The news is as shocking to write now as it was when I first heard about it: On Thursday, May 20, 2010, Rocky Cutsforth (42) of Cohasset, Minn., died from injuries sustained in an ATV accident near Nemo, South Dakota.

I've been doing research for a project I'm working on, during which I came across this advertisement for a 1973 Arctic Cat Kitty Cat ad. And I can't stop thinking about it.

Click to see it larger.

Doesn't ride like a wet fig... the Ski-Doo guys get real nervous when they hear it... smooth as a babies ass... and it'll hit 120 mph before you can even look down at the gauge.

Goodness, I love craigslist! Click to see today's gem.

Sign of the times? Smart leadership? Giving the people what they really want?

Or...

...does this represent everything that wrong with American manufacturing? And is this the beginning of the end?

Now that everything old is new again, I'd like to see a return to cool drawings like this one of a Z racer (piloted by Charlie Loften, I believe).

 Arctic Cat just released their first wave of 2011 Prowlers and ATVs. The big news here is the expansion of Electronic Power Steering (EPS), and a more work-oriented HDX Prowler with a bench seat and a flat-bed-capable rear box.

Click to read what's new on these models.

For the first time ever, Tucker Hibbert will compete at the Summer X Games. Not in trapping. Not in mountain biking. Not in Hot Stuff pizza eating.

He's going to X Games for his other love, motocross. Click to read his press release.

A swing to a (slight) profit for 2010... decreased inventories... increased market share in both ATV and Snowmobile markets... zero short- or long-term debt... and a new ATV model coming shortly.

The painful expense-cutting in response to the weakened recreational vehicle market has resulted in a decidedly upbeat fiscal 2010 report. Light appears at the end of the tunnel.

Click to read.

Wondering why the price of Arctic Cat Cross-Country Cats has reached the stratosphere in recent months.

Blame the guy in this photo.

Click to learn why.

Unlike most other industries, Arctic Cat manufactures a vast majority of its products in the U.S. After 18 years as the guy in charge of that production, Ron Ray is stepping down.

One of the most passionate, hardest-working people I've had the pleasure to know, Ray leaves a legacy of quality, care and genuine human goodness.

Filling his massive shoes is Paul Fisher.

Click to read the press release.

Ross Spoonland of Pine River, North Dakota, purchased a 2010 Arctic Cat Z1 Turbo EXT in late November. His first ride on it was during the last week of December. His last ride... the first week of March 2010.

In-between, Ross notched 7,250 miles, including one 658-mile day on Feb 26 (read THIS STORY about it from the Grand Forks Herald).

Logging more miles in 10 weeks than many "hardcore" riders log in 5 years is pretty impressive, so I asked him a few questions.

Click to read his answers.

Check out this promo video from the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. Lots to see at the SHOF, including Brian Nelson's 1978 I-500 winning Cross-Country Cat (click to see).

When hitting the Duluth Spirit Snocross National, be sure to eat at Pizza Luce, the official post-race meal of ArcticInsider, SledRacer and Action Graphics.

Hoping to be a Team Arctic racer next season? May 15 is the deadline to get your application in.

Click for info.

This week’s interview is with Glen Martin, Emissions Manager at Arctic Cat. Martin has held this position for almost two years, prior to which he worked on engine emissions for companies like Indmar, Big Dog motorcycles and MerCruiser.

We asked Glen a few emissions-related questions, and he was kind enough to answer.

Some very cool custom Cats (and Cat wanna-be's) in this little ditty.

For the past two years, Mike Kloety has held the title of Team Arctic Race Manager... one very-high profile job with a strong, winning tradition.

We asked him some questions, he gave us the answers.

The 2010 season of RMSHA hillclimb competition is officially over, with Arctic Cat racers scoring big at the final event of the season. Read more...

We're getting the word out about ArcticInsider by advertising at the places you might visit.

I'm guessing many here know where this place is.

Do this and win some money.

How? Click and read the press release.