By Steve Landon
Having fought cancellations due to mild weather in 2020 and COVID 19 in 2021 0ne might think old mother nature would be up to giving the Marion Vintage Snowmobile Club just a little break. Sadly, the old lady remained bullheaded as always. Instead of giving race fans and club members a nice winter day with temperatures in the mid 20’s for all to enjoy, she joined forces with old-man winter and blasted this year’s event with bitter cold temperatures and bone chilling winds. To attend Marion Snowfest ‘2022 you had to be of hardy stock just to watch the races, walk the grounds, swap or show a vintage snowmobile. In deed it was an event to remember and one that drew a very impressive crowd.
Racers, vendors and show participants began pulling in bright and early Saturday morning as winds roared out of the west with temperatures struggling to climb above -10. As displayers worked to get their vintage sleds lined up and vendors got booths ready, back on pit row racers and crews were darting in and out of their trailers as they worked to make final adjustments to engine and suspension before the races began. Competition from another race downstate had little effect on this year’s races, over 227 entries took the green from veteran flagman Dave Swiler. Cold temperatures all winter and on race day made the track exceptionally fast. As in past years there were a few spills but no one was seriously hurt.
Ryan Blain of Lake Mich., returned to direct the vintage snowmobile show. Working with top notch volunteers Blain and his crew didn’t let the bitter cold weather put a damper on things one bit. The 2022 feature make, Yamaha along with other makes kept the two judges from Boon, Mich., hard a work picking winners out of a field of beautiful custom, restored and unrestored snowmobiles from days gone-bye.
When judging was all said and done awards were given to the following classes; Best Original – Randy Vanmaldegen Jr. – Belding – 1974 Arctic Cat El’Tigre 400, Best Restored – Bob Staffen – Lakeview – 1971 Sno -Jet SS, Best Display –Jim Blain Sr. – Lake, MI – display of Polaris snowmobiles and memorabilia, Best Race Sled – John Culp II – Clio Mi. 1978 Yamaha SSR, Best Featured Sled – John Culp II of Clio Mi. – 1982 Yamaha SRX V-Max, Runner-Up Featured Sled -Lon Pratt -Grand Blanc, MI – 1979 Yamaha SRX 500, Best Classic Sled 86’-99’ – Jim Blain Sr. of Lake – 1997 Polaris Storm 800, Best Vintage 69’ -85’ – Terry Choikey -Kingsley – 1972 Skiroule RS-440, Furthest Away – Kim Merrill of Kalamazoo – 1969 Tradewinds Tiger, Sherry E Landon / The Winning Edge Magazine Memorial trophy for “Best Michigan Made Snowmobile “ was awarded to Tim Kreager of Carrollton, MI for his 1975 Michigan Made Drake Invader.
Marion Vintage Snowmobile Club President Dave Swiler was happy with how everything came together after two years without the event.
“I was very pleased with the turnout and the way things went for the most part. We had some issues come up but we were able to get them taken care of and dealt with. I thought it was a successful day after having been off for two years. I do think that the cold and the high wind chills may have kept people away and someplace warm. We had frozen water pipes in our concession stand Saturday morning when I got there. That was a first time we have had that happen that I know of. I had a guy get right on it and we got the problem fixed pretty early so it didn’t turn into a big issue.
We had a few new people in new positions that had to learn also. I’m pleased we had a safe day and not many crashes or anything real bad happen. We could not have put this together had it not been for all of our sponsors and each and every person that volunteered along with our club members helping out. I have heard a lot of positive feedback and how much fun they had. I am sure we have some things we need to improve on, I will be working on that and doing my best to make changes and improvements where they are needed. We had 227 race sleds registered, attendance looked pretty good as well especially when you consider the weather we were dealt with this year, Thank you to everyone! I look forward to planning for our Fall Swap Meet in October 2022 and our Snowfest for 2023. – Swiler said”