International Snowmobile Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024
The International Snowmobile
Hall of Fame is living up to its “ international ” moniker with its Class of 2024 , which was inducted in mid-September . Four Canadians were joined by folks from Minnesota and Wisconsin to make another star-studded cast .
Not to be confused with the racing-focused Snowmobile Hall of Fame , the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame ( ISHOF ) focuses on grass roots leaders , trail supporters , inventors , explorers and media , among others .
This year ’ s class featured Ross Antworth , Mike Hetteen , Dave Newman , Barbara Welsh and brothers Mark and Kent Lester .
Ross Antworth
The engaging Ross Antworth of Lower Kingsclear , New Brunswick , began his snowmobiling journey in 1972 , and soon thereafter became involved in leadership roles in his local snowmobile club , and eventually to the top job at the provincial federation . He served as general manager of the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs ( NBFSC ) for 24 years until retiring in 2021 .
Under his leadership , NBFSC funding grew by a factor of 10 , which led to significantly more support for the trails . In addition , Antworth was instrumental in countless nuts-and-bolts things - like liability insurance , trail permits , enforcement programs and more - that make the trail network possible . He also served in leadership roles in the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations ( CCSO ) and the International Association of Snowmobile Administrators .
“ His keen insights and hands-on approach have led to the development of major enhancements to the New
Brunswick trail system and trail systems internationally ,” the ISHOF announcement stated .
Mike Hetteen
Mike Hetteen of Roseau , Minnesota , is the son of Polaris pioneer Allen Hetteen and nephew of the famed Edgar Hetteen . That gave him a front row seat to snowmobiling incredible growth and challenges . A 36-year career at Polaris , where he held various positions in sales and purchasing , gave him further insight .
But he isn ’ t just some corporate suit . Indeed , Mike Hetteen also earned his stripes by helping to form and lead the Roseau County Trailblazers in 1987 . Among his many accomplishments as a club organizer and trail developer , he spearheaded creation of a cutting-edge international snowmobile trail .
“ Mike has always felt the continuing need to be involved in snowmobile organizations on a local , state , national and international level ,” his ISHOF bio said .
Mark & Kent Lester
The snowmobiling history of brothers Mark and Kent Lester of Minden , Ontario , dates to the late 1970s . Their passion for the
sport led them to launch Supertrax Magazine in 1989 . It was exclusively focused on Canada at first , but after the duo partnered with CJ Ramstad , it became Supertrax International in 1991 .
The Lesters ’ reach then expanded to TV and video in 2009 when they purchased Snow Trax TV after the passing of its founder . The resulting Trax Media Inc . is a family business , with Mark and Kent ’ s sons often front and center .
“ For more than four decades , Mark & Kent Lester have been North American media leaders , making an iconic contribution to the snowmobile industry , to winter tourism , to snowmobilers and to organized snowmobiling ,” their Hall of Fame bio states .
Dave Newman
What started as a teenage love of riding a 1972 John Deere sled on a family farm culminated in Hall of Fame honors for Dave Newman of Unity , Wisconsin . In between those points , Newman impacted the sport on a local , regional , statewide and national level .
Newman first got involved in his local club . That led to involvement in the county and eventually his state association . He was the longest-tenured president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs ( 2014-2023 ), and was also the VP of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations .
“ He spent endless hours at the state capitol testifying on legislation for funding increases , trail rule changes , GPS trackers in groomers and worked with the DNR on snowmobile safety training ,” his ISHOG bio said .
Brenda Welsh of Huntsville , Ontario
Dubbed by some as the “ Canada ’ s first lady of snowmobiling ,” Brenda Welsh of Huntsville , Ontario , made a major impact in her 34 years of volunteerism . She started as a club volunteer in Huntsville in 1987 . She then held leadership positions in the Muskoka region and then the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs ( OFSC ), the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations ( CCSO ) and the National Trails Coalition .
In 2010 Welsh became the first female president of the OFSC , and in 2012 was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for two decades of volunteering for organized snowmobiling in Canada .
“ She always set a positive , creative example by thinking ‘ outside of the box ’ rather than the typical status-quo ,” her ISHOF bio read . “ Her passion for volunteering paved the way for many others to follow in her footsteps .” She was honored posthumously .
8 / NOVEMBER 2024 / SNOWGOER . COM