This week, longtime Arctic Cat veteran Craig Kennedy was named Vice President, Snow & International. The announcement was made by Kevin Holleran, President and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles.

Kennedy has more than 18 years at Arctic Cat, in a variety of roles. He knows the brand, the customers, the dealers and the employees.

Oh, and his blood is green.

Click for more info.

Yesterday, Textron Industries announced a few big changes that will make an impact on Arctic Cat:

* Production of the (Textron) Stampede will move from Augusta, Ga., to Thief River Falls, Minn. (above)

* Production of the Textron 4-stroke engine (that powers the Stampede) will also move to TRF.

* Arctic Cat's Minneapolis HQ will be shut down, with employees transitioning to St. Cloud

Click for more info.

At a special event held in an airplane hanger in Dallas-Ft. Worth yesterday, Textron Off Road shared with its dealers some plans for incorporating Arctic Cat into its family of vehicles. I was there, and I can tell you it was a powerful and good presentation. One of the key messages was that, going forward, the Arctic Cat name will be substituted with Textron when it comes to wheeled vehicles, while sub-brands like Wildcat, Prowler, Alterra and Stampede will be retained.

Arctic Cat snowmobiles will forever retain the name.

("There are some things that are sacred, and the Arctic Cat snowmobile name is one of them," Collins said to me.)

I have a lot more to say about this, including a soon-to-come interview with company Vice President John Collins in which he answers the questions that so many are asking.

In the meantime, if you have an hour to spare, I recommend watching the presentation. There's a lot of business/dealer talk, but there are also great things for everyone to hear.

If you’re like me, then you want to show Tucker Hibbert the fastest way around the track. You know, show him who’s the boss (and I don’t mean Ross).

And if you’re like me, you know there’s no possible means of doing this on snowmobiles. But there is a slight chance of beating him to the checkered flag on go-karts, and that opportunity is Saturday, April 29 at the MB2 Raceway indoor go-kart race track in Fridley, Minnesota.

There, beginning at Noon, the first Hunter Houle Memorial Foundation fundraiser will unfold with kids, adult-kids and delusional adult-kids who will rip around a sweet track while enjoying the friendship and fellowship of like-minded goofballs.

Click to read about it.

Three days ago, Lakewood Schools student Jared Stevens saw an outpouring from family, friends, teachers and classmates.

The junior in the Marshall, Minn., area battled pinoblastoma, a brain cancer, with treatments occurring last summer at the Mayo Clinic. There, Make-A-Wish volunteers met him and learned his deepest wish.

His answer: a new snowmobile. Arctic Cat, along with Country Cat, Tucker Hibbert, Arcticwear, Fly Racing, the Make-A-Wish foundation and others, partnered to make Jared’s wish come true in the form of a ZR 6000 and all the gear he needs to ride.

Jared is free of cancer as of his last check-up. I’m wishing for happy trails ahead for Jared and his family.

Speedwerx has gone full-tilt into the custom, limited-edition Arctic Cat zone for 2018, producing four turn-key rippers that combine holy-crap! horsepower (on pump gas), dialed-in clutching, key upgrades, sweet wraps and a traction equation that can put that power to the ground.

The models: 2018 Arctic Cat Thundercat, ZR 8000 Limited, and two version of the M 8000 Mountain Cat.

They’ll produce a maximum of five of each version, with orders (and a $1,000 deposit) required by April 15.

Click to see the checklist of custom goodness for each model.

Textron has begun to incorporate Arctic Cat into its brand, as evidenced by this well-done video about the newly-named Textron Off Road division in which Cat now resides.

There's a lot more to come on this, I'm sure. Enjoy the video.

Arctic Cat held its 2018 snowmobile dealer in the Twin Cities a couple weeks ago. Here's an inside look at what the dealer saw, and what many of them thought of the machines (including the Wildcat XX). 

It even has some thoughtful words from the legend, Roger Skime.

Definitely worth checking out (other than the terrible microphone stand that was utilized).

It's official: Textron has acquired more than 50 percent of Arctic Cat's outstanding stock shares, which means that it downs the 55-year old brand.

After the merger, which is expected to occur today, Arctic Cat will be an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron, Arctic Cat’s shares will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ.

What this MEANS in terms of the product we love, the dealers we buy from and the brand's path forward is TBD. I expect more news on those big questions to come sooner rather than later.

Click to read the official financial release.

In addition to announcing its 2018 line of snowmobiles (and a few future dirt products) this past week, Arctic Cat also unveiled its 2018 Arcticwear & Accessories catalog.

Not only is it loaded with all the newest gear, it's redesigned to be easier to use, including an Index; Pro Tips from engineers and athletes; more technical specs; and an accessory locator.

Catalogs are arriving at your local Arctic Cat dealer now and in the next few days.

Well, the court of law in Canada has ruled in favor of Arctic Cat in the patent litigation brought by BRP regarding the chassis of Cat snowmobiles built from the Twin Spar in 2007 through the ProCross and ProClimb in 2015.

Apparently Ski-Doo did NOT invent the pyramid. Or something like that.

Either way, great news for Arctic Cat and justice. And, as was predicted years ago, the real winners were the lawyers with the billable hours.

Click to read more.

This past week the Snowmobile Hall of Fame announced the Hunter Houle Memorial New Building Fund.

Conceived by Steve & Charlene, it's a way for people to help fund the construction of a new museum at the SHOF in St. Germain, Wis., while memorializing their son, Hunter, who died this past January.

Click to learn more.

See, touch and ride (if you're a kid) the 2018 line of Arctic Cat snowmobiles on Saturday, March 4 at ERX in Elk River, Minn.

This is the first chance to see all the new sleds.

Plus there will be free youth demo rides; vintage Arctic Cat sleds on display; free Cat winter beanie giveaways; the Arctic Cat 360 Virtual Reality Experience; and more.

Click for more info.

Fan of Tucker Hibbert?...CHECK

Like free gear?...CHECK!

Interested in hanging out with him at 2018 Canterbury race?...CHECK!

Signed-up* for the Ultimate Race Experience Sweepstakes?...Well, are you?

*(Full disclosure: I signed up using every family member's name and various aliases.)

Arctic Cat  to Be Acquired by Textron in $247 Million All-Cash Transaction

*Delivers substantial all-cash premium to Arctic Cat shareholders;

*Textron committed to continued, long-term growth of Arctic Cat;

*Combined businesses better positioned to be powersports industry leader

Click to read the financial release.

Last Friday, while getting his sled and himself ready for this weekend’s USXC race on Pine Lake in Gonvick, Minn., 18-year-old Hunter Houle suffered a crash on his snowmobile and died a short time later.

For friends and acquaintances that want to celebrate his life and share their love with Hunter’s brothers Lucas, Jeremy and Larry, sister Jenna, his dad Steve and his mom Charlene, there will be a visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 4-8pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minn.

As well, Hunter’s funeral is from 10-11am on Wed., Jan. 11, also at Hosanna (9300 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025).

I have some thoughts I’m going to share about Hunter here on ArcticInsider, but I’m not ready yet.

Just in time for the gifting season, Tucker Hibbert just released his 2017 line of merchandise, giving fans (and dogs) a chance to wear and use some sweet gear.

From Hoodies to T-shirts and onesies (that Otis dog LOVES to wear) to hats, beanies, coffee mugs and more, there's something for every fan.

Click for some cool pix and info on how to stock up.

If you're a fan of snowmobile racing and appreciate stunning photography that captures the action and the actors, then this year's Flight 365 Photo Annual is truly a must-have.

The third volume book is at the printer and will be available in time for Christmas. For Arctic Cat fans in particular, there are major features on Zach Herfindahl and Dale Lindbeck, as well as the sport in general.

It's large format 13 x 10 x 1-in. and only $10!

This is one of those books you love, keep, and then keep loving for decades.

Click for more info. Or click the photo above to order one.

Want to know the easiest way to save the world from the dark forces of destruction?

Unleash the inner-super hero snowmobiler in your kid with a Comic T-Shirt from Arctic Cat.

Yep, it's that simple. Click for more world-saving info.

If you're one of those snowmobilers who use your knees to squeeze and rest against the plastic console around the fuel tank of Arctic Cat ProCross or ProClimb models, having a pair of Tank Pads will put a smile on your face.

Extra comfort, extra grip!

Click for some info.