October 2002

My name is Randy and I am a snowmobile enthusiast. It all started when my parents took me for my first ride at 13 months old. I have been snowmobiling ever since. I was born on November 1st 1969 in Michigan. Michigan is a great place to live for snowmobiling, but over the years the snowfall seems less and less.

I have had several snowmobiles over the years. When I got old enough to drive one on my own my parents let me ride the 1974 Suzuki 292 nomad. From there, I took over my mother’s hand me down. It was a 1976 Yamaha 440 Prestige. This sled was unique in the fact that it had a torque converter instead of a drive clutch. What a hill climber. I only drove my dad’s 1970 Rupp 440 Sprint a few times and remembered it was really fast.

After many years with the ole Yammy I decided after a weekend up north snowmobiling it was time to upgrade. Because I was a Yamaha fan I bought I used 1985 Phazer. What an improvement of the 76 Prestige. During this time I was getting into snowmobiling a lot more than what I was in the 80’s. After a 2 years of riding the Phazer and trying a few Polaris’s I new it was time to upgrade again. I found I used 1989 Indy 500 that I could pay cash for. Again what any improvement in handling. After having some problems with it that year due to high mileage I decided to snowcheck a new Polaris the next Year. I ordered a 95 XCR 600. Wow that was exciting. My first brand new sled. The following year I ordered a 96 XCR 600 and a Supersport for my wife. I sold the 95 the day before I had to pick up the two new 96’s. I rode my 96 for 2 years and put 4000 miles on it with out a lick of problems. Then I snowchecked a 98 XC700 and sold my 96. I was able to pay cash for my 98 . Now I have a 2001 XC800SP that I snowchecked new in 2000. Again another improvement in suspension. I will probably snowcheck a new one in the spring.

My parents no longer ride so I ride with my wife and friends. Lately I have been riding with friends more than the wife since we had twin boys in April of 2000. We try to go every weekend that there is snow and save extra vacation days just for winter. Winter sure is an enjoyable time of the year.