Dreams Do Come True
This past weekend was an honor and pleasure to be a part of my Dad, brothers Greg and Jeff and the Goodwin Racing Team’s induction into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. It would have been wonderful for the commendation to be given during my Dad’s lifetime, but everything is in perfect timing and I know he was with us; victoriously waving a checkered flag and probably pounding his fist on the table with his hearty laugh, that I swear, could be heard around the world.
My Dad was immediately hooked on the sport once he took his first ride. His snowmobile racing career began in 1967 and soon included my brothers. I remember being a young girl and learning he had crashed. I was terrified but soon heard he would be OK; he had broken an arm. His race career ended in 1976 after he won his class and was followed by victories of both his sons and decided it was time to focus on them. Goodwin Racing’s career started out small and self-supported which grew year after year until they were sponsored by the big boys: first Arctic Cat/Nielsen Enterprises and then Commercial Sewing/Ski-doo.
During the winter months the boys were gone almost every weekend that varied from the west, midwest, out east and Canada; hunting down the checkered flag. My sister and I were the best kept secret. We always supported them for the closer races, but weren’t allowed to be part of the race team. Dad always wanted his boys to go fast but forbid his girls and yes, I was grounded once due to my speed….haha. I never understood why he kept us from racing until I had children of my own.
The actual induction ceremony was meaningful as Russ Davis, formerly of Ski-doo, introduced the team and told stories of how the life-long connection was formed. He told the story about the day he met with my Dad and the impact it had on his team and his life. Charlie Goodwin drove to the Ski-doo offices and requested an appointment with Russ, who at the time was the Ski-doo V.P. of North America and got straight to the point. Russ couldn’t imagine what the competition wanted but was willing to listen; Charlie wanted to know how he could get a twin track sled for each of his sons. He wanted them to be competitive and wanted to win the World Championship Race and other races all across the country, riding Ski-doo and needed Russ to help him accomplish that goal. Russ proceeded to ask if my Dad had any sponsors since racing twin track sleds required a lot of money and in response hoped Russ could help with that as well. That was the start of a wonderful friendship and working relationship.
Russ described my Dad as having forged a team second to none, with a good group of mechanics and technicians. He also told of the time my Dad called to ask if it would be alright to paint their twin track sleds. Ski-doo colors were yellow and black and requested to paint them white, black and red; something unheard of, but gave the team the green light, as long as they could market them well. He commented how my Dad was admired, trusted and respected in the industry. He finished by stating the Goodwin Racing Team was a great team, great family, great success and was a great honor to present them into the Hall of Fame.
Both my brothers Jeff and Greg as well as Kurt Krumm, business partner and race team mechanic, shared memories, told heartfelt and funny stories about the sport, along with expressing their gratitude for my Mom, family, friends, sponsors and fellow inductees. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the induction and ceremony and a night Goodwin Racing Team, family and friends won’t soon forget.
The induction was ultimately due to my Dad, Charlie Goodwin, the honor was his. Besides his family, my Dad’s greatest loves were farming and racing, which he excelled at all three. He was the greatest Dad, not only to his children but to so many young men that crossed his path and were blessed to be part of his race crew. His racing legacy will live on, not only in our hearts but in the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. As a crowning glory, Goodwin Racing did win the Snowmobile World Championship……dreams do come true. What dreams are you chasing? Keep charging forward; you’ll catch them.
xoxox…..Sheryl