nh museum celebrates its 20th anniversary
Amsnow
Feb. 17, 2005 - - More than 90 people traveled from all over North America to help the New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum Association celebrate its 20th anniversary. The kick-off event was held Feb. 12 and 13.
On hand to share anecdotes and make visual presentations about their years in the snowmobile business were some of the founding fathers in the antique and vintage snowmobile hobby. Guests Honored as 2005 New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum Legends of Snowmobiling included Jerry Bassett (founding editor of American Snowmobiler), Bud Knapp (antique and vintage snowmobile historian), Guy Pepin (curator of the Bombardier Museum in Valcourt, Quebec) and Louise Lemay (communication director of the Bombardier Museum in Valcourt, Quebec).
The Saturday evening banquet kicked off the anniversary celebration, then Sunday featured a showcase of historic and vintage snowmobiles at the museum grounds. More than 260 snowmobiles representing 37 different snowmobile brands were entered in the NHSMA's annual antique and vintage snowmobile show.
"This is an historic event with a high concentration of the Northeast's best show sleds and collectors in attendance. Last year's event attracted over 200 antique and vintage snowmobiles from 7 States and Canada," said NHSMA president George Burdick.
Trophies for best restoration and collectible units were presented in a variety of categories. This year's "official" brands were Ski-Doo and Moto-Ski.
The "People's Choice Ski-Doo Award" went to the 1969 Ski-Doo Double Eagle owned by Jerry McGee. This sled was built as a straight line racing sled and used twin Rotax power.
The "People's Choice Moto-Ski Award" went to Scott Clarkson's 1977 Moto-Ski Super Sonic, an oval racing-based competition machine.
The "People's Choice Other Brand" also was presented to Scott Clarkson for his 1976 Skiroule Sno Pro sled. It was one of the sleds raced by the Villenueve brothers of Quebec.
The "2005 NHSMA Legends of Snowmobiling Award" went to Bob Black's 1971 Ski-Doo Blizzard 650. The Legends of Snowmobiling trophy was awarded by Bassett, Pepin, Lemay and Knapp.