YAMAHA'S PROTO SLED

October 1984 - YAMAHA - THE NEXT PHAZE?
This Is The Yamaha Proto That The Dealers Got A Sneak Peak This Past Summer.
   The proto appears to have the same Yamaha long travel rear suspension as The Phazer and possibly the same telescopic Strut front suspension.  The shroud configuration seems to allow for a perky 250-300cc liquid cooled power plant.  The seat material and form appear to be designed for comfort, sit ability, stability and of course, graphic beauty.
   When will the brand new snowmobile beam down to your local dealer's showroom? We may see it as soon as next year....or maybe never.  Yamaha isn't saying !

ABOUT MYSELF

I would like to tell you a little more about myself.  As I've illustrated in my profile within this blog, my life has been centered around snowmobiles which includes the present time.  I was a Rupp dealer from 1969 thru it's death in 1978.  In 1980, I, along with some help made an attempt to bring Rupp Industries back into existence.  "GO HERE", To read all about this attempt.  In 1984, I moved to South Dakota and went on to expand my snowmobile parts and accessories operation by the name of SnoCat Shack and later was renamed Sport Shack, because of a legal matter.  I sold Sport Shack in 1996 and started a company by the name of Battery Shack and sold over 14,000 batteries in 10 years. "CLICK HERE", To learn more about this business.

SNOWMOBILING IN QUEBEC

September 1979 - The Quebec trails are smooth and well marked with long straight stretches, conducive to fast snowmobiling.
   Some of the trails are mountainous and very beautiful and scenic. The terrain is varied and gives a good overview of Quebec.  The beautiful mountainous scenery of the Portneuf Reserve, is a preserved wildlife area and winds around a mountain clear to the top and back down again.
   The real story is the outstanding snowmobiling available in Quebec, the warmth of the people, the delicious cuisine, and the lively night life.
   For more information about how you can experience Quebec snowmobiling write:  RJ Snowmobile Voyages, 115 East Bernard Street, West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 or telephone 612-457-2019.  There are packages available for a single couple or group  (I hope this is still accurate as the information was November, 1979)

THE NEW 1976 RUPP NITRO

Snowmobile Ad - November 1975

The all new 1976 Rupp Nitro with all new styling for 1976 and  powered by an all new Xenoah 250cc, 340cc or 440cc liquid cooled engine. The Nitro is available with either the 340cc or 440cc engine and the Magnum has a 250cc, 340ccor 440cc engine..
   From Rupp come four sleds: The Magnum, the super racer. The Nitro,the sleek trailblazer. The Rally for He and She and The Sport for the frugal.
Here are all the ingredients but one... "all we need is you"

ROLL-O-FLEX JOINS ISA

January, 1974 - The International Snowmobile Industry Association has announced that Roll-O-Flex, Ldt., Regina, Saskatchewan has joined the association.
   The company's application for membership was approved at the September meeting of the ISIA in Hot Springs, VA.  The edition of Rollo-O-Flex brings association membership to a total of 19 manufacturer's, who produce over 95 percent of the world's snowmobiles.
   Roll-O-Flex, Ltd. was organized in 1970 for the specific purpose of manufacturing snowmobiles.

SEARS SNOWCRUISER SNOWMOBILE

THE 1969 SEARS SNOWCRUISER-309 SNOWMOBILE - This sled was built by Tradewinds for Sears.  It is identical to The OMC Evinrude and Johnson built in the beginning of 1968, except that the hood, engine and skis were different.
   The Sears 309 had a K309 and K399-2 Kohler engines at 20 or 23 horsepower.  Standard features included a hinged hood, caliper disc brakes, and a cleated track.  It also had a tool kit, including a screw driver, cylinder head socket, plug socket, open end wrench and a rewind rope.
   Specifications: 97 1/2 inches overall length, 30 inches wide and 43 inches high to the top of the windshield.  Track width 15 1/2 inches or 20 1/2 inches.  It had a 4 gallon fuel tank.  The price was $879.00 for the 309 or $1,219.00 for the 399.
   It is a very durable sled and an even better hill climber than the comparable OMC offering, due in part to the lighter engine.

THE 1981 SKIDOO CITATION 3500

December 1980 Ad
Citation 3500 - Big Sled Features, Small sled Price.
The Citation 3500 is straight value. With easy maintenance, oil injection and low operating cost.
   With a 268.7 cm Rotax fan cooled single cylinder engine, Mikuni carb, low end torque so you don't spin your track, and a fixed alignment transfer shaft to keep the power coming.
Nothing else will 'Doo - Ski Doo

THE NEW 1975 MOTO-SKI SONIC RACER

November, 1974 Press Release
Duluth, Minnesota - Moto-Ski has entered the racing arena for the coming season with the introduction of its new Sonic 340TS stock racing snowmobile. The low slung charcoal and orange racer is powered by a 340cc Bombardier-Rotax rotary valve engine, and features a number of developments of Bombardier Ltee., Moto-Ski's parent company.
   With the number of improvements in appearance and features throughout the Moto-Ski line for 19775,Bombardier decided it was time to put a new Moto-Ski racing machine on the track.
   Design materials in the Sonic include aluminum, magnesium and fiberglass for lighter weight and sleeker styling. Bombardier developments are included in the exhaust, transmission, suspension and shocks, track, electrical system and brakes.  The Sonic is designed as a regular stock performer, with a kit available for modified classes.

THE 1975 SNO TWISTER RACING RECORD

September 1975 - AD 

Put our 340 and 440 Sno Twister head-to-head against the rest and bet on Mercury.
In 1975, The USSA results for 340cc and 440cc races show Sno Twister ran of with 154 first place wins. Cat 117, Yamaha 66, Moto Ski 44, Polaris and all others 40.
   When you look at the results from the OSRF and WSRF (Ontario Snowmobile Racing Federation and Western Snowmobile Racing Association) circuit racing, The Sno Twisters not only won,they owned the tracks.  With 184 firsts, seconds and third place wins against Cats 115, Polaris 66, Yamaha's 55, and Ski Doo's 45.
  Now Merc has a 250cc Twister along with the 340cc and 440cc ready to take the Tigr's by the tail, and leave 'em gasping on the track.

1971 RUPP MAGNUMS

1971 RUPP MAGNUMS

 
 In 1971 and 1972 Rupp Industries had
its banner years with over 31,000 snowmobiles manufactured
and sold in 1971,  and over 40,000 sleds manufactured and sold in 1972.

Pictured on the right side of this page, you will see the complete line of the 1971 Rupp Magnum sleds.  The 400, 440, 600 and 800 Magnums.

I was a Rupp dealer in those days, in which I sold one of each of The 400 Magnum, 440 Magnum and a 800 Magnum.  These were beautiful sleds and hard to beat at the races.

On a spring-slushy day at the local fairgrounds, I
remember the 800 Magnum racing against four other
sleds.  This sled was a half a lap ahead of the other four
at the end of the race. As the crowd was cheering and the   driver cracked the throttle in front of the Grandstand, at
the final lap, there was a fishtail of slush about ten or fifteen
feet high.




The 400 and 440 had a twin cylinder high performance fan cooled Rupp/Tohatsu engines, the 600 had a three cylinder Free Air Rupp/Tohatsu engine and the 800 had a three cylinder Free Air Hirth engine.
All the 1971 Magnums had a slide suspension.

"CLICK HERE" TO LEARN ALL ABOUT RUPP'S HAY DAY AND
DOWNFALL.

TESTING SNOWMOBILES IN THE BLACK HILLS

March,1983
Five snowmobile manufacturers testing five different new 1984 models in the Black Hills of South Dakota for six grueling days of riding, evaluating and photography.

Ski Doo SS25
John Deere liquifire
Polaris Trail Inday
Yamaha Phazer
Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000 (Not pictured)
 

ARCTIC CAT'S NEW IDEAS

January, 1975 - THIS YEAR WHEN ARCTIC CAT HITS THE TRACK, Their Cats will be full of new ideas and innovations.  And they'll get worked over by some of the most demanding drivers we know:  Larry Colton, Dave Thompson and Bob Elsner.
   As they push their Cats to the limit, our ideas get pushed to the limit, too.  Only the best survive.
   So watch Team Arctic closely this season, Because with all these ideas and innovations they've got - every time they hit the track, you're bound to come up with a winner

THE 1974 SCORPION SNOWMOBILES

    --   AUTUMN 1973  --

From Scorpion - Ten new acts guaranteed to steal the spotlight ! 

PARA-RAIL SUSPENSION
   Combines the best bogeys and slides.
QUIET POWER
   Meets low lever noise requirements.
ROCKWELL ENGINES
   Developed especially for Scorpion 
TOTALLY NEW FOR 1974
   1974 Scorpion stinger
    

ABOUT MYSELF

I would like to tell you a little more about myself.  As I've illustrated in my profile within this blog, my life has been centered around snowmobiles which includes the present time.  I was a Rupp dealer from 1969 thru it's death in 1978.  In 1980, I, along with some help made an attempt to bring Rupp Industries back into existence.  "GO HERE", To read all about this attempt.  In 1984, I moved to South Dakota and went on to expand my snowmobile parts and accessories operation by the name of SnoCat Shack and later was renamed Sport Shack, because of a legal matter.  I sold Sport Shack in 1996 and started a company by the name of Battery Shack and sold over 14,000 batteries in 10 years. "CLICK HERE", To learn more about this business.

NEW ENGINES

Snowmobile Magazine - November 1973
Kioritz Corporation of America announced new North America Marketing plans for its line of two cylinder, two-cycle gasoline engines currently used primarily by recreational vehicle manufacturers.
   Until the present time, the Kioritz engines have been sold through U.S. and Canadian distribution channels by Canadian Curtis Wright, Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, under the "CCW" emblem.
   Under the new plan, the line of engines will be sold thru the same distribution channel directly by Kioritz and with Kioritz marketing.
   At present, only the the 290 and 440 c.c. models are being marketed in North America due to there popularity as power plants for recreational vehicles.

THE 1985 KITTY CAT

Snowmobile Magazine - September/October 1984
Thief River Falls, Minnesota - Rounding out the 1985 Cat lineup is The Kitty Cat, the pint-sized snowmobile designed for kids. It's small, it's light and it's safe. But mostly, it's just plain fun.
   The small 60cc fan-cooled engine has a governor to keep top speed to a safe minimum. Reflective stripping surrounds the sled for maximum 360 degree visibility even at night.  This year's version features a windshield and the entire machine is built tough throughout to take all the abuse your youngsters can give it.

RUPP FILES CHAPTER 11

Snowmobile Dealer Magazine - March 1976
Mansfield, Ohio - Rupp Industries, Inc. has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of The Federal Bankruptcy Act.  Under chapter 11, the company continues to operate, but has court protection against creditor lawsuits while it tries to work out a plan for paying its debts.
   Rupp said it toke the action after its senior lenders filed a foreclosure action on the companies manufacturing plant in Mansfield, and toke "certain steps" toward obtaining judgement for the balance due them on Rupp's term notes.
   According to Rupp, discussions with the lenders failed to yield agreement on a plan of reorganization.  Rupp said it is now operating as a debtor in possession under Federal statues, and added that it was advised that its lenders are still willing to discuss a voluntary reorganization with the company.
   "CLICK HERE" to read all about Rupp's success and demise and why it should still be in existence !

DEERE UNVEILS NEW MACHINE

Snowmobile Dealer Magazine press release - January 1974
Moline, Illinois - John Deere has introduced a new high-performance, limited production snowmobile, the 295/S, powered by a special twin-cylinder engine rated by the company at more than 40 horse power.
   The machine features dual Mikuni slide-valve carburetors, capacitor discharge igmnition, John Deere's precision torque sensing, variable speed clutch system and tuned exhaust.  John Deere slide-suspension with three-piece, 15-inch grauser bar track is standard, as are aluminum skis with carbide wear rods.
   Additional features are complete instrumentation, shock absorbers, kill switch, energy-absorbing seat and handlebar crash pad.
   The new 295/S, John Deere's high performance snowmobile qualifies as a stock machine under the St. Paul Winter Carnival rules for the St. Paul to Winnipeg International 500 Race.

HULINGS NABS EAGLE

Snowmobile Magazine Press Release - January 1983
There were several grand experiments at Eagle River this year. Perhaps the most publicized was lengthening the Word's Championship final from 15 to 25 laps. Could sprint drivers go 25 laps and would the sleds last? You Bet. Only one of the 10 finalists failed to make the 25 laps. The checkered went to Brad Hulings with his Ski Doo, who also won in 1981.
   The other great experiment at Eagle River this year was a snocross program. What made this race work at Eagle was that there was snow to build a course with.  In exciting finals, Jim Wergin won the stock class on a Yamaha SR-V and Todd Elmer won the open class on a Polaris Indy.
   About 20,000 showed up to watch the racing action, which was about twice as many as a year ago.  The windchill was 100 degrees warmer this year compared to 1982.

THE NEW 1976 YAMAHA GS 340

Snowmobile Magazine Ad - December 1975
The All New GS 340 Reflects Yamaha Engineering Leadership - For the first time ever, Yamaha has put a powerful twin cylinder engine on a mid-sized chassis to give you amazing new performance Like its brother, The Enduro Motorcycle.  The exciting new GS 340 is a machine you can depend on.
     With wider skis to put more surface on the powder, the GS 340 gives you greater flotation, tighter cornering and easier handling.  The machine is built to take you where you want to go and bring you back.
     The GS 340's new mono-shock, (which we pioneered in motorcycles) allows the new slide rail suspension system to flex, and the new comfort designed seat gives you more cushioning. It's the perfect first machine or companion to one of the many fine Yamaha snowmobiles.
     Put one on the snow, you'll see what we mean. It's the best snowmobile buy on the market.  When You Know How They're Built, You'll Buy A Yamaha.

1971 RUPP MAGNUMS

 
 In 1971 and 1972 Rupp Industries had
its banner years with over 31,000 snowmobiles manufactured
and sold in 1971,  and over 40,000 sleds manufactured and sold in 1972.

Pictured on the right side of this page, you will see the complete line of the 1971 Rupp Magnum sleds.  The 400, 440, 600 and 800 Magnums.

I was a Rupp dealer in those days, in which I sold one of each of The 400 Magnum, 440 Magnum and a 800 Magnum.  These were beautiful sleds and hard to beat at the races.

On a spring-slushy day at the local fairgrounds, I
remember the 800 Magnum racing against four other
sleds.  This sled was a half a lap ahead of the other four
at the end of the race. As the crowd was cheering and the   driver cracked the throttle in front of the Grandstand, at
the final lap, there was a fishtail of slush about ten or fifteen
feet high.




The 400 and 440 had a twin cylinder high performance fan cooled Rupp/Tohatsu engines, the 600 had a three cylinder Free Air Rupp/Tohatsu engine and the 800 had a three cylinder Free Air Hirth engine.
All the 1971 Magnums had a slide suspension.

"CLICK HERE" TO LEARN ALL ABOUT RUPP'S HAY DAY AND
DOWNFALL.

SNOWMOBILING'S TOP TEN

Snowmobile Magazine Press Release - December, 1982

The Top Ten Snowmobiling States According To 1981 Snowmobile registration Figures, Are As Follows:
No. 1 - Michigan = 365,592                           No. 2 - Minnesota = 268,974
No. 3 - Wisconsin = 162,600                        No. 4 - New York = 130,109
No. 5 - Illinois = 70,822                                 No. 6 - Iowa = 60,000
No. 7 - Pennsylvania = 55,763                     No. 8 - Maine = 51,511
No. 9 - Ohio = 32,045                                   No. 10 - Massachusetts = 28,000                                    

RIB MOUNTAIN RACE SET IN WISCONSIN

Snowmobile Magazine Press Release - November 1974
Wausau, Wisconsin - The 9th annual snowmobile classic will be held January 4th and 5th at Marathon Park in Wausau.  Sanctioned by The USSA, the event will include five laps in the heat races and 10 laps in the finals.  All registration money will be returned as prizes, and trophies will be given to the junior class winners.
The races will be run as follows:  January 4th will include 1 & 11, Stock 1 & 11, plus qualifications for the Governor's Cup; January 5th includes Junior 111, Womens 111, Stock 111, Modified Stock 111, Women's,111, Super Stock 1 - 1V and 0 - 440X, plus Governor's Cup Finals.                                                                                                                                                        

SKIROULE -1976

Snowmobile Magazine Ad - September/October 1975
Skiroule - 76, The Best Any Way You Look At It.  76 Skiroule - The Ultimate for Western Snowmobiling.
The new Skiroules are particularly designed for deep snow and rugged mountain riding found only in the west! They provide the Ultimate deep powder snow mobility; the ultimate combination of riding comfort and style.  The ultimate power through the all-new Centryx clutch, and the ultimate in standard features. More than any comparable model on the market.  AND AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A QUALITY 2 CYCLE LUBRICANT

Snowmobile Magazine - September 1988
Here is what To Look for in a Quality 2 cycle Lubricant: 
1. BASE:  A petroleum base with a low ash content, a quality synthetic base, or a petroleum synthetic blend that combines each of the previous characteristics, is the main ingredient in any lubricant.In addition to causing carbon build-up, a petroleum base oil with a high ash content can reduce fuel/oil ratios and cause a lean condition.
2. RUST INHIBITORS:  Additives that prevent moisture from condensing on internal engine components are essential to a snowmobile engine.
3. DETERGENTS: Just like the motor oil used in your automobile, snowmobile lubes should include some type of detergents that clean your engine as they protect.
4. POURING POINT: As a general rule, 2-stroke oils aren't rated by weight.  They do, however, have a pouring point which indicates the lowest temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at which the oil will continue to pour and perform to its full potential. When choosing an oil, make sure that the pouring point coincides with the climate you'll be riding.
GAS MIXING RATIOS FOR 1 GALLON OF FUEL:
20:1 Ratio = 6.4 oz oil, 24:1 Ratio = 5.3 oz oil, 32:1 Ratio = 4.0 oz oil, 40:1 Ratio = 3.2 oz oil,            50:1 = 2.6 oz oil, 80:1 = 1.6 oz oil

SKI-DOO

Snowmobile Magazine Ad - September 1974
Sixteen years ago, Bombardier created a whole new concept in winter recreation.  We invented the snowmobile and called it SKI-DOO.
Since then, others have come, And Gone, But SkiDoo keeps moving ahead.
You know you can depend on Ski-Doo...now and in the future...as long as there's winter - SKI-DOO The Worlds #1 Selling Snowmobile

YAMAHA BEEFS UP SR-V for 1982

AUTUMN 1981 - There will be an SR-V of a different color out on the cross country circuit in 1982. Yamaha's trail racer is now black and its new macho look is matched by a beefed up engine and new high-performance clutch.
The SR-V gets a power boost from 56 horsepower to more than 60 horsepower.  The extra horses have been added via larger reed valve assemblies and larger intake and exhaust port dimensions on the 536cc axial fan-cooled twin engine.
The SR-V also gets the new Yamaha YSR drive clutch, which promises increased durability and performance.  Another change is in the seat, where more comfort has been added by removing the rear storage area and replacing it with foam.

PROFESSIONAL RACING PREVIEW

Kalamazoo - January 1977
Kalamazoo has switched sleds again, and this time around will be racing om Yamaha SRX's.  The Kalamazoo Kyote team will also have some new drivers, as veteran Sam Sessions has entered semi-retirement, giving way to Bob Hulsebus and Mark Lindquist.  They will compete in the 440 Super Mod and 440-X on the SnoPro circuit.
   Hulesbus' highlights for last season came at the Houghton Lake Grand Prix Championship and at the Allegan, Michigan MISA Class A race.  At Allegan, Hulesbus won three first, three seconds, one third and a fourth over two days of competition.

DEADWOOD SNOCROSS SHOOTOUT

Deadwood, South Dakota - February 1, 2014
SNOCROSS SHOOTOUT - Hibbert Comes From Behind To Win "Recovers from first lap mishap to win Snocross Shootout."
   Tucker Hibbert was tired of getting pushed around at the Deadwood Snocross Shootout.  It was another night and another first-lap exit for The International Series of Champions points leader in The Pro Open class, but Hibbert was having none of another disappointing finish, charging through the field to overhaul leader Tim Tremblay with two laps to go and cap an amazing comeback.
   In a virtual re-run of Friday night's round 7 finals, Hibbert of Pelican Rapids, Minn., started in No. 1 spot but again sailed wide in a wild scramble for position in the first turn.  When the snow settled, Hibbert's No.68 Arctic Cat sat riderless in the middle of the track.
   He quickly remounted half a lap behind and mounted a noholds-barred blitz through the 14-rider field. He was stalking the leader Tremblay by lap 16 and eventually flew into the lead at the line with just two to go.
   "The corners are so tight, There's snow dust everywhere.  You just can't get a good flow going.  You've just got to be on it everywhere," Hibbert said.
   Tremblay, of Ste Joanne D'Arc, Quebec, settled for second, with Dave Joanis earning his second podium finish of the weekend in third.
   The ISOC series heads for Salemanca, New York next weekend for Round 9 and 10.  The series concludes in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on March 14-16.
   The Deadwood Shootout will be televised on the CBS Sports Network on February 9th and 16th.

SNOWMOBILE RACING IN DEADWOOD

Deadwood South Dakota January 31, 2014
SNOCROSS SHOOTOUT - Deadwood - Kody Kamm didn't have the best starting spot but it was the right place to grab the lead in Friday's International Series of Champions Pro Open Final.
Kamm, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, qualified second behind snowmobile racing series point leader Tucker Hibbert of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, for the start of the twenty two lap Pro Open final at the SnoCross Shootout at the days of '76 Rodeo Grounds.
   But Kamm found the lead when Hibbert's Arctic Cat sailed wide in a tight left-hand first turn.  Kamm paced the 15-rider field the rest of the way, but only after fending off a last-lap blitz from Tim Tremblay of Drummondville, Quebec. Tremblay later tumbled his sled on a section of whoops coming out of the turn and finished seventh.
   "I was getting a little tired and making a few mistakes out there," Kamm said.  "I knew he (Tremblay was going to come back on the inside...I just squared him up and got him right back there," Kamm said.
   Kyle Pallin of Ironwood, Michigan, finished second with Dave Joanis of Cochrane, Ontario third.  Hibbert has his work cut out for him after sliding off the first turn. He the powered through the fireld to as high as third place before the last-lap scramble among the leaders.
   Corin Todd of Otego, New York won the 14-lap Pro Lite final, taking advantage of a late-race off-track
by Andrew Carson of Elk River, Minnesota.  "Andrew unfortunately came off late in the race in the section right after the finish line.  I got the lead there, not the way I wanted to get it.  I wished I could have passed him myself, but a win is a win," Tod said.
   Round 8 of the Amsoil Championship is Saturday at The Days of '76 Rodeo Grounds.  The Deadwood Shootout rounds will be televised on The CBS Sports Network on February 9th and 16th.

KAWASAKI - 99.9 MPH IN A MILE

March 1982
On a lake in central Minnesota in the last week of February.  History was made, as the 1983 ultra-performance rockets toke turns blasting down the one mile iced surface. The Kawasaki Interceptor machine, had only trail studding in the track. The engine zipped up to about 9000 RPM and sat there for the entire mile.  The radar gun and the speed trap told the story at the mile - 99.93 MPH.  All day the stock 1983 Kawasaki Interceptor hit speeds consistently, in the low to mid 90's in a quarter mile and hit 95 MPH in a quarter on the best run.
Trail riding of the sled was a somewhat unique experience.  The machine came in at about 5500 RPM, which is one high side for trail riding.  The best trail riding performance was at mid range acceleration.
The Interceptor had excellent suspension transfer and the skis never do leave the snow.