Suburban Sno-Hawks Snowmobile Club New Berlin, Wisconsin

https://www.facebook.com/100079927004090/posts/398657316141832/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Congratulations to our 17 newly certified snowmobile safety students. Hope everyone has an enjoyable season. Remember to ride safe, ride right and ride sober.

Come on out this Tuesday, November 7th for our annual Kick-Off Meeting. Bring a friend and enjoy free refreshments!

https://www.facebook.com/100057568445011/posts/782237137038561/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Annual Membership Kick-Off Meeting Tuesday November 7th, starts at 7:00 pm. Meeting held at the VFW at 179th & Beloit Rd.

New Berlin Suburban Sno-hawks And SnowStuds are puting on Our Grass drags again this Year.
BIGGER AN BADDER THAN EVER!
YOU LOOKING FOR SOME ACTION THIS SUNDAY?
Come out the Wide open Wisconsin Snow show at the Washington County Fair grounds, and check out the Races! And the Show.
Get it all for $5 with free parking.
If you think your sled is fast... bring it out and enter it into the races for cash prizes.
(Teathers and helmets required)
Best value anywhere...
Food vendors and refreshments on site as well.

3 Old Guys RODE to Alaska

On April 6 the 3 Old Guys accomplished their mission, they successfully rode to Alaska on snowmobile after departing from Grand Rapids, Minnesota on March 6 – but their journey was not complete and they set their sites on the final destination of Fairbanks. The final stretch proved grueling- and after thousands of miles of extreme riding, everyone (and everything) was getting tired. Exhaustion did not stand in the way of the 3 Old Guys and they arrived at their final destination on the evening of April 12….but not without challenge.

With only a short distance remaining, the 3 Old Guys struggled with Rob’s snowmobile yesterday (Tues) as they rode into Circle. Thinking it was some water in the gas, they also noticed the hyfax was completely wore out. By luck, another individual happened to be riding through and was headed to Circle. They towed Rob’s snowmobile by sleigh into Circle and the Guys spent the evening putting new hyfax on and stored the machines indoors overnight in preparation for today.

They intended to take the Yukon Quest trail, but with fresh snow on the highway and continued issues, it was determined that they would try to ride the road as much as possible.

Unfortunately, when they ventured out this morning, they found Rob’s machine was dead; they needed a coil, but didn’t have a spare. The decision was made to leave the snowmobile in Circle and have it hauled to town in a few days. The Guys took off from Circle on 2 sleds with 3 sleighs, and 3 Old Guys…. They were making good time until Rex’s engine locked up. With two snowmobiles down, they now had 1 snowmobile, 3 sleighs and 3 Old Guys remaining in the fight.

With only one snowmobile, the message was sent to the “home crew” requesting a trailer. The Guys made the best of it, with a few runs on the single sled they hauled their equipment about 10 miles back down the road to where they had pit-stopped earlier and enjoyed coffee. It wasn’t long before the trailer arrived and the 3 Old Guys loaded up. It wasn’t their intent to drive/trailer the last ~60(?) miles into town, but they were close enough and there is no question it was a successful run.

Despite every obstacle, obstacles that would have stopped anyone else, the 3 Old Guys successfully rode to Alaska. Man > Machine.

For a live recount of today’s trail report, view the live feed provided by “Alaska Lizzie,” Lizzie Hartman at about 20 minutes in. HUGE thanks to Lizzie Hartman for her help.

Please contact your legislators and ask them to sign on to SB136 and AB130, which provides additional money for the supplemental trail aids program.
If you need the contact information for your state Senator and Assembly Representative, enter your address at the link found here and scroll down to the "Who are my Legislators" tab.
You can tell your legislators the following when you contact them:
· Please sign on to SB136 and AB130 authored by Sens. Cowles and Felzkowski, and Reps. Callahan and Swearingen relating to supplemental snowmobile trail aids.
· This would allow clubs to claim up to five times the per mile maximum aid payment (a total of $1,500 per mile).
· The snowmobile program has sufficient funding to support this increase in supplemental trail aids.
· In the previous fiscal year, the snowmobile program saw well more than $1 million go unspent which otherwise could have provided additional support to maintain the state trail system in high snow, high tourism areas.
We need action from club members throughout the state, not only members from northern counties who are consistently going over the $900 supplemental cap. AWSC members often ride in these counties and expect quality trails regardless of the amount of traffic. This legislation benefits snowmobile riders statewide.
Thanks to all,
Sam Landes, Legislative Committee Chair
Dave Newman, AWSC Past-President

Ride for Life, Ride Sober Safety on Wisconsin's snowmobile trails starts with drivers leaving the alcohol until after the ride.

Is there a fix for this issue?

Snowmobile deaths, accidents prompting more calls for safety VILAS CO., Wis. (WAOW) -- After an early-morning fatal snowmobile crash in Vilas County Monday, safety continues to be top of mind for officials.

SNOWMOBILERS: Safety should be your top priority on the sled. We've seen too many fatalities already this year.

Know and practice your safety skills on every ride:

– Snowmobile operators need to be safe and responsible while on the trails, routes and frozen bodies of water.

– It is never OK to drink and operate a snowmobile. Impairment of any kind – drugs or alcohol – can have tragic consequences.

– Always operate within the limits of your skills, visibility and snowmobile. Sled Safe, Sled Smart.

– Stop and look both ways before crossing a road. ALL snowmobile operators are required to obey stop sign postings and STOP.

If you have an Iphone, and are snowmobiling please find a way to keep an eye on your phone. Today alone we received multiple automated messages from Iphones reporting crashes, that didn't happen.

This feature is great in theory, but when people don't answer dispatch and dispatch can hear snowmobiles driving around, it is a drain on resources in the area if we have to send out Fire Departments, Law Enforcement, and EMS.

We have found that this feature is very sensitive while snowmobiling.

Below is a photo on how to turn it off.

Be safe and have a great weekend.

Congratulations to all the students that participated and passed our safety class last night. Now let's hope for some ❄️

General Membership meeting tonight, starts at 7:30 PM at the VFW in New Berlin. 179th & Beloit

Action Power Sports Customer Appreciation Party

Message from Cal Larson - Polaris Snowmobiles For more information, check out: https://snowmobiles.polaris.com/We Made It So You Can Live It. We design the best sleds, built by the best team, ridden by t...

Happy Thanksgiving! Good thing modern sleds are fuel injected.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Snowmobile Impacts On The Northwoods Snowmobile Impacts On The Northwoods

A very good read, hopefully everyone will take a few minutes and read this article.

OFF TRAIL? NO TRAILS - Supertrax Online Time for another trip into the reality of the cost associated with off-trail riding in areas where it is prohibited.

Come check out our Annual Kick-Off Meeting Tonight, starts at 7:00PM at the VFW 179th & Beloit

We still have a few openings to come out to our Casino Night this Saturday October 29th. You need to call and reserve a ticket if you are planning to come.

The GRTA regrets to confirm that Michigan snowmobile trail 2 in far western Gogebic County will be closed this season from Sunday Lake in Wakefield to Ramsay Crossing in Bessemer Township.
Snowmobile trail 2 is the western most gateway to thousands of miles of world-renowned snowmobile trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. On peak holiday weekends nearly 3,000 snowmobiles a day travel the route. Currently there is no agreed upon road route or other option with any township or other governmental entity to re-connect the trail. The club is starting those efforts and seeks community support.

We sincerely thank the City of Wakefield’s Robert Brown & Mike Zeckovich, Bessemer and Wakefield Township Supervisors Jeff Randall and Mandy Lake, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Officer Jennifer Hanson, Rep. Greg Markkanen, and the Michigan DNR for standing by the GRTA as we wade through this economically catastrophic situation.

In our first in-person meeting with Midwest Family Ski Resorts (owner of SnowRiver Mountain Resort) September 28th, they made it clear their interests were preventing snowmobilers from entering their property. Midwest Family Ski Resorts stated they do not view snowmobiling as a family friendly sport compatible with “their style of family-friendly” business. Midwest Family Ski Resorts outlined three ultimatums to achieve a one year temporary trail. Firstly they requested local stakeholders provide a $12 million excess layer liability policy in addition to the $2 million already provided; the city of Wakefield, Townships of Wakefield and Bessemer, and the Michigan DNR indemnify Midwest Family Ski Resorts; and finally a modest reroute of the trail around the old Indianhead summit. Midwest’s owner Charles Skinner expected all costs be the responsibility of local governments or other various stakeholders but suggested they would donate $5k towards the costs.

Within a few days after that meeting it was relayed back to Midwest Family Ski Resorts that indemnification wasn’t something local governments could lawfully provide. Additionally, no local government was able to get anywhere with their insurance providers. The feedback from insurance providers was the request lacked precedence and risk due to stout Michigan landowner liability protections. Insuring snowmobiles beyond that as a governmental entity would be uncharted territory and cost prohibitive. As communications continued Midwest Family Ski Resorts reduced their insurance coverage request down to $5 million and said they’d ask their insurance provider for a quote since all other sources returned no-quotes. During the wait for feedback on their investigative efforts our partners at the MDNR requested the state’s Attorney General’s office to offer a one-on-one meeting with Midwest Family Ski Resort’s team. On October 14th GRTA followed MDNR communication with an offer to purchase a small sliver of land around the exterior of their property to fully vacate any perceived liability exposure. Midwest’s concern centered on safety and liability and these solutions resolved both. The club was only able to offer that purchase gesture after being approached by regional donors looking to solve the issue and provide access.

On the evening of October 18th during a GRTA board meeting Mr. Skinner issued a statement to the GRTA expressing the conclusion of their efforts working with GRTA, our communities, and the MDNR to save Snowmobile Trail 2. Skinner’s team said on the phone the primary hurdle was their insurance company allegedly now just becoming aware of the snowmobile trail on their property. Skinner’s team elaborated further that their insurance provider, Safehold Insurance, would not insure them going forward if they engaged in snowmobile activities across the property. Safehold is the same vendor the previous owners utilized the last 7-years the trail ran on the property. This was shocking news as the previous ownership advertised and offered snowmobile rentals from their Indianhead location. Complicating our understanding is that Safehold also insures another U.P. ski hill that advertises and markets to snowmobilers, Ski-Brule of Iron River, MI.

We call on businesses across the Midwest who support Midwest snowmobiling to start drafting your letter of support and impact. We ask you – the snowmobilers and skiers – to draft your letters of support and impact. You can mail them to GRTA, 708 W Longyear ST, Bessemer, MI 49911. You can email them to [email protected]. Please, contact your local representative and senator and demand their action in saving snowmobile trail 2 and building phase 3 of the Iron Belle Trail through this difficult area. It’s time the Western U.P. permanently connects its tremendous trails for the benefit of all.

Pictured is Ramsay Crossing, 10/19/22

-GRTA Board of Directors

Feel free to pass this out to your friends, relatives, coworkers, and your employers

Stop Ride/Stop Sale Update: We have the validated repair solution now finalized. Dealers have received repair instructions and MY23 SnowCheck snowmobiles have resumed shipping. If your snowmobile was impacted in the recent stop ride, please contact your Polaris-authorized dealer to schedule your free repair service.

DO NOT attempt any repairs yourself. If you need to start your snowmobile, you must make sure the fuel tank is full and, if it is not, then you need to add fresh gasoline to fill the tank.

Click here for some frequently asked questions on the Stop Ride/Stop Sale and the repair solution:
https://www.polaris.com/en-us/recalls/off-road/snowmobiles-customer-safety/

The Sno-Hawks would like to thank everyone that participated and watched the Grass Drags Sunday 9/25 at the Wide-Open Washington County Show. Congratulations to the King of the Drag winners Stock-Will Johnston,
Improve Stock-Willie Conklin
Mod-Blake Jack.
Results listed below for all classes.
See You Next Year!

6:30 am at the track...IT'S RACE DAY!!
PARTLY CLOUDY.. IT IS A GO!!
Ground is solid , rain last night was not bad here!
GET HERE AND LET'S DO SOME RACING!