The Ryan Sheckler action figure is the first fully functioning controllable moveable skateboarder. This toy is kind of a trip, check it out.

This past weekend, the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) joined hundreds from the skateboard community in a fundraising celebration to honor and induct icons; Bruce Logan, Tony Alva, Tony Hawk and Danny Way; into the Skateboard Hall of Fame at the Vans Skatepark in Orange, CA.

“This event was long overdue and it turned out to be a truly heartwarming and monumental occasion,” said John Bernards, executive director of IASC. “Skateboarding used to be looked down upon and we were considered criminals or social pariahs – it was time for us to take a moment to acknowledge and honor those who put their hearts and souls into shaping the sport into something positive that anyone can enjoy today.”

Skateboarding Hall Of Fame

Could you only imagine taking virtually the same Subaru WRX STi that Ken Block drives in those absolutely stunning Gymkhana videos onto the snow as a fully built TRAX vehicle? Well, that is exactly what has come of a new rally-prepped 2009 WRX STi TRAX vehicle built by Vermont SportsCar.

Touted as the world’s fastest snow cat vehicle, the TRAX STi combines two of Ken Block’s favorite things in life: “driving a rally car in the snow and snowboarding in the powder in the backcountry.”

Just in Time for the Holidays, a 400-Horse (-powered) Sleigh

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 2 — The Subaru WRX STI, when equipped with proper tires, is capable of impressive all-weather performance. But when even snow tires are not enough, Subaru offers a solution – a 400-hp WRX STI equipped with a snow tracks system, as showcased at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6.

Starting with a rally-prepared 2009 WRX STI, Subaru Rally Team USA’s technical partner, Vermont SportsCar, built the one-off 400-hp TRAX STI envisioned by, and built for, DC Shoes co-founder and SRT USA driver Ken Block. The WRX STI TRAX is ready for the half-pipe, with a Yakima FatCat 4 Snowboard Rack up top, a Yakima Landing Pad rack base and DC Shoes XFB-C Snowboards. Naturally, there is a custom matching sleigh to go with it.

With the exception of the Mattracks rubber track system, the car is rally-prepared and similar in specification Block’s #43 SRT USA competition STI. Starting with a stock 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Vermont SportsCar stripped the car’s interior bare, lightened the shell and then fully seam-welded it for added strength, also installing a multipoint roll cage manufactured from T45 steel. Major differences from the stock STI include the addition of lightweight carbon/Kevlar RECARO SPA ProRacer competition seats with the Head and Neck Restraint System (HANS), carbon fiber door panels and an onboard fire suppression system.

Under the hood, the ultimate Subaru snow machine sports a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled STI engine tuned with a MOTEC M800 ECU. The engine, which kicks out approximately 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, is teamed with a KAPS 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox and the Subaru programmable DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) all-wheel drive system. Employing custom machined hubs, the drivetrain – which has been dropped three inches – is mated to Mattracks 105M1-A1 rubber track conversion. The car also features Group N competition rally dampers made by EXE-TC.

And Now for Something Completely Different

The WRX STI TRAX can bring four more friends along for the fun with its one-of-a-kind custom sleigh. Constructed with hand-laid fiberglass using sandwich-core construction, the sleigh runs on custom built steel skis with torsion bar suspension. Yakima FatCat 4 snowboard racks carry Qty 2 DC XFB Snowboards.

Protected beneath the padded roll bars are four heated and embroidered leather RECARO Speed seats with Sabelt 4-point harnesses. For music on the slopes, a marine grade water resistant Alpine digital media receiver is coupled with marine grade Kicker speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. The rear of the sleigh features a large cooler and a grab-bar for towing snowboarders. Cup holders and LED lighting finish off the interior.

The sleigh also features a carbon fiber dashboard, center tunnel cover and rear-cooler cover. Tucked into a glovebox within the carbon fiber covered dashboard are two Viosport POV.1 camera systems. One camera lens is flush-mounted within the dashboard to film passengers, and the other is mounted high on the roll bar to record action around the sleigh.

Peter Smolik is a trip. He is a super nice dude, anyone who has ever met him will tell you that. The thing is, he plays this character… AlkaSmolik. You point a camera at the guy and he instantly snaps into the crazy G he’s known as. It rules. This video is like 3 minutes long, when a normal sketchy sunday is like 30 seconds! He stopped by the shop the other day after working out at 24 hour fitness for like 4 hours to help get back on track after breaking his foot. Get well soon Pete, skateboarding needs you! Story courtesy Tosh’s Corner.

Collin Provost has been picked up by Toy Machine Skateboards. Good move Toy Machine! Here is a little information about Collin Provost.

Collin Provost Now Rides For Toy Machine Skateboards

Birth Date: 12-26-1990

Birth Place: Huntington Beach, California

Currently Living: Huntington Beach, California

Height: 6′ 2”

Weight: 155lbs

Stance: Goofy

Sponsors: Volcom, Element, Emerica, Thunder, Spitfire and Oakley

Favorite Spot(s): Ocean View High School

Favorite places: Australia

Skate With: anyone who wants to skate

Side Tracks (hobbies): surfing, snowboarding, motorcross, wakeboarding

Where to Next: Tampa and Barcelona

Goals: To turn pro

Who gets you hyped: Skate videos

Any crazy stories: Touring Florida with the Volcom crew-just use your imagination.

Favorite Color: red

Top 5 Skaters: Geoff Rowley, Mark Appleyard, Daniel Shinizu, Leo Romero, Darrell Stanton

Movies: Sorry Video

Best Style: Daniel Shimizu

Inspirations: Skaters

When did you get on Volcom, and how: I started riding for Volcom in January 2004. Remy had seen me around for awhile, we got to talking and I was stoked to make the switch to Volcom.