Friday, 29 March 2024

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2017 Douglas, MN

GREAT SOUTHERN GRASS DRAG NATIONALS AKA DOUGLAS

On September 23rd the Byron Snow Bears held their 23rd annual event at their Douglas location. This years event was blessed with warmest weather in our events history with temps in the mid 80's. Because of the awesome weather our attendance and swap suffered a bit but there was no doubt after talking to transport teams coordinator he claim they have never been busier.
Over at the grass drags Tony Kruger and his PSDR Team had over 180 entries to race on one of the best grass tracks with clay starting lines in the Mid West. Mandi Higgins raced her Yamaha to wins in Vintage B, C & D while Tina Badker rode her Yamaha's to wins in Vintage A, AA & Mod Stock 340 F/A. Shania Kirkof finished up with the Ladies domination on the grass in the Vintage Class' on her Polaris with wins Vintage Mod Stock 440 F/A, Vintage Mod Stock 340 & 440 Liquid and Vintage Pro Stock 340 F/A. Local racer Turner Childs had another great run with wins in Vintage Open Mod 500 & Classic Pro Stock 600.
At the Swap around 300 swappers were selling their goods with some having great success and some not so much success, just like any swap...prices and demand can make or break you.
Now on to the Sled Show we had 86 participants this year with James Krubsack of Prescott, WI. taking home 4 Trophy Plaques including Best of Show along with the 1st Place in 1976 and Newer Race Class with his 1980 Arctic Cat Sno Pro and his 1977 Arctic Cat Z brought home the 1st Place Plaque in Original Race Class too. Local Oval Racer and Ski-doo Restoration legend Al Bruggenthies of Rochester added 4 new plaques to his collection winning 1st Place with his Restored Ski-doo K62 and also his Original 1972 Ski-doo Nordic brought Al the top award and topping it off his trophy run with a 1st with his Original 1978 Ski-doo Everest. Another multiple plaque winner was Jason Johnson, Belle Plaine, Mn. Jason took 4 Plaques home with a 1st Place with his Original 1975 Scorpion Stingerette in the Metal Flake Class. Local collectors that took home 1st Place plaques were Gary Bromley from Mantorville, MN. took a plaque home for his 1975 Rupp Nitro and Mitch Miller also from Mantorville showed off his 1970 Wheel Horse Custom to take home the top plaque in the Custom Class and Mark Shafer, Rochester, MN. won the 1975 and Older Race Class with his 1973 Polaris 340 Starfire. 1st Place Plaques were awarded to Allen and Dave Emme who made the drive down from Glencoe, MN., Allen picked up the top award for his 1968 Arctic Cat Panther while Dave got an 1st Place plaque for his 1971 Yardman. Other 1st Place Plaque winners were Trent Messner from Henderson, MN. with his 1976 Moto-ski Sonic and Brad Gomer of Bryant, SD. with his 1979 Polaris TXL also made the long drive to Douglas but the ride home was made easier with both heading West with top awards. Clint Matzke of Lewiston, MN. took 1st with his 1983 John Deere L/F while Springville, Ia.'s Dennis Neilson brought a 1982 Ski-doo MX North and took the 1st Place Plaque. Another 1st Place Plaque went to Lance Miketey from Fairfax, MN with his 1986 Polaris Indy 600 LE. Then Gene Anderson of Clear Water, MN. took 1st with his 1974 Raider Eagle and Kyle Baynes, Elko, MN. brought home the President Choice Award with his 1978 Ski-doo Super Mod an original Chuck Decker tribute sled. So to sum it all up... what an awesome day of Swapping, Grass Drags & Vintage Snowmobiles, the funds raised by our club are used maintain our Groomer and trails between Pine Island, MN. to Stewartville, MN.
Tom Anderson
Vintage Guy for the Byron Snow Bears

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