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Ride With the Champs
Induction of Robert (Bob) Carlson
February 21-22ed, 2007

Overview:

The Ride with the Champs is a long-running annual event for the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. This time however, marked a special occasion for Deere snowmobile fans. Robert (Bob or RJ) Carlson, former John Deere executive vice-president & snowmobile enthusiast, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his efforts which included founding the John Deere snowmobile program, and the factory race team.

The Day Before:
For the members of JDsleds.com and Enduro Team Deere (ETD), the event started a day early. ETD member Jon Carlson arranged a gathering at the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, February 21st. ETD racers, mechanics, & engineers reunited with each other, and met with a crowd of enthusiasts. A fleet of about 20 JD sleds from various years gathered outside the hall. Inside, you could see photo albums that belonged to the ETD members, and conceptual snowmobile drawings that were saved from the Horicon trash pile by enthusiast Joe Wanie.  I-500 war stories were told, pictures brought back memories, and we even learned about the long-rumored IFS prototypes that may have been built had Deere stayed in the snowmobile business.

Induction Day:
Thursday February 22ed was the official event day for the Ride With the Champs. The event includes 3 meals, so we started the morning out at the Eagle River Inn for registration and a buffet breakfast for everyone participating.  This turned out to be very surreal moment for myself and the other enthusiasts at our table, as the Carlson family sat down with us to eat.  After breakfast everyone moved outside to have a group picture taken for the HOF by the now late CJ Ramstead.  Then it was time for the trail ride.

Weather was not on our side this year. Snow in the Eagle River area was all but gone. The trails were dirt. The snowmobilers who brought modern sleds loaded up and trailered north to find better snow. The vintage group on the other hand decided to stay local. We left breakfast to re-convene at the Hall of Fame to decide what to do. There, the session from the evening before seemed to continue as everyone chatted and shared stories. This went on until lunch time, when we moved to Bosacki's Boat House for the fish fry. Bosacki's is right on Minoqua Lake, which had a solid layer of ice, so we were able to unload our sleds there and park on the ice.

After lunch was finished, we were ready to ride. Since there was no snow on the trails, the lake was our only option.  A group of 13 sleds assembled, and went for an easy-going tour of the lake. Conditions were slippery so our speed was limited. Everyone made it around and back with no break-downs.

Then, everyone loaded up, went back to our rooms to clean up, then headed back to the Eagle River Inn for the induction dinner.

The dinner started with an autograph session, then on to the meal of chicken & BBQ ribs (Excellent!). Then the induction.  Loren Anderson (operator of the Hall of Fame) made some opening remarks, including reading aloud a message board post from the night before by a slightly intoxicated JDsleds.com member.

Each inductee was introduced by either a slide show of pictures from their snowmobile career, or a speech. Then each one made a thank you speech.  The side show for Mr. Carlson included pictures from each generation of race sled in order. The music was very fitting for each part of the show, starting with REO Speedwagon's "Ridin' the Storm out", then AC/DC's “Hell's Bells” for the Liquidator, and “Back in Black” for the '78 Cross Country.

Bob Carlson's speech was fairly short and sweet, and included several great quotes, including:

"Liquidator? That doesn't sound like a very nice name" - Deere and Co. board member to RJ Carlson around 1975.
"If I wanted to give it a nice name, I would have called it Bambi!" -Carslon's response

"Keep a foot in the Furrow" - This relates to staying close and in touch with the earth beneath you, and staying close and in touch with your customers and their needs.

Overall a great event. It was possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the attendees, and to honor the champs. A little snow would have made it perfect, but we made do with what we had to work with.


ETD Notables who attended include:
Bob Carlson
Jon Carlson
Bob Enns
Brian Nelson
John Orvis
Tom Otte
Jeff Larkin
Doug Oster
Rodger Jansen
Doug Hough
Craig Knutson
Willie Anseeuw
Jamie Anseeuw
Hubert Fixsen
Joel Hultquist
Steve Tabor
Jerome Kretzman
 JDsleds.com members who attended include:
Matt Spiece and Lauren (JDMatt)
Joe Rainville and Cari (Joe Rainville)
Ken Waters (KenWaters)
Rich and Mary Acre (Takeittothelimit)
Kevin Campbell (KWC)
Brian Lindner (400Brian)
Paul File (Danzig)
Duane Gjerseth (69Camero)
Joe Wanie (Horicon Joe)
Guy Collins (JDGuy)
Mark Stevens (MARK)
Jim Tradup and brothers Steve and Dave (75Rat)
Ramon Kuntz
Jesse Babler (Deere Memoriabilia)
Mike Firehammer
Eric Halfman
Horicon engineers/staff:
Sam Greshay
Ed Kruel
Dick Teal
Lee Hardesty
Larry Swanson
Jack Hoffman
Ray Gregg - plant manager		 Those who attended the lake ride:
Matt Spiece and Lauren (JDMatt)
Joe Rainville & Kari (JoeRainville)
Ken Waters (Kenwaters)
Rich & Mary Acre (Takeittothelimit)
Joe Waine (Horicon Joe)
Brian Linder (400 Brian)
Paul File (Danzig)
Duane Gjerseth (69Camero)
Mike Firehammer

Please feel free to contact me if I missed any names.  There are many more pictures from the event here.

Matt Spiece
JDsleds.com webmaster