Results

Last year was a great year for snow, downside is we didn’t pull the camera out enough. Too busy enjoying the snow. I’ve taken what video we did gather and put together. I did this mainly for those of us in the video, but know that others would enjoy. We had some problems with the video camera throughout the year with either the battery dying early or it not recording or if it did record it had a dirty head so the recording was pretty crappy.

[vimeo 2033928 506 316]

I probably spent a total of 40hrs on the video over the course of the past three months. Hope you enjoy.

There are a group of guys out there that aren’t only participating in the sport of Snowmobiling, but helping to revolutionize the industry at the same time. Team Summit and Boondockers teamed up to put on an event that was a HUGE success. Thousands of people headed to Reno to participate in the first ever Reno Snowmobile Film Festival. We even took the 10hr drive over to enjoy the event.

Saturday morning woke up early and started on our trek from Salt Lake City to Reno NV. A good 8hr drive without stopping. The drive started out really good as we headed across the salt flats. The weather was exactly how we would want it for this time of year…..SNOWING!!! That was the best part of the drive. However this did put a damper on things as we hit the pass between Wendover and Wells. Trucks were blocking the highway as they spun out trying to make it up the pass. After a half hour or so of just sitting in the middle of the pass we decided it was time to just make our way through the commotion. So we snaked our way in, around and through the stuck semis leading the way for others.

You can just image the excitement of winter approaching as we headed to watch film from last season. Making the trip even that much better. As we landed in Reno the mountains were dusted with a layer of snow. If that wasn’t enough. Team Summit and Boondockers really put together a show. In my opinion the two best films of the year were showed on the big screen in their entirety. Below the screen Custom Sled after Custom Sled. Even the new Polaris 800 Assault with Boondockers Nos Kit, SlP Pipe and Can and other goodies, Polaris had to bust this sled out of production in time for the show. Culters even provided a custom T8 for the event.

After the show you could meet the riders, get autographs of posters and dvds that were available for purchase at the show. If you were lucky enough you could have even won some great prices. Fox supplied two sets of Fox Float 2 Shocks, Sly Dog had a set of skis, 509 sent some goggles, t-shirts, and dvds, Fly Racing had shirts, hats, belt bucks and other items, as well as many many other companies helping support the cause and making it possible for all proceeds to go to help Blair Morgan and Spinal Research.

If you weren’t able to make the show this year, you missed a great show. However the best part about the show is that it was such a success that next year expect a 2 day event, with Manufacturers attending and who knows maybe even additional films showed durning the event. The Reno Snowmobile Film Festival is finally here and it is going to stay!

Thanks to the Grand Sierra Resort for being an excellent host and providing the theater. The many companies that donated prices for the auction that all proceeds went to the Blair Morgan Spinal Research Fund. As well as the Dealers and Manufacturers that provided the Sleds as eye candy before and after the show.

To view additional photos of the show click here.

Its hard to feed the desire to ride during the summer. You would think it would get easier as fall comes and the shows begin and the races start. It isn’t easier as I try to get tiny morsels of the rush as I attend snowmobile shows and grass drags, if anything it makes it even harder.

This weekend I was able to not only get to go to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes to help feed the monster in me that wants to ride snowmobiles so bad, I was even able to make it down to the Malad Grass Drags. The drags are always a great way to get the fix. The smell of the two stroke engines, the sounds of the mods as the roar down the track, and hanging with the riding buddies make going to the races almost as fun as being on the hill. Almost would be the key word in there. Even though the races give most of the joys of riding it still lacks the one thing that is impossible to get without snow and that is actually riding thru the powder fields or climbing the hills that are unreachable by machine in the summer.

This year the grass drags gave some good excitement. Several races were extremely close and if it were left up to the human eye the win could have gone to the wrong individual several times. While others races weren’t so close, but still exciting as you never know what might happen. We were able to see this first hand as a Turbo Apex stepped up against a mod Powder Special. Needless to say the Powder Special was anything but built for one purpose and that was to demolish anything it stepped up against on the track. Most people put their money on the Turbo Apex based of the knowledge that these sleds are rarely touched on the hill. While others still bet on the sure speed of the two stroke engine. With in the first 100 feet it seemed that the race was already over as the Powder Special had a commanding lead over the Apex and was still gaining ground and picking up speed. Then in an instance the Powder Special veered left and came in contact with a straw bail. This contact ripped the left arms, shock and ski right off the sled. Sending the rider into additional bails as it still ripped down the track. Spectators watched as it looked as the situation turned dangerous.

Luckily the rider was able to slow down enough and veer back into the center of the track, finish the race and still make a good time. Sadly he lost to the Apex, but came out unharmed. I’m sure his self esteem took a little beating, but now he has a point to prove at the next race.

If you have read some of my other work you will se that I’m all about the snowmobile movie industry. I remember back when I was just a kid watching Redneck Fury, Slednecks 1, 2 Stroke Cold Smoke, and others. Recently I’ve give my view on movies such as Elevation 3 and Boondockers Alive. Its now time I give you my thoughts on the new Team Summit Video.

Elevation 3 was one of my most favorite films last year right there with Boondockers 4. I didn’t think they could make it any better. Elevation 3 gave you a good look at each rider and really helped make the video that much better. This years “Shred the Gnar” surprised me as it blew Elevation 3 out of the snow. Better Rider interviews, better footage, and great videography. Team Summit are some of the best riders out there and the video gives you a good look at not only their talent but the types of individuals they really are. This is one movie that needs to be in everyone snowmobile video collection. Check it out at Team Summit.