News & Topics

The very last “Final Edition” Yamaha Sidewinder snowmobile manufactured, serial number #998 of #998 was sold on the popular Bring a Trailer auction site on the evening of February 15^th, culminating this past Saturday evening, culminating activities held at the annual Snowmobile Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in St. Germain, Wisconsin.

The final machine, placed in a unique, one-of-a-kind crate, had been displayed throughout snowmobile events in the United States and Canada since last summer. The whole idea was the combined brainchild of the North American Snowmobile Division, consisting of a team of Canadian and U.S. marketing staff. The winning bid of a whopping $165,000 was the result of frantic, last-minute bidding with the winner being a die-hard, true Yamaha snowmobile enthusiast from Leamington, Canada.

Jaret Smith, President of ISMA, offered the associations’ sincere gratitude to Yamaha for donating the proceeds that will go toward supporting initiatives like safe rider training, increasing or maintaining snowmobile land access across North America, economic impact studies highlighting the profound effect snowmobiling has on small businesses and communities, and expanding the sport through rider education.

Additionally, the activities on February 15^th also featured a Yamaha Racing legends lap of the famed Eagle River racetrack as well as a Yamaha “reunion” ride that featured numerous Yamaha vintage snowmobiles as well as many Yamaha Racing legends such as Mike Trapp, Tim Bender, and Bobby Donahue. Overall, a terrific way for Yamaha snowmobiles to go out on a high after 57 years!

Click here to watch the video of Mike Trapp winning the 1971 Eagle River World Championship.

Bob Starr, Yamaha Motor U.S.A. (YMUS)