This Ski Doo, nicknamed the "Puffer" and given the Lucky #13, was the winner of the inaugural Soo I-500 race, held in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. It was a race that should have never been, but it happened on February 8, 1969. Forty seven snowmobiles and several brave drivers made history proving a snowmobile could run 500 miles in one day.
The first race took 13 hours and 42 minutes with no gradings or red flags. The average speed was 36 mph. The three drivers of the Puffer were Otis and Leonard Cowles and Dan Planck. The sled owner was Victor Dicks. They donated the sled to the Soo I-500.
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
P.O. Box 2
W11660 US-2
Naubinway, MI 49762
Hours: 906 477-6298
Appointment: 906 477 6192
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