today the race committee could knock something like this out in minutes, maybe even seconds but keep in mind this is 1973. Darn few copy machines in those days. This thing had to be compiled and memeographed from the time all racers were in for the day and be available each evening at the driver's meeting. Quite an achievement for those days!!

I never noticed before a few days ago that there are quite a few typo errors. See how many you can find.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Finally, here's a copy of the letter that I received from the Winter Carnival folks along with a check for $107.00. The last time I say a copy of the check it was mounted along with my 73 bib at Chuck Moser's (I500) house. Sorry to say it's the one and only letter of completion that I received.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I know I did!!

DA

[JDT]

So Cool Don. Thanks for sharing.

[pjr]

Wow DA, that's really cool memorobilia to read there and VERY interesting to read for sure! Thanks for sharing!! A $200 entry fee is big-bucks for them days..

pj