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Small World

I have to write about a young Army soldier, because this story is so cool.

I received an e-mail from a person who stated he just met my brother Tim at the Denver airport, and said he was looking at this web site while at the airport, when he then apparently looked up to see my brother, who happened to be waiting for the same flight to Colorado Springs. He recognized my brother from the web site, then verified it by looking at his name tag. How cool is that? It is funny how large our world seems, yet how small it is.

Eric Smit is a PFC in the Army, stationed at Ft. Carson. He is married with a child. His wife is also in the Army and is stationed at Ft Bliss. It is difficult enough being an Army family, but to be stationed in different states make it obviously more difficult. Both Eric and his wife enjoy motorcycles and Eric races AMA when his schedule allows.

It is an honor to be able to share this story of camaraderie that is shared amongst soldiers.

We hope that Eric and his family will be able to meet us at the TX Mile this year. Thank you for your and your wife’s service to this nation.

Eagle River 2011

Well, I can't tell you about the trophies we won, nor the races we battled in, because we didn't actually race this year. At least none of the ones I built. As much as we tried, we couldn't get the engine on the Army sled to put out enough power to really compete. We decided, with much deliberation, it would be best to not run it until we figured out what we were missing. A last minute change in plan on the POW sled left us with out a rider. Despite attempts to find a rider, we were unsuccessful.

So how do I feel? Well, it was still a great Eagle River Championship year for a couple reasons. First of all, I was honored to have Cpl. Allen Williamson, a retired SWAT Sniper from Nampa, Idaho, with us. He was shot 4 times on the 9th of Feb in 2005 while chasing a felon. This also happens to be the exact same day I received my life changing injuries while on the bomb squad. Our wives found each other via the internet. Allen and I finally met for the first time in person just days before this year's races. My close friend Louie and his wife Debbie went through great lengths to fly Allen out.

Allen is like my long lost twin brother. We had an instant bond, like soldiers that have served in combat together. We are both disabled, but not when it comes to our humor, love of life, God and family. Having Allen there, for the first time in his life, made this a special year. He came to show his support for me, the team, and all the men and woman who serve our nation. He is a warrior in the truest sense of the word. Watching him wrench on Dick and Audrey Decker's snowmobiles was a sight to behold. Especially in light of the fact that he had never seen a snowmobile before and had no idea how to work on one!

The Army soldiers on hand at the races also made the races very special for us. To meet and talk to such brave men was truly an honor. We were able to share stories and personally thank them for their service. The irony was that they kept thanking us for what we do, all the while we were thanking them for what they do. The humility and modesty of soldiers has always amazed me. Our gratitude is beyond words, for without men like them, we would not have the nation we have. Thank you to the Army Recruiting Command out of Rhinelander, WI, and to all those who keep us safe.

Eagle River 2010

This year, 2010, we were able to make it to the finals in two of the three classes we raced. Dale, AKA Whitey, was bound and determined to race his own sled this year. He worked tirelessly to prepare and race his Scorpion Whip. During his practice session, he went off the track in turn one, hitting the hay bales, and earning a trip to the local Eagle River ER. After several stitches in his left elbow, he was ready to race once his class came up on Saturday. Whitey managed to get right back on the saddle and advance a couple of heats before being eliminated.

The other two sleds both made it to the finals in their respective classes. The Army sled suffered from ignition issues and during the finals kept missing and bogging around the track. In spite of the sleds mechanical troubles, Fred Smith, managed to keep the sled in the race. He was in 7th place when he was tapped by another sled in the last lap of the race. Fred was tossed from the snowmobile, but was not hurt. The sled did not finish the race, which is just fine, because we were more concerned with Fred.

I was told that the Vintage Race Weekend at the Eagle River Derby Track drew more than 810 entrants from all over the world. There were race teams from Alaska, Sweden, and all over the lower 48 states. This was a record setting year for racers and it is with great honor to represent the men and women who serve this nation on the track. We received many “thumbs ups” during the weekend and I continually said, "Don't thank us, thank the troops and the cops. They are the true heroes of our nation."

Eagle River 2009

This is the semi-final race for 340 cc F/A Sport Mod. Our sled is number 24 and it had been running great, however, the rough track was taking a toll on the sled. The front suspension was pretty beaten up. We did the best we could to try to hold things together for this race. We needed to finish within the top 5 of this heat to make to Sunday's Final. The sled ran fast, but the front end made for a difficult time for Kevin. He drove a great race and was in 3rd place throughout the race. As you can see in the video, Kevin tried to limp the sled around to finish the race, but he and the sled hit the hay bales in turn 4, flipped, and slid down the track upside down. Kevin was sliding on his back, with his right boot still hooked into the sled. He wasn't hurt and you can see him laughing with Allen Decker, flag man, about the boot still being hooked into the foot hoop. Kevin rode a fantastic race, but the whole front left side broke out on the last corner, which caused the sled to hit the bales. The sled took a beating, but no one was hurt, which is what’s important. There is always next year!

Here is a signed poster wishing us luck from Gary Sinise. The funny thing about it is, I had just talked to my son, Spud, about keeping his feet clean and dry. I told him the drill sergeants will ensure the troops care for their feet. Then, lo and behold, in the mail the next day is the signed poster from Gary Sinise telling us to "keep your socks dry!"