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