Local radio show on snowmobiling picks up stations

WEST MARTINSBURG — A Lewis County man's weekly radio show on snowmobiling has expanded recently to six stations, including Watertown's ESPN affiliate, with six more in the works.

"It's definitely hit the next level," said C. Lee Hinkleman Sr., host of the IROC and Beyond Snowmobile Show.

Mr. Hinkleman, who works as director of sales at Defenshield Inc., a defense contractor in East Syracuse, in 2002 began hosting the show at a Utica radio station while working on the Oneida County executive's staff. Four stations, primarily covering the Utica and Rome areas, have been broadcasting it in recent years.

About a month ago, stations in Watertown — WNER-AM 1410 — and Albany picked up the one-hour show, and six stations covering the Rochester, Plattsburgh and Lake Placid areas are expected to carry it soon, Mr. Hinkleman said.

The show features interviews with snowmobile racers and other industry leaders, as well as run-of-the-mill sledding enthusiasts he meets on the trails.

"We're basically going to more local programming," said Mark F. Gaines, general manager of Stephens Media Group-Watertown, which owns WNER.

IROC and Beyond airs on WNER from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, followed by a two-hour sports show hosted by Lowville resident Peter J. Spadora.

Spadora on Sports, produced live at the Watertown studio, has been on the air for the past couple of years, Mr. Gaines said.

Mr. Hinkleman a few years ago briefly produced short snowmobile-related segments for WNER's sister station, Froggy 97, he said.

Given the number of area businesses that cater to snowmobilers, picking up his full show made sense, Mr. Gaines said.

The affiliation with ESPN has been particularly beneficial, since the Connecticut-based sports broadcasting conglomerate offers a stipend for airing the shows, Mr. Hinkleman said.

"It's the first time I've ever been paid," said the past chairman of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce board and past president of the Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association. "I do it for the love of the sport and to promote Lewis County."

While the shows used to be taped exclusively in studio, much of the taping is now done on the trails using a portable digital recorder, Mr. Hinkleman said.

"It gives more of a natural feel," he said.

Mr. Hinkleman said he sends raw audio footage to producers in Utica by Wednesday evening, and stations typically air the show either Thursday nights or Saturday mornings.

"But it's available online 24-7," he said. IROC and Beyond has its own Web site to complement the broadcast.

While the recreational portion of the show focuses primarily on snowmobiling in the Tug Hill, Old Forge and Oneida County regions, trail conditions in California are often included for the benefit of Internet-based listeners on the West Coast, Mr. Hinkleman said.

"I've got a fan club in California, believe it or not," he said.

Mr. Hinkleman moved with his wife, Cathy, from Westmoreland in Oneida County to their seasonal residence in the town of Martinsburg after he took a job as communications manager at the Maple Ridge Wind Farm.

After his position was eliminated, the 22-year Army veteran served as director of public relations at Otis Technology Inc., Lyons Falls, before taking the job with Defenshield. He works from home part of the week.

Given the holidays and recent snowfall, the Tug Hill Plateau is packed with snowmobilers this week, Mr. Hinkleman said. He plans to hit the trails this weekend to get an early start on next week's show.

ON THE NET

IROC and Beyond: www.iroc

andbeyond.com

WNER: www.wner1410.com