Today (Nov. 14), would have been C.J. Ramstad's 66th birthday, had he not died in a tragic automobile crash with his son, J.J., in May 2007.

There's a strong likelihood that, without him, I would never have become a snowmobile journalist and this Website wouldn't exist.

So as a gift to yourself on C.J.'s birthday, please click to read a wonderful column that he penned for the Dec. 1982 issue of Snowmobile Magazine.

Two days ago, at a gas station in the town where I live, I had a short conversation with a guy who was genuinely stumped about two things: Why did I switch from my 2011 F8 to a 2012 F1100 4-stroke; and if I was going to get a new sled, why not an F800 or F1100 Turbo?

Well, if you’re that guy and happened to read this, here’s a more thoughtful answer than what I said that day at the pumps.

When building his 1978 Arctic Cat El Tigre for the upcoming vintage racing season, Shane Gerwing appeared to have several options for his handlebar set-up.

But really, there was only one choice.

Here's a few photos of what's going on at Arctic Cat on this November day in 2011.

How do you say, "I Love Arctic Cat" in Swedish?

I don't know either. But Mikael Yngvesson, who owns one of the oldest Arctic Cat dealerships in Sweden, sent a photo of two customers that tells a universal story, and (sort-of) answers the question.

Click to see.

A few weeks ago I received a batch of repro decals -- iconic versions from the orignal Winnipeg I-500 cross-country -- from Steve Dahlen of St. Hilaire, Minn. (first town south of Thief River Falls on Hwy 32).

Steve made my day for two reasons: the amazing decals; and the more concrete news that of a St. Hilaire-area cross-country race this winter for two classes of vintage sleds, plus the Sno Pro 500 racer.

Click to read more.

ATTENTION: Whomever bought this 1981 El Tigre... the previous owner wants it back.

Actually, he just wants to use it a few times, but just for racing. Seems reasonable.

Mmmkay?

Happy Halloween!

(And thanks to Jarred Zimmer of Waterford, Penn., and Bobby Flame from Parts Unknown for sending pix of their pumpkins.)

As Senior Graphics Stylist at Arctic Cat, Corey Friesen is the guy responsible for creating the colors and graphic details of Arctic Cat snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides.

Pretty sweet job!

Click to read an interview with him.

The largest ever winter storm walloped the east coast this weekend, dropping 2 feet of snow in many areas.

While I’m saddened by the human (and hassle) toll this storm has brought, I’m also grinning from ear-to-ear.

Click to see a couple pix from the Daily Mail.

Click to see eight beautiful studio images of the 2012 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 Race Sled, as well as full specifications of both the Snocross and Cross-Country versions.

Looking at a recent photo of Aaron Scheele's shop, I was reminded of one of the all-time great Arctic Cat ads: Flying Tigers.

Click to see why.

Here's a photo of the Arctic Cat test crew from 1973-74 that surfaced this past summer.

Click for a mostly-complete list of names, and to add any more infomation if you have it.

After yesterday's post showing some of the Ische family's Arctic Cat memorabilia, I realized that I didn't show any pix of Tom, Nancy or Brianna.

So here are some photos of them with their mind-boggling 1974 Sno Pro race sled.

(These images were taken for the "50 Years of the Cat" book.)

After thinking I was pretty cool with my new (old) Arctic Cat lighters and ZR 440 toy, I went through some photos of the Ische family's collection taken to produce the "50 Years of the Cat" book.

What I have is few odds and ends. What the Isches have is a collection.

So click to check out just some of their cool Arctic Cat memorabilia.

I don't mean to gloat (and it's not like these things are outrageously-rare) but I just got a couple of items I've wanted for a LONG time.

Now... should I play with fire or with a toy snowmobile?

Sometimes I forget that there was a time, not too many years ago, when the only viewable information we could get about snowmobiles was either magazines, books and promotional material.

Even Archie Comics were cool if there a snowmobile was involved.

And those few times I stumbled upon snowmobiling on television was like winning the lottery.

Click to read my ramble.

The first person who answers all of the mid-school, diabolical questions correctly, wins an infamous ArcticInsider Gift Pack.

Good luck, and cheat if you want.

Every year Arctic Cat produces a parts/accessories/Arcticwear catalog with its new and popular items. The thing is, that catalog is only some of the stuff they actually have available.

They also create supplemental catalog that includes many new items (not in the color catalog), as well as lots of other good parts/accessories, but most of us never see it.

CLICK HERE to download a 10MB pdf of the catalog.

What was going on in Thief River Falls last Friday - Saturday?

Click to see a few pix.