Getting excited about this year!

[Jekyll]

I thought I'd post the letter I sent to the Hall of Fame members after last years ride. Can't wait to go back in a few weeks.

Later,
Roger





Hall of Fame Board Members,


I wanted to take the opportunity to thank each of you for the opportunity to participate in the 2009 Ride with the Champs “Vintage Challenge”. To say that the event was memorable surely sells it short. The friendships that were made I will remember and cherish for a lifetime. I hope you all appreciate the tremendous positive impact you have on the sport of snowmobiling.

As a youth growing up in the 70’s & 80’s snowmobile publications were my look into the world of snowmobile competition. I would read ponder then re-read every article I could get my hands on, all the while studying the photos trying to pick out every minor detail.

My favorites were always the racing stories, my heroes were the daredevils dressed in factory leathers from companies like Cat, Polaris, Ski Doo, Yamaha, Deere and the others. The kids at school had no idea who men like Karpik, Eastman, Hayes and Trapp were, but I knew.

Never could I have imagined that twenty odd years later I would find myself on Polaris TX, chasing Jon Carlson through the woods……… and he would be riding a Liquidator just like I had seen in the magazines of my youth.

There was a moment during the leg from Sayner to Cisco Lake where Jon was making his way to the front of the pack. I caught him from the corner of my eye and for the briefest of moments, the thought crossed my mind that just maybe if I pick up the pace I could keep him back there………….. Jon Carlson was behind ME, on a snowmobile. Safety, common sense and good judgment took over milliseconds later and I waved him by but for that brief moment I was a factory racer! I laughed to myself the entire rest of that leg. I could hardly wait to get my helmet off and share that experience with (my traveling partner) Dan Cunningham. Seems he had similar thoughts also.

Only due to your efforts was that experience made possible. Thank You so much!

I would like to single out Keith and Brad Warning for their encouragement to attend Ride with the Champs. They made is sound like so much fun and never even hinted I might find myself listening to Brian Nelson tell racing stories over lunch.

Thanks again Guys!
Roger Jordan
334 Wilson Rd
Coloma, MI 49038

[T White]

Roger, I share just about every thought in your letter except I was in front of Kirk Hibbert in 2007.
This will be my fourth Ride With The Champs and the past three have provided me with the best
snowmobile memories of my life by far. You never know who your going to meet, Its like a little
kid waiting to open his Christmas presents every year I'm on my way to the Hall of Fame. Looking
foward to seeing you all there.
Tom White