By John Gunnell
In February 2020, Steve Suter’s 1924 Model T Ford snow cruiser led the opening ceremonies parade at the annual “Snodeo” in Manawa, Wis. With “Old Glory” proudly streaming alongside it, the shiny black “Tin Lizzie” got a lot of attention that day.
Suter, a native of Madison, Wis., has been tinkering with the cars–mainly Model Ts–for the last 25 years. Suter got involved with Model T snowmobiles after going out to a national Model T snowmobile event in New Hampshire. “There are generally about 15 to 20 Model T snowmobiles there,” he explained. “After going in there a few years, I decided I wanted to build one myself. Parts are extremely hard to come by. I did find a set of tracks, which is the hardest component to find. I made the rest of the parts myself.
Suter said, “I have a cooker that mounts to the Model T exhaust manifold and it supplies the heat to cook things like hot dogs or brats while you’re traveling around,” Suter explained. “It takes about an hour of driving around to cook raw hotdogs or brats, so I generally get pre-cooked brats if I am not going to have a lot of running time.” The car didn’t run a whole lot at the Snodeo, but the brats smelled good.
Before traveling to an event check with promoters for latest COVID guidelines
2023 WISCONSIN SNOWMOBILE SHOWS & WINTER EVENTS
Feb. 3-5, 2023. Iola, Wis. Iola Winter Carnival. Iola Winter Sports Club, E398County Road MM. Since 1961 Iola, WI has been holding this family fun event, gathering people from all over to enjoy some fun winter events and experience a magical snow-filled weekend. Features ice sculpture contests, snow princesses, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Norwegian lutefisk Supper, craft fair, kids’ ice fishing contest, raffle and more. Something for everyone! Join the Iola community in honoring this timeless three-day event. Email: onthelake2@tds.net or Sgriena@gmail.com.
Feb. 3-4, 2023. St. Germain, Wis. Hiller’s St. Germain Radar Run. Little St. Germain, 8085 Paton Rd., St. Germain, Wis. WEB: www.radarracers.com.
Feb. 4, 2023. Adams, Wis. Grand Marsh Pathfinders Antique Snowmobile Show. Connell’s Cedar Shack Bar & Grill, 2248 State Highway 13. Information: 1-608-548-3745.
Feb. 4, 2023, Merrill, Wis. People’s Choice Award Ice Drags Race Day. Information: Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce @ 1-877-907-2757 or visit: www.merrillicedrags.com.
Feb. 4-5, Stetsonville, Wis. Tired Iron Riders safety. Centennial Community Center, 412 E. Centennial Ave. Registration 8:30-11:00 a.m., Trail Ride 1:00 p.m., Awards after 3:00 p.m. Classes original & restored. Food and refreshments Info: Leon at 1- 715-427-5441 or Jesse at 1-608-516-3669. Follow us on Facebook Tired Iron Vintage Riders snowmobile club.
Feb. 4, 2023. Chippewa Falls, Wis. Annual Lake Wissota Trail Blazers Snowmobile Races. The Edge Pub & Eatery, 9504 County Highway S. WEB: www.theedgepubandeatery.com. PH: 1-715-723-2400.
Feb. 4, 2023. Mosinee, Wis. 8th Annual Snowmobile Show. Halder Town Hall. 135125 Halder Dr., Mosinee, Wis. https://www.facebook.com/events/3161258830790799/.
Feb. 4-5, 2023. Land O’ Lakes, Wis. Three Bear Sled Dog Race. Town Hall Rd. WEB: www.lolchamber.org. PH: 1-715-547-3432. EM: info@lolchamber.org.
Feb. 11, 2023, Merrill, Wis. Memorial Ice Drags Race Day. Information: Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce @ 1-877-907-2757 or visit: www.merrillicedrags.com.
Feb. 11, 2023. Fond du Lac, Wis. Boundaries Bash Snowmobile/ATV Show and Ride. Sunset on the Water Grill & Bar, N7364 Winnebago Dr. Start: 9 a.m. Show is open to all years, makes and models of both snowmobile and ATVs. $5 per machine to a maximum of $20. Trophies in three places in all classes. Proceeds will be donated. Ph: 1-920-922-4540.
Feb. 11, 2023. Fond du Lac, Wis. Boundaries Bash Wisconsin Kitty Cat Race. N7364 Winnebago Dr. WEB: www.wkcr.net. PH: President Adam Wilinski 1-815-981-6575. EM: president@wkcr.net.
Feb. 11, 2023. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vets Lane. WEB: www.fortchamber.com. EM: sledder4@gmail.com.
Feb. 11, 2023. Neosho Cup Snowmobile Race. Neosho Millpond. 10 a.m-5 p.m. 29th annual event. Information: 1-262-629-9575. Email: rvcsnow@gmail.com. Website: rvcsnow.com.
Feb. 18, 2023. Land O’ Lakes, Wis. Bent’s Camp Radar Run. Start: 11 a.m. Bent’s Camp Resort, 6882 S. Helen Creek Rd. Information: info@frostysnoclub.com or contact Holly Tomlanovich, Club Treasurer at 1-715-617-4708.
Feb. 18, 2023, Merrill, Wis. Championship Ice Drags Race Day. Information: Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce @ 1-877-907-2757 or visit: www.merrillicedrags.com.
Feb. 18, 2023. Iron River, Wis. Northern Pines Sled Dog Race. Northern Pines Golf Course, 69420 Airport Rd. This sled dog race is unique as it combines short distance/high speed sprint racing teams with mid-distance racers that go longer distances at slower overall average speeds. Weight pulls and kids mutt races are being added. Visit: https://northernpinessdr.com.
Feb. 18-19, 2023. Phillips, Wis. Russo’s Hill Snowmobile Picnic. Carpenter Creek Road. Elk River Pioneers, Ltd. Website: www.elkriverpioneers.com.
Feb. 24-26, 2023. Eagle River, Wis. World Series of Snowmobile Racing. World Championship Derby. World Championship Derby Complex, 1311 N. Railroad St. PH: 1-715-479-4424. WEB: www.derbycomplex.com.
Feb. 25, 2023, Merrill, Wis. Super Saturday Ice Drags Race Day. Information: Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce @ 1-877-907-2757 or visit: www.merrillicedrags.com.
Feb. 25, 2023. Tomah, Wis. Kitty Cat Race. 904 Brandon St. (Tomah Lake). WEB: www.wkcr.net. PH: President Adam Wilinski 1-815-981-6575. EM: president@wkcr.net.
Feb. 25, 2023. Woodruff, Wis. Snowmobile Raffle. The Minocqua Forest Riders’ Annual Snowmobile Raffle will take place at Lakeland Powersports in Woodruff, Wis. from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. There will be music, food and other raffles. 1st Prize: 2023 Ski-doo MXZ X-RS Snowmobile valued at $20,410 and provided by Lakeland Powersports (or $8,000 cash). 2nd Prize: Two-Place Triton Snowmobile Trailer with Salt Shield and Tongue Jack valued at $1,800 and donated by Triton Trailer Co. (Salt Shield and Tongue Jack Donated by members Tony & Rochelle Priesgen). 3rd Prize: $1,000 Gift Card for Lakeland Powersports donated by members Cory and Connie Recknor. Snowmobile raffle tickets can be requested by emailing: ForestRidersMembers@gmail.com or MinocquaForestRiders@gmail.com.
Mar. 11, 2023. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vets Lane. WEB: www.fortchamber.com. EM: sledder4@gmail.com.