I'm thinking that what you have there is a crack, not really a rip. Age, storage climate, and track tension I think, would all contribute to this.
You might try adding a make-shift patch...
__________________ Now Running '89 Wildcat 650 '93 Jag Delux 440
All I can tell is one of my riding bud's had his replaired at one the track repair places (no names mentioned).........blew right off the sled 50 miles later.
Save your dough for a new one.
Rick
__________________ Sled insurance in Ontario is killing me!!
I've gotten two used ones this year. One was a take off. It was like new for $250.00 The other one was an after market used one for the same price. I think I got a good deals.
I'm also becoming real good at replacing them.