Iron Dog Race, Inc., has inducted four longtime supporters of the race into its 2023 Iron Dog Hall of Fame: Dave and Penny McKibbon, Steve Mattila, Eric Johnson. All of this year’s inductees are former board members and volunteers. The Iron Dog Hall of Fame Banquet will take place with the Awards Ceremony following the finish of the 2023 race.
Dave and Penny McKibbon
Longtime volunteers Dave and Penny McKibbon have been a part of the Iron Dog family since 2009 when Penny joined the Board of Directors to help with finances, and Dave followed soon after as a race volunteer. Dave’s positive early interactions with such race standouts as Chris Olds and Tyler Huntington prompted him to continue as a volunteer. Penny stayed active on the board for ten years through 2019. Dave is a second-generation Hall-of-Famer, following in his mother, Shirley’s, footsteps. She was named to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in the late ’80s. Today, the McKibbons are key logistics coordinators, arranging checkpoint volunteers and making sure supplies and gear get to their respective locations. They have been valuable fixtures in the Iron Dog Race organization for nearly 15 years. Without volunteers like Dave and Penny, Iron Dog wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
Steve Mattila
For nearly 25 years, the “Spenard Builders Supply Checkpoint” in Poorman relied on volunteers like Steve Mattila. The checkpoint started out as a couple of 10-man wall tents and a woodstove to keep warm. However, being an employee of a building supply business meant that it was only a matter of time before Mattila and other volunteers built a cabin there. Today, the Poorman checkpoint boasts a small, semi-insulated cabin with a woodstove that heats it up quickly. This remote outpost is a key location as it provides respite in the wilderness between Ruby and Ophir. Mattila not only volunteered as a checkpoint volunteer there until 2021, but he also served on the Iron Dog Board of Directors from 2010 to 2021. The Poorman checkpoint now has new sponsors, but their comfortable lodging is thanks to Steve and many other volunteers. He follows in the footsteps of previous SBS representatives and supporters Butch Novak and Stan Smith. Congratulations, Steve, for all of your years of dedicated volunteerism.
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson first became involved with the Iron Dog Race in 1997 after signing up for the Trophy Class race, similar to today’s Expedition Class but with a small prize for the top teams reaching Nome. His partner was his son Tyson Johnson. In 1998, the duo raced again in the Pro Class, and in 2011 Eric partnered up with son Brent Johnson and daughter Stacy George for the Expedition Class. But Eric’s lasting contribution to Iron Dog is as a volunteer, board member, and financial contributor who worked to make sure the World’s Longest Toughest Snowmobile Race thrived. Eric spent countless hours breaking trail, cutting brush on the trail to Puntilla, and assisting as a checkpoint volunteer. On the board, he focused on improving race safety after experiencing firsthand the rigors of such trail challenges as ground blizzards and other extreme weather. Today, his passion is carried on by countless Iron Dog volunteers, including his son and first race partner Tyson, who went on to become a Champion and is the volunteer Head Race Marshall for the 2023 race. It is with pleasure that Iron Dog Race, Inc. honors Eric for his contributions.