Arctic Cats at SEMA Show

Arctic Cat recently attended the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, where several custom-built machines were on display along with demo rides of the new Wildcat X with RG Pro suspension platforms.

Click to see some of the machines.

Flashback: 1966 Rhinelander Hodag Cross-Country

In the early 1960s, the premier snowmobile race in North America was the Rhinelander (Wis.) Hodag Marathon.

A cross-country race, the Hodag ran through the Wisconsin Northwoods, including going down main streets in towns like Eagle River, Three Lakes and others.

It helped set the stage for the first derby on Dollar Lake near Eagle River in 1964, which would become the Eagle River World's Championship.

Click for some great pix from the 1966 edition of the Hodag, and check out the sweet Model 100 and 140 Arctic Cats!

Happy Birthday C.J. (and, as always, thanks for your amazing writing)!

Today (Nov. 14) would have been C.J. Ramstad's 71st birthday had he not died in a tragic automobile crash with his son, J.J., in May 2007.

C.J. was an outstanding writer because of his ability to capture the essence of whatever he was writing about.

His column (click for it) from the Jan./Feb. 1982 issue of Snowmobile Magazine is a prime example, in which he describes a tribute to Edgar Hetteen, the so-called Grandfather of Snowmobiling.

It's an especially timely column because of the recent passing of David Johnson, Edgar's brother-in-law, who plays and important role in the story.

Happy Birthday C.J.

And thanks for all you gave the sport of snowmobiling.

Are You Interested in Racing an Arctic Cat SVX Snow Bike?

Are you interested in racing an Arctic Cat SVX snow bike this winter? If yes, Arctic Cat is interested in you.

Click for more details.

Soon

Seeing this makes me feel good.

Soon...winter will be here.

Arctic Cat Reports 2017 Second Quarter Results

Today Arctic Cat Reported its Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Results.

Summarized by a non-financial writer who barely made it through high school math classes: the company is still losing money as it faces tougher circumstances than originally forecast; the powersports market is still soft; there is still too much dealer inventory. 

Here's how Cat says it:  

-Second quarter net sales totaled $164.6 million;

-Net loss $0.98 per share;

-Continued progress made on strategies to reposition company, including signing two strategic partnerships;

-Commitment letter signed to extend and increase revolving bank agreement to $130 million year round to support future growth initiatives;

-Company lowers fiscal 2017 revenue and EPS outlook on weaker powersports market, increased promotional costs and unfavorable product mix

TGIF: The Early (and Late) Season Riding Edition

I'm thankful for the great, extended season of snowmobiling that saw us eke out one final ride on July 4, 2016.

I'm thankful for the incredibly short off-season that snowmobilers must suffer through while #waitingforwinter.

I'm thankful that we'll all (potentially) be riding in

Arctic Cat Launches SPEED High-Perf Accessories for Wildcat Riders

We're now seeing the fruits of Arctic Cat's partnership with off-road racing champion Robby Gordon that was first announced roughly 14 months ago.

First came the new-for-2017 Wildcat X models featuring the RG Pro suspension.

Now comes a full line of SPEED accessories for Wildcat enthusiasts developed with both Gordon and Todd Romano. This premium stuff is aimed at the hardcore rider and racer, as well as those aspiring to be.

Click to read Cat's announcement.

Product Spotlight: Flip-Up Poly Windshield for Arctic Cat Prowler & HDX

There's no denying the added comfort a windshield offers on side-by-sides. If you're skeptical, think about the last car you bought that didn't have a windshield.

Arctic Cat offers all kinds of windshield options for its various sport and utility side-by-sides.

Here is the Flip-Up Polycarbonate option for Prowler and HDX models. Click for more info.

Product Spotlight: In-Cab Storage Bags for Wildcat Sport & Trails

It is the human condition to fill to capacity whatever storage space we have. If you need proof, look at your garage.

Fortunately, there are ways to increase the storage capacity of certain things, such as the Wildcat Sport or Trail.

Yep, there are several handy storage solutions available from Arctic Cat. Click to see them.

Product Spotlight: SpeedRack Alterra ATV Backrest from Arctic Cat

I used to think backrests were kind of corny. You know...like old-people's gear that looks goofy and suggests slowly riding through the world.

Maybe because I'm older than I was 20 years ago (Duh!) or because I've actually ridden with backrests on ATVs and snowmobiles, I no longer think of them as corny. Yes, they still look goofy to me, but you can't argue with the comfort.

Arctic Cat has a new SpeedRack Backrest for its Alterra ATV models. Click for more info.

The Halloween Blizzard of 1991

On this day WAY back in 1991, a low-pressure system carried precipitation from the Gulf of Mexico straight up the midsection of the country, where it collided with a massive, cold high pressure system from the north.

Three days later, upwards of 30-40 inches of snow had blanketed a large swath of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Dubbed the Halloween Blizzard (10 inches of snow fell that night), it was a watershed weather event that paralyzed cities and certainly caused a lot of hardship for some, yet gave snowmobilers the greatest candy of any Halloween ever.

Friends and I snowmobiled all over the Twin Cities (on major roads, highways and even freeways) for two days until the plows finally got on top of the situation. I know of people who did laps around the Metrodome in Minneapolis. It was incredible.

Click for some swiped photos of that storm.

Passion (Parked) at Arctic Cat Today

Nothing unusual going on here in the parking lot today at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls.

Just the same, good ol' passion that's been burning bright since 1962.

TGIF: The October 28, 2016 Get-'em-Running Edition

I'm thankful that, when it was time to park the sleds for the summer, Elmer was careful to take care of his precious fleet.

I'm thankful that vintage top deck systems are dang cool and badass (just like vintage snowmobiles).

I'm thankful that all these sleds will "run on spray," and that they'll be ripping along nicely just as soon as the snow flies.

And I'm thankful that I rose from my slumber on this, Friday October 28, 2016.

Arctic Cat Renews Support of FFA

Last week Arctic Cat announced its renewal partnership with the National FFA Organization (FFA), an organization it first partnered with last year.

The goal is to assist a great organization in helping young people to develop their potential for leadership, personal greowth and career success through agriculture education.

Since agriculture is foundational to this country, I believe FFA is a dang important organization. Thus I'm pleased that Cat is helping the cause.

Click for the press release.

THIS Fast!

How fast is the new Arctic Cat Thundercat?

This fast.

Billet Goodness: Customization with Substance & Style

When it comes to customization, billet aluminum has a substantive, enduring appeal.

That was the inspiration behind an array of new billet snowmobile accessories for 2017.

Click for the down-low.

205 Horsepower: Stock ZR 9000 Turbo on D&D Dyno

Recently, D&D Racing out of Lowville, NY, uncrated a 2017 Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Cross Country with the new 9000 Series Turbo, put it on their dyno and let 'er rip.

The result: 205 horsepower and 127 ft.-lbs. of torque.

I'm just sayin'...

Yummy!

Brian Fandel's 1542-Mile 14-Day ATV Adventure

Last month, Brian Fandel embarked upon a 14-day, 1,542-mile ATV adventure from his home in Thief River Falls to northern Michigan, and back on a 2017 Arctic Cat Alterra TRV.

For an extra measure of sportiness, he did the trip alone.

Fandel, who is an NVH engineer at Arctic Cat, rode nine of the 14 days, logging 251 miles on the longest leg and 67 miles on the shortest. Impressively, there were four days that exceeded 200 miles.

Click to see how he did it.

Road Rally: Thundercat Drift with Glenn Hall

Riding a new 2017 Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat, Glenn Hall behaves in a way that I've ALWAYS wanted to behave myself!

#onthegas