4th ANNUAL

VSCA NATIONAL SHOW

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MINNESOTA

MAY 15th - 17th, 2009

                                    Vintage Snowmobile enthusiasts from across the United States  and Canada were greeted with typical Midwest hospitality  as the home of Arctic Cat

                                    threw out the red carpet (or was it purple?) for  the exciting  4^th Annual VSCA National Vintage Snowmobile Championship in Thief River Falls, Minnesota
                                    over the weekend of May 15- 17, 2009.

                                    For the second time, the incredible Ralph Englestad Arena framed the backdrop as vintage and antique snowmobile collectors from across the

                                    United States and Canada gathered to acknowledge their peers and also crown one lucky participant with their most prestigious award. The 2009 VSCA National Champion!

                                    Participants from coast to coast assembled incredible displays of their personal collections and sleds rarely, if ever, seen before.

                                    From exotic race, to immaculate antique, this years VSCA National show delivered – Big Time! A steady crowd of public found a stunning field of sleds entertaining
                                    to sled heads of all ages.
                                    Although entry numbers might have been slightly less than previous nationals, the quality of sleds remained high and poised the judges for a daunting task of
                                    choosing winners in each class. 5 awards were given in each judged class, along with a people’s choice, and The National Champion Trophy. 

                With the show located in the Midwest, it offered great diversity and opportunity for our organizations here in the west.  Members from our western contingency
                brought several sleds to this year’s national in an attempt to “test the waters” with sleds in a new region. We entered 4 sleds in 4 separate classes which would allow
                a critical evaluation of each entry. Our sleds and even more so, us personally, were very well received and actually won awards in each class entered. Not that winning
                any awards was a priority; it simply illustrated that the “‘ol judging issue” which empowers every show is actually very consistent in its foundation and even with the
                 “best of best” at the helm, remains criticized.  I sat in on some of the judging meetings and can with utmost of confidence relay that the guys working the national this
                year illustrated their experience, knowledge and professionalism in choosing winners across the board.

                                Big winners at this years show included the Tom Ische Family who won the National Champion with Nancy’s 1970 Arctic 793 Mod Puma and Tim Seydel  won
                                People’s Choice with his fabulous ’65 Polaris Snow Traveler. Congratulations are in order for all who participated as well as all the lucky winners who were fortunate
                                enough to have their sleds recognized on the national stage.

                                All in all we had a very good trip meeting vintage guys with whom we had spoke but never really met. Mike and Judy Meagher along with Joe Hallstrom deserve special
                                recognition for their efforts in hosting this year’s national. Also the crew from the Black Cat Sports Bar who took care of every detail need to be thanked for their outstanding
                                hospitality. And lastly, the guys and gals from The Classic Snow machines Club out of St. Cloud need to be thanked for putting all the pieces together. These guys and
                                gals were great, and really know how to have fun!

                                As we move into the future, the dialogue for the 2010 national in the East is underway and South Dakota is on the horizon for a possible site for the West’s national in 2011.
                              More on this and the complete national scoop will be illustrated in the next exciting issue of The VSCA Magazine.  Until then, keep supporting your local chapters of
                              vintage snowmobile enthusiasts by attending a show near you. It’s always a great time enjoying the oldies and they truly appreciate your support!

Ken Jacobsen won his class with his 71 TX 795

Look what sled he was lucky enough to sit next to!!!

Perry Hesteness won his class with his 76 Arctic Cat Z 250

This little Merc also scored some hardware

Polaris, Cat and Merc Photos by Brian Bronner

Jeff Biddiscombe used to own this "Mad Merc"