Guest Commentary: The S.T.I.C.'s Hay Days Perspective

Beer, handlebars, Burger King, brats and more...

...Here's a guest commentary about Hay Days from Rodney Dragan, ringleader of the merry band of snowmobile thugs known the world over as "F.H.U.C.-S.T.I.C.S.".

Click for some clack.

Hay Days 2015: The Sights, Sounds and Smells

The 49th Sno-Baron's Hay Days extravaganza went down this past weekend in near perfect splendor, unleashing the excitement of snowmobiling via wild mix of products, people, racing, swapping and anticipation.

Click for a sample of what could be seen during the weekend.

Sneak Peek! Arctic Cat Single-Ski Snow Vehicle

In what was probably the biggest surprise of the event (and truly a sneak peek), Arctic Cat briefly unveiled a single-ski type snow vehicle at Hay Days this weekend.

It was just a tease, with VERY limited information and a VERY short cameo. The single ski machine appeared for about 1 minute atop the Arctic Cat truck before disappearing.

Click for some pix, limited info and speculation based on my photographic evidence.

Arctic Cat Unveils SVX 450 Single-Ski Snowmobile

The biggest news over the weekend was Arctic Cat's unveiling of what it's calling an SVX 450 Snow Vehicle.

It's a single-ski snowmobile built for back-country riding, with the potential for other types of riding in the future.

Check this out, and look for additional updates here!

Unveiled: 2016 Arctic Cat ZR6000 R XC & SX Race Sleds

UPDATED on 9-15-15 with more detailed information on several items for each sled.

Arctic Cat unveiled its 2016 snocross and cross-country race sleds at Hay Days this past weekend, each getting a host of updates.

New exhaust system... new brakes... new track... new cool stuff!

Race on over to a full description of each sled.

TGIF: The Sept. 11, 2015 Edition

I'm thankful it's the day before Hay Days (although it's actually the day that most swappers make deals).

I'm thankful so many from the wide world of snowmobiling are descending upon North Branch, Minnesota, bristling with expectation of what they'll see, find, sell and hear at 49th annual start of winter.

I'm thankful we can all pause for a moment today and say a prayer for the many thousands who suffer sadness, loss, heartbreak and more on Sept. 11.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.

Offroad Adventure: Racing Bacon in Hog Heaven

Ever see a pig race?

Me either, until a recent Friday in Leader, Minn., when a pack of bacon was ripping laps around a track in front of a few hundred screaming fans. 

Among the screamers were myself, my son Cal and our friend Pat Bourgeois of ATV World/OSM Magazine.

Click to see some divine swine.

Arctic Cat Moving Headquarters from Plymouth to Minneapolis

Arctic Cat announced today that it's moving its corporate headquarters to Minneapolis from its current location in Plymouth, Minn., in order to accelerate and accommodate growth.

Cat anticipates that it will begin occupying the new headquarters in the summer of 2016.

Over time, approximately 150 to 200 personnel will be housed in the new location. Arctic Cat’s facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, Minn., will remain vibrant manufacturing sites, with overall employment levels staying the same.

Click for added info.

TGIF: The 2016 Labor Day Weekend Edition

I'm thankful for the men and women who produce the coolest damn machines in the whole world, whether it's 1975 or 2015!

I'm thankful that, in the U.S. and Canada, it's Labor Day weekend.

(I'm thankful that, in the past 10 years or so, it's seemingly become a 4-day weekend for most poeople, because nobody who's supposed to be at work today is returning my emails or phone calls.)

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.

This Weekend: Vintage & Mid-School Arctic Cat Auction

Arctic Cat vintage (and mid-school) collectors have a treat in store for them this weekend near Eagle River, Wis.

There, an estate auction for George Siebens, a 20-year Arctic Cat dealer from Illinois will take place in which many cool, old Arctic Cat snowmobiles, parts, clothing and assorted stuff will go home to the highest bidders.

Brand new, never-started Jags; 634 Hirth Panthers (with Montana pipes!); Trail Cats; Kitty Cats and more will find new homes, perhaps yours?

Click for more info and pix.

Time Flies: Drifting Into Autumn

It's Labor Day weekend here in the States, which marks the unofficial beginning of autumn. Man, does time drift by quickly!

To celebrate, here are a few sweet shots of 2016 Cats doing their own bit of drifting.

Enjoy.

Princeton 2020 Cancelled

Princeton 2020 has been cancelled. Here's a look back at the 2015 event from John Sandberg.

Nothing signals the end of summer and the beginning of autumn quite like a snowmobile swap meet.

For me and several thousand others, the annual Swap/Outlaw Drags in Princeton, Minn., served up all the great reminders that our favorite season is only a few months away.

Click to see some pictures of this year's event.

New from Arctic Cat ATV & UTV for 2016

Moments ago, Arctic Cat unveiled its first wave of 2016 ATV and ROV/side-by-side models at its annual dealer show.

There are seven all-new Special Edition models, powered-up Wildcat Sport models and full line of SPEED High-Performance Accessories co-developed by Robby Gordon.

Click for the highlights and some pictures.

TGIF: The Aug. 21, 2015 Edition

I'm thankful that this week, Ma Nature gave us the first cool temps of the summer.

I'm thankful the cool temps reminded me of the snowmobile and snowboard adventures from last season, just goin' fer a rip* around town with my bud.

I'm thankful for it all, and especially for another great Friday...this one in Aug. of 2015.

* Warning: strong language

Product Spotlight: Aircat Electric Goggles from Arctic Cat

The two best ways to eliminate fogging while snowmobiling? Wearing goggles or an electric shield.

Now you can do both.

Click for a clear look at what promised to be a pretty sweet product.

Product Spotlight: 12-in. Turbo Wheels for Arctic Cat ATV and ROVs

Whether it's your for your truck, ATV, ROV or your toddler's bicycle, it's tough to deny the aesthetic impact of a nice set of wheels.

These 12-in. Aluminum Turbo wheels will do wonders for Arctic Cat ATVs and side-by-sides. They might even work on your kid's BMX bike.

Click for more info.

Product Spotlight: Aluminum Wildcat Bumpers

The front and back of Arctic Cat Wildcats are practically begging for bumpers.

Good thing that Arctic Cat has many styles to choose from, including these new aluminum options.

Click to bash into them.

Grandma's Wildcat: The Story of Alex Fortune's Custom Arctic Cat Wildcat

Alex Fortune is a Team Arctic racer, snowmobiler and fantastic builder of custom sleds/Wildcats.

His original plan for racing a Wildcat this summer took on a new, deeper meaning after his grandma died from Cancer last February.

Here's the story and a description of this awesome Wildcat, as told by Alex:

Product Spotlight: Windscreen Selection for Arctic Cat Snowmobiles

Windscreens/windshields are like swimwear, ranging from the ultra-skimpy bikini style (meant only to be looked at), to the full-on dry-suit (all function, zero fashion).

While I personally enjoy seeing SOME people wear a bikini, you'll never find me wearing one (or a Speedo). Especially when I'm surfing a wave in Australia or diving to check lobster traps in New England.

Which is why Arctic Cat offers an absolutely full-range of windscreen sizes and style for all recent model snowmobiles.

Click for more info.

2016 Snowmobile Hall of Fame Inductees

The Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) in St. Germain, Wis., just announced their inductees for 2016, and it's a bumper crop of legends:

Hubert Fixsen, Steve Houle, Brad Pake and Tom Zernia

Click to read a few details about these guys and about attending the 2016 SHOF Ride With The Champs and Induction Ceremony.