January, 2014

Transcription

January, 2014

JANUARY 2 014
WORLD’S TOUGHEST
IRON DOG
DOG RACERS
RACERS GEAR
GEAR UP
UP FOR
FOR FAST
FAST FIELD
FIELD
IRON
SOUTHEAST STYLE
ALCAN 200
200 AA RIDER’S
RIDER’S
ALCAN
RITE OF
OF PASSAGE
PASSAGE
RITE
www.RideAlaska.com
THE FUN
AROUND EVERY CORNER
Rediscover the thrill of legendary performance.
The 2014 Polaris® INDY ® 800 SP with race-proven
independent front suspension.
HURRY IN TO YOUR
POLARIS ® DEALER NOW
TO ENTER TO WIN ONE
OF SIXTY 2015 SLEDS AND
G E T G R E AT D E A L S L I K E
0
See the Ride Like Never Before.
TerrainDomination.com
%
FINANCING
for 36 mo.
ON POLARIS SLEDS.*
TERRAIN
DOMINATION
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding FL), District of Columbia, and Canada
(including Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Starts 12:01 am Central Time (CT) 12/27/13. Ends 11:59 pm (CT) 3/3/14. PRIZES: 60 Grand Prizes—2015 models of Polaris® sleds.
HOW TO ENTER. To enter you must visit an authorized Polaris dealership to receive a code. Then go online to www.terraindomination.com/sixty-sled-giveaway to enter using the code. See complete official rules at
this site. Each code can only be used one time. Limit one entry per person. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
SPONSOR. Polaris Industries Inc., 2100 Highway 55, Medina, MN 55340.
©2014 Polaris Industries Inc. Polaris, INDY, RUSH®, Switchback®, Assault®, and RMK® are registered trademarks of Polaris Industries Inc.
*Offer subject to credit approval. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change, and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Terms up to 36 months available for
purchases based on credit-approval criteria. Fixed APR of 0.00%, 3.99%, or 6.99% will apply. An example of monthly payments required on a 36-month term at 0.00% is $27.78 per $1,000 financed. An example of
monthly payments required on a 36-month term at 6.99% APR is $30.87 per $1,000 financed. See participating retailers for complete details and conditions. Valid only on 2011–2013 full-size snowmobiles.
Offer ends February 28, 2014.
Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride.
SNOW_60for60_INDY_FPE
2 • Alaska SnowRider • January 2014 • www.RideAlaska.com
NOTES: Build Size: 9.75"(w) x 11"(h) • Built @ 100% • 300dpi
Proofed @ 100%
Bleed .125" • Safety: .125"
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF SOUTH ANCHORAGE
HUGE SELECTION OF 4X4 AND AWD VEHICLES WITH THE TOWING CAPACITY YOU NEED THIS WINTER!
Lake Hood, AK
0
$
353
$
DOWN
PER
MONTH 2013
RAM 1500 ST QUAD CAB 4X4
• 6 Speed Automatic Transmission • Spray in Bed Liner • Popular Equipment Group • 4.7 Liter V8
Stock #DS543473 Sale Price: $26,995. $0 down. 84 monthly payments of $353.56 at 2.5% APR. Financing available on approval of credit.
AND CHECK OUT THE
2014 JEEP® WRANGLER SPORT 4X4
• Freedom Top Black
3 Piece Hard Top
• 3.6L V6 Engine
• 6 Speed
MSRP
MILITARY REBATE*
LITHIA DISCOUNT
$25,770
-$500
-$225
ONLY
2
99
/
$
24,995
$
MONTH
3 AT THIS PRICE
WE WILL BEAT ANY DEAL OR WE WILL PAY YOU $
LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF SOUTH ANCHORAGE
E DIMOND BLVD
A
OT
BB
RD
SEWARD HWY
OLD SEWARD HWY
On Old Seward between Dimond & O’Malley
LITHIACHRYSLERANCHORAGE.COM (877) 360-7139
1,000
1
O’MALLEY BLVD
*Dealer required to verify eligibility of military personnel. Jeep® Wrangler at 84 monthly payments of $299 at 2.5% APR, on approved credit with
$2,000 cash or trade equity down. Illustration may depict vehicle with extra cost options. Best price guarentee: Present any Alaska Chrysler, Jeep,
Dodge, Ram dealer’s unexpired new vehicle advertisment, must be available for immediate purchase, no “One Only” low-ball offers. Must be
identically equipped, valid for in-stock vehicles only. Prices plus tax, title and license. Price includes $200 dealer doc fee. Not all sales at MSRP.
Financing on approval of credit. Offers end 1/31/14. Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge are registered trademarks of Chrysler, LLC, Auburn Hills, MI, U.S.A.
www.RideAlaska.com • January 2014 • Alaska SnowRider • 3
Volume 24, Number 2
PUBLISHER
John Woodbury
S ALE S & M ARK E TING D IR EC TO R
Jill Tillion
EDITOR
Andy Hall
KEVIN HITE ASSA President
FRESH PERSPECTIVES
Grab a friend and hit a new and different trail
J
ANUARY IS HERE. By the time this
goes to print, all of the normal Christmas
activities at our house will have faded
into what still sounds like a hurricane just
moving over the horizon, yet there will
remain dozens of reminders of the season.
Those of you who are familiar with Hitehousehold festivities will no doubt know
that I will be discovering fugitive ornaments
that escaped the ritual reboxing that occurs
accompanied by the sounds of an old country
dirge while being marched back to their offseason resting place in the garage.
It is also the time of year that our
recreational and overall winter choice of
activity really gets in gear. Grooming efforts
are firming up the trail systems, rides are
being expanded to cover more miles and new
destinations are being sought out.
As our holiday season winds down, it is
the time of year that we look back on the
resolutions that we made and choose how
we approach them. For the last couple years,
one of my resolutions has been to visit more
of our partner lodges and club areas that
I haven’t been to yet. The Caribou Hills to
East End trail systems that the Caribou Hills
Cabin Hoppers and SnowMads have created
deserve a full week of exploration. Not that I
can get to everything in a week, but it would
be a pretty good start on that end of our
range.
Same for the Denali Highway system
through our friends at Alpine Creek. Or
a long weekend in the Curry Ridge area
with Gate Creek Cabins or any one of the
other areas and destinations that are strong
proponents of snowmobiling in Alaska.
In some regards, having a cabin on the
Susitna River here in the Mat-Su and being
able drive right out the front gate onto the
Iditarod trail to thousands of acres of riding
both east and west of the river has rendered
me conflicted on my choice of riding areas.
Before we built this cabin, She Who Must
be Obeyed and I would routinely load the
trailer and flip a coin to see which direction
we would go.
Don’t get me wrong: There are still
thousands of swamps and rivers for me to
explore on the west side of Susitna. And I
plan on making tracks in each and every
one of those. At the same time, I miss the
change of terrain and riding philosophies
that go with each of the different areas that
exist in the rail belt riding range. From the
foothills of the Denali Range to the Alphabet
Hills, from the Monument to the Skwentna
Roadhouse, the riding areas that are available
to we here in Southcentral is amazing.
While we are bombarded daily with
cultural pleas of diversity in our everyday
work as well as every aspect of our lives, the
diversity that really, really puts us to ease
and gives us a chance to relax and reflect is
the diversity that we find just in front of the
bumper of whatever snowmobile we choose
to ride.
This is the month not only to “Take
a Friend Snowmobiling,” but to expand
that philosophy to include “Take Yourself
Somewhere New.” Choose a new place and
make it something to remember. You can
find club rides in each area in this issue of the
SnowRider. The likelihood of making some
new riding friends expands each and every
time you make that choice. Then, and only
then, drag those new friends back to your
backyard and do a bit of showing off yourself.
— Kevin Hite
MANAGING EDITOR
Melissa DeVaughn
O FFIC E M AN AG ER
Linda Cushman
WRITER
Justin Matley
L AY O U T A N D D E S I G N
Mike Kirkpatrick
GRAPHICS
Mike Kirkpatrick
Alaska Adventure Media
6921 Brayton Drive, Suite 207
Anchorage , Alaska 99507
(907) 677-2900 • Fax: (907) 677-2901
www.RideAlaska.com
advertising@alaskaadventuremedia.com
ED ITO RIAL CO NTAC T
John Woodbury
(907) 677-2900
john@alaskaadventuremedia.com
Published by Alaska Adventure Media under exclusive written
contract with the Alaska State Snowmobile Association. The
appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by ASSA or Alaska Adventure Media of the
products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this
publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or
any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
ADVERTISING RESPONSIBILITY: All advertisements are accepted
and published by the Editor/Publisher upon the representation
that the agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save
the Editor/Publisher/ agents harmless for any loss or expense
resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement.
Contents of the Alaska SnowRider are not the official
viewpoint of Alaska Adventure Media or their agents.
Alaska SnowRider is the official publication of the Alaska
State Snowmobile Association, P.O. Box 240405, Anchorage, AK, 99524-0405.
Permission in writing from the publisher is required for any
reprint or reproduction of this publication. ASSA and Alaska
Adventure Media reserve the right to revise, edit or reject any
advertisement or editorial.
DEADLINES: All advertisements and news are due by the
10th of each month prior to publication.
www.AlaskaSnowRider.com
O N T H E C O V E R : 2013 Iron Dog champions
Dusty VanMeter and Marc McKenna
roll through the finish line in Fairbanks.
P H O T O B Y C LY D E H E W I T T
Purchase a new Yamaha snowmobile and get:
A
FREE
CONTOUR +2
®
IN ADDITION TO OTHER GREAT YAMAHA INCENTIVES, LIKE:
1,000 CUSTOMER CASH,
$
350 TRADE-MY-SLED
BONUS ALLOWANCE
up to $
AND
SPECIAL
FINANCING
OFFERS
YamahaFallFocus.com
* Available while supplies last.
** On approved credit. See dealer for details. © 2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
™
Visit your nearest Yamaha dealer or PRO Yamaha dealer today. For more on PRO Yamaha dealers, visit yamaha-snowmobiles.com.
PRO YAMAHA DEALERS
ANCHORAGE YAMAHA
3919 SPENARD RD
ANCHORAGE, AK
ANCHORAGEYAMAHA.COM
PERFORMANCE YAMAHA, INC.
749 W PARKS HWY
WASILLA, AK
PERFORMANCEYAMAHAAK.COM
RIVER & SEA MARINE SUPPLY, INC.
45015B K BEACH RD
SOLDOTNA, AK
RIVERANDSEA.COM
ALASKA FUN & SPORT CENTER
1817 COLLEGE RD.
FAIRBANKS, AK
ALASKAFUNCENTER.COM
ALASKA HOUSE OF YAMAHA
2563 ROSALIE COURT
BIG LAKE, AK
HOUSEOFYAMAHA.COM
PROP SHOP
300 HANGAR LAKE RD
BETHEL, AK
E3655_YMC_FALL_FOCUS_AK_Snowmobiler_FA.indd 1
www.RideAlaska.com • January 2014 • Alaska SnowRider
•5
9/17/13 2:09 PM
GROOMING POOL RETURNS
BEST VALUE FOR THE FUNDING
KEVIN HITE ASSA President
I
MAGINE MY SURPRISE when last month I picked up my
SnowRider and one of the first headlines I saw was defining the
SnoTrac funding of the grooming pool as a short sighted effort.
As I tried to figure out the source of the article, it gave me more of
a start when I saw the byline of one of our regular contributors.
Now, nowhere in the text of the article was that phrase repeated. So
determining whether the headline was contributed by the author or
the editor remains a question at this point.
In reality, that isn’t the point. The point is the headline is
completely and verifiably erroneous. The SnoTrac Grooming Pool is
the most successful snowmobile program in the state of Alaska. Is it
perfect? Absolutely not, but it is almost exclusively responsible for the
majority of the trails, signage and maintenance from Cramer’s Field
in Fairbanks to the lower reaches of the Kenai Peninsula. As far as
trails that it does not contribute to, it makes some of them possible
because money was available that would have gone to SnoTrac trails.
The Grooming Pool was created by the SnoTrac advisory board
several years ago in order to make the attempt to have as much of the
available funding actually on the ground as possible. Trail grooming
and signage (a part of every safety program) are the most effective
way to spend the limited amount of funding and remains the most
popular use of the money according to the public. Regardless of
where you head out, you are going to use a trail to get there, no matter
how far off the beaten track you end up.
When the author stated that the Alaska Division of Parks SnoTrac
Grant recommended that no money be allocated to the NAOI grant
request for helmet giveaways, it wasn’t a slap at safety. It was a
calculated decision that the previous funding had not resulted in any
measureable benefit to snowmobilers in general. That is not necessarily
the fault of the safety grantee. It is more a function of a grant in the
amount of $15,000 for helmet giveaways isn’t enough to scratch the
SNOWRIDER FILE PHOTO
needs of a statewide safety program. As a result of that input, and
in deference to the legion of public input that was received by the
SnoTrac Advisory Board, the volunteer advisory board recommended
that the entire funding amount, which was decreased this season,
be allocated to the grooming pool. The author’s contention that the
director overruled the advisory board’s decision has been denied by
DNR personnel. Some additional funding has been discussed, but it
was not to come from the 2013 appropriation.
The SnoTrac Advisory Board as well as all of the major clubs in the
state of Alaska support safety programs. The Anchorage Snowmobile
Club, the Caribou Hills Cabin Hoppers, the Fairbanks Snow Travelers
and the SNOMADS of Homer collectively spend tens of thousands of
dollars on safety programs, as do the businesses that were mentioned
in the article. Local money is raised and spent in the local areas by
clubs that make the allocation decisions.
We spend too much time second guessing DNR, State Parks and
other land agencies to start doing the same thing to our internal
partners. At the current yearly registration fee of $5, the Point of Sale
Registration program is hamstrung trying to fund all of the needs of
our huge state. Realistically it can’t be done in its present format and
with the financial limitations it faces.
As you have seen in the recent past, there is a movement to
reformulate the SnoTrac process. This program is totally funded by
snowmobilers for snowmobilers. We are limited in this edition of this
magazine this month, but expect next month’s SnowRider to lay out
our detailed proposal for a path forward that will not only groom,
mark and create new trails in Alaska, but include a deliverable Alaska
Statewide Snowmobile Program that, once operational, can be taught
in community schools, club functions, VPSO offices and any other
place that will benefit from this training.
Contrary to popular belief, most snowmobile deaths in Alaska
result from drowning. The rivers outside the rail belt are highways
and byways that our neighbors utilize exactly like we use our road
system. Taking kids to school, hunting, grocery shopping, and
visiting friends and relatives. These are the things that each of us do in
our own way. Our program needs to recognize that while avalanche
deaths are tragic and have to be addressed by education, that need
must be balanced by education where and whenever we travel. These
neighbors are equally deserving of a good safety program as those of
us who travel the mountaintops and backcountry routes. Their needs
are different, but just as necessary. — Kevin Hite
WASILLA ARCTIC CAT
WASILLA
907-376-5845
ARCTIC MOTOR
SPORTS INC
SOLDOTNA
907-262-5599
THE BAY COMPANY
CRAIG
907-826-3341
LOWER PENINSULA POWERSPORTS
HOMER
907-235-6341
EAGLE RIVER
ARCTIC CAT
EAGLE RIVER
907-694-6700
ANCHORAGE ARCTIC CAT
ANCHORAGE
907-272-2412
ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY
ANCHORAGE
907-273-4600
THE BAY COMPANY
WRANGELL
907-874-3340
NORTHERN POWER SPORTS INC
FAIRBANKS
907-452-2762
AC VALUE CENTER
BETHEL
907-543-2661
MORGAN SALES & SERVICE
NOME
907-443-2155
BIG LAKE
ARCTIC CAT LLC
BIG LAKE
907-892-7875
STORM CHASERS MARINE
SEWARD
907-224-3536
A SNOWMACHINE FILM TO
TRANSCEND ALL OTHERS
Hybrid Films meets fund-raising goal, raises the bar
By Justin Matley
LOOK
WHO’S
RIDING
Here is a sampling
of some of the
riders taking
part in Hybrid
Color Films’ latest
snowmachining
endeavor, “Winter
Project.”
CORY DAVIS
PAUL THACKER
JOEY JUNKER
HEATH FRISBY
JOE PARSONS
DANIEL BODIN
DANE FURGESON
E
ach fall snowmachine fans are
greeted with a growing number of sled
films. Most feature POV action and helmeted
riders pulling off risky maneuvers. A few leaders
in the genre utilize large sponsorship budgets and
feature advanced cinematography techniques,
professional riding skill and sound scores that
truly captivate the audience. Yet, local production
company Hybrid Color Films feels there’s a missing
element to mainstream sled films, a story that isn’t
being told, and what better backdrop for a sled story
than Alaska? Hybrid plans to set a new standard
with their coming attraction, Winter Project, an
Alaska focused snowmachine film scheduled for
release in the fall of 2014, filming and editing to
commence this winter.
“This isn’t going to be your everyday
snowmachining film that has dudes hitting jumps
with helmets on and music playing,” says Winter
Project producer Travis Smith of Hybrid Color
Films. “This is going to dive more into the story
of the people and the history of backcountry
snowmachining and freeriding in Alaska, where it’s
come from and kind of where it’s gone. The end of
the film is going to segue into why snowmachining
here is the best, and why all the biggest names in
the industry come every single spring to enjoy our
mountains.”
BRETT TURCOTTE
JIMMY “BLAZE” FEJES
TIM BECKNER
ASHLEY CHAFFIN
RICKY BAILEY
JAY QUINLAN
DERRICK BRANSON
(among others)
“This isn’t going to be your everyday
snowmachining film that has dudes hitting
jumps with helmets on and music playing”
Winter Project hatched from a natural progression
as Hybrid Color Films became more involved with
snowmachining with films Red Sunday and Black
Sunday, and having gained notoriety for their
contributions to the Alaska segment in Slednecks
14.
“We got an incredible amount of feedback from
that part of the film,” said Smith.
He along with Winter Project director and Emmy
award winner Kyle Aramburo discussed the idea of
a bigger, better snowmachine film, developed the
concepts and shared their desire with riders like
Cory Davis. Other riders include the legendary
Landry twins of Turnagain Hard Care, Paul Thacker,
Joey Junker, Heath Frisby, Joe Parsons and others.
With a feasible concept yet lacking in sponsorship,
the team of idealists launched a hugely successful
Kickstarter.com campaign to gain awareness and
monetary support. Having surpassed their goal of
a minimum $140,000, at this point it’s full steam
ahead.
“Toward the end of our Kickstarter campaign
I think we shocked a good portion of the industry
and, I don’t know how true it is, but I almost feel
like all eyes are on us now to see what we’re going to
do,” said Smith, “and we’re excited to put everything
we’ve got at it and do the best job that we can do.”
With an emphasis on history, expect past
footage from the Turnagain Hardcore and
Frontier Films 2 Stroke Cold Smoke series, both
having kindled Smith’s interest in snowmachine
films.
COURTESY HYBRID COLOR FILMS
COURTESY HYBRID COLOR FILMS
“This particular film is also paying tribute to the early film makers
and how and why they started to film,” Smith said.
Private film collections have also been tapped into to include video
from the Davis family, which showcases Iron Dog action with Scott
Davis and the early racing career of Cory Davis and most likely his
sister, Carly Davis.
“There’ll definitely be some never-before-seen-footage of all sorts of
Alaska-type stuff, whether it be Arctic Man, Iron Dog, just snowcross
racing and backcountry, stuff that never hit the editing room floor,”
said Smith.
Of course, historical video will never live up to modern-day video
quality no matter how creatively edited. Fortunately Hybrid Color
Films plans to throw a large sum of cash at helicopter use, highly
specialized aerial equipment and larger crowd riding and events for
the filming they’ll do this season. Hybrid’s goal is to raise the bar on
sled films. Riders have been busy conjuring up new ways to wow the
spectators.
“I’m down here in Yakima with Joe Parsons and pretty much all
we’ve talked about is all the stuff we want to do,” said Cory Davis.
“So yeah, we’ve been dreaming up some stuff and we’ve got a little hit
list of stuff we want to do, some dream ideas, stuff that’ll take a little
effort that’s never been done to raise the bar.”
As much as this film will develop from the roots of snowmachining
in Alaska, there’ll be no stopping the world’s best riders from showing
fans just how honed their skills in the backcountry really are.
“I don’t want to oversell that it’s going to be just a documentary,”
said Davis. “My goal as a rider is to film the sickest stuff I’ve ever done.
But mainly showing the human element, I guess, is our biggest seller.”
If anyone can sell the public on the greatness of this film, it’s Davis.
“I just want to wow people, man,” he said. “I’m ready to bring some
of that X Games flare to a movie and do our own thing and show ’em
what we can do in the backcountry.”
Fans of that sort of intensity can watch for the DVDs to be released
in October or November of 2014 assuming there’s enough snow to
complete filming this season.
Anyone interested in supporting the Winter Project, and scoring
a T-shirt or reserved copy of the DVD in the process, can do so by
visiting www.winterproject.net. Corporate sponsors will need to
contact Hybrid Color Films directly through that website or by
sending email to trav@hybridcolorfilms.com. According to Smith,
Hybrid isn’t short of ideas to put additional funding to use.
“There’s a lot of cool things we’d like to do and also a lot of the
sweat equity in this is being absorbed by Hybrid Color,” Smith said,
“so our actual fundraising goal was $215,000, but all we were asking
for at Kickstarter.com was $140,000 to set a minimum for what it’s
actually going to take for our hard cost to make this film.”
As the season progresses stay informed of Hybrid Color’s activities
and Winter Project’s progress on Facebook. Other sources for
information are www.winterproject.net and www.cory-davis.com.
SOUTHEAST’S SOURDOUGH
Haines’ Leo Smith a tough veteran of community’s beloved Alcan 200 M
any know him as leo “the logger” smith because
of all the years he spent in the industry in Southeast Alaska,
but Leo, 86, could also be called Leo “The Snowmachiner”
Smith. The 47-year Haines resident raced in the first 15 Alcan 200
races, beginning in 1970. When he quit racing in the mid- to late’80s he continued to volunteer his knowledge and help out where
needed. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that he gave that all up, but
snowmachining is still in his blood.
“I rode them for pleasure, when I got to Haines I guess it was just
the thing to do,” he recalled recently, as he reminisced about those
past Alcan races. This year’s Alcan 200 is set for Jan. 17-18, and
although Smith won’t be racing, he still vicariously supports a race
that has given him a lifetime of adventure.
FROM THE SERVICE TO THE SNOWMACHINE
Smith served in World War II with the Paratroop Infantry from the
11th Airborne in Georgia. When the war ended, he remained in Japan
and finished his time as an MP, or Military Policeman.
After he was discharged from the military, Smith came to Sitka,
where he worked in the logging industry for four years. In 1966, he
moved to Haines, continued his logging career and raised a family.
“Back in those days there was so much work that all you had to do
was walk down the street and you would be offered work,” he said.
“When we first arrived in Haines we claimed five acres of land at eight
mile on the Haines Highway, during the Homestead Act, and built an
A-frame house.”
During that time, Smith’s interest in snowmachining grew. In
the early ’70s, he bought a Scorpion dealership to make some extra
money, and the hot Trail-A-Sled machines were popular. He once got
a call from an editor in New York who wanted to write a story about
climbing the Chilkoot Pass by snowmachine.
“When she arrived in Haines, she brought with her a lawyer, doctor
and a few other dignitaries that were going to ride with us,” Smith
said. “She bought a Scorpion Super Stinger 440 from me for about
$700 to take up the trail.
“We were hoping to make history.”
The group got close, Smith said, but missed the mark.
“A hundred yards from the top my snowmachine tipped over
backwards and a handle bar caught me in the ribs, breaking them,”
Leo Smith is surrounded by the trophies he accumulated during his years of competing in the Alcan 200’s earliest races.
Today, he is retired, but still loves the sport. ANGELA GOODWIN
By Angela Goodwin
Smith said. “I t was a good thing the doctor was with us; he wrapped
them for me. But, because of me being a daredevil, we didn’t make it
to the top. A year later, a guy from Skagway did it.”
MAKING MEMORIES
At his home, Smith proudly displayed all of the trophies he has
collected over his decades-long racing career. Although still intact,
many have severe smoke damage due to a fire that broke out at his
home last spring. He lost all of his pictures, but the trophies survived.
According to the Chilkat Valley News, the Chilkat Snowburner’s
club held its first Alcan 200 in February 1970 with 18 entries.
Smith was one of them. He said participants raced from Haines to
Dezadeash Lake in Yukon, and had to stop there because of a lack of
snow on the road to Whitehorse, where the race was supposed to end.
So, to make up the 200 miles they needed, they circled the lake several
times before heading due west about 12 miles before calling it good.
For several years, the race began and ended in many different
locations, Smith said. Sometimes routes had to be changed for
conditions. Sometimes blowing snow or slushy, rainy conditions
made the roads treacherous.
“During one race, whiteout conditions were so bad that some of
the drivers would veer off the road without knowing it,” he recalled.
“I kept pushing through it until bad visibility caused me to hit a
snowdrift and be thrown from my machine. I watched it roll over
several times until it stopped. The machine was fine and after rolling
it over, I continued down the road. After I went a ways, I started
smelling gas and stopped. When I lifted the hood, I found my gallon
gas jug that I had tied in place had broken free and was lying up
against the hot motor. If there had been any sparks, the gas could
have blown up, causing a fire.”
Today, Smith can’t recall every detail of every race – there were
so many of them and so many people he met along the way that the
memories blend as they tend to do. Even how he placed in each of the
races seems irrelevant to him now, but one thing he is still clear about:
“I finished every race I started.”
The Alcan 200 continues to be a huge favorite in Haines, and
Smith will likely follow the race’s progress. It’s dubbed the longest
snowmachine road race in North America, and winners average 110plus mph. The race starts at the Canadian border north of Haines
and turns around at Dezadeash Lodge, roughly 100 miles north
toward Haines Junction. An awards banquet will be held in Haines
the evening of Jan. 18.
Leo Smith’s trophies from 15 years of Alcan 200 racing are
testament to the sport he loves. ANGELA GOODWIN
IT’S ALCAN 200 TIME
The Alcan 200, known as “ the longest snowmachine
road race in North America,” is set for Jan. 17-18, 2014.
There are six classes:
0-440 Fan, 441-Open Fan | 0-440 Liquid | 441-550 Liquid
| 551-650 Liquid | 651-Open Liquid.
For more information, go to www.alcan200.org.
Angie Goodwin is a Haines enthusiast who enjoys turning the
outdoors into art.
TIME TO
GET HITCHED
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
3000 Commercial Drive
ANCHORAGE • 276-5171
4748 Old Seward Hwy
ANCHORAGE • 344-7497
2281 E.Sun Mt. Rd.
WASILLA • 376-8000
– COAST Staff
VROOM, VROOM IN THE VALLEY
Willow Winter Carnival and Big Lake Winter Fest keep riders busy
W
By Melissa DeVaughn
ho says you need to be on a beach in miami to
enjoy a wet T-shirt contest? Well, maybe the term “wet”
is exaggerated. In the middle of winter, it’s better called a
Frozen T-shirt contest.
And, in fact, that’s what it is. This year’s annual Big Lake Winter
Fest features the Frozen T-shirt contest, Bunny Boot Bling, sled dog
rides, snowmachine races and more.
The event is still in the planning stages, but as usual, it is timed
with the start of the Iron Dog snowmachine race, which is its intent.
The weekend-long festival not only celebrates winter, but fills in the
gap between the start of Iron Dog’s two race classes. Trail-class racers
set off Friday, Feb. 14, and the pro-class racers leave the 16th. That
gives festival-goers an entire day in-between to enjoy music, food,
mini-snowmachine races, dog sled rides – and more – on the lake.
ALSO, DON’T MISS HOMER WINTER CARNIVAL
WHEN: Feb. 6-9
WHAT: “Dancing in the Streets” is the theme of this 50th anniversary
celebration that will include snowshoe softball, outhouse races and, on
Feb. 8, a 120cc kids snowmachine event, sponsored by Snomads of Homer.
The festival runs Feb. 6-9, and is free. For more details, see the group’s
insert in this month’s issue of Coast, or visit their Facebook page.
WILLOW WINTER CARNIVAL
WEB:
waco-ak.org
WHEN: Kickoff dinner, auction and fireworks on Jan. 24
10 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m..
Parking fee TBD
QUESTIONS? 495-6969 or 775-3070
HOURS:
TICKETS:
BIG LAKE WINTER FEST
WEB:
biglakewinterfest.com
WHEN: Feb. 15-16
HOURS: 10 a.m. until right after the concert ends, around 7 p.m. Sunday,
events start at 10 a.m., with the Iron Dog Pro Class riders leaving at 11 a.m.
TICKETS: Free
QUESTIONS? Festival director Ina Mueller, lakeshoreentertaining@alaska.
net or 230-0935
One of the annual draws is the helicopter rides with Jayhawk, and
the presence of the National Guard, which last year supported the
much-appreciated warming tents. There will also be snowmachine
races for the kids on the 15th, followed on the 16th by dog sled rides
for little ones, too – that event hosted by the Aurora Dog Mushers
Club out of Big Lake.
And don’t miss the ever-popular beer garden and live music,
scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15. As for the Frozen T-shirt Contest?
Well, that one is still in the works, but don’t miss it. For details on the
developing agenda, go to www.biglakewinterfest.com.
WILLOW WINTER CARNIVAL
The depth of winter is the height of fun in Willow, where plentiful
snow lures snowmachiners, dog mushers, skiers and other outdoor
enthusiasts. The two-weekend carnival – set for Jan. 25-26 and Feb.
1-2 – kicks off with a fireworks display and dinner the night of Jan. 24.
The dinner includes an auction to help raise money for local causes.
“The Willow Area Community Organization puts on Carnival as
their biggest fundraiser,” said Jaimee High, who was the organizer
of last year’s event and is helping with this year’s as well. “With the
money we raise from Carnival, it helps keep the Community Center
open year round and helps fund things for the community to enjoy.”
Vintage riders will race for bragging rights at the
Willow Winter Carnival. SNOWRIDER FILE PHOTOS
Money is used to maintain trails, help firefighters purchase
new equipment, fund the community’s annual Grandparents
Day and more, she added. The community is currently
working on creating a 40-acre park, and money from this
year’s event will help fund that.
This year’s carnival includes the Earl Norris Dog Sled Race
(held the first weekend) and the Radar Run, scheduled for the
second weekend, which pits snowmachiners to see how far/
how fast their machines can go on a short course measured by
radar gun. There is a small fee for the event, but event details
were still being finalized, High said.
Also, High noted, the carnival is the official State Winter
carnival – “so it is all part of our history and we want to keep
it alive,” she added.
For details on lodging in the area, contact the Willow Area
Community Organization, at www.waco-ak.org.
MAN AND MACHINE
Iron Dog demands the best of its participants – as well as community support
T
By Justin Matley
here are few if any motorsport events that can
measure up to the Iron Dog, from physical hardships endured
by racers to length, logistics and rural support. Combine that
with an astoundingly skilled field of racers and the best performance
sleds the industry has ever produced, and you’ve got a race that seems
less geared on racing and more focused on survival.
At 2,031 miles from Big Lake to Fairbanks, through Alaska’s
harshest environments, participants aren’t simply gunning for the
finish line; they’re pushing new boundaries in the limits of man and
machine. The battle for Top Dog continues on Sunday, Feb. 16, on Big
Lake, and if you’re not excited, you should be.
Iron Dog executive director Kevin Kastner is.
“On the race front, I’m really excited about the strong teams,” says
Kastner. “I mean, there are so many real contenders this year that it’s
going to be exciting to watch.”
Kastner, in fact everyone, had similar thoughts last year, and yet
the astonishing reality is the Iron Dog 2014 has drawn even more
powerhouse teams to our remote destination.
“Last year was strong, too, and there’s always like a half-dozen
or more that are contenders, but this year there’s got to be 12 to 15
contenders,” says Kastner. “There’s a lot of strong teams.”
The level of competition only adds to the drama building up. Teams
have changed race partners, racers are riding different brands of sleds,
rural teams are picking up more support, and Polaris has passed the
baton to Ski-Doo as the brand with the most tracks on the trail.
WHAT 2014 LOOKS LIKE
FOR FANS AND RACERS
There’s been a very mild change to Iron Dog rules regarding
layovers. Last year, Iron Dog implemented a flexible layover option
that could be taken advantage of at any point along the race course.
For safety, this year it has to be used by McGrath.
The flexible layover has to be used on Day 1, if at all. If something
happens to a team early in the race, as is often the case, they may be
able to stay in the race.
As for fans, Iron Dog executive director Kevin Kastner said the race
is going to be very similar to last year. However, the tech inspection
and pre-race banquet has been divided into two events to do a better
job of recognizing the racers during the start order drawing and
additionally the sponsors during the banquet. These events will take
place in Anchorage to accommodate more participation.
The finish awards banquet has been moved to the Westmark Hotel
in Fairbanks having simply outgrown the capacity at Pike’s Landing,
which supported the race for so many years.
Iron Dog trail class riders enter Ptarmigan
Pass during the 2011 event.
Kastner says, “This is the first time that I’m aware of that Ski-Doo
has the largest number of teams compared to everyone else.”
That’s partially due to teams changing brands and riders, too. One
of the more notable teammate changes, a split some thought would
never happen, has occurred between Todd Palin and Scott Davis.
Palin will now ride alongside Tyler Huntington as Team 11 on SkiDoo, both proven contenders with first-place trophies to decorate the
mantel. Meanwhile, Davis has partnered up with Aaron Bartel, Team
7 also riding Ski-Doo. Bartel’s a youngster by any comparison who
proved his ability last year with a fourth-place finish. Davis’s near30 years of Iron Dog racing and Bartel’s determination and skill will
likely keep them near the head of the pack.
Both Palin and Davis have shed their green colors for the new SkiDoos, but there’ll still be a Davis on the trail waving the green colors
of Arctic Cat. Cory Davis, son of Scott, will be competing against his
father with teammate Ryan Simons, Team 41 riding Arctic Cat. Both
Cory and Simons are X-Games veterans and champion riders.
Everyone’s competing against last
year’s champs, Dusty VanMeter
and
Marc
McKenna, Team
17 riding SkiDoo. They’ll be
defending their
title as hard as ever,
knowing when it comes to
Iron Dog a previous win doesn’t guarantee success.
“There’s so many good teams that I don’t think we’re that far above
anybody to relax and not go,” says VanMeter. “There’s no doubt that
we’ve been one of the top teams for many years. Whether you won or
not, you know, you’re still a force to be reckoned with and there are
several more of those in the race.”
Team 17 knows one seemingly insignificant mistake could cause
them the race with so many good riders hot on their heels.
“There’s several of them and all it takes is blinking one time the
wrong way and the top team can be out of the race,” says VanMeter.
Racers will depart from the starting line on Big Lake in random
order determined by the annual drawing. Each team leaves in
succession, and their overall course time determines the winner. For
seven days they’ll ride through deep mountain passes, along frozen
Marc McKenna is all smiles after winning the 2013 Iron Dog race.
CLYDE HEWITT
rivers, across tundra with hundreds of miles of tussocks, along the
coast and on ice shelves with the leaders averaging nearly 60 mph the
entire 2,031 miles.
Over twenty checkpoints and rural communities are visited
along the way, allowing Iron Dog to connect with thousands of
rural residents and Alaska Natives, many of whom look forward to
cheering the racers on each year if not volunteering to assist the race.
Kastner says, “There’s so many stories that go untold of individuals
and businesses that pitch in without us even knowing, just to make it
(Iron dog) happen.”
(cont. on page 16)
IRON DOG A REALITY-TV DREAM
One would think that with all the Alaska reality TV shows, Iron
Dog might have made the cut. It’s long, hard and full of colorful
characters dong something extraordinary and chasing after an
elusive goal. The money spent, training required, machines and
time off from work, not to mention time away from family, are all
aspects of Iron Dog that remain untold.
“I believe if you could really tell the human drama story that
goes along with Iron Dog – because it’s not made up, none of
it’s contrived like some of these other Alaska shows or anything
like that; that stuff’s built right in and the characters and the
personalities, too – you could make a series of shows on Iron Dog,
even make a full season of it on just one race,” says Kevin Kastner,
Iron Dog executive director.
That’s if, according to Kastner, film crews could keep up with
the pace of the race, distance and weather, which is what makes it
so challenging for the racers themselves.
“At the end of the day, from a global perspective, this motorsport
event is the most challenging winter sport race in motorsports
that there is,” Kastner says. “I can’t think of anything else that
compares to it.”
The Iron Dog staff is actively pursuing options to increase
awareness of Iron Dog via a televised series or documentary.
According to Kastner, “it’s only a matter of time.”
Although much of Alaska may take it for granted as an event that
happens every year, according to Kastner, “it’s nothing short of a
miracle that it happens at all.”
“It’s pretty important to note that this race includes more
communities and covers more territory in this state than any
other event,” says Kastner. “Obviously Iditarod comes close, but
just the sheer geographic size and the area that we cover requires
an enormous amount of cooperation from private individuals,
volunteers, and it takes lot of resources from our sponsors in kind as
far as transportation goes, logistically. It’s a pretty amazing thing that
it happens at all, quite frankly,” he says.
Fans reap all the reward from the hard work. Enjoy the starting
line festivities on frozen Big Lake. Join in on half-way challenge
awards in Nome and the finish line fun in Fairbanks with final
Dusty VanMeter shares a ride to the winner’s circle
after winning the 2013 Iron Dog race. CLYDE HEWITT
awards banquet at the Fairbanks Westmark Hotel. From home stay
on top of the race action on the Iron Dog website and Facebook page
with fan discussions and live GPS tracking. Local TV stations are
also expected to have live coverage mixed in with Winter Olympics
presentations and news programming.
Stay informed and support your favorite teams as the 2014 Iron
Dog drama unfolds.
The top winning teams of the 2013 Iron Dog race
crowd the podium in Fairbanks. CLYDE HEWITT
IRON DOG’S FUTURE:
LOOKING TOWARD 2015
“Anchorage is on the horizon,” says Kevin Kastner, Iron Dog
executive director. “In fact, I’ll be doing a lot of scouting and
scoping and vetting our course for 2015.”
According to Iron Dog, the plan is to have a downtown
Anchorage start as part of the Anchorage Centennial celebration.
“Iditarod does a ceremonial start,” says Kastner. “My goal is
Iron Dog would leave Anchorage and be on the race trail. They
would actually run all the way until they connect with the trail
system on the other side (of Knik Arm).”
BATTERED IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
After harrowing crash, this survivor learns the meaning of tough
T
he idea of turning a dirt bike into a snow
assassin that rips harder, climbs higher, and goes farther
than any sled known to man – well, that is pure seduction.
Joel Smith was enticed by such a notion, when in 2010 he decided
it was time to pimp his 03’ KTM 525sx. A store-bought kit that
every Tom, Dick and Harry had wasn’t going to cut it – Joel was a
genius at fabrication and with a little reverse engineering and sheer
awesomeness it was no time all until he had created a masterpiece.
Joel was a natural the second his butt hit the seat. He made riding a
snow bike look easy. There are few things more exciting than hitting
the mountains with friends, searching for the ever elusive untouched
snow...and when finding it making sure there is not a spot left without
tracks.
In January 2013, that was exactly what Joel and his six friends were
after. It was overcast, but these guys weren’t going to let a little cloud
cover dampen their spirits. One by one they convoyed the beaten trail
into Lost Lake. They rode in about 15 miles and found a sweet spot,
with lots of slopes and cornices that needed to be dominated.
One spot in particular called Joel’s name. He climbed it twice, both
times turning out to the right around a shrub, but in the process it
got washed out. He went up again, banking to the left this time, and
realizing almost immediately that the flat light was a con artist. The
slope that had appeared to make a gradual descent actually was a
menacing 50-foot vertical drop.
A wreck was inevitable, but Joel had enough time to lessen the
carnage. With a swift thrust, he used his foot pegs and launched
himself backward off the bike. Both man and machine became
gravity’s wench as she yanked them down to the hard-pack bottom of
the drop. The bike landed first, nose-diving.
Joel, looking like a ragdoll, came down on top of the bike, and on
impact ricocheted some 20 feet into a snowbank.
His friends were glued to the scene unfolding as if it was a Victoria’s
Secret runway show. They watched Joel, waiting for any signs of life
– after what they had just witnessed they weren’t sure. Just as they
started imagining eulogies, Joel’s hand shot up, waving them over. He
looked like he had been run over by a truck. His breathing was ragged
By Joy Sullivan
Joel Smith
COURTESY JOY SULLIVAN
and the pain excruciating. The cloud cover had begun to transform
into a snowstorm, and Alaska’s ridiculously short duration of daylight
was closing in on them. Joel was all too aware that there would be no
easy way out of this mess.
Joel dug deep, collecting as much macho as he could muster, and
with help from his buddies slowly got up. He knew right off there
was no way he was going to be able to maneuver his bike back to the
parking lot so he did a ride swap settling on a sled for the trip out. Slow
and steady the men backtracked the 15 miles to the trucks, standing
on the running boards shifting his weight as much as possible to
buffer the percussion from the bumps and ruts. By the time they were
out it was dark, and Joel was spent.
He was still in full riding attire when he slumped into the backseat
of the truck, unmotivated and in too much pain to attempt to strip
down.
It was another 45-mile stretch to civilization and the nearest
A modified snow bike can be a great
backcountry machine. C. WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Joel Smith’s injuries included broken ribs, a lacerated
kidney and severe bruising after a snow bike accident
in the backcountry. C. WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Joel Smith explores the backcountry on his modified dirt
bike, converted to run in deep powder. C. WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
hospital, and Joel was starting to run a fever while drifting in and out
of consciousness. When he was lucid he was weighing his options:
Without health insurance, a hospital bill could really wreak havoc
on the wallet. He began to struggle with the thought that although
his injuries could be life threatening what if they weren’t? By the time
they reached the hospital, Joel had talked himself out of treatment,
rationalizing that he was just being a wuss.
His friends were not so convinced so they checked out his back and
side, looking for obvious signs of trauma. To all their surprise there
was only minor bruising and swelling. Not completely convinced
himself that he was OK, Joel decided to stay the night at his brother’s
just to be on the safe side.
If he thought his pain was bad initially it quickly became
intolerable, and what used to be minor bruising had graduated
with honors to major. He finally gave in and surrendered, setting
his monetary concerns aside, and went to the emergency room. His
ego was restored when they confirmed he was not in fact a wuss, but
rather lucky to be alive.
His injuries included but were not limited to, broken ribs, lacerated
kidney and severe bruising. He was appreciative in that moment for
well-made protective gear, knowing had he not been wearing it, he
most likely would have made the trip off the mountain in a body bag.
Although the only thing doctors could do for Joel’s injuries was to
prescribe pain medication, having peace of mind was priceless. They
released him with his man card and a hefty bill to recover at home.
After a week of bed rest, Joel was back at work, and a month later back
to normal.
Today nothing physically remains to remind anyone of that day,
just the memories of seven men who observed firsthand just how
unforgiving Alaska’s backcountry can be. Joel has since upgraded his
bike and continues to push the boundaries and excel as a rider.
When you ride, you take risks – it comes with the territory.
Disaster and mayhem does not discriminate, anyone can fall prey to
their misfortune. Taking the proper steps in preparedness can mean
the difference between life and death. Your adversary ranges from
inclement weather to avalanche to injury. Knowing how to react, for
yourself and others is key to survival in the untamed backcountry of
Alaska.
The Number One Toy Hauler In America
Now Available At Continental
Shown in photo: model 1648.
Now Accepting Orders!
CONTINENTALAUTOGROUP.COM • 907-563-2277
SAFETY MATTERS
Race tough
Iron Dog, Arctic Man champ Aklestad didn’t get where he is by luck
T
yler aklestad knows a lot about riding
snowmachines. He just doesn’t remember exactly when he
started riding. His first memory that stuck was when he was
just 3 years old.
“You could say I was born into it,” said Aklestad. “My father raced
snowmachines so it was part of our family. I went to races just about
every weekend and had my first sled by the time I was about 4 or 5.
After awhile, instead of just going to the races with Dad, I started
racing myself. I kept getting progressively better until I entered my
first official race as a semi-pro when I was 16.”
Aklestad said he knew he had something special when he not only
won the semi-pro division during that first official race, but also the
pro division.
“I was faster than all the pros and the semi-pros,” he said with a
grin, “so I knew I had what it takes.”
Now, at 28, he’s been riding professionally for 12 years. During
those years, he’s amassed a mountain of trophies and loyal support
from his sponsors Team CC and SkiDoo.
“It was 20-below zero and my leg got sucked
into the track...It was scary and horrible.
By Deb McGhan
He’s a four-time Arctic Man champion driving the sled in the ski
division (2008, and 2011-13) and two-time champ in the snowboard
division (2011-12.) He has competed in Iron Dog for eight years
coming in second in the 2013 race. He’s racing in the 2014 Iron Dog
supported by BRP/SkiDoo with his partner, Tyson Johnson.
“I’ve been really blessed,” said Aklestad, his enthusiasm and joy for
life evident in his huge grin and the sparkle in his eyes.
While he loves the adrenalin rush of racing, Aklestad says the best
part has far more to do with the lifestyle.
“It’s being able to get out there and really experience the great
outdoors,” he said. “The Iron Dog is the highlight of the year for me
because leading up to it we’re riding all the time and going to places
that most people never get to see. Riding up in the Alaska Range, it’s
amazing.”
Aklestad said he loves the camping, adventure and healthy aspects
of riding. In fact, his life’s best memories are connected with riding,
he added.
When asked what advice he would give to others who want to
experience all the things he loves about riding, Aklestad recommends
a “just do it” attitude.
“Really the best way to learn is to do it. I ride close to 7,000 miles
a year on a sled so I can’t really tell you how to get good at this other
than to just put in seat time and ride.”
He does suggest that before you ever get on a sled, you learn and
practice the protocols of safety.
“Snowmachine riding is an
active outdoor sport that has
the potential of putting you
in serious harms way fast, so
safety has to be paramount. If
you want to get out and ride and
come back safely, you need to be
aware of your surroundings and
make sure you carry the right
safety gear for whatever terrain
you may be riding, whether it’s
trails, the mountains, rivers …
whereever you might end up.”
Aklestad said he learned a
valuable lesson about those
dangers one year when he and
Johnson (his Iron Dog partner)
crashed their sleds while riding
just out of the Alaska Range in
the Farewell Burn.
Dave Norona with ABS airbags shares a photo op with Tyler Aklestad at Arctic Man 2013. DEBRA MCGHAN
“It was 20-below zero and my leg got sucked into the track. I ended
up with several one-to-two inch deep lacerations up the back of my
leg and across my butt. It was scary and horrible. We didn’t have a lot
of medical training but we knew to stay calm and bandage it as good
as possible to stop the bleeding.
“We were really lucky because we were able to get one of the sleds
going and ride out for help. We both realized it could have turned
out a lot worse. That really taught me, you have to be prepared for
anything because you never know what might happen. You should
definitely have a first aid kit with some ‘quick clot’ or some other
means to stop serious bleeding.”
Another safety tip he stresses: “Ride with a partner, or if you are
riding alone, take some way to communicate. I take a SPOT now
whenever I go riding. There is no reason not to be prepared. There
are lots of great products on the market today to help you stay safe. In
this sport, you’re spending a lot of money to ride so there is no excuse
to skimp on safety.”
Learn how you can be prepared and travel safely in mountain
and wilderness environments by taking a class from the North
America Outdoor Institute. Visit NAOI online at BeSnowSmart.
org for a full schedule of courses or call 907-376-2898 to learn more.
Tyler Aklestad tears up the slopes at Arctic Man. COURTESY TYLER AKLESTAD
BRIEFS
Ski-Doo
revenues jump
18 percent
B
RP, the parent company to Skidoo, reported record quarterly
revenues of $866 million, which
represents an increase of 18 percent
compared to the same period of Fiscal
Year 2013. The company also reported
a net income of $48.2 million, which is
an increase of 52 percent compared to
the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2013.
The figures are in Canadian dollars, but
still represent a hugely healthy leap in
profits.
The company credited its
performance to strong shipments of
snowmobiles both in North America
and internationally.
“I am very pleased with this
performance and particularly proud of
the fact that we were able to deliver
strong quarterly results as we approach
our 10th anniversary as a standalone
company,” said José Boisjoli, president
and chief executive officer, in a press
release in December. “ I would like
to take this opportunity to thank our
employees, our dealers and distributors
for their hard work and continued loyal
support.”
Polaris
Snocross racer
Lieders sweeps
Pro Lite finals
A
f ter an impressive display of
Polaris Terrain Domination in ISOC
National snocross racing in early
December, Polaris racers were second,
third and fourth in the Pro Open points
standings, and Polaris racers filled the
top five spots in the Pro Lite standings.
Leading the way in the Dec. 6-7 ISOC
racing at Bessemer, Mich., were
Andrew Lieders, who won both of the
weekend’s Pro Lite finals, and Pro Open
racers Kyle Pallin, Kody Kamm and Ross
Martin, each of whom earned a spot on
the podium with a Top-3 finish.
In The Dec. 7 final, Lieders won again
for a weekend sweep, and he led a
Polaris parade across the finish line.
He was followed by Todd in second,
Carlson in third, Johansson in fourth,
Mason in sixth and Trevor Leighton
(Leighton Motorsports) in 12th.
In the weekend’s two Pro Open finals:
• Kyle Pallin (Team LaVallee), who is
from Ironwood, Mich., less than 10
miles from the race site, finished fifth
BRIEFS
and second in the two finals, and he
left the Upper Peninsula second in
Pro Open points.
• Kody Kamm (Hentges Racing)
finished 3-4 in the weekend’s finals,
and was third in class points.
• Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports)
finished second and fifth, and was
fourth in points.
In the Pro Lite class:
• Andrew Lieders (Team LaVallee)
won both finals and moved into
second in the points standings,
behind fellow Polaris driver Andrew
Carlson (Carlson Motorsports).
• Five Polaris racers finished in
the top 10 in both finals, including
finishing 1-2-3-4 on Dec. 7.
• Polaris racers were in the top five
spots in the points standings.
In the Pro-Am Women final, Jennifer
Pare (Leighton Motorsports) finished
second, which left her second in
points, six points out of first. Jakki
Farmer (Farmer Racing/Fort Fremont
Racing) finished fifth, Rachelle Fountain
(Fountain Racing) was sixth, Tabitha
Bode (Team BSR) was seventh,
Jennifer Martel was ninth, and Jessica
Martel was 10th.
The next ISOC National event is set
for Jan. 3-5 at Shakopee, Minn.
FOX team
dominates
podium at
snowcross
opener
T
he Duluth National Snocross
Pro podium was crowded with FOX
athletes, with Tucker Hibbert, Andrew
Carlson, and James Johnstad leading
the charge on one of the venue’s
largest, roughest tracks.
The competitive snowmobile
season launched in December as the
International Series of Champions
kicked off its national snocross tour in
Duluth, Minn.
FOX athletes were well prepared to
face some of the largest, most intense
DNSX tracks in the race’s 22-year
history. The athletes dominated the pro
podium, and ultimately claimed 11 out of
12 box positions at the venue.
In Round One, Tucker Hibbert led the
charge, followed by Cody Thomsen,
and Kyle Pallin. In Round Two action,
Hibbert once again bolted from the start
to quickly take the lead, while Pallin
took home second place. Ross Martin
followed in third at the finish line of the
22-lap main event.
FOX’s domination continued in the
Pro Lite ranks, where once again
WE DO
Event
GUIDES
To advertise: 677-2900 • advertising@alaskaadventuremedia.com
the podium was crowded with FOX
athletes. In the main event, James
Johnstad led the charge with Andrew
Carlson and Marcus Johansson in tow,
creating a FOX podium sweep. The
next day, FOX athlete Andrew Carlson
returned to the podium, taking the
win with an impressive flag-to-flag
performance.
“My sled was so fast all weekend,”
Carlson said. “Ricky (Rick Strobel, FOX
Snowmobile race manager) helped dial
in our shock package and it worked
flawlessly. I could hit the uphill section
wide open and the suspension just
swallowed it up.”www.polaris.com.
FOX athlete Andrew Carlson
scored two Pro Lite podiums
during the ISOC Duluth
National event, including
a dominating flag-to-flag
win on Day Two. FOX
McKinley View B&B
private baths & full breakfast
www.mckinleyviewlodging.com
907-733-1758
We both have Groomed and Marked Trails leading to The Peters and Dutch Hills
Full Kitchens - Private Baths
0.8 Petersville Rd. 907-733-7377
www.alaskasnorthlandinn.com
Ladies, Rev Your Engines!
10th
WOWRide
Annual
It is time to register for the 2014 Way Out Women snow
machine ride benefiting cancer patients right here on the Kenai
Peninsula. Riders can sign up individually or as a team.
$100 entry fee includes:
• continentalbreakfast •entryfordoorprizes,
beforetheride
9:0
costumecontest
y
r
0
a
am
• WOWgoodybag
bru
andsilentauction
at
Fe ddie’s Roadhou
• limitededition •PostrideLunch
Fre e 16 Caribou H se
t-shirt
l
ills
i
M
22
nd
6th
Annual Wild
& Wooly
Contest
For more information, contact Kathy Lopeman at 283-7602/398-4853 or
the Central Peninsula Health Foundation at 714-4626.
You can also print a registration packet from www.givingheals.org.
100% of the funds raised support Kenai Peninsula cancer patients
250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669 • www.givingheals.org
CALENDAR • ALASKA SNOWRIDER EVENTS LIST
Ja n ua ry 2014
Post your snowmachine events on Alaska’s snowmachine calendar, www.ridealaska.com!
Ja n ua ry
Ja n. 2
Ja n. 15
A racer speeds down the Radar Run track
during the 2011 Willow Winter Carnival.
General Membership Meeting
7 p.m., Fairbanks Snow Travelers
ASC Board Meeting
Ja n. 15
General Membership Meeting
7 p.m., Anchorage Snowmobile Club
Ja n. 4
South Denali Orientation
10 a.m., Anchorage Snowmobile
Club
Ja n. 18
South Denali Ride
Club
Ja n. 8
ASC Board Meeting
7 p.m., Anchorage Snowmobile Club
Ja n. 25
Upper Huffman Ride
Club
Ja n. 11
Womens Ride: Petersville
Club
Ja n. 25 -26
Ja n. 11
Willow Winter Carnival
All Day, both days
Ja n. 12
Feb rua ry
Feb. 1-2
Trail Clearing Party
Club
Membership Meeting
TBA, Snowmads of Homer
All Day, both days
Continued on page 28
Pol
aris
riding
withsale
GoinG on now!
Picture yourself
c
i
t
n
a
g
i
Huge g
LEVI LaVaLLEE
Big
ENTER TO WIN *
Stop by your local Polaris dealer and snap a
on now!
g
n
i
picture with the display of Levi for a chance
o
g
s
g
n
i
v
a
to win a snowmobiling adventureswith
Call for
alaska cycle center
him in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
prices on our 2012
®
Ask about the new 2014 Indy,
ViSit your LocaL deaLer
Switchback, and RMK models!
& 2013 models in
stock
Now You’re!
Good To Go
PARTS • SALES • SERVICE
4908 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, Alaska
Tue-Fri 9:30-6:00 | Sat 9:30-5:00
1-800-478-4555
www.akcyclecenter.com
Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers
beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. *Limited to stock on hand see dealer for details
*Polaris terrain domination Challenge with Levi LaVallee Sweepstakes. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Sweepstakes begins on
January 4, 2013, at 10:00:01 a.m. Ct and ends on February 28, 2013, at 11:59:59 p.m. Ct. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the district of Columbia (excluding hawaii) and
Canada who are 21 years of age or older. Void in hawaii and where prohibited. to enter, take a photo of yourself next to the Levi LaVallee standup at participating Polaris dealerships then visit
polaris.com/ridewithlevi and follow the on-screen directions to upload your photo and complete and submit the online entry form. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible
entries received. Correct answer to mathematical skill-testing questions required for Canadian winner. Limit one entry per person. For details, see complete Official rules at
www.polaris.com/ridewithlevi. Sponsor: Polaris industries inc., 2100 hwy 55, Medina, Mn 55340. Professional rider on a closed course. Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take
a training course. do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. never drink and ride. ©2013 Polaris industries inc.
ALASKA STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
President & Southcentral Rep.
Kevin Hite, Anchorage
522-6373
Vice President
Vacant
Treasurer
Brant Grifka, Eagle River
694-3458
Membership
Cindy Hite, Anchorage
522-6373
BOARD MEMBERS
Central Representative
Glenn Swan, Eagle River
694-8747
Western Representative
Vacant
COMMITTEES
ASSA Convention
& Trade Show
522-6373
Public Relations
Vacant
Alaska Snow Rider
Steve Wilhelmi, Anchorage
567-3215
STATEWIDE CLUBS
ALASKA MOTOR MUSHERS
PO Box 871753 • Wasilla, AK, 99687
Fax: 376-7966
President: Wayne Devore
FAIRBANKS SNOW TRAVELERS
P.O. Box 80053
Fairbanks, AK 99708-0053
479-4933
ALASKA TRAILBLAZERS
P.O. Box 36 • Tok, AK 99780
883-7669
JUNEAU SNOWMOBILE CLUB
P.O. Box 32882 • Juneau, AK 99803
723-8948
ANCHORAGE SNOWMOBILE CLUB
P.O. Box 232196 • Anchorage, AK 99523
Hotline: 566-02726
anchoragesnowmobileclub.com
KODIAK SNO BRUINS
Box 3492 • Kodiak, AK 99615
486-3828
AURORA INTERNATIONAL INC.
P.O. Box 520581 • Big Lake, AK 99652
892-6372
CARIBOU HILLS CABIN HOPPERS
P.O. Box 375 • Clam Gulch, AK 99568
252-1782
CHEECHAKO SKI BENDERS
P.O. Box 834 • Kenai, AK 99611
283-7664
Southeast Representative
Vacant
Raffle
522-6373
Interior Representative
Stephen E. Enochs, Fairbanks
452-5845
Access Chair
Joe Gauna, Anchorage
243-6776
CHILKAT SNOWBURNERS INC.
P.O. Box 870 • Haines, AK 99827
Diane Lapham, 766-2503
Kenai Peninsula Representative
Vacant
CONTACT
ASSA Hotline: 566-0210
Industry Representative
Bruce Friend, Anchorage
349-8575
ASSA Hotline Toll Free:
1-888-825-7669
COPPER COUNTRY
SNOWMOBILE CLUB
HC 01 Box 300 • Gakona, AK 99586
822-3440
Business Representative
Nick Olzenak, Anchorage
277-1741
ASSA Website:
www.aksnow.org
continued from page 25
Feb. 1
Cache Creek Ride
Club
Feb. 1
Lake Louise Fun Ride
TBA, Lake Louise Snowmachine
Club
Feb. 1
Anchorage Snowmobile Club
www.anchoragesnowmobileclub.com
Alaska Trail Blazers
Located in Tok,
online via Facebook
Caribou Hills Cabin Hoppers
www.akchch.org
Feb. 2
Curry Ridge Riders
www.curryridgeriders.com
Feb. 6
Board Meeting
Feb. 8
Two Rivers Ride
10 a.m., Fairbanks Snow Travelers
Feb. 7-9
Talvista Lodge
Overnighter, Anchorage
Snowmobile Club
Find event specifics and
updates on these club and
event websites:
Alaska Motor Mushers Club
www.ammcracing.org
DELTA SNOW SEEKERS
P.O. Box 137
Delta Junction, AK 99737
Tom Waggoner, 895-4196
Arctic Man
www.arcticman.com
White Mountains Ride
10 a.m., Fairbanks Snow Travelers
South Denali Ride
9:30 a.m., Curry Ridge Riders
CURRY RIDGE RIDERS
P.O. Box 13218 • Trapper Creek,
AK 99683
Hotline: 689-7669 or 352-3669
President: Randy Crosby
Email: curryridgeriders@hotmail.com
website: www.curryridgeriders.com
Fairbanks Snow Travelers
www.snowtravelers.org
Homer Snomads
www.snomadsonline.org
Lake Louise Snowmachine Club,
the Wolf Pack
www.lakelouisesnowmachineclub.
com
Oxygen & Octane
www.oxygenandoctane.com
Tired Iron Vintage Races
www.fairbankstirediron.org
Trek Over the Top
www.trekoverthetop.com
Valdez Snowmachine Club
www.valdezsnowmachineclub.com
Valdez Snowmachine Club
www.valdezsnowmachineclub.com
www.waco-ak.org
Don’t see your
event yet?
Submit
snowmachine
related events to
ridealaska.com.
LAKE LOUISE
SNOWMACHINE CLUB
HC01 Box 1684B
Glennallen, AK 99588
Corky Mathews, 250-2098
MAT-SU MOTOR MUSHERS
P.O. Box 876135
Wasilla, AK 99687-6224
MAT-SU VINTAGE
SNOWMACHINE RACERS CLUB
Email: mat_su_vintage@yahoo.com
website: matsuvintageracers.com
President: Craig Clayton, 232-7518
NORTHERN LIGHTS
SNOWMOBILE CLUB
2039 B Coman Dr.
Eielson AFB, AK 99702
David Lemelind, 372-2016
RESURRECTION SNOW RIDERS
P.O. Box 2132 • Seward, AK 99664
224-3537
SNOMADS, INC.
P. O. Box 3646 • Homer, AK, 99603
snomads@gmail.com
www.snomadsonline.org
VALDEZ SNOWMACHINE CLUB
P.O. Box 3689 • Valdez, AK 99686
Laura Sax, 835-2373
Open Sundays | C.O.D's Welcome!
Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday : 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
907-694-6700 • www.eagleriverpolarisarcticcat.com
17 Locations Statewide
1-800-PAIN FREE
Now Open In
ANCHORAGE (907) 27-REHAB (277-3422)
BETHEL (907) 543-7601
BARROW (907)852-3099
DUTCH HARBOR (907) 581-2204
FAIRBANKS (907) 451-7246
ALASKA STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 240405, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99524-0405
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
PERMIT #936
ANCHORAGE, AK
A S SA 2 013 -14 M E M B E R S H I P F O R M
The Alaska State Snowmobile Association is not liable for personal Insurance. Therefore, I hereby release and discharge ASSA, its agents, and /or officers from any and all claims, demands, actions, judgements and
executions which the below signed now have or may have in the future for themselves or for the below signed heirs, executors, administrators or assign for any and all personal injuries and property damage which
have been caused by or may arise out of the participation of myself or my family in any ASSA Sponsored event. I, the belowsigned, hereby acknowledge that have read this release and understand all of its terms. I
execute it voluntarily with full knowledge of its significance.
signature:
date:
Recreational Snowmobiling is being threatened in Alaska. To retain access to your favorite places
to ride and in order to represent snowmobilers’ rights on statewide issues in Juneau, we need your
support. We encourage every Alaskan Snowmobiler to:
•
join your local club
•
join your state association
•
register your snowmobile - it ’s the law
ALASKA STATE SNOWMOBILE
ASSOCIATION
- Be represented on Local Issues
CONTACT US
1 (888)-8AK-SNOW
(1 (888)-825-7669) OR LOCALLY 566-0210
- Be represented on State Issues
president
- These are the only numbers Federal,
State and Local governmental officials will use for funding and access issues.
KEVIN HITE
www.aksnow.org
An ASSA membership provides each Alaskan Snowmobiler with:
purpose and objectives
• A subscription to the Nationally acclaimed Alaskan Snow Rider!
• Eligibility for membership with Denali Alaska Federal Credit
Union (Financing for that Snowmobile or Tow Vehicle!)
P.O. BOX 240405
ANCHORAGE, AK 99524-0405
• Representation on Statewide issues.
To encourage the formation of clubs statewide
and promote good Sportsmanship, safe
and responsible use of snowmobiles
Sponsor enactment of favorable regulations
concerning ownership and use of snowmobiles
Cooperate with Public Land Use Regulatory
Agencies while reserving the right to
oppose regulations deemed unfair or not
in the best interests of our members
NEW MEMBERSHIP
Maintain a legislative commit tee
to serve members statewide
Support the use of snowmobiles pertaining
to an individual’s livelihood.
RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP
Support local search and rescue efforts
name
address
city
state
zip
phone
email
R EGULAR MEMBERSHIP - $20 per Season (October 1—Sept 30)
F
AMILY MEMBERSHIP - (up to 4 People) - $35 per year
SNOWMOBILE CLUB - $50 Per Year
ASSA BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP - $100 per Year
Recognize competition as an important
part of recreational Snowmobiling
and support such competition.
The Association treasures the natural beauty
of Alaska and values its natural resources;
therefore we will promote the protection of
the environment from irrevocable harm.
2013-2014 goals
The #1 goal for this season is increasing both our
member numbers as well as participating clubs
around Alaska. We will be actively pursuing
new board members who represent a wide
range of snowmobile activities and regions.
ASSA will be participating in legal
and advisory boards that seek to
develop a statewide trails system.
We will also continue to be the main legal resource
and information clearinghouse for the ongoing
battle for statewide access for motorized winter
recreation in Alaska and will develop constituent
relationships that benefit our organization.
ASSA will continue to monitor and offer
input to the Sno-Trac Board concerning the
allocation of Point of Sale Revenues.

January, 2014

Transcription

Similar documents

Kodiak YoungLife - Young Life Alaska

Anchorage School District - Stephen F. Austin State University

airmens fbx poster.indd - Alaska Air Show Association

DEADLINE: FEB. 3, 2016

Issue 3 - hccmca

57* $60-$69 $70-$79 $80*-$99

Quarter 2016 Newsletter - Alaska State Home Building Association

October 2010 Cam Toohey Shell Alaska

July 28-August 4, 2016 - 4 Seasons Vacations, Inc