Hale’s Technical Service brings VP to Iron Dog
The Iron Dog could not happen without its generous sponsors. The race requires significant planning, an army of volunteers, coordination among communities throughout the state and more. Racers, too, depend on the generous sponsors who help them afford to tackle such a feat. Fuel, entry fees, time off for training and above all, the specialized gear required, all factor in to a team’s ability to race.
Iron Dog wants to thank those sponsors who recognize this as the World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race, and want to keep it alive – and thriving – for years to come.
Hale’s Technical Service, Inc., owned and operated by Richard and Desiree Hale, and specializing in VP racing products, is another sponsor that deserves high praise.
Q. Tell us about your business and what services you provide.
A. We started Hale’s Technical Service, Inc., in 1998 after spending a lot of years at various dealerships perfecting our craft. We provide full automotive services from brakes and tune-ups to complex electrical issues, engines and transmissions. In the 10 years that we had a chassis dynamometer, we tested multiple performance fuels from different manufacturers. We had such great success using the VP racing products within our own racing programs in 2008; we knew VP was the right choice. We became the VP products distributor in 2013 for the state of Alaska. We have been involved in many local motorsport events throughout the state. We believe in supporting and growing the racing community here in Alaska.
Q. How long have you been an Iron Dog Sponsor?
This is our first year and we are very excited to be a part of this iconic Alaskan race!
Q. Why did you decide to become an Iron Dog sponsor?
We view the Iron Dog as an iconic endurance race in Alaska. There are no other motorsport races in Alaska that cover the distance the Iron Dog does. We are excited to partner with Iron Dog and bringing the VP products to the race.
Q. Do you snowmachine? If so, where are your favorite places to go /things to do in the winter?
Our business and family keeps us pretty busy. When we do go riding, it is usually not far out of town and certainly nothing as extreme and challenging as what the racers encounter during the Iron Dog.
Q. Why do you think supporting the Iron Dog is a valuable use of your annual giving?
We have always been involved in racing, both locally and the states. We have done everything from desert and off-road racing to drag racing, wheel-to-wheel road racing and the Mustang Challenge in Utah in 2011. We finished second place in our class at the Baja 1,000 in 2008. We know what it takes to race and finish well in an endurance race with many different course conditions. Our hats are off to the racers of the Iron Dog for enduring much more extreme conditions for these distances across Alaska.
Q. How do you think the community benefits from the existence of the Iron Dog?
Obviously the race is great for the state of Alaska as it is followed and recognized outside the state as the premier endurance snowmachine race. The benefit for the individual communities it travels through along the race course is probably even larger. This is one of the biggest racing events these communities see each year. It brings world-class racers right through their towns for a front-row seat to the action. The people get to meet some of these racers and show them hospitality. It’s fantastic for the youth who live in these beautiful remote places, which are truly unique to Alaska.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of work or off the sleds?
Like most Alaskans, our hobbies change with the seasons. In the winter we are busy with sledding and having fun in the snow with our 5-year-old son. In the summer we are busy working with our sawmill at our property and enjoy woodworking and fishing. Richard also took a timber-framing class and we are anxious to get started on a cabin this summer.
Q. What do you think of the revamped race this year, with the additional miles near Kotzebue and the Fairbanks start?
We think it will be very challenging for all of the racers to have the additional 400 miles added and the reversal of the course.