This is a story about USXC’s Ride-Along class for parents whose kids will compete the 2018 I-500 cross-country race.

Parents who desire to can literally ride behind their kids for the entire 150-mile Day 3 portion from Thief River Falls to Bemidji, Minn., that comprises the Junior class. For those that do, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll have the time of your life.

I know because I unwittingly did something very similar back in 2011, which is captured in the photo above.

Click to read the story of that race, and what it could mean for parents of junior class racers this winter.

This throwback is to 1973 (or 1975, see comments), with Team Arctic's Tom Porter roosting away on his factory EXT Sno Pro sled.

Such a badass photo!

It's a reminder that yes, even 4-plus decades ago, winter could be cruel and the races could be as much moto as they were snow.

I'm of the opinion that the human race is well on its way to FAR, FAR more widespread use of electric-powered vehicles. I also believe the approaching sea-change should NOT induce fear or loathing.

On the contrary, every experience I've had with EV has been awesome. The future is awesome!

Case in point: the new 2018 Prowler EV and EV iS side-by-sides from Textron Off Road.

Click to read the stats on this newly named machine.

The air was brisk and the activity bristling at Arctic Cat last week.

The two days I spent there were a strong reminder that winter is coming, and that the energy here is infectious.

Click to see what was happening.

As the years tick by, my weary eyes need ever-increasing light to see with the clarity that I expect.

The LED headlight that comes stock on select, recent Arctic Cat snowmobiles delivers improved performance in exactly this way.

Now this headlight is available as an accessory for 6000 and 8000 series models.

Click to see the light.

Arcticwear continues to round-out its clothing line for snowmobilers, with the new Mid-Weight Wool Socks joining the Champion Advantage Jacket for the coming season.

Now that grey is the new black, the Champion Jacket hits the bullseye of current style trends.

The socks won't get much notice, aside from whoever wears them and appreciates their warmth and dryness.

Click for a few details on each.

Today Caterpillar announced plans to enter the utility vehicle market.

Which is particularly notable because Caterpillar has entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement with Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. and will offer UTV models sold through participating Cat® dealerships starting in 2018.

The machine will feature a rugged steel cargo bed that can reliably handle up to 1,000 lb (450 kg) of material and tools, plus a 2,000-lb (900-kg) towing capacity. The UTVs also provide ample headroom and legroom for tall riders.

Click for more info.

The Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Germain, Wis., announced today its four inductees for 2018: Team Decker Racing, Bryan Dyrdahl, Trapp Brothers Racing Team, and Rick Ward.

These honorees will be inducted into the SHOF on Feb. 17, 2018, in St. Germain, coinciding with the annual Ride With The Champs and other events. All snowmobiling fans are invited.

Click for more info on the inductees and the upcoming event.

The Wicked Wildcat Weekend is a bi-annual gathering of Wildcat owners, with the purpose of riding and having.

A few weeks ago the most recent edition drew 87 Wildcats from all over North America.

Click for some great photos and a little history of this cool event, along with an invitation to join the next one in spring 2018.

Here's a brief story of past events written by Josh Nave, along with his invitation to join future ones.

I'm thankful for the evocative Wildcat, a name that entered Arctic Cat lore for the 1988 model year in the form of a twin-cylinder, twin-pipe, 650cc beast that would ably serve as the company's flagship snowmobile until it was supplanted by the 1993 Thundercat.

I'm thankful that when the camera came out, an open-face-helmet clad Hollywood Hallstrom hucked this first Wildcat off some badass cornices, a show of force that hinted at its capability as well as the pilot's.

I'm thankful for the wild ride that's occurred in the nearly 30 years since.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.

Arctic Cat has a long, wonderful history of producing beautiful beasts that reflect the brand's go-for-it attitude.

One such example is this stunning 1970 Panther 793 that's part of the Ische family collection.

Packing the sound and fury of a open-piped Hirth 793 triple, this magnificent Panther was one of just 94 produced for the 1970 model year.

I can almost feel the thunder, see the tremor and gasp at the bloody ears of those few owners who fired-up these beasts!

Click for a few more delicious pix.

Backcountry (and some trail) riders looking to swap the stock Arctic Cat hand controls with something that's less bulky and less likely to shred in the event of a HOLY CRAPETH moment might appreciate the Handlebar Control Kit from Speedwerx.

Engineered for 8000/6000 Series machines, the kit replaces the stock controls with momentary buttons for the engine stop and electronic reverse switches on the handlebars, with rocker switches for the hand/thumb warmers and the high/low beam on the dash. A heavy-duty aluminum throttle block is also included.

The kit comes with an OEM-quality, pre-wired handlebar wire harness for a no-hassle plug and play installation. Plus it saves .45lbs over the stock set-up!

Interested? Speedwerx sold the first run of inventory, but you can pre-order for the next round and be ready to rip this winter.

It's been a few years since Arctic Cat has offered a premium boot featuring the latest materials and technology.

The new Boss Cat boots are a return to that category, and something that I'll be checking out this winter.

Click to get the skinny on this @$$-kicking boot.

I have seen the future of snowmobiling.

It’s a 7-year-old kid from Toronto, a 10-year-old from Old Forge, and a yet-unborn child from Grand Forks.

And it's a 200cc, mid-sized machine that will be ably ridden on trails and every condition that winter offers.

Click to read why the Arctic Cat ZR 200 is the ArcticInsider 2018 Snowmobile of the Year.

World leaders from North America and beyond officially declared that September was "Team Arctic Rules the World" month following a series of grass drag racing exploits. So complete and crushing were the performances of Team Green the last several weeks, that grown men wept, the climate refused to change and Democrats and Republicans were talking nicely to each other.

Okay, I might be exaggerating a bit, but the drubbing handed out by Arctic Cat racers has been especially brutal this grass drag season. Click for a brief recap on Hay Days, Excell Park (New York) and the Ohio Snow Bash.

Arctic Cat and the Black Cat team of Cory Davis, Rob Kincaid, Dave McClure and Brett Turcotte set a new highmark in snowmobile video sweetness.

I'm personally responsible for at least 598 of the views on various media channels, with more to come.

Watch and enjoy. Repeat.

Four months ago, John Collins, vice president of the consumer business for Textron Specialized Vehicles, talked with us here about Textron's purchase of Arctic Cat.

In terms of what Arctic Cat would look like under Textron ownership, that first interview offered only a few broad-brush strokes, and less specific detail.

Now that we’re nearly six months into the new Arctic Cat and Textron Off Road, Collins (above right, shown talking with Arctic Cat legend Roger Skime) offers new insight into the integration; what they’ve learned about Arctic Cat and its loyal customers; the just-released model line of ATVs and side-by-sides; and more.

You name it, and it was at Hay Days: snowmobiles, racers, races, ATVs, legends, fans, winter, summer, mud, food, greatness, grossness, old car tires and more.

It is an amalgamation of nearly everything that touches any aspect of snowmobiling, with just enough weirdness.

Because...Hay Days.

Click for a pictorial tribute to a mere slice of what went down at the 2017 edition.

Team Arctic's Tucker Hibbert and Logan Christian will head into stock-class snocross battle this season on an all-new 2018 ZR 6000R SX race sled that they spent considerable time and testing this past spring.

Here's a snipit of Tucker and Logan doing a lap on prototypes of the machine.

"It’s a night-and-day improvement.” — Tucker Hibbert

"It’s substantially better everywhere on the track.” — Logan Christian

Click to read MORE of what they say about the big changes to the track, front suspension and rider ergo's.

Despite winning the 2017 I-500 cross-country, Iron Dog and USXC championship, the ZR 6000R XC getting more than just bold new graphics for 2018.

There's a new seat, new TEAM driven clutch with tubular driven shaft, FOX QS3R shock, new TEAM Rapid Response II drive clutch, new Ripsaw track and more.

Click for some cross-country deliciousness (and all the details).