Start of the 78 I-500!

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

Attached below are a few pic's of the start of the I-500 in 1978. Note #58 is our very own JRC! The sled to the left of Jon is #59, and is current residing in my barn in NY. That is ETD mechanic Terry Norgard standing behind Jon in the first pic.

Note the 1977 I-500 winner Archie Simonson on the Polaris TXL also in the line up.

[JoeRainville]

This next picture is a close up of Jon's hood showing Jerome as his mechanic and he as the driver.

In the final picture, the flag dropped and they are off! Jon ran an excellent race, finishing 4th over all. Former ETD racer Brian Nelson won on a kitted 78 ElTigre (a kit he and Hubert Fixin helped to develop), Jay Sperry took 2nd on a Kawi Invader, and I believe Ron Riemer took 3rd on a CC Liquifire after a nasty crash.

I have been told by our Steve Tabor that another Deere rider, Dave Hough was leading day 3 on his Cross Country until his spindle mounts gave out only a few mile from the finish line at Arrowood Lodge in Alexandria. Steve was the Pubic Relations Director for the I-500 that year.

[JDT]

Keep the pics coming Joe.

[JoeRainville]

s This last pic show's Jon's unique helmet. I would like to thank Jon for sharing these excellent images with us!

-Joe Rainville

[400brian]

Joe

It sure looks to me like Jon is wearing a green helmet.



Ah.....never mind. After I enlarged the photo, I saw what I was missing.

carry on.

[Wildfire II]

I will keep this going. Here is one of same race I think the second day Jon in the middle. Looks like we are getting ready for a parade. How many more can we name? ED

[Wildfire II]

taken at road crossing. Name um

[Wildfire II]

More

[Wildfire II]

The writing on this hood says Driver Sam Greshay Mech Ed Kruel Horicon Wisconsin

[SKNOWCAT]

Nice pix Ed.
Steve T.

[JoeRainville]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for adding more pic's! Excellent photo's. I didn't realize that many 78 CC's ran the I-500.

Thanks again for posting them,
-Joe Rainville

[I500#54]

The #59 CC was owned and raced by Joe Thompson, a Deere service mgr. in the Chicago area and a good friend of mine. His speed the first 40 miles was very quick, a broken chain took him out prior to the 1st. gas stop day 1. I raced the Simonson TXL bumper to bumper all day together passing many sleds. Jerome Kretzman and Jim Reyburger built my #58 CC in Baxter MN. Jan and I arrived 2 days prior to the start of the 500 and I put 50 miles on the sled and loaded it for Winnepeg. I think my draw for the start was 3rd or 4th flight (good) and we ran trouble free untill the last 40 miles racing Nelson Sperry, Reimer and Hayes. JRC

[JoeRainville]

Ed,

Your second pic looks to be of #75, Dave Hough. I can just make out his name as driver and mechanic Steve Tabor. Can you fill in any of the others for us?

Jon,

I had forgot that Stan Hays was leading the last day until his Ski-Doo lost a CDI box at a fuel stop. Stan told that story last year at the HOF Induction Cermony. I believe he was able to replace it and finish 5th overall. Is Joe Thompson still around? I would like to talk to him if you have any contact info.

Thanks!
-Joe Rainville