At the track the night before the race in Thief River Falls, Kenny Hiens, Chris Dotzler and Wade Bennett helped with final preparation and got her running. The first time that sled saw fuel was Friday night before the race.
I would have never made it to the starting line without all their help, and I was thankful for it. But I left the coolant drain bolt loose and overheated the sled at mile six. "Team Deere" lost 4 Liquifires in the first 10 miles, much to the dissapointment off all of us. Still the best time ever.
The sled motor was rebuilt for this year's race, and a few of the unfinished pieces were completed and installed, like the modified front wheel kit and clutching updates.
Attempt two in February of 2013 was better, but lady luck had her way with me again. I nailed a rock in the bottom of the ditch near mile 6 and cartwheeled at 65 mph. The pan was bent up around the stearing shaft, so the sled would not turn left at all. It did go somewhat straight for the next 40 miles until she died out, and coasted to a stop around mile 45:
