Weaver a winner at Vintage Snowmobile Show

Grand Islander Bob Weaver of Bob Weaver Motorsports took home three national trophies at the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America's eighth annual Vintage Snowmobile Show in Boonville, N.Y., on Aug. 11.

Weaver enjoys collecting and restoring antique snowmobiles and entered his 1971 AMF 800XX, which won National Best of Show for 2013 and Best in Class Race Sled, and his 1971 Al Unser Thunderjet won the People's Choice award.

"It was a tremendous weekend taking a walk back in time to look at what our parents and grandparents rode while enjoying the wintertime. Some of these sleds are so large and cumbersome that one could wonder how they ever moved over the snow and ice without sinking in up to their engines," Weaver said.

Weaver's appreciation for these snow machines is evident in the hard work and attention to detail that he puts into restoring each of his snowmobiles. Not only does he completely restore the hood, tunnel and engine components, but the history of each sled is also something that is researched. For instance, it was rumored when Weaver purchased the 1971 Thunder jet that it was the one that had been presented to Al Unser at the 1971 races in West Yellowstone, Mont. Weaver contacted the local police department, and with the help of their forensics lab the printed images of Al's name and his win at Indy and the national championship appeared. This piece of racing history the snowmobile represents has been fully restored to its original beauty.

Weaver has a collection at his store in Wheatfield, which rivals some museums. There are plenty of one-of-a-kind models and they are all on display for the public to enjoy, and remember times gone by. Weaver even has a first production year 1955 Yamaha YA 1 motorcycle on display outside of his office door.