initiated the SANS User Pay Trail Permit System – 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.
Bobby Unser - Inventor from
Albuquerque, New Mexico
As a three-time winner of the famed
Indianapolis 500 auto race, Unser
is primarily known for his achievements
in auto racing. However, 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, it allowed for low motor
placement and room for tuned exhaust pipes. When Chaparral
when out of business, Polaris immediately took on the
concept. Their 1977 RXL race sleds were a dominate force on
the track due to their new IFS suspensions.
Also to his credit came the PAC ski shock absorbers, development
of the plastic skis and other innovations to make the
snowmobiles a better product.
Special Award Recipients
International Snowmobile Club
of the Year 2018: Cumberland
Snowmobile Club from Collingwood
Corner, Nova Scotia, Canada
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year,
the Cumberland Snowmobile Club of Collingwood
Corner, N.S., continues to grow and prosper. The club
maintains and grooms over 400 km (249 miles) of trails with
three groomers, all operated by volunteers. They built five
warming shelters along the trail. Their annual operating budget
exceeds $250,000. Each November to start the season the
club holds a Dream Ride Lottery and Auction. Last year it
raised over $20,000. They also work with the area ATV clubs
to coordinate trails.
International Dealer of the
Year sponsored by Snow
Goer: Pioneer Motorsport
Inc. from Chaffee, New York
Ken Armstrong founded Pioneer Motorsport Inc. in 1964,
and together with his family have built the business into a
thriving, state-of-the-art dealership for Polaris, Ski-Doo and
Yamaha brands, among others. A key ingredient to this success
has been their hands-on involvement with local clubs.
They host area club meetings, provide space for fundraisers,
promote club membership, have youth rider development
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DRAG A TRAIL
MATTRACKS IS THE BEST
----- 100+ MODELS · ATVS · UTVS · 4X4 TRUCKS · ALL SEASONS TRACKS -----
218.683.9800 / 877.436.7800
DIRECT TOLL-FREE US & CANADA
As a three-time
winner of the famed
Indianapolis 500
auto race, Unser is
primarily known for
his achievements in
auto racing.
INDUSTRY NEWS
snowopsmag.com | SnowOps 35
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