A champion and sportsman in equal measure, Rick Ward of Sugar City, Idaho, was a legend in western snowmobile competition with the Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) and one of the all-time great hillclimb competitors.

Ward won 18 hillclimb World Championship, numerous class titles, five Jackson Hole King of the Hill honors, and multiple victories at other hillclimb events.

He raced exclusively on Polaris snowmobiles and was both inspirational and influential to other racers while serving as manager of the brand’s Western racing program.

He died in a motor vehicle accident in 2009 at age 47.