Frans Rosenquist
DATE OF INDUCTION: January 12, 2006
CAREER SPAN: 1967–1985
COMPETITION TYPE: Oval
BRANDS RACED: Ski-Doo, Sno Jet, Mercury, Yamaha, Polaris, Kawasaki & Arctic Cat
AGE AT INDUCTION: 50
Competing on nearly every brand involved in racing during a pro career that stretched more than 15 years, Frans Rosenquist spent many winters away from his Atwater, Minnesota farm becoming a true legend. While Rosenquist raced as part of many teams during his long career on the famous Team Frustration in the late 1970’s, as Yamaha factory driver at the dawn of the IFS era aboard an SSR in the later 70’s and winner of the Kawasaki Tournament of Champions in 1981, Frans was always very much his own man.
Success is never easy in snowmobile racing, but Rosenquist often made it look effortless with a fast, smooth, consistent style and unflappable demeanor that made him a favorite with fans and fellow competitors alike. Starting as a teen on a Ski-Doo Super Olympic, Frans moved to T-Jets on the ASA circuit before hooking up with the Mercury Sno-Twister phenomenon of the mid 1970’s. He raced Polaris for a time before moving on to Yamaha and Ski-Doo, racing in Sno-Pro.
Along the way Rosenquist posted many championship seasons, scoring the #1 bib in ASA in 1976, the USSA #1 and the fabled Adema Cup in 1977. Frans qualified for the World’s Championship six times, posting the fast qualifying time on a Ski-Doo single tracker in his final appearance in 1985. Frans returned briefly to competition in the early 90’s, racing with his son. When Frans finally hung the leathers up for good, he had amassed a racing record that few could match.
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