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.
2023 Mar, Homecoming Highlights
Site prep and event support courtesy Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Special thanks to Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club who once again provided exceptional site prep with their Bombardier BR-180 groomer (one of two groomers the club maintains). Club members also facilitated on-ice sled registration and button sales. A particular shout-out to members Rob Geske, Mark Johnson, John Taylor and Duey Erlien. Thank you!
Established in 1973 and based in Deerwood, Minnesota, the Sno-Serpents were formed by a group of friends that decided it was time to formalize riding trails in the area and help promote safe snowmobiling for young people. The groomers of the Sno-Serpents Club take great pride in making sure snowmobile riders have the best groomed trails in the state. The club currently grooms 87 miles within beautiful, scenic Crow Wing County. Interested in becoming a member? Check-out their website at: http://www.snoserpents.com/
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Display Highlights
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Highlights from our on-ice display area, Scorpion Homecoming 2023. A great showing a original, restored and custom Scorpions!
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Expert Judging
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Members of the Antique Snowmobile Society (A.S.S.) were on-hand once again to provide us with expert judging for Scorpion Homecoming 2023. The A.S.S. has been our official judging resource since 2007, and we applaud their annual efforts. Thank you! Founded nearly 20 years ago, the A.S.S. meets annually in Cohasset, Minnesota and members volunteer at numerous antique snowmobile activities and events throughout the state. The A.S.S. is an all-volunteer, Minnesota-based organization of approximately 50 members, united in their love of vintage and antique snowmobiles.
From L to R, A.S.S. members Steve Pierce, Tim Quast, Brian Smith and Don Adams.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Scorpion Fashion
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
A sample of the original Scorpion fashion on display at Scorpion Homecoming 2023, including many snowmobile suits that were manufactured right here in Crosby, Minnesota at Samco whose manufacturing facility was located at the site now occupied by Crosby City Hall.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Air-Sled Smiles
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Just a few of the beautiful smiles we saw during several impromptu ride-alongs in an original 1959 Trail-A-Sled, Inc. air-sled. Built right here in Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota. A journey back to a time, before the snowmobile.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Scorpion-themed Fat Bikes
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Revealed for the first time at Scorpion Homecoming, our friends at Cykel rode-out on gleaming-new, Scorpion-inspired fat bikes. The first, a custom modified Stingerette, in authentic midnight sun magenta. The second, a one-of-a-kind Stinger III, featuring bold-red metallic. It's heartwarming to see the vibrant local biking community, recognizing the Scorpion brand in such a compelling manner. The Stingerette and Stinger III were among the firm's most successful models. Thank you Cykel! A welcome home-town addition, to Scorpion lore.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Scorpion Homecoming Benefits from Great Weather
Just over 200 home-grown Scorpions were found on Serpent Lake this past Saturday for the 19th Annual Cuyuna Lakes Ice Fishing Contest and Scorpion Homecoming. In addition to those attending the ice fishing contest, large numbers of Scorpion fans rode-in on their favorite machines for the three-hour meet-up. Several swappers were also on hand, to buy and sell parts for the ever-collectable Scorpion brand. The Scorpion Traveler award went to gentleman who came all the way from Red Lodge, Montana, to attend the event. With pleasant temperatures and light winds, it was a perfect day to celebrate Cuyuna Lake’s snowmobile heritage. Shout-out to all Scorpion fans who came-out to show-off their machines and swap stories.
Special thanks to the many people and organizations who made this annual event possible, including the Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club (Rob Geske, Mark Johnson, John Taylor, Duey Erlien) and the Antique Snowmobile Society (both of which went above and beyond, for the event). Also, a big-time shout-out to the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce (Aubrey Koop, Kelcie Quiel) for their enthusiastic support from day-one. Kudos to The Hudson for open house beverage services. And lastly, a big thumbs-up to Randy Domin and Tom Hallin for snowplowing services.
At the 3:00 PM ceremony, twenty awards were presented, in the following categories.
Honorary Awards
- Sno-Serpent Award, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger
- Chamber’s Choice, Kirk Anderson, Crosby MN, 1967 Bulldog
- Scorpion Traveler, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger
- Eileen Harrison Memorial Award, Jamie Sletten, Lakeville MN, 1973 Stingerette
Era Awards
Trail-A-Sled Original
- Runner Up, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN, 1971 Super Stinger
- 1st Place, Gary Herem, Red Lodge MT, 1970 Stinger
Trail-A-Sled Restored
- Runner Up, Chip & Donna Nelson, Maple Grove MN, 1970 Mark II
- 1st Place, Tom Deer, Elko MN, 1970 340SS
Scorpion Original
- Runner Up, Alex McCathem, Lakeville MN, 1973 Super Stinger
- 1st Place, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN, 1977 Bull Whip
Scorpion Restored
- Runner Up, Jamie Sletten, Lakeville MN, 1973 Super Stingerette
- 1st Place, Tom Besch, Kasson MN, 1980 Sting
Custom
- Runner Up, Kirk Anderson, Crosby MN, 1967 J292
- 1st Place, Terry Nies, Aitkin MN, TRX
Feature Sleds (TK/TKX)
- Honorable Mention, Andy Hall, Butterfield MN
- Honorable Mention, Shawn Franzen, Crosby MN
- Honorable Mention, Brent Herges, Milaca MN
- 3rd Place, Kevin Mikkelson, Corcoran MN
- 2nd Place, Matt Mattich, Brainerd MN
- 1st Place, Jake Steinhofer, Brooton MN
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest
2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights
Rocket Rides
Scorpion Homecoming 2023
Numerous attendees waited for an opportunity to ride in a classic 1959 Trail-A-Sled, piloted by co-founder Dick Harrison. A rare treat, indeed.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.
@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest