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The ResultStarting the engine is quite dramatic, as flames shoot out the short exhaust stacks. When they hit the ice steam blows out from under the machine, making the bystanders think the whole thing is on fire. The sound from the short stacks rivals that of a megaphone equipped 2-stroke engine.
A project like this could well have ended up in a twisted heap of junk parts, but not this sled. The solutions were well thought out and the parts machining was exceptionally high quality. Both Roger and Pete have automotive backgrounds, with long experience in fabricating parts and they have access to the necessary machine shop equipment.
Kelly is the driver, and the project has been successful beyond expectations. In all, the machine has won three classes at the Eagle River Vintage World Championships, two in free air and one in liquid. In addition, it has won numerous local oval and drag races. The strongest aspect of this sled is its impressive acceleration out of turns due to the twin rotary's massive torque.
Naturally the engine attracts a lot of attention when Team Johnson shows up anywhere. Competition in the Open class is now getting very stiff with 800cc, 140-hp free air triples. In addition the light chassis does not handle as well as the factory-based Polaris Starfire sleds.
So the group is working on plans for the sled to bow out of oval racing to concentrate on drags. Exotic fuel mixes of alcohol and nitro also are being discussed at Thursday night bench racing sessions.
The Team Johnson boys have not given up on oval racing, but the focus is turning toward the 2-stroke parts from the inventory bin. Exactly what the new creation will be is a secret, for now. You can be assured that Team Johnson is thinking outside the box, so count on something radical.
Team Johnson is not alone in its quest for the perfect vintage sled. Racers all over North America are having bench racing sessions and dreaming up new and improved applications for old parts. If you like to see technically interesting sleds, check out the fast growing vintage scene next time there's an event in your neck of the woods.
Olav Aaen is a long-time contributor to the snowmobile industry. As a mechanical engineer and president of Aaen Performance, Olav has been heavily involved with snowmobile performance since 1968. Aaen Performance is best known for pioneering performance pipes and introducing the roller clutch to the snowmobile marketplace. This story appeared in the January 2005 issue of American Snowmobiler magazine