The year is 1977... after you hear the last rocking notes of Meatloaf blast through the single speaker of the clock radio in your bedroom, an ad from Arctic Cat is broadcast during which you hear this great line:

"Owning an Arctic Cat feels like you can lick the whole world."

Yep, it really happened.

Click below to hear it for yourself.

Back when Edgar and I were designing the Panther, nobody ran decals on their sleds.

Later, when Roger and I were tweaking the first prototype El Tigre, people ran the square registration decals purchased from the hardware store.

It was during the early 80s when I was helping Z put the final touches on the first AFS Cats that going full-custo with painted pinstripes and registration numbers signified that you were a serious sledder.

And when Kirk and I were imagining the Torque Sensing Link for the ZR line, die-cut vinyl became the new standard for sled sweetness.

These days, you gotta have a wrap.

So after that history lesson, it's time to click to see the new Cat Wraps from Arctic Cat.

I have a feeling that the new Garage Collection of portswear from Arctic Cat will be pretty popular.

Click to see these fancy new threads.

Arctic Cat recently pulled the wraps off of most of its 2014 line of ATVs and side-by-sides.

Click to read the highlights, a few ride impressions and see some cool pix.

I'm thankful for snow. I'm thankful for the rubber track.

I'm also thankful for skis.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 9, 2013.

(Super-thankful to Minnesota Rob continuing support of TGIF.)

Starting tomorrow, you can own even more of FOX Racing Shox than the units on your snowmobile or Wildcat.

The company completed an IPO yesterday and will be offering 8,571,429 shares at ~$14 per share.

On Sept. 13-15, former Arctic Cat President Lowell Swenson will be postumously inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Eagle River, Wis.

Swenson was a key figure in Arctic Cat history, guiding the company through the tumultuous decade that began in 1966.

Click to read his bio.

What do you think of a return of a point-to-point I-500? 

Brian Nelson, owner of USXC, thinks enough about it that he and Joey Hallstrom spent a day last spring doing reconnaissance of a route from Winnipeg to Thief River Falls.

Nelson's goal is a return to the Winnipeg for 2015. 

Click to read more.

I'm thankful for snowmobiles and choppers.

I'm thankful for the inventive spirit that pervades the world of snowmobiling. 

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 2, 2013.

(Thanks to Minnesota Rob for the submission.)

Click below for a 1-minute transport back in time to 1980 (when you might have been listening to the radio and heard this commercial for the Arctic Cat El Tigre and Jag).

Adam Kuiken is an Arctic Cat Senior Test Engineer whose job is to develop and collect test data during product development.

It's amazing (to me) the kind of data he's able to collect, and how that translates into the machines we buy.

Click to read the interview with him.

I'm thankful that the human spirit naturally compels us to compete, no matter what the vehicle or circumstance.

I'm thankful that the dreaded "inside ski lift" is a rare occurance when these guys take to the race track.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 26, 2013.

Today Arctic Cat reported record results for its fiscal 2014 First Quarter.

One line from the results that greatly pleases me: "The company continued to increase investment in research and development to ensure a strong pipeline of new products and technologies..."

Click to read the full report. 

A huge cyber high-five to Team Arctic's Dale Lindbeck for once again cashing in his chips to win his FOURTH IWA World Championships of Watercross in Grantsburg, Wis.

Special thanks to SledRacer.com for the sweet photo.

This is Curt Asche and his 2007 Arctic Cat TRV 650 H1.

Nothing too unusual here, except that Curt's logged nearly 50,000 miles on the machine!

Click to read a bit more about the pair.

I'm thankful it's Friday, July 19, 2013.

And I'm especially thankful that all kinds of people like Arctic Cat.

Last Friday, after 30 years of dedication to their jobs at Arctic Cat, Lauretta and Roy Blomker stepped out of their weekly routine and into retirement.

I enjoyed a nice conversation with both of them during which they talked about what a pleasure it's been to work for Arctic Cat customers (and the company).

Click to read.

Alex Fortune of Cresco, Iowa, recently competed in his first-ever UTV race at ERX MotorSports Park aboard his Arctic Cat Wildcat X.

Here's his first-person account of the experience.

Click Here for the 1-min. "Ya Know" Arctic Cat Radio Spot from 1972

Ya know, there's a lot of things ya didn't know about Arctic Cat...

Click the story link for a larger version of this Arctic Cat ad from the 1972 snowmobile season.

I'm thankful it's Friday, July 12, 2013.

I'm thankful I love snowmobiles and inventiveness.

And I'm thankful for Minnesota Rob for yet another TGIF contribution.