I’m not quite sure how I inherited this writing gig, but I think it has to do with sending an email to Kim Hruba at the wrong time asking if she had listened to the latest Sven and Ole ad I’d written and performed on the radio with that old Norsk, Dennis Smedsmo, for the Sno-Cat show. I’m sure you all must have heard it on one or other of the stations, if not, here's the link. Spoiler, Ole shows great mechanical prowess in his latest sled entry for the show, but, unfortunately, doesn’t quite get the job done, again. On the other hand, Kim did get the job done, so here I am, hammering away at the keyboard.
My own fault, but I’ve had a busy several weeks, having said in a weak moment that I’d do an article about the Polaris Experience Center beginnings for the 20th year anniversary event, and at the same time was making preparations for the ninth edition of the David Johnson Vintage Sno-Cat Spectacular. In case the name throws you off, a snowmobile show. When you have four very determined individuals trying to name something, and want to include the name of the Polaris founder, those things happen. The upside is that the name has been good for many years of shows. Maybe a downside, but I haven’t figured it out yet.
It proved intensely interesting to interview the many people who had a hand in the creation of the Reed River complex and Polaris Experience Center, parse all the documents, sketches and conversations, then arrange and write the article. I came to realize this endeavor was a truly remarkable accomplishment since the building literally was in the process of being demolished and was spared the wrecking ball due to the efforts of Pam Hetteen and many others who contributed time and money towards the effort. I can’t think of too many better things to do than sit amongst the displays at the Experience Center, sipping Caribou coffee, and listening to Barb Kotta, Bob Granitz and Bob Aronson tell about bringing the Polaris storyline to life. I hope I did the article justice. Somehow or other, it was published in both the Roseau Times Region and the Grand Forks Herald.
 |
| Bob Aronson in the race sled aisle of the Experience Center during the interview. |
Being the Spectacular was held in conjunction with the Experience Center 20th, there were many out of town Polaris enthusiasts that trailered their sleds in. The sled count was nearly double of the last show in 2020, and there were many premium sleds. One of the exhibitors, Maurice Behling, came up from Menomonie, WI with a half dozen of mid-seventies Polaris race sleds, all restored. Another well-known fabricator, Kevin Lehse, brought in a half scale Polaris Mustang, modeled after the first model year, 1966.
As a tradition, the David Johnson trophy always goes to an ancient rear engine sled, and there were several in attendance. To better explain the reasoning, here is a clip from a story I wrote years ago about the only antique machine David owned, a Polaris Mountaineer. This snowmobile was the biggest machine Polaris made in the mid 1960s, twin tracks powered by a 24 hp opposed Kohler engine and also available with a somewhat enclosed cab. A Mountaineer brochure claims that it will pull up to 2 tons, blaze up 45 degree slopes and float over deep powder...at speeds up to 18 mph. This particular machine had gone to a Wyoming dealer; he’d used it as a demonstrator and never sold it. A few years back, he offered to sell it to David for $1500. The ever frugal David’s counteroffer was $900, delivered. The dealer agreed, loaded his wife and the Mountaineer up, drove over to Minnesota for the delivery and a visit. I have it on good record that only the Mountaineer stayed in Minnesota. This year, local vintage collector Mitch Magnussen took the big trophy home with his 1962 Polaris K-95.
 |
| David Johnson with his Mountaineer |
While registration starts at 9:00 am, we start the show at noon with a Legends ceremony. We opened that with the Invocation and Anthems, after which David Johnson’s son Mitchell was invited up and spoke for a time. The Legends for the year were then interviewed. I prompted Bob Granitz and Bob Aronson to tell some stories of their work with Polaris, David and the Experience Center. I found it interesting when Bob Granitz told about having David and wife Eleanor show up unannounced on Friday night about once a month, walk in without knocking and ask “what’s for supper?” I’ll call it Malung culture, since David would often tell me stories about the goings on in the community when he was a youth living there. Bob Aronson also told about showing up for his first day of work and finding the Polaris parking lot flooded after a massive rainstorm and having to be ferried several blocks from where he parked his car.
It was great to see Carmen Przekwas come in early and set up a neat display with husband Bob’s memorabilia. Husband Bob had brought in his latest project, a 1970 Polaris Voyageur, 488 power, so he was adding some well appreciated color commentary to the event.
Though we have many repeat visitors to the show, this year was definitely different. For example, over the years, I’ve kept the leftover programs from each show. This year, I spread them out on the registration table along with this year’s program, and after the show, was pleasantly surprised to find there were only a couple left from the 2016 pile. I was amazed. Nearly all gone, so Management has less to store over the summer, one little thing to help make her happy…
On This Day
Historic Highlights (credits)
Happy Birthday to You!🎶
Remembering You
Kim
Comments
Post a Comment