HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - For ASCOA members and the public, a Saturday driving-tour was offered, and many chose to visit various locations of historical significance to Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles. At each stop, fascinating oral histories were provided by Les Pinz and Randy Harrison. At this location (site of the present-day skate park) the firm’s former manufacturing facility was discussed (previously located here but destroyed by fire in 1967).
2023 Jul, ASCOA Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - During the Saturday driving tour, former Scorpion dealer, racer and R&D wiz-kid Les Pinz (on left) treats the group to an oral history of the firm and the various area locations once utilized by Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles.
2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - Among the dozens of antique snowmobiles on display during the Saturday open house, these five were of particular interest to Scorpion enthusiasts. These machines are early prototypes from 1962 and represent Trail-A-Sled, Inc’s earliest forays into tracked, forward-engine snow-machines (later to be known as snowmobiles). Only a relative handful remain, and to have five here at the ASCOA Summer Meeting was quite a treat. With their owners standing alongside, from left to right: John and Aaron Anderson, Terry Nies, Tony Rolfes, Dick Harrison, Lee Kasper.
2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 – As part of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America's general meeting, former Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion, Inc. employees Les Pinz and Louie Smilich discussed, among other things, the challenges of building and sustaining an effective dealer network in the late 1960’s and Louie’s fascinating involvement with the Trail-A-Sail team. The duo answered numerous questions from the group. Les served as a Scorpion dealer, racer and in the research and development division. Louie was a sales representative for the firm.
2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights
OFFICIAL GROUP PHOTO – Antique Snowmobile Club of America (ASCOA) Summer Meeting 2023 – Saturday night attendees gathered beneath the “Brave It!” mural on the south side of the Deerwood Bank in Deerwood, Minnesota. 135 members attended the Summer Meeting from throughout the snowbelt, including Montana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota.
