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Congratulations to long-time Polaris employee and charter Polaris Hall of Fame inductee Ray Monsrud for his induction into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, Wisconsin.
Ray worked for Polaris for approximately 40 years in sled development, as snowmobile racing team manager and as a leader of the off-road demo team that toured the country. He also helped direct the ATV service training program that presented service seminars to Polaris dealership technicians across the U.S.
At the start of his Polaris career, Ray was a highly successful racer, specializing in cross-country racing.
For a good look back at Ray’s career and contributions to Polaris, take a look at the biography that was on his Polaris Hall of Fame plaque when he was inducted with the first group of honorees in 2004:
Ray Monsrud has provided Polaris with over 35 years of hard work and selfless dedication. He was an experienced racer and rider when he joined Polaris in 1968 as a snowmobile test rider. In 1975 he began a 17-year run as Polaris Racing Director, followed by five years on the factory service staff. He led the ATV “Off-Road Show” for three years and has provided dealership service technicians with training through the “Way Out Training Tour” since March 2000. For 30 years Ray was the lead Polaris representative at the annual snowmobile media product introductions. For most of his career with Polaris, Ray has capably represented the brand to the media, dealers and consumers – all of whom have benefited from his concern for the customer, knowledge about the product and passion for the riding experience.
Here is the information inscribed on his Snowmobile Hall of Fame plaque:
RAY MONSRUD
DATE OF INDUCTION: February 20, 2010
CAREER SPAN: 1968-2007
BRANDS REPRESENTED: Polaris
AGE AT INDUCTION: 67
With passion, knowledge and a bearish work ethic, Ray Monsrud of Roseau, Minnesota, turned a 40-year career at Polaris into a shining example of the power and impact one person can have within the sport he loves. He was a decorated racer, Polaris Race Director and gracious company representative, and was renowned for the formation of an independent race team that dominated throughout the 1980s.
Monsrud’s racing success included prominent oval wins in Eagle River and West Yellowstone, as well as heartbreaking near-misses in the Winnipeg-to-St. Paul I-500. When he became the Polaris Race Director in 1975, Monsrud combined his passion and knowledge of cross-country with an independent, everyone-is-equal team concept. The result was a racing dynasty that dominated terrain competition for two decades, winning the lion’s share of races and championships and setting win records that may never be equaled. In the late 1970s, Monsrud convinced Polaris to enter experimental-class, cross-country racing, which led to the development of the ground-breaking Indy snowmobile that eventually catapulted Polaris into the industry sales leader.
A personable and fair-minded manager, Monsrud represented Polaris at media, dealer and public events for more than a decade, and positively impacting thousands of customers. Monsrud’s wisdom that snowmobile racing is a sport of people and relationships, rather than merely machines and results, fostered an enduring loyalty and respect among “his” racers and peers.
Congratulations, Raynold.
The Snowmobile Hall of Fame induction is scheduled for February 20 at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain. More information is available at www.snowmobilehalloffame.com..
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