Cheap Sled Challenge 2017

"Elkidmino" (elkidmino)
11/29/2016 at 09:57 • Filed to: None

Last year’s event was a huge success with 90% of the sleds completing the entire challenge still running. A TNT 440 seized a piston on the second pass of the drag race and a ‘69 Polaris Mustang broke a track cleat during the catwalk competition.

Top Speed: ‘94 Ski Doo 583 - 93ish MPH
Drag Race: ‘89 Indy 500
Longest Catwalk: ‘69 Polaris Mustang
Best Looking: ‘79 Arctic Cat Panther 5000 (P-40 Warhawk Livery)
Best Exhaust: ‘71 Mercury Lightning (503 Rotax w/ custom pipe)
Most Reliable: ‘72 Massey Ferguson Ski-Whiz 500SST
Most Sponsored: ‘96 Polaris XLT 650

With that said, it’s on again this year and we have twice as many relics going!

I finally put together a video from last year’s event with some of the highlights, which can be viewed !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

And here’s a few shots from last years event to wet the appetite.

Last year’s group photo

A closer shot of the beaters

Most Reliable (owner paid $40! for this sled)

The ‘69 Polaris Mustang in action during the catwalk competition

Lightning’s attempt at a catwalk

FNF8 - CSC Edition

Friday afternoon at the cottage, total white out

This year’s event is already shaping up to be a good one with almost double the sleds signed up to compete for ultimate bragging rights. The guys have been scouring Craigslist, Facebook and Ebay for old school muscle sleds under $300. Ski’s, traction improvements, seats, handle bars, paint, exhaust and CC’s are all open, but the sled has to be Pre-’85 and maintain a stock suspension, number of carbs and stock secondary. All mods must fit in sled purchase price.

A few of us went up to the A-1 Show N Swap a month ago and scored deals on some clean Arctic Cats that will add to the competition. One El Tigre 500 F/A and a 440 Panther Fanner. Both are in great condition considering their age and at under $300 each should provide plenty of smiles per dollar.

The two ‘79 Panthers from last year will make a return visit with new seals and new paint and accessories as will the TNT 440 with a new motor and hopefully more than two races in it. There will be at least four Yamaha’s including a ‘83 540 SRV, ‘80 440 Exciter and two Enticer 340s. A ‘80 Scorpion Sting, ‘79 Pantera F/A 500 and some mystery sleds will also be added. In total there will be about 18 contestants with sleds by the time the event hits in February.

Mouse nests are great NVH treatements

Enticer 340 #2

Piston sparkles from the TNT 440!

If you know a good snow dance, let me know because we’re going to need it!

DISCUSSION (17)

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:01

Hell yea! My Panther 440 will decimate all with a little help from overnight’d parts from Japan! Or where ever Arctic Cat is from...... Can’t wait.

MonkeePuzzle > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:07

this is good oppo!

what a fun idea. engage the jalops.in winter, put what would otherwise be scrap tl good use

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:09

I love this. My life during winter from 95-2005 was beating on old 440 and 340 skidoos. My first machine was a 71 440 tnt that also leaned out and blew up the second year.

Where does this happen?

Future next gen S2000 owner > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:11

I miss the UP.......

Elkidmino > VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated.
11/29/2016 at 10:24

Mid-Michigan on a big lake ;)

Takuro Spirit > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:25

Man I miss sledding. I miss my old ‘77 Yamaha SS440.

I need some land and a reason to own one again.

Pickup_man > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:26

This looks like so much fun and I would love to do something like this myself, and with a couple buddies. Hopefully once we pay off some student loans we can start something up.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:30

Sounds great. I’m in Eastern Ontario, but maybe there is something like this near me. Great, now you’re getting me into another hobby ffs.

Elkidmino > VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated.
11/29/2016 at 10:51

This isn’t a sanctioned or sponsored event by any means. Just a group of guys who like to tinker with stuff and bust each other’s balls. You can make it anything you want it to be!

Rock Bottom > Elkidmino
11/29/2016 at 10:51

This is fantastic! This post brings some awesome memories! When I was a kid we had a bunch of old sleds, including an early-70s Chaparral and a Wankel powered Arctic Cat! That leopard print seat... that terrible idle quality... such an awful sled, and yet so excellent!