Finland’s Toni Haikonen became the first snocross athlete in history to be inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum. Haikonen is recognized internationally as a racing legend whose raw talent and easy-to-like personality catapulted him and the sport to new heights in the mid-1990s.

The 41-year old Helsinki resident was introduced to a capacity crowd Saturday night at St. Germain, Wisconsin’s Whitetail Inn banquet center by Visit Duluth President & CEO and AMSOIL Duluth National Snocross founder Terry Mattson. The Snowmobiling HOF is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of recreational and competitive snowmobiling. Haikonen won multiple snocross titles at Duluth’s Spirit Mountain before retiring in 2002.