Snowmobile Report
U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer, based in Wyoming, heard the case for the continuation of snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The suit, a continuation of legal action after the initial 2000 ban on snowmobiles in the parks, was backed by the State of Wyoming, snowmobile manufacturers and the BlueRibbon Coalition.
The suit seeks a preliminary injunction to suspend implementation of a final rule issued in late 2000 by the outgoing Clinton administration. Judge Brimmer indicated at the close of the hearing that he will take the matter under advisement and issue a decision promptly.
As the law stands now, a limited number of snowmobiles will be allowed in the parks through the 2004 season, and prohibited starting in the 2004-05 season.
STANLEY CUP RIDES A POLARIS
National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup took a four-day ride through Minnesota, starting on Jan. 30, aboard a specially designed Polaris Indy Frontier Touring. The pilgrimage started at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minn., and ended four days later in St. Paul, Minn., in conjunction with the 2004 NHL All-Star Week.
This is the first time in the Stanley Cup’s 111-year history that it has traveled through a state or province aboard a snowmobile. Polaris has designing a snowmobile that will accommodate and protect the Stanley Cup from the elements.
HAWTHORNE JOINS BRC
Brian Hawthorne has been named public lands director for the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), Pocatello, Idaho. He is scheduled to assume the role on March1.
Hawthorne is the executive director of the Utah Shared Access Alliance where he has been an advocate for responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation and has developed good working relationships with land managers.
WINNERS IN TOP RACING EVENTS
In snowmobile racing news, two premiere events gave two wins to two different brands. Larry Day of Lyman, Maine, won the World Championship at the Eagle River Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River, Wis., on Jan. 18.
Day rides an Arctic Cat. He narrowly defeated defending champion P.J. Wanderscheid, also on an Arctic Cat. Mike Island of Barrie, Ontario, won the snocross final at the ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., on Jan. 25. Island rides a Ski-Doo and is on the Warnert Racing team based in Sauk Rapids, Minn.
CHANGES FOR HAYDAYS RACES
A new promoter will run the grass drag races at Haydays Grass Drags And Swap Meet, scheduled for Sept. 11–12 in Lino Lake, Minn. The event, which attracts an estimated 50,000 people to several acres of vendor displays, swap meet displays and grass drag racing, will have the racing portion organized through Pro Snowmobile Grass Drag Racing Association (PSGDRA) of Dorr, Mich.
The race at Haydays will be a part of the new International Snowmobile Drag Race Series — a three-race series that will also include the World Cup at Bieda’s Powersports in Fenwick, Ontario, and the Hastings 500 in Hastings, Mich.
The series will be run in the same format with cumulative points with the idea of naming an “international champion” at series’ end. In a statement, PSGDRA president Ken Crouch said he’s in the process of negotiating television coverage for all three events. PSGDRA will continue to run its regular series in Michigan, as well.
JENSEN JOINIS PARTS UNLIMITED
Don Jensen has joined Parts Unlimited as brand manager for Arctiva snowmobile outerwear line. In this role, Jensen will work with the garment design and marketing. Jensen, a long-time snowmobile enthusiast, has worked for 13 years with Fox Point Sportswear and as the district sales manager for Polaris’ parts, garments and accessories in lower Michigan. Jensen will be based at Parts’ Janesville, Wis., headquarters.
