The Rum River Trail Association met on Thursday, May 28, 2020 to discuss the restrictions concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. It is with much thought, many discussions and heavy hearts that the Rum River Trail Association has voted to cancel the Outlaw Grass Drags Event for August 28 & 29, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the current restrictions and the unknown future regarding large group gatherings and required protocol it became apparent that we would not be able to have a normal event. The health and safety of our community, racers, patrons, volunteers, and vendors is our top priority. We are extremely disappointed, but know that the right decision has been made based on the potential impossibility of monitoring and enforcing social distancing requirements, disinfecting and the inability to guarantee a safe community event as well as preserving the financial ability to present future events.
The Rum River Trail Association is proud of its support that we have received over the years. We would like to thank all volunteers, racers, patrons, vendors, and everyone that makes the Outlaw Grass Drags a success year after year.
Mark your calendars and see you next year! Outlaw Grass Drags August 27 & 28, 2021
And now, a look at the 2015 Event from John Sandberg…
Nothing signals the end of summer and the beginning of autumn quite like a snowmobile swap meet.
For me and several thousand others, the annual Swap/Outlaw Drags in Princeton, Minn., served up all the great reminders that our favorite season is only a few months away.
The Arctic Cat booth had its usual share of tire-kickers, checking out the newest sleds and ATV/ROVs.
Likewise, area dealers like Thomas Sno Sports and Country Cat were out in force, with good people offering excellent conversation, insight and great deals on all kinds of stuff.
And as the event name implies, there’s some great grass drag racing at Princeton. The big winner was none other than Team Arctic’s Kelly Shilts, who dominated the races and set a new track record aboard Dave Morris’ ProMax “Agent Orange” Cat. This sled is seriously wicked!
Like any good swap that you attend year after year, Princeton offers up a chance to see old friends, like Team Arctic father/son duo Aaron and Anson Scheele.
Four-time World Champ P.J. Wanderscheid was at Princeton, practicing left-hand turns on an XF with his passengers, claiming it’s his secret for winning world titles.
Meanwhile, pulp huckster and OSM editor Pat Bourgeois (right) was talking a big game throughout the day. I happened to catch his conversation with Alex Fortune (left), who had driven up to Princeton from his home in Iowa.
Mention to Pat that you saw this picture of him actually working, and he’ll give you 79% off a subscription to OSM.
For sure Princeton is an event to see the new iron, but the swap meet is its heart and soul. And more than most swaps, Princeton is a swap that emphasizes vintage.
I’ll let you enjoy a few pix without commentary:
It’s rumored that my friend and vintage/antique enthusiast Dave Guenther actually rode this Arctic Cat bike to Princeton from his home in Pequot Lakes, roughly 100 miles away.
There’s a special “Memory Lane” at Princeton that showcases some truly beautiful examples of great sleds from yesteryear.
Among them was a sweet display of Winnipeg 500 race sleds that included the 1977 Cross-Country Cat raced by Brian Nelson and tuned by Hubert Fixsen.
Many of the pristine sleds on display in Memory Lane were pieced together with parts they bought at swap meets like this one.
All kinds of vintage Arctic Cat goodness makes Princeton a rewarding trip for fans of the brand.
And like any swap there are a few outliers that bring a smile to your face and a scratch of the head.
Anyone looking for an AKTIV Grizzly would have found one at Princeton.
1986 called and wants its sleds back in time for the Snow Goer Shootout.
There were even some options for winter lovers of the silent sport persuasion.
Same for motorcyclists who insist on snowmobile engines/clutching.
I don’t know what weird interstellar convergence occurred, but I saw more Suzuki Furys at Princeton than I’ve seen the rest of my lifetime.
When you see a palette of three mint Vikings, you gotta get a photo for posterity. Somewhere, there is a family of Norwegians in Viking, Minn., enjoying potato dumplings, proud of their purchase.
Ditto for whomever snagged the Scorpion and Gilson and thousands of other machines for sale at Princeton.
I’ll end this post with a few happy buyers, each getting a complimentary ride to their car with their new purchase.
Thanks for reading (and may you also swap summer for autumn sometime soon).
