It's been a busy summer for the crew at USXC Racing as they lay a successful foundation for the upcoming Winnipeg to Willmar I-500 cross-country.

Occasionally Brian Nelson, USXC director, sends me an email with updates on their progress (and the considerable work required).

Click to read the incredible foundation being laid for this historic race.

Part two of the Vintage Road Trip to Wisconsin had Tom Rowland, Jim Dimmerman and myself making an impromtu visit with vintage Arctic Cat collector Randy Springer at his shop in Wausau.

The stuff we saw of Randy's was thrilling, surprising and enlightning.

And as was the case throughout this trip, it had us laughing and grateful fo continue reading ...

I'm thankful I bought the sled on the extra-early spring program, because we used the CatCash to buy matching jackets.

I'm thankful I opted for the touring model featuring the 4-up seat, tall windshield and fiberglass overload springs.

I'm thankful Hank brought his rifle and pistol.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 25, 2014.

Recently I joined my friends Tom Rowland and Jim Dimmerman on a 2-day road trip to Wisconsin whose theme was "1982 prototype snowmobiles" from Arctic Cat and Scorpion.

During the trip we revisited CPC; uncovered a '82 Scorpion snowmobile; snagged a proto '82 Arctic Cat; met with Arctic Cat collector Randy Springer; and had an enlightening conversation with Gordon Rhode.

It was a road trip of epic laughter and education.

Click to read part one of the trip.

Once a month Arctic Cat distributes info to the media highlighting select new products.

This month the batch includes the Cat-to-the-Core leather jacket, Mountain Tec gloves, ProClimb boards and half-covers.

Make the jump to see and read about them.

Once in a while I hear a story of an Arctic Cat rider's passion for snowmobile, and it moves me to tears.

This story from Kyle Hofland about his great uncle Doug (above) is one such story.

Click to read a truly wonderful story about passion and family ties.

I'm thankful that when the snow melts to reveal the sand dunes, my trusty steed is ready to adapt via a front-end-wheel kit.

I'm thankful I can scout out the sweetest sand cornices and jumps and, once identified, that I can air it out while wearing my straw hat.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 18, 2014.

Arctic Cat announced an update to the side panel on all 2015 ZR, XF and M models in the 6000, 8000, and 9000 engine series.

The revised side panel features a new external duct that directs more air onto the clutches, reducing their operating temperatures.

Click to breeze through some more info and pix.

Arctic Cat updated the 2015 ZR4000RR with new, race-focused features aimed at higher performance and improved handling.

It gets the TEAM driven clutch, wider A-arms and new skis.

Click for more detailed information.

I'm thankful for the sheer joy and adventure of backcountry boondocking.

I'm thankful my new watercross race sled is ready to rip.

I'm thankful for Outdoor Life magazine.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 11, 2014.

You know the magnificent (and mean-looking) 1972 Arctic Cat EXT hood/belly combo? It was primarily designed and crafted in fiberglass by Kenny Halvorson.

The same Kenny Halvorson who produced most of the patterns and molds for Arctic Cat from the early '70s through 1981.

Ditto for the reproduction Z, EXT, big mouth Panther and Sno Pro hoods that grace the majority of rebuilt, restored and/or reproduced show sleds throughout the world.

They and many more are the creation of Kenny Halvorson and his crew of craftsmen.

Click to read about a master of glass.

I'm thankful it's July... time to rev up my WetBike.

I'm thankful I can just sit here, cool as $#!T, while she waves at me from on the beach.

I'm thankful for the fireworks that are gonna happen as soon as I'm done ripping some waves on my trusty steed.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 4, 2014.

Once a month Arctic Cat distributes info to the media highlighting select new products, some of which are so new they didn't make it into the accessories catalog.

This month the batch includes an all-new 3.0-in. lug PowerClaw track for mountain sleds, SPY-built goggles, Tucker Hibbert Series FOX Shox and a women's BackCountry jacket.

Make the jump to see and read about them.

For the gears to turn smoothly and on time at a company like Arctic Cat, there must be people whose job is to create and adhere to a master plan.

Michele McCraw is one of those people.

As a BOM (Bill of Materials) Technician, McCraw is responsible for the documentation of 62 current model snowmobiles, plus a large number of prototype and future model year sleds.

It’s a huge responsibility that’s critical to the assembly and specification documentation of these snowmobiles.

Click to read about her job and some cool facts about current Arctic Cat snowmobiles.

I'm thankful that Arctic Cat mountain engineer/test rider Shay Smith could confidently air it out while snowmobiling in Montana this past week.

I'm thankful it will be at least six months before I see the 8-ft. 4-in. Smith again, because he might forget that I posted this photo and thus won't crush me into a whimpering ball of fear.

I'm thankful that shirtless snowmobiling is the new black.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, June 27, 2014.

On Tuesday, Tucker Hibbert was nominated for an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Award in the Best Male Action Sports Athlete category!

This is a huge deal for the Team Monster/Arctic Cat racer and the sport of snowmobiling.

And best of all, YOU can affect the outcome.

Simply CLICK HERE to go to the ESPN Link to vote for Hibbert. It's free and takes less than 6.8 seconds.

Click for more info.

Last week, Team Arctic racer/engineer Brian Dick got married to Alicia Voss.

For the wedding, Brian's brother Adam and a friend created this awesome video speech that documents Brian's, ahem, training sessions for snowmobile racing.

If you've ever wondered what makes Brian so fast and such a good engineer, this video might explain it.

Note: Adam delivers a few expletives, so be warned.

Congrats Brian and Alicia!

February 23, 2014.

Centennial range of the Bitterroot Mountains, west of Island Park.

Pre-production 2015 model year Arctic Cat M and XF snowmobiles.

Arctic Cat engineers, test riders a couple lucky extras, including the photographer.

I'm thankful there's a kit for everything.

I'm just as thankful for lake-banging as I am for ditch-banging.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, June 20, 2014.

It's truly been an amazing winter and spring here in the Midwest, with the longest riding season that I can remember.

And since yesterday was my birthday, Kale (left) and I posed for a moment outside of the Trestle Inn, during a b-day celebration ride on Minnesota's North Shore.

Can this possibly be true??

Anyone else put some miles on your sled yesterday?