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Wolff, Goodwins, Bahr and Kedinger To Be Inducted To Snowmobile Hall Of Fame For 2019

The Feb. 16, 1998 issue of Snow Week.

A cross-country and snocross racing hero, a historic tag-team of brothers from the oval racing world, a famed engine builder/tuner and a legend behind top factory racers were announced today as the Class of 2019 for the racing-focused Snowmobile Hall of Fame.  

As usual, it’s a star-studded class from some big-timers in the sled racing world. Todd Wolff of Minnesota is the cross-country racer — he followed his older brother Lauren Wolff into the snowmobile racing world and ended up as a two-time cross-county I-500 champ as well as a multi-time winner in snocross and other aspects of the sport. Speaking of brothers, Jeff and Greg Goodwin of Illinois are going into the Hall of Fame together for their long careers primarily in oval racing, which included a 1991 World Championship at Eagle River for Greg. They’ve also each held other prominent positions in the sport after their racing careers concluded.. 

Next are two men who weren’t behind the handlebars of winning sleds but instead were behind the wrenches and the prep. Dick Bahr of Wisconsin built and tuned engines for winning sleds at Eagle River, in both the cross-country and enduro I-500 races and in many other arenas, tuning over the years for John Deere, Mercury, Polaris and Ski-Doo-based teams. The other inductee was dedicated to one team — Yamaha. Jim Kedinger of Wisconsin was a man working behind many of the great racing efforts at Yamaha, including historic wins by hall-of-famers like Tim Bender, Steve Houle, Guy Useldinger, Bobby Donahue, Jim Wergin and more.

It’s another great class, and there group will be inducted February 15-16, 2019 as a part of a two-day ceremony and ride in St. Germain, Wisconsin, where the racer’s plaques will be hung next to many other greats at the fabulous and rapidly expanding Snowmobile Hall of Fame Museum. 

The full press release from the Hall of Fame is below:

SNOWMOBILE HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2019 INDUCTEES

Todd Wolff, Richard Bahr, Goodwin Brothers, and Jim Kedinger to be Honored During 2019 Ceremony in St. Germain, Wis.; Tickets on Sale Now for Expanded Two-Day Induction Weekend Event

St. Germain, Wis. (Aug. 29, 2018) – The Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) and Museum in St. Germain, Wis., announced today its four inductees for 2019: Todd Wolff, Richard Bahr, Goodwin Brothers, and Jim Kedinger. These honorees will be inducted into the SHOF during a two-day induction ceremony weekend, February 15-16, 2019 in St. Germain, coinciding with the 36th Annual Ride with The Champs and other events. All snowmobile enthusiasts and race fans are invited.

Todd Wolff
2019 Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductee Todd Wolff.

Todd Wolff (Racer) of Annandale, Minn., raced for Ski-Doo for most of his 12-year career (1992-2003), demonstrating true determination and loyalty as he helped the company develop a competitive sled for cross-country. Frequently competing against more adept sleds, Wolff and his team were always fiercely competitive, including winning the 1994 ISOC Detroit Lakes 200.  When better equipment came, so too did the championships. Wolff delivered Ski-Doo’s first I-500 cross-country victory in 26 years when he captured the win 1998. He won it again in 1999, the same year he earned the FANS championship title. More than a one-dimensional racer, Wolff captured national snocross wins and championship titles, as well as top finishes in ice ovals, ice lemans and enduro events.

Dick Bahr
2019 Snowmobile Hall of Fame Inductee Dick Bahr.

Richard “Dick” Bahr (Support) from Fond du Lac, Wis., is regarded as one of the most innovative and respected engine builders and tuners in the industry. He played a significant role in the careers of many current Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductees by building and tuning engines for factory Polaris, Mercury, Rotax, and John Deere racers. Bahr-built engines captured Eagle River World Championships, Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 Championship, Soo International 500 Enduro Championship, Sno Pro Championships and High Point Titles, as well as multiple USAA class championships and world series winners. Richard Bahr passed away March 1, 2014.

Goodwin Racing
From left, 2019 Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductees Greg and Jeff Goodwin.

Goodwin Brothers (Team) – Guided by their father Charlie, brothers Jeff and Greg Goodwin of Zion, Ill., delivered decades of winning excellence and popularity in the snowmobile racing arena, and oval events in particular. After campaigning several brands early in their career, the Goodwin Brothers race team became factory Ski-Doo oval racers, with Greg winning the World Championship in 1991. The team added two more World Championship titles in 1993 and 1995; innumerable class victories in USSA and SWSRA; and the grueling 24-Hours of Eagle River Championship in 1997. The family established Goodwin Performance in 1992 and remains vibrantly active within the snowmobile racing community. 

JimKedinger
2019 Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductee Jim Kedinger.

Jim Kedinger (Industry) of Hazelhurst, Wis., provided an integral link between Yamaha Motor Corporation and the company’s racing success and greatly bolstered the brand’s rise to become the market share leader during the mid-1980s. Kedinger assembled and led what would become Yamaha’s legendary “Super Team” consisting of Tim Bender, Steve Houle, Jim Wergin, Guy Useldinger, Bobby Donahue and others, who together were a dominant force in oval, ice lemans and snocross. Kedinger managed Yamaha’s racing department during that time and forged and managed vital relationships between racers, aftermarket companies and the brand, as well as creating important contingency and promotional efforts for racing that helped grow the sport. Kedinger’s tenure as racing manager at Yamaha is widely recognized as the brand’s most successful era of snowmobile competition.

Snowmobile racing fans and enthusiasts are invited to the SHOF 36th Annual Ride with The Champs and Induction Ceremony weekend, presented by Modine Hot Dawg Garage Heaters, February 15-16, 2019. The expanded two-day event features guest speakers, vintage and modern trail riding opportunities, a meet-and-greet with past and current SHOF members along with other snowmobile industry celebrities, and a formal induction ceremony with dinner. In addition, the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Museum will be open along with the new 6,000 square-foot, two-story addition throughout the weekend.

Learn more and get details on the complete weekend schedule at www.snowmobilehalloffame.com Get your Advanced Tickets now, quantities are limited and this event is expected to sell out.

Editor’s Note: Every issue of Snow Goer magazine includes in-depth sled reports and comparisons, aftermarket gear and accessories reviews, riding destination articles, do-it-yourself repair information, snowmobile technology and more! Subscribe to Snow Goer now to receive issues delivered to your door 6 times per year for a low cost.

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