The Co-founders of TAS, Richard Harrison, Glen Gutzman, and Eugene Harrison (Richard's father), were inspired by Bombardier's Ski-Doo and fashioned their first prototype snowmobile in 1961. It sported fiberglass and plywood construction with a rudimentary cleated track. Richard later concieved the idea to take two links of steel detachable chain, combined with rubber and fabric mesh concoction to create a continuous track. The seamless rubber track for snowmobiles was patented 1964.

Unlike many other firms who acted merely as assemblers, TAS was a in- house developer of their parts and accessories. TAS also produced a wide range of these products for other manufactures including Boatel, Brainerd Marine, Sears Roebuck, Polaris, Foxx, Silverline, and Laurentide.

On November 2, 1967 a fire broke-out and TAS lost numerous parts as well as company records and documents. The Founders, employees, and community at large helped reestablish the company. In 1969, the company's name was changed to Scorpion, Inc. and then in 1970 Scorpion, Inc. was purchased by Fuqua Enterprises. The decade of the 70's proved to be tumultuous as with other snowmobile manufacturers. In the end, Scorpion was acquried by Arctic Cat.

After Richard sold his interest in Scorpion, he turned his energy to land development in northern Minnesota, which also promoted recreatinal activity, including snowmobiling. His efforts and inventive engineering skills were a key part the evolution of snowmobiling.

MARILYN RUEDIGER from Spearfish, South Dakota will be inducted as Promoter/Journalist. In 1967 Marilyn joined the South Dakota Snowmobile Association (SDSA) and served as President for the Spearfish Snowcruisers Snowmobile Club from 1981 - 1983. For the past 20 years she has been editing/publishing the South Dakota Sno-Plainsman.

Marilyn was instrumental in forming the media council at the 1985 International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) in Rapids City, South Dakota, she served as vice-President from 1990 - 1994 and Secretary from 1999 to present. In addition to these interests, she has participated in the Easter Seals "For Women Only" ride every year since its inception in 1997. Marilyn received the 2001 Outstanding Volunteer award from the Easter Seals of South Dakota.

She sctively participates in the South Dakota Multi-Use Coalition, and the Blackhills Multiple Use Coalition (BHRMUC). Through the fight to keep snowmobiling open in South Dakota. Marilyn is also involved with many other SDSA activities.

Marilyn promotes the sport by using the Sno-Plainsman as a vechicle to educate her readers about issues surrounding the sport and to entice new people to try the sport. She is devoted to the sport as both a participant and ardent advocate.

DON and CHARLOTTE HAYNES from Ontario Canada will be inducted as Trail and Program Developers. As a team, they have served as Ontario Federation of Snowmobie Clubs (OFSC) volunteers for 27 years, founding the OFSC Driver Training Program in partnership with th Ministry of Transportition of Ontario (MTO).

Don and Charlotte have been an integral part of the success of the Driver Training Program. They have traveled many miles/kilometers to help this program emulated by other Provinces, Territories and States of North America.

In 1980, the Ontario Snomobile Operator Safety Training Program received certification from the Snowmobile Safety and Certification Committee in Washington, D.C. Don had represented OFSC in formally accepting the certification plaque.

Throughout the years, Don and Chartlotte had graduated 6,875 students with a volunteer staff of 20 Master Instructors and 407 Club Instructors. Together they introduced a new Driver Training Logo, submitted Driver Training Instructors and Students Hand Book to MTO for approval, introduced a new Instuctors Video, and helped move the Driver Training office to Barrie, Ontario.

Upon their retirement in 2001, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario honored them with a plaque and certification in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to the Ontario Operator Safety Training Program. Their personal commitment and unwavering dedication to this program has given them the respect of snowmobilers internationally.