International Snowmobile Hall of Fame

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PRESS RELEASE            for immediate release
June 22, 2010
for more information contact
Tom Anderson
800-746-8963
tom@snowmobileusa.com


International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
to induct six new members in September

Eagle River, WI.  Recognizing and honoring their contributions to the sport of snowmobiling, six new members will be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF), now located in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The induction will take place on September 18, 2010 to culminate a full weekend of activities for the inductees, their families and friends.  All interested snowmobilers are invited to this gala event.

"We are very pleased to add five new members to this very prestigious program who will now take their rightful and honored place alongside 78  past inductees." states Scott Eilertson, ISHOF President.

"We have a full weekend of activities for snowmobile fans to enjoy including a golf outing, shopping tours, pontoon boat rides, horseshoe tournament and lots of story telling. Also, the Eagle River Derby Track is hosting their annual "Reunion" with grass drags and an antique/vintage swap meet that same weekend. It will be an excellent place to enjoy summertime snowmobiling," states Tom Anderson ISHOF VP and Secretary.

John Ehlert - Minnesota/Florida.
John Ehlert has been an advocate of snowmobiling for over 30 years, first as a writer and then publisher, founding Ehlert Publishing in the late 1970's.  He grew the business into the largest snowmobile publishing company in the industry with several magazine titles. His editorial department was instrumental in creating the annual reviews of new models and was a strong voice for the advancement of snowmobiling.  He enters ISHOF as "Publisher".

Fred Fox - Wisconsin.
Fred Fox entered the snowmobile business manufacturing the Fox Trac snowmobile back in the early 1960's. The family went on to create the sport's largest aftermarket supply business under the name of Parts Unlimited. The company's motto, "We support the sport", is evident in the many ways that Parts Unlimited's name appears at numerous snowmobile events and activates as a sponsor or supporter of the event. Fred also has a very large collection of antique and vintage snowmobiles.  He enters ISHOF as "Industry".

Judy and Bob King - Minnesota.
The Kings have been active in snowmobile organizations and promotion of the sport since 1974. They have served officer capacities and chaired numerous special events throughout Minnesota since then including chairing the International Snowmobile Congress in 2007. Operating as a husband and wife team, the Kings have dedicated thousands of hours of their time supporting, training, educating and testifying on behalf of the sport. They enter ISHOF as "Volunteers".

Charles Kurtz -  New Hampshire.
Charles "Charlie" Kurtz, since entering the sport in 1971, has been front and center in the promotion and development of the trail system in New Hampshire. Starting at the local club level, Charlie soon moved on to assume many offices at the county association level and then onto the state and national levels. He served as President of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and Chairman of the Northeast Chapter of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Charlie enters ISHOF as "Volunteer".

Ed Skomoroh - Minnesota.
Ed Skomoroh first got involved in snowmobiling back in 1967 through his father's Arctic Cat dealership in Canada. Two years later he was hired in Cat's R&D department and quickly moved up through the ranks to become head of Arctic Cat - Canada. In 1981, Polaris came knocking and Ed became General Manager of Polaris - Canada, moving up to Corporate VP of Sales and Marketing Worldwide in 1985. Retiring in 2000, Ed continues to actively promote the sport from the grass roots level whenever he can and is an avid rider. He enters ISHOF as "Manufacturer".   

The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame is located in the World Snowmobile Headquarters in Eagle River, WI.  Opened in 2006, the "HQ" showcases several snowmobile groups and organizations. Last year 3,475 visitors toured the facility.

Snowmobilers and fans are welcome to join in on the weekend's activities and to be a part of this fun event. For more information on the induction, the schedule of events, lodging and registration, please contact:

Tom Anderson
800-746-8963
tom@snowmobileusa.com

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September Snowmobiling!

Invitation to a grand snowmobile weekend . . .
September 16-19, 2010 . . . 
in Eagle River, WI.

With the official moving of the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) from Bovy, MN to Eagle River, WI all future inductions will be held in Eagle River with the World Snowmobile Headquarters serving as host.

Another change is that the induction date has been moved to September 18, 2010. That will get us away from the challenges of winter storms and position the program into a beautiful time of the year in Northern Wisconsin with very pleasant weather and gorgeous fall color scenery to compliment the festivities.

This year we are inducting six new members into ISHOF. Each has contributed to the sport of snowmobiling in their own way and is more than worthy of induction. An announcement of their names will be made shortly.

Also new this year at the World Snowmobile Headquarters is the creation of the World Championship Derby Hall of Fame to honor and induct past winners of this most prestigious snowmobile race. It is a separate Hall from the ISHOF and will start with inducting the first ten winners this year. Next year we will induct the next ten and in 2012 the remainder. For 2013 and the 50th anniversary of the Derby, we will induct the current champ with a review of all past winners at a special celebration.

This new Hall is being made with the cooperation and sponsorship of the Derby Track. It will add yet another facet to the World Snowmobile Headquarters quality snowmobile attractions that showcase many different aspects of the sport.

September 16-19 will bring a full weekend of  "summertime snowmobiling" activities as the ISHOF board has put together an agenda of super fun times and activities for you to enjoy.  So, please, mark your calendars for this weekend and plan to join us and your fellow snowmobilers for this grand event.  All snowmobilers are invited to attend and share the good times with these new inductees.

A tentative schedule of events is included. See how you can fit in many of the planned events and make this a most memorable weekend with your snowmobile friends. A complete lodging list and registration forms will be available shortly. 

We expect to see 140+ snowmobilers at this grand event that will bring together the movers and shakers of the sport. You are part of them . . . plan to join us.


Tentative schedule for Induction Weekend


THURSDAY -  September 16:

4:00 pm till ? - "Early Bird" welcome social at the Chanticleer Inn overlooking beautiful Voyageur Lake will get your weekend started. This is the birthplace of the Eagle River World Championship Derby 47 years ago and a major promoter of early snowmobiling history and its development.

It’s a casual gathering with guaranteed laughs as we recount our grand snowmobile experiences from the past decades.  The stories get better with age, you know.

FRIDAY -  September 17:

10:00 am to 5:00 pm - The World Snowmobile Headquarters (“HQ”), now the official home of ISHOF, will feature a special Open House for all ISHOF inductees, their families and friends. Refreshments and snacks in the boardroom. A silent auction will be featured all day and extended into Saturday.

11:00 am - ISHOF Championship Horseshoe Tournament held on the front lawn of the “HQ”. Several classes of competition are offered with prizes for winners.

11:00 am - Pontoon boat rides on the famous 28 Chain O' Lakes with lunch at a lakeside restaurant. The fall color at this time of the year is stunning and best viewed from the lakes aboard a cruising pontoon boat complete with refreshments and snacks.

Noon - Inaugural ISHOF Cup Golf Tournament at Eagle River Golf Course. An 18-hole tournament with several classes of competition and many prizes.

Noon - Opening of "Reunion" at the Derby Track with indoor and outdoor vintage and antique show plus swap meet on the grounds and in the Expo Hall. Grass drag racing under the lights that night inside the famous Derby Oval. Free admission all weekend for registered ISHOF inductees, both present and past along with their families and friends at a special inside seating section reserved for us. Included is our own private bar and food service. All this complimentary from the Derby Track.

Noon - Downtown Eagle River shopping excursion including a "shopping poker" game. Enjoy lunch at one of the city's fine restaurants to fuel up for an afternoon of shopping at the many gift and craft stores in town.

All day - For those who like casinos, the Lac Vieux Desert Casino in Watersmeet, MI is just a short 30-minute drive away. It is one of the largest casinos in the area featuring 725 slots plus the usual board gambling games.

5:00 pm - Receptions and "Cracker barrel" at Eagle River Inn and Best Western Derby Inn to renew old friendships and talk snowmobile . . . and the tales get bigger!  Don't be surprised by a special singer showing up for an encore performance at both places.

6:00 pm - Vintage and Antique Grass Drags at Derby Track with private indoor seating and bar for all ISHOF inductees, families and friends.

SATURDAY -  September 18:

10:00 am to 5:00 pm - The World Snowmobile Headquarters special Open House for all ISHOF inductees, their families and friends. Refreshments and snacks in the boardroom. A silent auction, continued from yesterday, will end at 4:00 pm.

11:00 am - ISHOF Championship Horseshoe Tournament held on the front lawn of the “HQ”. Several classes of competition with prizes.

11:00 am - More vintage and antique displays, swap meet and grass drags at the Derby Track. Enjoy the action from inside in our private viewing section complete with private bar.  Trophy presentation will be in the Expo Hall about 3:00 pm to end the racing activities.

11:00 am - Pontoon boat rides on the famous 28 Chain O' Lakes with lunch at a lakeside restaurant. The fall color at this time of the year is stunning and best viewed from the lakes aboard a cruising pontoon boat complete with refreshments and snacks.

Noon - Downtown Eagle River shopping excursion including a "shopping poker" game. Enjoy lunch at one of the city's fine restaurants to fuel up for an afternoon of shopping at the many gift and craft stores in town.

1:00 pm - Mini-Golf Tournament in Eagle River with many prizes for those wishing to have fun without big golf frustrations. Compete for the new ISHOF Mini-Cup traveling trophy. Of course, you big time golfers are also welcome.

5:30 pm - Cocktails at Eagle River Inn.

6:30 pm - Banquet meal.

7:30 pm - Snowmobile Groomer of the Year Award
       Snowmobile Club of the Year Award   
                World Championship Derby Hall of Fame Induction.
                International Snowmobile Hall of Fame Induction.


SUNDAY -  September 19:

9:00 am - Brunch at Wild Eagle Lodge.

10:30 am - Director's meeting including new inductees at Wild Eagle Lodge.

Rest of day - Pontoon boat rides and open time to enjoy Eagle River and/or friends.