DO YOU HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE

MONDAY MORNING?

Win a TekVest!

Eyes on the

PRIZE We talk with TUCKER HIBBERT

Georgia’s Blessed

Tekrider Newsletter

Volume 1.1

BRAAAP! Meet the man

behind the movies...

“Since 1996”

IN THIS ISSUEMESSAGE FROM STEVE 3TUCKER HIBBERT TALKS 4TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL 9WIN A TEKVEST 12BRAAAP: DANIEL CEDOLIA 14

PHOTO CREDITS: JOHN HANSON (COVERPHOTO), WAYNE DAVIS, BOB ISLAND, JB2, JIM PIILOLA, SNOWGOER MAGAZINE, DANIEL CEDOLIA & DAVID MOSSOP

Why is this woman smiling? Turn to page 10

PRODUCTS DESIGNED BY PEOPLE WHO USE THEM

WIN A TEKVEST! TURN TO PAGE 12

© The Tekrider TekTalk Newletter is produced by Tekrider, 4538 Highway 121, Minden, Ontario, Canada , K0M2A1 PH:705 488 2929. Unless otherwise speci-fied, all material contained in this publication is copyrighted and should be con-sidered property of Tekrider. Written permission is required to reproduce content contained in this publication. For inquiries for use other than personal, please contact steve@tekrider.com.

I am pleased to launch this new e-newsletter, to have the opportunity to say thanks to our growing group of TekVest customers around the world and to say hello to those who have yet to join us. As we enter our 16th season, it is clear to us that we have very loyal customers who rely on the protection and comfort a TekVest provides. This is a responsibility we take seriously and is one of the reasons we have continued to build our products in our own factory,

located in one of the top riding areas of Canada. From our door-step, we test our products year-round. Whether it’s on a sled, ATV, dirt bike, or even a street bike, we take full advantage of the riding opportunities throughout the four seasons that

so many of our customers in the USA, Scandinavia and Canada

also do.

We successfully bucked the industry trend that has seen the majority of power sports companies moving their production off shore - an

effort that has more to do with

their bottom line than your

riding pleasure and product performance.

I still believe that you get what you pay for. We encourage consumers to take time to shop and compare before spending their hard-earned money. Caveat Emptor (beware of cheap imitations). We know you have choices, but we also know that product quality and performance trumps price: these factors alone separate us from the off-shore offerings.

Here at TekVest we are committed to building our product in North America using only the finest of components and processes. We know our customers have to be somewhere Monday morning!

The leader is about to lengthen the lead – again.

Steve BrandSenior Test Pilot

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!Comments, suggestions or questions?

Email: steve@tekrider.com

PRODUCTS DESIGNED BY PEOPLE WHO USE THEM

Testing never stops - the “senior test pilot” tests gear well into the spring.

Photo:JB2

Eyes on the PrizeTucker Hibbert attacks the 2012 season

We had a chance to catch up with Tucker Hibbert between races. Tucker graciously took the time to answer our questions. Tucker discusses what it takes to compete at this level of competition and what a typical Monday Morning looks like for him.

TekTalk: The 2012 season has now kicked off, how are you approaching this season in terms of preparation?

Tucker: We (the team) are approaching this season as we always do. Being as prepared as possible so we can go to the racetrack confident in our setup.

TekTalk: How are you adjusting to the new Cat and what changes have you made/planning on making?

Tucker: I’m adjusting really well to the new Sno Pro 600. It’s a comfortable, racy feeling sled. We’ve been constantly making changes to the suspension and overall setup. We will continue to test and tune throughout the season and hope to make improvements every weekend.

Images by: John Hanson

TekTalk: On a new sled what are some of the initial challenges?

Tucker: There are many challenges that come with a new sled. This sled in particular didn’t have too many big challenges. It’s mostly just getting it tuned. Overall it’s been an easy adjustment.

TekTalk: What kind of racing style can we expect to see from Tucker Hibbert this season?

Tucker: This season I plan to race like I always have. Some things I’m working on is racing with high intensity in the opening laps and charging harder right from the start.

TekTalk: Where do you think your biggest challenges will lie? Which variables are you most concerned about?

Tucker: I’m unsure what the biggest challenges will be but there’s always a number of things we need to stay focused on. We can only control what we can do so we don’t worry about other riders or teams. We only worry about what we’re working on.

“I HAVEN’T HAD ANY MAJOR CRASHES WHERE I’VE HAD TO TEST MY TEKVEST. I KNOW IF THAT TIME COMES, IT’LL DO THE JOB I NEED.”

TekTalk: Upper body protection is a must and again this year, you trust your protection to TekVest. How do you feel about wearing your TekVest?

Tucker: The TekVest is an awesome

piece of equipment. Just like our race sleds and other equipment, we strive to use the highest quality products available. It’s no different with my upper body protection.

TekTalk: You have been wearing TekVest for a long time. Have you been in a situation where it prevented serious injury in the past?

Tucker: Fortunately, I haven’t had any major crashes where I’ve had to test my TekVest. I know if that time comes, it’ll do the job I need.

TekTalk: What does a typical Monday morning look like for you and your team during race season?

Tucker: Mondays are all about clean-up and organizing. We work hard on the weekend and there’s a lot of stuff to be followed up on Monday to get reorganized for the next race. Also, it’s important to rest and recover from the battle of the weekend.

TekTalk: Do you ever get to go trail riding? If so, where and on what machine?

Tucker: I do ride occasionally but don’t get to as much as I’d like. I enjoy riding in the mountains as well as on the trails in Minnesota. In the past, I’ve been able to ride most of Arctic Cat’s sleds. This year, I’m excited to test the new ProCross F 1100 Turbo Sno Pro.

www.tucker-hibbert.com

Photo: John Hanson

Photo: John Hanson

Click a vest to see two reasons why YOU should be wearing a TekVest

Freestyle

Super Sport

WARNING: THE NEXT STORY CONTAINS

GRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHS THAT WERE TAKEN AS A

RESULT OF A SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENT. PLEASE USe

DISCRESTION.

My name is Georgia and on March 12th, 2009, my life changed forever. My husband, Jim, and I decided to go on one last snowmobile ride of the season. We generally ride twice a week throughout the winter months. I am 55 years old with 40 years of snowmobiling experience. We are the Secretary (s) of the White Thunder Rider Snowmobile Club and teach snowmobile safety. I am also an EMT. Snowmobiling is a big part of our lives. As we rode down the trail, Jim informed me, on our Snofone Communicators, that there was a hard left coming up. I responded, “Hard left, roger”. Somehow, I landed at the base of a cluster of trees with my sled at my feet. We don’t know exactly what happened. I was terrified as I gasped for air. Jim called 911 and kept me immobilized. Soon I was on my way to the hospital and then life flighted to a trauma center, where I spent the next ten days.

After many scans and x-rays, Jim was told of my injuries. I had fractured my back and sustained bilateral close multiple rib fractures. The doctor, when asked how many ribs were broken, replied, “Oh, we didn’t count them.” I also broke my pelvis and punctured both lungs. The doctors had to fuse six vertebrae in the thoracic area of my back and used a variety of screws, plates, and rods to stabilize my back. It was not known until after my six hour surgery, if I was ever going to walk again. Five days later, another surgery was needed to drain my lungs as they were filling up with blood. I have a happy ending as I can walk. Many with my injuries have a different, and much worse outcome. Who would have ever thought that I would need a TekVest for snowmobiling ? I do not drink and drive, and I slow up for every corner. We discussed purchasing vests in the past but thought I would never need one.

BLESSED BY AN ANGEL

Paramedics rush to save Georgia’s life.

Georgia’s sled was barely damaged.

Photos provided by: Jim Piilola

How wrong I was! If only I had invested in a TekVest, I believe I would have been spared the pain that I endured. My life was forever changed in that one, split second moment. Now, after the accident and resulting surgery, I have physical limitations and am rarely without pain.

“My life was forever changed in that one, split second moment.”My friends think I am crazy to want to ride, but why work to become healthy if I can not do what I love. My husband and I will never again ride snowmobiles without the protection of a TekVest. They will not only keep us safe, but am hoping that the vest will give me the confidence I need to ride again.

Thank you for reading my story and be safe on the trail.

Georgia P.

“I WAS TERRIFIED AS I GASPED FOR AIR”

More metal braces holding Georgia’s back!

Georgia with her new TekVest

Georgia and her husband today. Ready to ride!

The scars were physical and emotional.

WIN YOUR OWN TEKVEST!The winners of brand new TekVest’s are Kyle Ohme and Keith Weir. Both Kyle and Keith entered our WIN A TEKVEST contest located on our website. Click on the Super Sport Vest on the right to go to our website, fill out the entry form and tell us why YOU should win a TekVest!

Kyle Ohme - St. Cloud, MinnesotaKYLE’S WINNING COMMENTS: I have been looking at TekVests for years and talking it up in the group I ride with. I am trying to convince everyone to get one. I have paraphrased a few stories from your site and everyone agrees that $300 is a moot point when you can get up and walk away from a crash. Plus, with our style of riding, all it would take is one “if didn’t have this on” story and everyone in the group would be wearing one. It seems that we always end up talking about crashes and close calls with every group we meet on the trail. I convinced two people we met last week – and they didn’t even know what a TekVest was. I just feel a little odd talking about TekVest when I don’t have one myself. Great product - keep up the good work!

WIN YOUR OWN TEKVEST!The winners of brand new TekVest’s are Kyle Ohme and Keith Weir. Both Kyle and Keith entered our WIN A TEKVEST contest located on our website. Click on the Super Sport Vest on the right to go to our website, fill out the entry form and tell us why YOU should win a TekVest!

ENTER HERE AND WIN!

Keith Weir - Shailer Park, AustraliaKEITH’S WINNING COMMENTS: I have been wearing a pressure suit up until now and just broke all the ribs on my right side. I also punctured the lung. I’m not giving up riding, just looking for better protection for when something out of my control happens - like getting rag-dolled around a tree when the throttle jams (one of the 10mm bolts which mounts the handle bars to the triple clamps broke, allowing the bars to rotate and turn the throttle).

I broke my right leg too but I don’t reckon the tree felt a thing!

Both riders will be receiving a brand-new TekVest in the new year!

One-On-One With: Daniel Cedolia

As seen in magazine.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario-native Daniel Cedolia segued two of his favorite hob-bies — snowmobiles and moving pictures — into a career. His first go-around was as a pre-teen, when he took an 8mm film camera to the Soo I-500. By 1988, he was filming the race as a professional, cutting together an hour-long televi-sion show. After covering several races, he made the transition in the mid-1990s to the home video market and then to snowmobile action movies. He’s the man behind the “Braaap” series, now in its 10th iteration. He works with mega-tal-ented backcountry riders in gorgeous locations such as Togwotee, Wyoming, or Revelstoke, British Columbia, and can say that he snowmobiles for a living.

Snow Goer: How has the “Braaap” series developed?Daniel Cedolia: “At first, we did a lot of freestyle where riders would hit ramps and do tricks. The first three or four Braaaps have a lot of freestyle. Then it seemed like a lot of people just wanted to see backcountry. We started making a big transition into backcountry footage and by ‘Braap 6’ very little freestyle and 7 was just backcountry riding. It was mountain climbing, cliff dropping, long distance jumping and a lot of wow-factor.”

SG: Where do you find your riders?DC: “They often find us through our movies or website. A lot of riders who were established would have local riders gravitate toward them, so there would always be new blood. Every new ‘Braaap’ is about half brand new riders. We just love to ride and go out with anyone who has the ability.”SG: Who have you discovered?DC:“Jimmy ‘Blaze’ Fejes was really the biggest one. Tim Needles came out of nowhere. Heath Frisby was another that started out with us first.”

SG:What does it take to film these scenes?DC: “We’ve learned that things get slowed down by having a big group of people, so it’s one or two cameramen with two or three riders at the most. We only have a window of three or four hours before you run out of gas or everyone is tired. We try to get to the location by 11 o’clock so we have the best light.”

SG: Any gruesome accidents?DC: “I always want to make it as safe as possible for our riders. A lot people say we put our riders in harm’s way. But I can honestly say that we’ve never had someone seriously hurt on one of our shoots. The worst that’s happened is a shat-tered heel on a big jump. Our thinking behind it is to not push them into something that they’re uncomfortable with. We’re just there to document their ability.”

SG: What’s one of your most memorable filming moments?DC: “Working with Matt Binon, one of our long time riders, [he] scoped out a tripledrop. Once you commit, you have to hit two other drops in a short transition and then to the landing. You have to do it perfectly to make it happen. If he made a mistake, it would not have been good. We had three cameras on him. He did it, and afterward I turned my cam-era down to his knees and they were shaking. They call it Kodak Courage, where once they’re in the backcountry and if a camera is there, they step it up a little more than they should.”

SG:What’s your stunt?DC: “I kind of live vicariously through these guys. I have worked with filmers who are good videographers, who can do the big drops and airs as the riders, but I’m more on the precaution side. I’m a fairly decent rider and I’ve done some little drops and stuff, but nothing compared to what our guys can do.”

Thanks to magazine for allowing us to reprint the interview.

TekVest distributed by:

Ask your dealer or order direct from:

Or, contact us direct and we’ll track one down for you!

Dear Derby Race Fan:

Derby 2012 will be sponsoring the 7th Annual Celebrity Charity Ride to raise money for the families of Flip Merwin and Ed DeVault, both of whom lost their lives racing snowmobiles. This year’s ride will take place on Fri. January 20, 2012.

Last year we were honored to have Ralph Merwin, Flip’s dad; also the family of Dan DeVault was on the ride. They all are expected to be on this year’s ride also. We hope you can make this ride a part of your derby experience. It promises to be a fun day and a good opportunity to enhance the endow-ment of these two well-remembered snowmobile racers.

There is a $50.00 per person donation to participate in the ride. Lunch and guiding is included. If possible, a reservation one week in advance would be appreciated. You can contact the Derby Track, phone 715-479-4424, fax 715-479-9711 or email snopros@derbytrack.com.

See you in Eagle River.

Chuck Decker #04

7th Annual Celebrity Charity Ride

Schedule

Friday, January 20th Eagle River, Wisconsin

8:30 a.m. Assemble at the Best Western Derby Inn. To register and have a short “drivers meeting”. The Inn is located on Highway 45, One mile north of the Derby Track.

9:30 a.m. Be ready to ride.

11:00 a.m. A “pit stop”

12:30 p.m. Lunch at one of our choice eateries

3:30 - 4:00 Arrive back in Eagle River. Get ready to go see the fabulous “Friday Night Thunder.” Presented by Parts Unlimited

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Did you witness or take photos of something ridiculous?

We want to hear about it. Send it in and we may publish YOUR story in future issues. Send all submissions to:

info@tekrider.com

Photo: Tim Fraccola Rider: Wes Sandoval

NEXT ISSUE:

TekTalk sits down with X Games Gold Medalist Dane

Ferguson to talk about life, sledding and the future.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOKFor the latest news, product releases, and savings on your next TekVest, follow us on Facebook. We are giving a brand new TekVest away every month - don’t miss out on an opportunity to own a TekVest.

Do you have to be somewhere on Monday morning?

Watch hundreds of Tekvest racers at the Shakopee Traxxas National ISOC Races

Photo: Wayne Davis

Pro Open racing kicks-off at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6th and Saturday, Jan. 7th with the final events at 9:15 p.m. Fans can stream the event live online at www.ustream.tv/xsantv and catch the behind the scenes action on NBC Sports Sunday, February 5 at 5 p.m. EST.