Vintage News

Vintage Event Inspires 500-Mile Ride

by Joel Kunz

With 31 years of bringing the love of the antique and vintage snowmobiles to the masses, and last year’s cancellation in the rearview mirror, the Midwest Ride-In, is “fired up” for the 50th Anniversary of the production of John Deere snowmobiles. So yes, it is definitely the “Year of the Deere”—the last weekend of the month, January 28 through the 30 at the ERX Park in Elk River, Minnesota.

Snowmobile enthusiasts from across the country (and world) will gather to enjoy all that is the Ride-In, trail ride, judged show, brand specific displays, memorabilia sales, racing from Kids Pro Ice to the One Lunger sleds, silent auction, live auction. The activities begin at 8 a.m. on Friday; the start time was moved up four hours for four more hours of fun! The ever-popular swap meet will be expanded and close to the truck track this year. Don’t worry, attendees will get a map this year upon arrival to help navigate the roughly 500 acres of the park. Remember, this is a snowmobile event, so bring your sled for traversing the area. Plus, the people movers will be running all day to help you get to where you want to be.

The silent auction will be in the big grey building again this year, along with memorabilia sales. Hot and cold beverages will be served, so make sure to stop by the chalet. Food will also be available including some tasty pork chops from the Elk River Easy Riders, the local snowmobile club. It has been expanded this year to two locations—the back parking lot of the big grey building and at the chalet.

Saturday is a big day, with the swap meeting continuing, and the best part of the Midwest Ride-In—the Memorial Jack Speckel Trail Ride. The new improved trail ride starts at 11 a.m. There will be no crossing traffic this year, as it will start in the truck track next to the swap meet, and there will be more fun at the pitstop with food trucks and refreshment options.

Kids Pro Ice, hot laps start in the morning, and the one-lunger races start later in the day in the sno-cross track. Again, there will be memorabilia for sale, a silent auction, displays of sleds and a vendor or two, all in the big grey building all day.

On Sunday, we round out the weekend with the big judged show, more Kids Pro Ice, more one-lunger, and the last of the swap. This is not just a big event; this is the event when it comes to anything and everything related to the antique and vintage hobby. Thank you to all the volunteers that make this event happen, helping the local snowmobile clubs, but also helping the other clubs that make the trip to volunteer. Without you there would not be an event.

The Kids Pro Ice Midwest Championship will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Kids Pro Ice Racing is a non-profit

Kids Pro Ice People Mover

One Lunger Trail Ride

youth ice racing association based in the Twin Cities region. They have over 30 active families who teach kids safe driving and racing practices as well as good sportsmanship and friendship. They offer 14 racing classes from Amateur Kitty Cat and 120 to the “Big Guns” Formula 1, Champ 120 and Junior Novice. Racers range from 4 to 16 years of age, and the organization is well known for producing some of the finest racers in ORA, USSA, and the TLR cup series. The Elk River race is a part of a bigger series of events that draws racing enthusiasts from all over North America, and will crown the Midwest Champion in 15 categories from amateur stock and vintage Kitty Kats to Pro 206. It is a lot of fun to watch and a highlight of the three-day event.

There is another story going on behind the scenes that is a part of this giant event. On Monday, January 24 a man and his son with a vision and a mission will be gathering with friends and supporters in Steinbach, Manitoba in preparation of traversing the original route of the International 500 Snowmobile Race on vintage John Deere sleds. Not on modern day trail machines, but on slightly modified 1973 John Deere snowmobiles. Their destination is the 2022 Midwest Ride-In and 50th year John Deere themed celebration of snowmobiling at Elk River, Minnesota with arrival set for Saturday, January 29. Both classic Deere 400s are stock with the exception of more reliable carburetors, clutches, the addition of heated hand warmers, plus a few simple modifications that will make them simpler to work on.

Sixty-seven-year-old Roger Kram and his son Wyatt came up with the idea one remembered day in 2018 while riding in the car with his wife Bernice, who encouraged it with a “do it while you can” attitude. The die was cast, and the date of the ride set to coincide with the 2022 Midwest Ride-In Event because of the 50th anniversary of John Deere Snowmobiles theme. Roger has been a longtime John Deere enthusiast and purchased his 1973 John Deere 400 in 1986 for $300. At the time it had 700 miles on it, and he has added another 2,800 in use as the family fun machine, right down to the five grandchildren. Wyatt’s matching 1973 John Deere 400 was purchased with the ride in mind to simplify parts and maintenance on the grueling 500-mile ride. They will be joined by a father and son Guy and George Gubrud on vintage 1971 Arctic Cat snowmobiles with both teams supported by chase vehicles that include Wyatt’s brotherin-law Ivan Anheluk and Guy’s wife Wanda Gubrud respectively.

Roger Kram served in the Navy during the Vietnam war from 1972-1976 aboard the USS Marvin Shields. With veteran services and issues on his mind, he thought it would be a good chance to raise awareness and some money for The Fargo National Honor Guard for the construction of a Memorial Chapel and gathering space at the Fargo National Cemetery. With event organizers in his corner, riders are joining the teams on portions of the ride and buying raffle tickets to support the cause.

For info on the 2022 Midwest Ride-In visit www.mwvss.com. To learn more about the I-500 Challenge Ride, register or buy raffle tickets go to www.i-500challenge.com.

I-500 Challenge