Iron Dog Expedition Class 2022 TEAM 50
POLARIS Randy Bedard
Age: 59 From: Willow Pro Class Status: Rookie Riding: Polaris 650 Indy XCR 136 Bio: Adventure and snowmachines are my passion. This is my 10th Iron Dog Trail adventure. Each year the trail challenge is different, but song remains the same. This is a great physical and mental ride through the wilds of Alaska. Just my brain, my body, my sled, and my partner making tracks to the finish line. In 2021 I rode Iron Dog while going through chemotherapy. This year my cancer is in remission, and I am ready to ride. Racing Experience: I love the history of snowmachine racing. It all started when the second machine was built. I raced my first XC race in 1981. First snow cross in 1982. My first Iron Dog Trail Class ride 1989. I served as an Iron Dog Board Member in 1990 and 1991. I participated in the 1994 Iron Dog Snowmobile Congress ride. Some of my best life memories were racing with my brother, Mike, back in Minnesota and all nine trips up the IRON DOG TRAIL. I have been employed in the snowmobile industry since 1986. Personal Sponsors: Thanks to all Iron Dog volunteers at the start line, checkpoints, along the trail, and at the finish line! Special thanks to Bergeron Mechanical, KBERT Leasing, Hatcher Pass Polaris, Polaris Industries Engineering, Bedard Brother’s Racing, Mike Bedard, Kim Bergeron family, Klim and my fellow Iron Dog brothers. Thank you to my family, friends, team members, health providers and my lovely girlfriend Dianne Lapham for getting me to the start line, and for all their love, encouragement and support.
Kim Bergeron
Age: 52 From: Dublin, N.H. Pro Class Status: Rookie Riding: Polaris XCR 136 Bio: I’m a small business owner who volunteers at the local, state and international level to promote and foster the sport of snowmobiling. I’m an avid motorized wheeled enthusiast who enjoys racing Hare Scrambles and Enduros. I’m a Polaris Brand Ambassador who seeks to grow our sport by inclusion (getting anyone out on the snow to ride that will)! Racing Experience: Expedition Class finishes 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021 Personal Sponsors: Special thanks to my personal support team including my understanding wife of 24 years, Jennifer, son Jason and daughter Amanda. Thank you to friends Randy Bedard and Dan Bembenek who introduced me to Alaska and continue to put up with me. Thank you to all Iron Dog volunteers for the countless hours put in so that we can safely enjoy the trail. Thank you to Bergeron Mechanical Systems, Hatcher Pass Polaris, KEBRT Leasing, LLC, and Polaris Industries for their support.
TEAM 51
POLARIS Jean-Pierre Bernier
Age: 50 From: Hancock, N.H. Pro Class Status: Rookie Riding: Polaris Indy XCR Bio: Wilderness adventures were not a part of my early years; I was a city kid. After moving to northern New England, I began rock and ice climbing and mountaineering in my early 20s traveling extensively for months at a time throughout North America to climb and hang from any mountain or cliff in my path. I developed my passion for motorsports a little later in life, in
my late 30s. I am now an avid enduro dirt bike rider/racer who loves both the competition and the opportunity for time in the woods with friends. My wife would tell you that riding is a big part of what defines me. Most of my snowmachine riding to date has been in the backcountry of Maine, but I am excited for the opportunity to be riding again in Alaska! I am a proud father of two teenage boys. Our oldest son, Oscar (age 19), is currently a college student. My son Harrison (age 17), is a high school junior and is deeply involved in soccer. My wife and I each own small businesses. I am the owner/operator of a business providing logistical support for Amazon-based retailers. My brilliant wife of 22 years, Kristen, is a brand development consultant and executive coach. We both love our life together in the woods of New England. I recently became a Klim Ambassador. Personal Sponsors: Klim, Bergeron Mechanical Systems, KEBRT Leasing, Red Barn Logistics
Glenn Britton
Age: 54 From: Surry, N.H. Pro Class Status: Rookie Riding: Polaris Assault 650 Bio: I was born in Vermont and raised in New Hampshire. I have two children, my son Glenn and daughter Morgan, and two grandchildren Skylar and Noah. I have been in the powersports business since 1984 and currently own a small powersports repair business. In my free time, I enjoy riding/racing dirtbikes, both on mix tracks and in the woods. I would like to thank everyone who makes the race happen, my teammate JP Bernier and my friend Kim Bergeron.
TEAM 52
POLARIS
Sponsors: Kim Bergeron, Polaris Ambassador
Dianna Blakley
Age: 62 From: Anchorage Pro Class Status: Rookie Riding: Polaris 650 Indy XCR 136 Bio: I was born in Juneau, moved to Anchorage in 1964, and started skiing Alyeska at age 3, since both parents taught skiing there. I started ski racing at age 8 and competed in Valdez World Extreme Skiing in 1990. I had my first snowmachine experience in 1966 on an old 1960 Ski-Doo. My first experience on a new machine was my brother’s Yamaha SRV. Since then I’ve been hooked, and bought my own machine, a Polaris Indy 500, in 1991. My passion is cross-country riding, but I love the mountains, hills, and trails. It’s always been on my bucket list to run the Iron Dog. So, after watching my stepfather William E. (Bill) Long, Sr. and stepbrother William W. (Bill) Long, Jr. compete, win, and ride it several times, I was inspired myself. Thank you to them, my husband, Jim, and friend Randy Bedard for their support and mentorship. Personal Sponsors: Special thanks to Kim Bergeron, K.E. Bergeron Mechanical Systems, LLC, Keene, NH and K.E.B.R.T. Leasing, LLC, Trapper Creek, AK. Also, Randy Bedard, Hatcher Pass Polaris, HP Alaska, Willow, AK. With these two and my husband, Jim, this ride was made financially possible.
Jim Blakley
Age: 60 From: Anchorage Pro Class Status: Veteran Race History: 1989: Finished Riding: Polaris 650 Indy XCR 136 IRON DOG
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