'17 October in TRF: A Couple Days at Arctic Cat

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.

LED Headlight: See Into the Future

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.

Heat-to-Toes: Champion Jacket & Mid-Weight Wool Socks

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.

Caterpillar UTV in Collaboration with Textron Off Road

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.

2018 SHOF Inductees and Ride With The Champs

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.

Wicked Wildcat Weekend

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.

TGIF: The Original Wildcat Edition

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.

Brutiful! 1970 Arctic Cat Panther 793

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.

In Case of Holy Crapeth! Speedwerx Handlebar Control Kit

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.

Boss Cat Boots: New Boa(sting) the Latest Materials and Tech

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.

ZR 200: ArcticInsider's 2018 Snowmobile of the Year!

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.

September is "Team Arctic Rules the World" Month thanks to Grass Drag Success

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.

Arrival: Destination Elevation

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.

Q&A Part II with John Collins, VP of Textron Specialized Vehicles

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.

Because...Hay Days: A 2017 Photo Tribute

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.

Tucker Hibbert & Logan Christian Testing Prototype Arctic Cat Snocross Sleds

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.

Cross-Country Racer: Arctic Cat Improves the 2018 ZR 6000R XC

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).

Unveiled: 2018 Arctic Cat ZR 6000R SX Snocross Race Sled

In case you were wondering how serious Arctic Cat is about winning in stock class snocross racing this season, the all-new 2018 ZR 6000R SX race sled has 350 new parts compared to last season, including:

* 20 lbs. lighter

* New 136-in. track

* A heavily updated ARS front suspension with taller spindles and new geometry

* A heavily revised C-TEC2 6000 EFI engine with new cylinders and exhaust valve configuration

* Lightwight, no-slosh 3-gal. fuel tank

* All-new lightweight and ergo-friendly seat design

* New TEAM driven clutch and tubular driven shaft

* And a WHOLE bunch more.

Double-jump over to the main story to learn all the details.

Craig's List of the Week: Custom Arctic Cat Prowler

For a measly $600, why WOULDN'T you buy this custom Arctic Cat Prowler?!?

The handlebar and 10-plus-10-in. riser combo alone is easily worth $300. And the True Timber camo paint job would fetch $100 at any art fair.

True, the seat does scrub some off the overall value. But on sled like this, there ain't no sittin'.

Click here to see the original craigslist ad. Seller would probably deliver to Haydizzle this weekend.

Hurry, because I'm interested.

TGIF: The Sexy Cat / Sept. 1, 2017 Edition

I'm thankful for when the three-martini lunch fueled the creative fire of advertising agencys' copywriters.

I'm thankful I wasn't the only young kid who, in the early 1970s, just barely detected the subtle sexual innuendo of Kawasaki's advertisement touting the big jugs on the Arctic Cat EXT.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Sept. 1, 2017.