Owners share historic sleds

By: ANDREW BROWN, Dispatch Staff Writer
2/27/06

VERNON - The Tri Valley Trail Riders snowmobile club took a ride down memory lane this weekend. The club sponsored its inaugural antique and vintage snowmobile show on Sunday at the Tombstone Saloon in Vernon.

Howard Regner, the show's organizer, said there were about 40 classic snowmobiles on display at the event, with the oldest dating back to 1963. Spectators examined the old Ski-Doos and Arctic Cats lined up next to the saloon, as riders rode around a nearby field.

Regner, who is from Verona, said the show provided people with the chance to take a look at snowmobiles that probably looked like the first ones they ever laid eyes on.

"We've got people that came to check it out and reminisce about what they had when they were kids," he said. "What's unique about the group, I found today, is the camaraderie of the people."

The Tri Valley Trail Riders is a snowmobile club based in Oneida and Madison counties. Regner said the club has about 150 members, and the club's primary responsibility is to maintain snowmobile trails throughout the area.

He said they cut brush and trees, and post signs along trails to make sure they are safe. They also sponsor events such as a poker run they had Saturday. Regner said the event entailed riding to numerous taverns and restaurants in the area, where they received playing cards, before going to the final bar where they show their cards. The riders with the top three poker hands won prizes.

Regner said classic shows like the one on Sunday are getting popular throughout the area, and many of the people at Sunday's event regularly go to similar shows.

Dave Hatch, of Bouckville, said he thought the Tri Valley show was impressive for a first-time event.

"For a first time it's not bad," said Hatch, who had two snowmobiles on display at the show: a 1970 Ski-Doo and a 1972 Arctic Cat Panther.

"Lately I've just gone into the antiques, I'm getting a little old for it," he said of riding snowmobiles. "The prices of the new ones scare you."

While new ones, Hatch said, can run anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000, he bought one of his new for just $600 back in the 1970s.

The snowmobiles at the show on Sunday were going to be judged by each of the owners who entered one, with the winner getting a trophy. Regner said they would be judged on appearance and the quality of their condition.

In addition to the classic competition, there was going to be time trials for any of the owners who wanted to time the speed of their snowmobile, new or old. Those were sponsored by J and J Motor Sports in Oneida. There was also a contest for who had the loudest snowmobile.

Regner said he was happy with the turnout, and they plan on making it an annual show.

As for the antique snowmobiles, Regner said he wasn't sure what makes certain ones better than others. He added that snowmobile riding has been down this year in the Madison and Oneida county area because of a lack of snow, with many riders going to the Tug Hill Plateau to ride.

Regner said they held the event at the Tombstone Saloon on Route 5 in Vernon because they are one of the club's sponsors, and a popular spot for snowmobile riders. The bar is located right near a major trail, Regner said.

"It's a popular stopping spot for snowmobilers," he said. "They've been great hosts."

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