Scorpion manufacturer to be inducted into Hall of Fame
February 19, 2003 - Grand Rapids, Minn.
Dick Harrison, Crosby, co-founder of the company that became Scorpion Snowmobiles, will be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
Harrison lives in Crosby now and his wife Eileen (Bodin) grew up in Glen.
Harrison co-founded Trail-a Sled Inc. in Crosby in 1959, along with two other people. It later became the largest employer in the area and one of three top United States’ manufacturers of snowmobiles.
In addition, Harrison will also receive the Allan Hetteen Memorial Award of Merit for Harrison’s outstanding contributions to the sport of snowmobiling. The late Hetteen was the founder of Polaris.
Some history
In the mid-1950s, Harrison’s endless fascination with mechanical devices birthed a successful wild rice processing family.
By 1958, he had fabricated propeller-based air sleds and air boat contraptions.
After co-founding Trail-a Sled in 1959, Harrison designed the firm’s award-winning fiberglass air-sled. In 1964, he invented the continuous rubber track that propelled the firm’s transition from air-sleds to snowmobiles.
Harrison got the first patent of its kind for the track and it caused the company to be a major competitor when the snowmobile industry was in its infancy.
A self-taught draftsman and expert machinist and fiberglass fabricator, Harrison worked tirelessly to improve Scorpion snowmobiles. He designed innovations in clutches and suspension.
Eventually, the Crosby company employed over 500 people.
After selling the firm in 1969 and resigning in 1970, Harrison continued a successful career in real estate development — a career in which he remains active. He has also been a benefactor to numerous faith-based organizations.
Hall of Fame weekend
The induction ceremony and banquet will be held at the Sawmill Inn, Grand Rapids, on Sat., Feb. 22. The weekend will be filled with other snowmobiling activities.
The DNR and the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame will demonstrate snow grooming at the Itasca County Fairgrounds, located on the north side of Grand Rapids east of Hwy. 38 Demonstrations will be held on Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22. Trail groomers and drags will be displayed.
There will also be a grand opening of the Mesabi Trailhead Building. And the Antique Snowmobile Club of America and the Vintage Club of America will display some unique snowmobiles.
Frances Pelkey will receive Arctic Cat’s International Groomer Operator of the Year award and Harrison will get the Allen Hetteen Memorial Award of Merit. These will be presented Friday at a reception at the Rainbow Inn.
There will also be a Ride with the Legends.
