A letter to CJ Ramstad:
I just wanted to take a quick minute to let you know how much I enjoy Snowpod.com – especially the past week. I was in the third grade (1967 model year) when my Dad, who was a John Deere dealer in Jerome, ID, picked up an AMF/Ski-Daddler franchise.
By the time the Ski-Daddlers faded from existence, we were hearing rumors of John Deere getting into the biz.Jerome Implement was also a Harley dealer, but we chose to not get involved in the AMF/Harley Davidson snowmobile product.
The ’72 model John Deere 400 & 500 were not very exciting and I continued to ride my 1971 Ski-Daddler Mark XX. It was an awesome little sled with an Arctic slide frame, a 15″ wide steel cleated track, and a strong running, high revving, Hirth 340, axial fan cooled engine.
The ’73 JDX8 was OK but the short plastic track did not go very well in our western snow. In ’74 I was a sophmore in high school and I got one of the 295/S’. I literally kicked butt that winter so my Dad backed me the next year on a Winnepeg to St. Paul entry on a ’75 340/S.
I do not recall the exact number of entries that year, but 376 is the number that comes to mind. Only 22 finished. I was one of the 300+ that did not finish, but it was a once in a life time expereince to be there.
The 340/S photos brought back a flood of memories. I know it is a very busy time of year for you. but I wondered if you could take a quick look at your archives and see if you have any phots of #21 in the ’75 Winnepeg to St. Paul race.
Sincerely,
Ron Bentzinger
Snowmobile Product Manager
Western Power Sports
Visit www.snowpod.com to find a new snowmobile photo every day from the archives of snowmobile legend CJ Ramstad
