Perhaps snowmobiling’s most impactful modern ambassador plus an endurance race ace, a tuning genius and a popular oval racing star will make up the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This class in the racing-focused Hall of Fame that’s based in St. Germain, Wisconsin, will be inducted in February.
The most high-profile of the class is big-air snocross racer turned snowmobile stuntman Levi LaVallee from Longville, Minnesota. From the very beginning of his snocross career, he flew higher and farther than other racers, and clearly loved to play to the crowd. That daredevil style and big personality eventually led to multiple freestyle gold medal, national TV appearances, Red Bull involvement, record-setting jumps, snocross-team ownership and much more.
While the gregarious LaVallee loves interacting with fans, the more reserved Corey Davidson of Holt, Minnesota, did the vast majority of his talking behind handlebars. In cross-country racing, he was a dynamic and fearless force, winning both on laketop races as well as ditch-and-firelane long distance competitions. He also applied his skills to the Soo I-500 endurance race, where he truly re-wrote history by being a part of eight winning teams over 14 years.
Russ Lemke of Mosinee, Wisconsin, earned his spot in the Hall with his incredible engine building and tuning skills. He was very often “the guy behind the guy” who won the race, certainly in drag racing but also in many other facets of the sport. As an aside, his engine-building capabilities also made him a legend in the competitive timber sports world.
Jeff Ludwig of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, always received some of the loudest ovations at oval racing tracks during his career. That’s because he was one of the truly heart-and-soul racers on the USSA race circuit. He raced many different classes over the years, and was a six time USSA high point Driver of the Year. If the No. 21 was on the track, it was typically moving forward and going fast.
Below is the official press release from the Snowmobile Hall Of Fame. Congratulations for well-deserved honors for them all! Click here to see the class of 2023 and 2022.
SNOWMOBILE HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2024 INDUCTEES
Corey Davidson, Levi LaVallee, Russ Lemke, and Jeff Ludwig to be honored with an induction ceremony in St. Germain, Wis.; Fans are invited to celebrate throughout the three-day event February 15-17, 2024.
St. Germain, Wis. (September 18, 2023) – The Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) and Museum in St. Germain, Wis., is proud to announce Corey Davidson, Levi LaVallee, Russ Lemke, and Jeff Ludwig as the 2024 class of inductees. These honorees will be inducted into the SHOF during a three-day celebration, February 15-17, 2024, in St. Germain, Wisconsin.
The 2024 class of inductees is representative of all aspects of snowmobile competition, from behind the scenes to the winners circle to the modern influence of social media and beyond. Each have left an indelible mark that will be recognized and celebrated during the 40th annual Ride with the Champs weekend culminating with a formal induction ceremony the evening of February 17, 2024. The 2024 inductees are:
Corey Davidson (Racer)
With a career spanning more than three decades, Corey Davidson was a tour de force in snowmobile competition. His racing skill was punctuated by his longevity, versatility, and tenacity – having raced in oval, enduro, cross-country, and snocross. Davidson’s career highlights include winning the Soo 500 endurance race 8-times; being crowned the I-500 cross-country champion three times; and earning the USCC cross-country Pro 600 year-end championship three times.
Levi LaVallee (Racer/Ambassador)
Easily one of the most recognizable and popular snowmobile racers/athletes of the modern snocross and freestyle competition era, Levi began his hall of fame career in snocross racing, where he earned a championship in 2009. LaVallee’s racing and driving skills were paired with a daredevil attitude and an infectious personality that led to 13 X Games medals; a world-record snowmobile distance jump of 412-feet; and being recognized as one of the most influential action sport athletes of the modern era by ESPN.
Russ Lemke (Support)
Russ Lemke’s formidable engine building skills are as revered as the racers who drove his snowmobiles to victory. A self-described self-taught engineer, Lemke developed and built some of the most powerful and reliable snowmobile racing engines to ever grace a racetrack. His engines and tuning capabilities resulted in winning the Hay Days Minnesota Cup 12-times; the Wisconsin Cup 10-times; and the Michigan Cup 10-times along with countless oval, snocross, speed run, and hill climb victories.
Jeff Ludwig (Racer)
Often regarded as the ultimate independent, Jeff Ludwig’s impressive career spanned more than four decades. He developed his speed early with grass drag victories including the Hay Days Cup in 1982. However, it was his oval racing success that would propel his hall of fame career. Ludwig’s racing resume is highlighted by six consecutive USSA high point Driver of the Year titles; three Formula 1 championships; and five Pro Sprint championships to cement his place in snowmobile racing history.
Snowmobile racing fans and enthusiasts are invited to the 40th Annual Ride with The Champs and induction ceremony weekend, presented by Livingston’s Arctic Cat, February 15-17, 2024. The three-day event includes the popular Legends Laps where participants can experience the famed ice oval track at the World Championship Derby Complex. Additional features include a Friday Night Fish Fry with guest speakers; vintage and modern trail riding opportunities with poker run; a Snowmobile Hall of Fame Open House meet-and-greet with past and current SHOF inductees along with other snowmobile industry celebrities; and the formal induction ceremony with dinner Saturday evening. In addition, the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum will be open throughout the weekend. To learn more and purchase advance tickets visit www.snowmobilehalloffame.com.
Congratulations to all.