The Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) in St. Germain, WI, is happy to announce the 2013 Inductees: BLAIR MORGAN of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, JOHN ZEGLIN of Delano, MN, NORMAN BALL III of Menominee Fall, WI and BOB BRACEY(p) of Almont, MI.
Induction ceremonies will take place on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain as the evening event of the day long RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS (RWTC). This will be the 30th annual RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS and the 26th annual induction ceremonies.
The SHOF operates a year around museum, gift shop and library in St. Germain, WI. This year the museum is featuring a special tribute to the Eagle River Derby celebrating their 50 years. From snowmobiles that competed and won in the first Derby in 1964, plus the début of the full restoration of the 1984 Jim Dimmerman WC Neilsen Phantom: a very unique piece of racing history. Other sleds include sleds driven by Derby favorites, Larry Coltom, Bob Elsner, Jerry Bunke, Steve Thorsen, Brad Hulings, Duane Fransen, Mike Trapp, Jim Bernat, Tim Bender, Darcy Ewing, Terry Wahl, Gary Moyle, J. Scott Mondus, Todd Elmer, Jeff Biddiscome, Jacque Villeneuve, Wayne Nicholson, Doug Hayes, Frans Rosenquist and Bobby Donahue.
Visit the SHOF web site HERE for information and details of the 2013 SHOF induction ceremony, the Derby Exposition and the RWTC event.
DATE OF INDUCTION: February 16, 2013
CAREER SPAN: 1997 – 2008
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo
AGE AT INDUCTION: 37
Once in a generation, the trajectory of a supreme talent meets the potential of a rare opportunity, and a new era is born. For snowmobile competition in the 1990s, this occurred when Blair Morgan discovered the sport of snocross. The result was a monumental leap in popularity of both racer and sport, and cataclysmic changes in the sport of snowmobiling.
Blair Morgan was more than just a talent: He was a tour de force, arriving unheralded out of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in 1997 with blazing speed, creativity and a unique style that transformed snocross and made him an instant fan favorite. Drawing upon his successful career in motocross, Morgan singlehandedly popularized the stand-up style of racing that revolutionized both snocross and the entire sport. In one glorious decade, Morgan would redefine the upper limits of success, winning 89 National events, 13 points championships, five ESPN X Games gold medals and multiple Racer of the Year honors from the sport’s media. Though his greatest exploits were in competition, Morgan is also credited with launching the sport of snowmobile freestyle thanks to his finish line displays early in his career.
With his domination came rewards, as Morgan reestablished the viability of truly full-time professional snowmobile racer for the first time since the end of the Sno Pro oval era. He was among the first snowmobile racers to create their own professional team and the only person to have a signature-edition snowmobile from two different manufacturers. A career-ending injury from a motorcycle accident forced his retirement from competition in 2008.
DATE OF INDUCTION: February 16, 2013
CAREER SPAN: 1981 – Present
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Mercury, Arctic Cat
AGE AT INDUCTION: 62
From his first foray in snowmobile grass drag competition in 1981 until his last race in 1999, Norman Ball III set benchmarks for success and popularity that helped grow a sport and create a legend.
Racing a seemingly-outdated Mercury Sno-Twister in multiple modified classes and assisted by a small crew, Ball paired scrappy intensity with expert tuning to deliver a true underdog success story that captured the hearts and imaginations of all those who watched. As owner, designer, head mechanic and driver, Ball’s all-in approach to competition earned him the respect and admiration of fellow competitors.
Ball garnered 16 Driver of the year honors in SWDRA, plus he captured the Minnesota cup on three occasions, notched nine Minnesota Fast Time titles and was victorious in the Michigan Cup. He was awarded the Best Engineered Sled award at Sno Baron’s Hay Days in 1998. Although the fiery competitor from Menomonee Falls, Wis., ended his career in 1999 following an injury sustained while racing, he remains active in the sport and currently builds engines for select racers.
DATE OF INDUCTION: February 16, 2013
CAREER SPAN: 1968 – Present
BRANDS REPRESENTED: All, Ski-Doo
AGE AT INDUCTION: 60
Leveraging an undying love of snowmobiling, a clear vision and knack for grassroots organization, John Zeglin led the growth of the world’s largest vintage snowmobile event, the Waconia Ride-In, while simultaneously growing the vintage snowmobile hobby.
Zeglin’s passion for the vintage hobby is matched only by his dedication to growing the sport. With the help of friends and other like-minded enthusiasts, Zeglin launched the Midwest Ride-In in 1993, attracting roughly 150 entries. Considered a successful event at the time, Zeglin would guide the vintage event to attract upwards of 7,000 participants less than two decades later, with no end of growth in sight. Motivated only by a desire for excellence with grassroots representation, Zeglin shaped the event as a volunteer-only, not-for-profit entity whose proceeds are given to multiple snowmobile organizations. The event currently enlists the volunteer support of more than 150 people, several snowmobile clubs, a trail association and multiple public and civic organizations.
Living in Delano, Minn., Zeglin has also served as the president of a local club; organized radar run events; created promotional vintage displays at various events; and organized the Ski-Doo Vintage Reunion, all in addition to running a successful business.
DATE OF INDUCTION: February 16, 2013
CAREER SPAN: 1968 – Present
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Raider, Manta, Trail Roamer
AGE AT INDUCTION: Posthumous
In a sport blessed with pioneers and innovators, Bob Bracey of Almont, Mich., was unique in his vision and dedication for a sit-in style, twin-tracked snowmobile. For more than three decades his Raider, Manta and Trail Roamer snowmobiles carved a creative and often successful niche in the snowmobile industry, offering riders and racers a compelling alternative to the conventional snowmobile experience.
With an automotive background and penchant for racing, Bracey entered the snowmobile industry in 1968 and would produce the iconic Raider snowmobiles beginning in the 1971 season. Having produced more than 20,000 Raiders from 1971-1975, Bracey switched his focus to oval and enduro competition by producing the lightweight Manta twin-track race snowmobiles in 1974 and 1975. With occasional victories in Sno Pro oval and in Michigan enduro competition, the Manta race sleds proved the handling and cornering success espoused by Bracey.
Bracey would never stray far from his belief in a sit-in snowmobile featuring a rider cockpit with foot controls, rear engine mounting and twin tracks. In 1982 he reprised the Manta name for a series of consumer-based trail machines that enjoyed limited sales success for several years. His passion was reborn again in the late 1990s with the Trail Roamer. Bracey died in 2003 at age 66 in, having made an important, lasting influence on the sport of snowmobiling.