Just after winning the first USCC cross-country of the season, but before he jetted off to contest the Soo 500 enduro, Brian Dick (L) and his dad, Paul, prepped and shipped two race sleds for the upcoming Alaska Iron Dog race.

Here are some pix of their specially-built race sleds.

All photos courtesy of Joe Lesmiester (thanks Joe!)

The 1st Annual Vintage Snowmobile in St. Hilaire, Minn., attracted 60 entries, a couple hundred people and some really sweet sleds.

It also attracted the Hamm's Bear.

Click to see a few pix.

For those of you who are completely clear about the basic principles of 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, perhaps it's time to bone-up on the Gnome Rotary, Newcomen Atmospheric and even a little jet propulsion.

Click to see this cool interactive animated engine chart.

World Championships... Sweden... Aspen... Detroit Lakes...

It was a whirlwind 10 days for the Christain Bros. Racing team.

Click to read the highlights.

What's better than a 2000-mg cocktail of Taurine/Ginsing/Caffeine delivered straight to the heart?

How about a free Tucker Hibbert Replica Monster Energy Arctic Cat!?! Or a Hibbert-signature Spy Whip Goggle?

Click to read about this sweet giveaway promo.

I took my annual trip-back-in-time this past weekend.

Yep, Waconia.

Click to see some pix.

Last weekend the second race of the USCC cross-country season went down in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Team Arctic racers notched 13 of 17 class wins.

Nice!

Click to read the official Team Arctic press release.

Check out this excellent video of Team Arctic oval star P.J. Wanderscheid in his Drive For Five at the Eagle River World's Championship.

Amazing footage and great insight into P.J. and the Wandersheid team. Produced by FlyingAFilms.

More Demo Rides of 2012 Arctic Cat snowmobiles are popping up.

Click for the latest schedule and locations.

It was another strong quarter for Arctic Cat. Among the highlights:

*Net sales grew 36%, driven by increased snowmobile sales and international ATV sales

*Net sales grew 36 percent

*Third-quarter operating profit rose 114% to $26.2 million from $12.2 million;

*Raised fiscal 2012 sales and earnings guidance 129% to 143% increase over fiscal 2011, on expected full-year sales growth of 22% to 24%

After a 14-year absence from the Eagle River World Championships, I revisited this iconic event with the goal of learning something new.

Click to see if I made any progress.

Want your very own rear-engine Arctic Cat snowmobile, but without having to buy or restore one?

Consider the Paul Shearer (and sons) method: Custom-build your own. This awesome video highlights the transformation.

On Feb. 25 Tucker Hibbert will attempt to win his second World Snowcross Championship.

To commemorate the occasion, just 68 Limited Edition t-shirts will be available, each individually autographed by Tucker.

Purchase one and you’ll be entered into a drawing in which you could win the very race pullover he competes in during the race.

Click for details

If there were questions about which brand would start the 2012 cross-country season on top, Team Arctic answered by winning 13 of 17 classes and going 1-2 in the Pro 600 final.

“It was a winning performance that matched the ZR period of lake-race success," said Mike Kloety. "The new Sno Pro 600 ProCross proved it has the speed and handling needed to win in all forms of cross-country.”

Click to read the press release.

It was a weekend of firsts for FOX athletes at the United States Cross-Country (USCC) National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship at Pine Lake near Gonvick, MN.

Click to read the FOX Shox press releases.

This goofball winter is wrecking havoc on all kinds of events, including what would have been the St. Hilaire (Minn.) 100-mile Vintage Race.

But rather than accept defeat, the town elders are hosting a Vintage Snowmobile Show on Jan. 28.

Click for more info.

I had the great privilege of reading this beautiful, heartbreaking story about Dante Froese, written by his mother, Carolyn.

She gave me permission to share it with everyone here.

Click to read Dante’s story.

On Sunday, Team Arctic racer (and Arctic Cat engineer) Brian Dick scored the win in Pro 600 at the season-opening USCC cross-country in Pine Lake, Minn.

The win capped a powerful showing by all Team Arctic racers and confirmed that the new Sno Pro 600 race sled is a force to be reckoned with in cross-country.

Click to read the interview.

Team Christian Bros. Racing/Arctic Cat's Brian Dick led a 1-2 finish for the CBR team at the USCC cross-country opener in Pine Lake, Minn.

Click to read the team's release.

Check out this classic Arctic Cat snowmobile TV commercial for the 1987 season. One of my favorites for sure.

Then click to see the accompanying print advertisement.