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.

THE ALL NEW 1975 ARCTIC CAT PANTERA

September 1974 - The entirely new Pantera, highlighted the 1975 snowmobiles, from Arctic Cat.
   The new Pantera was a spinoff of the successful Panther model of past years, and included a two-inch longer seat for comfortable two-up riding.
   With its padded leatherette dash panel and numerous other features, the Pantera stepped ahead of the standard Panther.  Chrome shocks and bumper, and parking brake added to the package, as did the Pantera's new orange accent color on the basic black. A 440cc Kawasaki for an engine.

A SKI-DOO SNOWMOBILE

WHAT WAS THIS? - A snowmobile for the future! An early seventies Ski-Doo prototype that never went into production.
   The four passenger Ski-Doo Mirage II, a luxury liner with a rear four-cycle engine, twin tracks, and a top speed of 50mph.

ARCTO CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY

Thief River Falls, MN - Arctco celebrated its 5th anniversary by throwing a summer party for employees and the public. Cat Festival '87 was held July 31 thru August 2, 1987 on the factory grounds at Thief River Falls.
   Activities included guided factory tours, parade, Kitty Cat rides, fireworks display, steak fry, a special air show, country music and much more.
   Wisconsin Drag Racing Association held asanctioned grass drag event, attracting the top grass drag drivers from the Midwest and Canada
   A crowd of several thousand Cat enthusiasts, coming as far away as Pennsylvania, Montana and Illinois were there, including several snowmobile clubs

1977 YAMAHA RACING PREVIEW

December, 1976 - Press Release. Yamaha is sticking to its policy of no factory racing, but there are a couple of Yamaha "Independents" who have the potential of beating the factory teams this winter.  They are Dick Trickle and Bob Donahue, both from Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin backed by Yamaha Hardware and technical assistance, they'll follow the SnoPro circuit....or maybe even lead it.

1984 SKIDOO SAFARI

In December of 1983, Ski-Doo advertised the Safari Grand Luxe as the top of the line, with a powerful 436.6 cm Rotax engine and a new longer travel TRS6 suspension with 6 full inches of rear travel.
   Then, they said that because they've designed their new Safari series so you could go for price without sacrifice, they presented the Safari 377 and The Safari 447 with a 368.3 cm and the 436.6 cm Rotax engines with the flotation suspension and lightweight design with the comfort of the TRS6 suspension.

LECTRON CARBURETOR

October 1975 - Lectron Products has introduced a high performance snowmobile carburetor that is said to ensure quicker starts, smoother running, better gas mileage and increased horsepower. It utilizes a variable venturi principle to deliver fuel/air particles in a more efficient and leaner-burning form than conventional designs.
Ultra high velocity air flow and a precision fuel metering system make the carburetor particularly suited for high performance and racing applications.  It is offered in 30, 32, 34, 38 and 40mm sizes.

POLARIS' HEAVY BAR LEGAL

December 1982 - According to Polaris competition coordinator, the Northern Minnesota snowmobile manufacturer offered a heavier torsion bar for all Indy race sleds.
   Three times heavier than the stock bar, the new torsion bar is a racing oriented improvement that keeps the Indy front end".. a little flatter."
   The new bar was filed and approved as legal for Polaris Indys by the major racing associations.  The bar was available only thru the Polaris Engineering Department.

MYSTERY SLED

September 13, 1985
Do you know the right name, model and year. of the odd looking oval tracker snowmobile on the right. It appeared as a test model unit.

BRUT POWER

 The 1974 Brut - The Heart of A Performance Machine


  Brutanza Engineering of Brooten, Minnesota - On November of 1973 claimed, "we give you the best power center available".  A liquid cooled Brooten Engine which they claimed is a must for quiet performance along with a Brutanza clutch - the ultimate in torque convertors

ARCTIC CATS REVERSE GEAR

September 1987 - Snowmobiling Without Reverse Gear Is A Drag.  Reverse gear takes all the work out of snowmobiling.  It's light weight, so it won't slow you down.  It's easy to install,And best of all, it makes moving your sled a cinch, on the trail or off the trailer.

BIG JOHN'S IN TOWN

September 1974 - AD - It isn't time to get out on the trails just yet, But it's time to start thinking about it. An we've got a brand new reason why, "Big John"
   The long, strong line 0f '75 sleds from John Deere. With new styling. New Preformance.
   There are three models in The JDX Series.  All with Red-Valve engines that range from the JDX4 with a 340cc, to the JDX6 with 400cc, on up to the big daddy of 'em all:  The JDX8 with a 440cc under its sleek,low profile hood.
   Standard equipment on each JDX sled is an adjustable weight tansfer slide-rail suspension & wide-stance skis with shocks.  Every JDX is painted a color we call Blitz-Black so it stands out in a crowd, Or on a ridge.

ARCTCO'S NUMBER ONE CAT

August 1, 1983 - Arctco Celebrates As Number One Cat Rolls Off The Line
Full throttle would best describe the excitement at Arctco on August 1, the assembly line was humming along right on schedule and the first 1984 Panther was wrapped in ribbon and ready for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
   State and local officials joined the Artco workers and board members for the ceremony.  Well wishers numbered 300 including distributors, dealers, stockholders, representatives of  state snowmobile associations, vendors and consumers.
   The entire event was recorded by TV, radio, newspapers and the snowmobile press.

ROLL-O-FLEX IS LIQUIDATED

Regina, Sask. - Press Release - May, 1974
The assests of Roll-O-Flex, Ltd., manufacturer's of Roll-O-Flex and Wild-One snowmobiles, has been liquidated.
   According to the court as receiver on behalf of secured creditors, the company had proposed a payment of 20% of its debts in January. However, when it couldn't make that first payment, the creditors committee decided to liquidate the assets and held an auction at The Regina plant April 19th.  Formal application for bankruptcy will be made shortly.
   The entire inventory, including 1,100 snowmobiles, were sold to various buyers at the auction and pre-sale.negotiation.
   Roll-O-Flex was founded in 1969 and produced 2,600 snowmobiles for the 1973 and 74 seasion.

1986 SKI-DOO FORMULA SP

October 1985 - Ad:  The Formula SP is light in just the right places - light as a cloud on snow, lightweight, light, bright white, and most imortantly light in price. As a matter of fact, the only thing that's not light about it is the power.
   The full instrumentation Formula SP outwits moguls on its dual rate shock rear suspension with eight inches of travel.  It negotiates trails on a 16 1/2 inch track propelled by 462.8 cm of liquid-cooled Rotary Valve Rotax might.

THE INAUGURAL SNOWMOBILE HILLCROSS

The Inaugural Lead-Deadwood Hillcross snowmobile races were set for Saturday, April 12, 2014.  It was held at Ski Mystic at Deer Mountain near Lead, South Dakota, within the Black Hills of South Dakota.
   The event was fun filled and a combination snocross and hill climb for snowmobile racers.  Contestants raced as a class on a course that begin at the bottom of  a mountain, through a section of jumps, twists and turns followed by a steep incline for the last third of the course to the finish line at the top of Racer's Cliff.
   Classes were set for amateur and pro level riders, including 600cc, 800cc and open classes for stock, improved and modified sleds.  There was also a womens class as well.  A $2,000. purse was offered in the pro classes with prizes also in the amateur classes.
   This is something that hasn't been done in this area before.  The event was challenging and fun, and could lead to something big.

MINNESOTA CUP DRAG RACES

HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1981 - All of Minnesota's snowmobile enthusiasts were either in Blaine, Minnesota for The Sno-Barons Hay Day Grass Drags - or in Jordan for The Northwest Trails, 5th Annual Carnival Picnic!
   With a crowd count of over 5,000, the 15th annual Hay Day Race began behind Wyatt Brothers in Blaine with a parade of beauties, of Queens from varies communities - all riding in open convertibles.
   A traveling trophy (total high points for the day) went home with Larry Faist, Freeport, Ill.  Fastest time of the day was awarded to Perry Schlueter, Dakota, Ill.

1977 PROFESSIONAL RACING PREVIEW

December 1976 - Arctic Cats Preview
In 1976, Team Arctic was out there kicking it and taking names. And it it intends to do the same in 1977 with the stable of veterans - Larry Colton, Dave Thompson and Bob Elsner.  In 1976 the crew was so successful that it captured an amazing 50 per cent of the top three places of every event they entered.  They'll do it again in 1977 on those liquid cooled, Spirit-powered black beauties. Independent Cat Racers will be glad to know that Charlie Lofton will again be out there at the track with the driver support van.

RUPP COMPLETE '76 MODEL TEST

April 1975 - Mansfield, Ohio - To complete the new line of 1976 Rupp snowmobiles, Rupp Industries has recently completed an independent, cooperative testing program in conjunction with a group of snowmobile racers and engineers.  Throughout the program, the company tested modifications planned for the new line of snowmobiles with regard to quality control data, durability, suspensions and drive systems.
   Engineering of liquid cooled engines received particular emphasis during the testing.

BIGGER CARBS FOR MORE PERFORMANCE

September 1988 - Bigger Carbs, Carb Kits Are TheNext Step Up.
While pipes are usually considered the first stage of performance products for an engine, carburetors are  often souped up next.  "Bigger carbs, especially flat slide carbs, would probably be next," Aaen said. "They'll give you better acceleration, pick up and fuel mileage."
   Performance shops will either overbore the carbs that came on a sled after you send them in, or they'll sell you bigger carbs or a carb kit you can install to make your engine more of a fire breather.
   Again, as with tuned pipes or mod work like cylinder porting, the shops will give the customer as much information as possible when selling him carbs.
   "We cover as much stuff with them on the phone as we can, and once they get the products, they get alot of information on installation and tuning.

THE NEW 1985 ARCTIC CAT COUGAR

The AFS Cat is the first major design Introduction from "The New Arcric Cat"...and it was a surefooted knockout.
  Among key designs for the Cougar was the front- mounted engine.  They moved the motor off the tunnel, shifting the weight down and forward to create snowmobiling's first major handling improvement. With this improvement, it was natural to expect to see an Arctic Cat in the center ring of snowmobiles.
   Amoung the standard features, it has a 500cc fan cooled twin engine, 5700 RPM ahift, oil minjection and mechanical disc brakes.

THE NEW 1975 POLARIS TX SERIES

May 1974 - Polaris Ad
The most popular high performance sled on the market today! Designed for the experienced, discerning snowmobiler who knows what he wants in quality and performance.
   Four race-bred TX models are available for 1975:  with 250cc, 335cc, and 432cc with free-air SuperStar engines, and the 500cc three cylinder free-air SuperStar engine.

THE 1980 YAMAHA EXCEL V

The 1980 Yamaha EXCEL V
 (EC540D) was the luxury model in the Yamaha line for 1980.
The sled was furnished in wine red and burgandy.  An electric starter and quartz halogen headlight were part of the standard features

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.

SUZUKI, YAMAHA UNVEIL RACERS

December 1973                                                                                             U. S. Suzuki and Yamaha Motor Company, LTD, of Iwata, Japan, have unveiled their racing sleds for The Sno-Pro Circuit for the 1973/74 season.
   Suzuki's new XR-10 machines were completely redesigned. They featured twin-cylinder, air cooled, 440cc engines, with twin Mikuni carburetors and a Comet racing clutch system.  The snowmobiles have white cowling, black lettering and red trim.
   The new Yamaha SRX racers were said to be similar to the 1973 Yamaha SR's.
   Yamaha's SRX racer competed on the Sno-Pro competition along with The Suzuki XR-10.

POLARIS CUTLASS SS WINS A BEAUTY CONTEST

December 1980

Beauty Is Ski Deep - Polaris'flashy new snowmobile, the Cutlass SS, has dazzled transportation designers and won a Certificate of Merit for its good looks and sleek styling.
   The Society of Art Center Alumni in Los Angeles, California, honored the Cutlass SS with a presentation that marked the first time in the 10 year history of the international art organization that a snowmobile achieved recognition.  The sporty Polaris snowmobile competed in the transportation design category against automotive designs by manufacturers in The United States, Canada, Japan and West Germany.  Criteria used by the panel of distinguished designers in judging the entries included beauty, functionality and unique quality of design.

THE NEW 1976 MOTO-SKI NUVIK

In September 1975, the people at Moto-Ski claimed that the new Moto-ski Nuvik was Rugged-Lively & Fun.
   Nuvik 300 by Moto-Ski gives you handling, plus outstanding fuel economy at a price you can afford.  If you want more power and extra riding comfort, Nuvik 340 is the one with fully adjustable torque reaction slide suspension.

1981 JOHN DEERE LIQUIFIRE BEST HANDLING SLED

October 1981 - SHOOT-OUT
In the handling phase of the 1981 Shoot Out on March 4, 1981 at Lake Namakagon, the 1981 John Deere Liquifire was the best handler.  Each sled had four timed attempts, of which only the best three counted.  Of those three, Deere's Liquifire was the first, third and fourth best overall.  The second best time was almost a full second and about half a mile per hour slower! That the Deere proved it was the "Best Handler"
   Scoring a perfect 90 points in the handling phase, the Deere earned another 52 points in acceleration, making a total of 142, which qualified as third overall.
   With a 440cc engine delivering 65 horsepower, the Deere suffered against its higher-powered, larger displacement competition.  So its victory in the handling phase showed that design can win over muscle.

HOUGHTON DRAG RACES

Press Release - December 1981
Houghton Lake, Michigan - Eight snowmobile drag races have been scheduled at Michigan's popular Houghton Lake.  Competition is open to everyone with many classes, including class AA through class F, Stock, Super Stock Classes, Modified Classes and Open classes.
   The first two races, scheduled for December 27 and January 2, will be held at East Bay (Prudenville).  The next four - January 16, 17, 23 and 24, will be held at the Tip-Up Town Festival site.  The final two races - February 6 and February 20, will be held in the East Bay.

CLASSIC SNOWMOBILER'S HUNGER FOR SPEED

In the early or mid seventies, there were still quite a number of snowmobile manufacturer's in existence and most were after performance.
   Snowmobile engineers tried everything to get more speed out of their consumer and racing sleds.  Here Chaparral designers are shown testing an airfoil on a Chaparral Firebird SSX and take a look at that independent front suspension.
   

SNOWMOBILE RULED NOT MOTOR VEHICLE

St. Paul, Minn. - Press Release - November 1974
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a snowmobile does not come within the legal definition of a "motor vehicle."
  The question, which was ruled upon by the state's high court on October 25, arose in a lawsuit involving a collision between two snowmobiles on a township road in St. Louis (Minn) county in 1971.
   One of the drivers involved in the collision was a minor, who sought to use the uninsured motorist coverage of his father's auto insurance policy. The court ruled that snowmobiles are designed for travel on snow or ice, and that the legislature has passed laws to prohibit their use on public highways.