When the WPS Mod Show was first introduced at the Idaho
Snowmobile Show several years ago, the playing field was pretty simple. The
sleds that were entered back then consisted mostly of piped engines with
painted hoods, polished tunnels and billet wheels.
This year, it seemed as though if a sled didn't have an
aftermarket tunnel and a big turbo, it didn't fit in.
There were big winners from this year's WPS Mod Show. Out of
15 entries, three walked away with prizes, thanks to votes from more than 400
show participants.
Josh Kennedy and Bryce Kendrick shared credit for the sled
that won both Most Magnificent Mod and Editor's Choice awards. Their creation
is a 2008 Ski-Doo Summit XP with a Turbo Performance Aerocharger turbo system
on it. The custom-painted sled had lots of other trick components on it, like a
one-off rear suspension mod, Van Amburg tunnel, ARS-FX front arms and lots of
lightweight parts and chrome. The Summit
turbo weighs in at 402 lbs. dry, a phenomenal figure when compared to the
sled's 247-horspower rating at 14 lbs. of boost. From start to finish their mod
sled took about four months to complete, with a total cost of $22,600 plus
labor to build.
Josh Kennedy felt that the paint, tunnel and suspension were
the main items that made their sled unique.
When Kennedy was asked how he felt about winning both first
place and Editor's Choice awards, he said that before when the show first began
he'd thought, "I'll be impressed and amazed if we win both. It's a good
feeling."
Bryce Kendrick said that fitting the tubes in the tight
confines of the XP chassis was a nightmare, but the effort was well worth it.
Turbo Performance
Josh Kennedy, Bryce
Kendrick
Roy, UT
Ski-Doo 2008 800 XP
Turbo
Mods:
Turbo Performance Turbo Kit
Zbroz front end
Turbo Performance rear skid
Boss Seat
Van Amburg tunnel
Custom Paint by Elite
Evol Fox Floats
Lots of chrome
402 lbs. dry
R&M Lightning Products Vent Kit
247 HP @ 14 lbs. boost
Second place went to RSI's Wade
Durbin and his 2007 Polaris IQ Racer with a long list of
modifications.
Durbin's sled was a summer mod project. When asked how he
felt about winning he said, "Good, considering it looks different than every
other sled here. It's a sled that people can look at and think, yeah man, I
could have one of those and ride it. The sled flows good and is clean. When
riding a $30K sled you may feel more cautious while riding."
Durbin felt his sled was unique because it started out as a
short track Polaris IC Racer and then was made into a mountain sled with a
159-inch track. Durbin would like to add a special thanks to Lance Robinson and
Tony Applegate from Air Design Customs, Josh Goble, and to his wife Courtney.
Air Design Customs was the sled's builder.
Companies listed that were only sponsors (no product given)
were: OHANA Film Productions, HMK, and Pink Ribbon Riders.
Wade Durbin
RSI
Boise, ID
Polaris 2007 IQR 159"
Mods & Sponsors:
RSI carbon fiber tapered handlebar system
OHANA Film Productions
Air Design Customs Paint and Fab
HMS Turbo Systems
Torco Oils
Digital Ink Design Sled Wraps
Timbersled
Mt. Tamer Suspension
Ice Age Rails
Gravity Worx billet left throttle
Primo powdercoating
Edgeworks billet wheels
BR-Tech Hood Vents
RSI Ice Scratchers
HMK
Pink Ribbon Riders
Powermadd
Attitude Industries Fuel Box
Simmons Gen II Skis
Skinz Protective Gear
Third went to Stephanie Yoshida's 1997 Polaris RMK.
Yoshida's mod sled took about four to five months to build.
Her mom said, "She gave up a lot of boyfriend time for that sled."
When asked how much money was spent in mods, Stephane said,
"I don't know. I'm not sure I want to know." Yoshida's dad estimated that about
$6,000 was spent in mods.
Yoshida commented that putting the tunnel on was one of her
favorite parts about modifying the sled. It was one of the mods with the
biggest pay-offs and also took the most work. She credits family support from
her brother and parents and Cory McGuire for helping her pull the build off.
Stehanie Yoshida
Phatties Super Shop
Roslyn, WA
1997 Polaris RMK
Built by 17-year-old
Stephanie Yoshida with help from Cory McGuire at Phatties Super Shop
Mods:
Art Seavers 770
SLP twin pipes
Mikuni reeds
Mikuni flatslide carbs
SLP boost bottle
Torque Motor mount plate
Boss Seat
Wilwood braking system
Rolled chaincase
Holz front and rear suspension
151-inch track
SLP skis
Gen II body parts
In-board bogey wheels
Van Amburg custom tunnel
Custom Hood by Craig McBride of North West Autobody