The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame recently announced the annual inductees to the ISHOF as part of the new Class of 2018.
For nearly 30 years, this prestigious Hall of Fame honor is bestowed upon the incoming class of annual recipients in recognition for their achievements for the sport of snowmobiling. As awarded each year from select categories that include:
- Inventors, Designers & Manufacturers
- Explorers & Adventurers
- Trail & Program Developers
- Volunteers & Club Organizers
- Publishers & Journalists
Curt Kennedy – Volunteer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Curt Kennedy's exposure to snowmobiling started in 1986. By 1992, he was heavily involved with the Utah Snowmobile Association (USA) and has become the backbone of that organization. He is known as the expert on public land use issues and economic analysis of the importance of snowmobiling to rural communities in Utah.
He lists his most favorable experiences as Director of Public Lands for USA and has 15 years of dedicated and unassuming service to that organization. Many times, he has demonstrated the "voice of reason" when working to resolve sensitive land use issues. Among his many achievements are service to the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) as treasurer for five years, assisting in founding the Avalanche Center, writing 15 different ISMA grants totaling $67,000 to be used for medial support of snowmobiling in Utah, directing the 2005 ISC and orchestrating a State Economic Impact Study.
Kennedy received the Snowmobiler of the Year award from USA in 2003-04 for his untiring efforts to promote and grow snowmobiling in the state of Utah. His list of accomplishments fills many pages. Always the dedicated, talented and ever humble person, he has traveled the state and nation at his own expense, even when funds were available. While he is stepping away from all of these snowmobile activities and organizations to enjoy some retirement, Kennedy is now being fittingly rewarded for a lifetime of service to the sport with his induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
Bobby Unser – Inventor
Albuquerque, New Mexico
As a three-time winner of the famed Indianapolis 500 auto race, Bobby Unser is primarily known for his achievements in auto racing but in the snowmobile industry, he is known as the original inventor of the independent front suspension (IFS) now used by all manufacturers. First introduced in 1972 on a Chaparral, Unser wanted no money for his work, only full control of the design and development process. It was a unique design for snowmobiles, not a spin-off from automobiles, as it allowed for low motor placement and room for tuned exhaust pipes. When Chaparral went out of business, Polaris immediately took on the concept. Polaris’ 1977 RXL race sleds were a dominant force on the track due to its new IFS suspensions. By 1980, Polaris had IFS on consumer sleds and by the 1990s all manufacturers were using various designs of Unser's original concept.
But he did not stop with just the IFS design. Also to his credit came the PAC ski shock absorbers, development of the plastic skis and other innovations to make the snowmobile a better product. Unser is a die-hard snowmobiler and is always ready to appear at meetings and gatherings to lend a hand promoting the sport, sign autographs and he enjoys meeting and socializing with other snowmobilers. A very creative designer and ever energetic gentleman of the sport, Unser is now being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
Stan Slack – Volunteer
Nova Scotia, Canada
Known in Nova Scotia as the "Gentleman of Snowmobiling," Stan Slack has been an integral part of the Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) for almost 40 years. He has served nine of those years as president and was a major factor in growing SANS from six clubs (with 300 members) to 21 clubs (with more than 2,400 family members). He has created or chaired numerous programs and projects whose success can be attributed to Slack's initiative and guidance. These successes include trail development, youth programs and promotions, trail signing, charity events, club development and trail grooming projects.
Slack has given freely and without hesitation his time and talents to represent snowmobilers on the local, province and international levels. His vision built SANS and he continues to provide the leadership and dynamic vision that leads the organization. He was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Trails Federation, initiated the SANS User Pay Trail Permit System, was instrumental in helping set up the Off-Highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and created the Geomapix GPS Trail Map.
In 2012, Slack received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and, in 2014, was presented the Nova Scotia Trails White Hills Summit Award for his outstanding contribution to trail development in the Province. Slack's passionate, yet humble, involvement in organized snowmobiling on the local to international level demonstrate the driving force he has been in the development of the sport. It now has earned him induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
Dave Guenther - Volunteer
Breezy Point, Minnesota
Guenther's fascination with snowmobiles started way back in 1963 when he was in first grade. Then, in 1970, his family bought their first snowmobile. After wearing out four motors on that sled, Guenther bought his first snowmobile while still in high school. He grew up in Minnesota which was, at that time, the hotbed of snowmobile manufacturing. It allowed him to associate with many icons of the new sport, establish lasting friendships with them and become very knowledgeable about the new sport that was sweeping the country.
Soon the "antique" bug infected him. His first, a 1964 Trailmaker, soon led him on a journey and mission that continues today to sustain the history of the sport through the preservation of the machines that created the sport. Guenther was instrumental in the formation of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America (ASCOA), has served in every office in the club, including nine years as president and 20 years as editor of the newsletter, He has been a safety instructor for 20 plus years and was the 2010 Instructor of the Year for the Minnesota DNR. With a never ending passion for snowmobiling, he has created, organized and managed numerous snowmobile shows throughout the state and has been honored with numerous awards for his snowmobile and civic achievements. For his 55 years of unselfish promotion and support of the sport, Guenther is now being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
International Groomer of the Year
Tim Haberberger
Apine, Wyoming
With 20 years of experience, Tim Haberberger of Alpine, WY, has mastered the art of grooming the challenging varied terrain of western Wyoming’s trail systems. With conditions that range from wind swept flats to steep mountainous grades, Haberberger and his three Tucker Sno-Cats are up for the challenge. His grooming totals more than 2,800 miles a year based out of his family owned and operated Box Y Lodge that is so remote that supplies can only be brought in by snowmobile or Sno-Cat during the winter months.
Haberberger has developed several grooming manuals for others to learn from. Even with all his knowledge and experience, he still attends grooming seminars. Rated as one of the best all-time groomer operators, Haberberger is a master groomer that never quits learning and improving. That is a mark of excellence and has earned him the honor of being the 2018 International Snowmobile Hall of Fame “International Groomer of the Year.