ISHOF Inductees - 2015
Paul Crane - Organizer
New Hampshire
Paul Crane
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Paul Crane has the distinction of being the first person to ride a Ski-Doo snowmobile in the United States back in 1959. Immediately smitten by the little machines that traveled over snow, he has continued to be involved in promoting and developing the sport ever since. He founded snowmobile clubs, organized many racing events both in Winter and Summer, served as chairman of numerous snowmobile events and organizations, sold most major brands of snowmobiles from his Crane's Sporting Goods store, developed a grooming program for his area and now operates a beautiful museum that showcases the history of snowmobiles with over 85 different sleds displayed and another 40 in storage. Paul Crane, in his mid-70s, is still as active as always in promoting the sport of snowmobiling; A passion that has now earned him a well deserved membership in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
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DeLyle Pankratz - Trail & Program Developer
Minnesota
DeLyle Pankratz
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Like most snowmobilers, it only took a few minutes on a new 1967 Evinrude to convince DeLyle that snowmobiling was for him. By 1970, he had his own sled and has been active in the sport and not slowing down in promoting it ever since. Living in the Northeast sector of Minnesota, DeLyle recognized the need to connect several smaller snowmobile trails into the Taconite Trail in the Iron Range area. This ignited his passion for trail development that continues today. DeLyle has been at the forefront of all aspects of recreational trail development, maintenance and promotion. He enjoys the challenges of working with the grass roots level and up to the county, state and national entities to develop new trails. His leadership has been seen in many local, state and national offices that have earned him awards on all levels. He now joins the membership of the prestigious International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, on which he has also served as a board member for over 20 years.
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Duane Sutton - Volunteer
South Dakota
Duane Sutton
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Entering ISHOF under the "Volunteer" classification, Duane Sutton personifies the term to the highest degree. Starting in 1966 when his Dad brought home a sled for the family to ride, Duane embraced the fun and enjoyment of snowmobiling and strives to bring that same enjoyment to as many as he can. Once Duane got involved with organized snowmobiling, he jumped in with both feet. He served as President of his local club and soon was moving up to offices in the county, state and national organizations. He has involved his family in the sport and all can be seen at numerous events throughout the state in charity rides, fundraising, safety training, signing and grooming events. Duane has served eight years in the South Dakota legislature and was a front-line supporter of snowmobiling there. He has served nationally in ACSA as President and Chair of the Midwest Chapter. An unassuming leader who counts result, Sutton has joined the ranks of the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
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David Wells - Journalist
New York
David Wells
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For more than 40 years, David Wells has been contributing interesting, accurate, pro-snowmobiling articles to numerous publications covering a variety of topics. His love of the sport started in 1967 when a friend gave him a ride. It kindled a fire that burns to this day. He soon got a job at the Arctic Cat distributorship and immersed himself into all phases of that end of the business for eight years. David had a knack for writing and spent the next 35 years with camera and notebook covering snowmobile racing and recreational events in the northeast. David was on the ground floor of several magazines that were developed to promote the sport. He has held many offices in his local club, county and state levels. David has been a member of the New York Governor's Snowmobile Advisory Council for more than 15 years. Numerous companies have hired David to advise them as a freelance marketing consultant, he has ghost written numerous articles for them and has written about the joys of snowmobiling in various non-snowmobile media. As his 70th birthday approaches, David Wells has earned his membership in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
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ISHOF Snowmobile Club of the Year 2015
TC Riders Snowmobile Club
Camden, New York
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Also being recognized as the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame "Club of the Year" is the TC Riders Snowmobile Club from Camden, NY. A very large club that boasts 474 family members and 436 individual members, this club is active year 'round. They maintain and groom 50 miles of trail with two Tucker Sno-Cats, provide groomer driving seminars for 12 different clubs, host numerous fund raising events, offer snowmobile safety classes that graduate about 30 new riders each year and work closely with landowners to develop and keep trails open. The TC Riders are very generous with their talents and management tools, freely sharing them with any club that wishes to improve the operation of their club. The American Council of Snowmobile Associations also recently named the TC Riders as their "Club of the Year". For more information on TC Riders Snowmobile Club visit www.tcriders.com.
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