Just Released: 2019 Arctic Cat ZR 6000R XC Cross-Country Racer

Arctic Cat unveiled the new 2019 ZR 6000R XC cross-country racer at Hay Days. Not a lot of new stuff, but some nice upgrades for Team Green racers who want the latest-and-greatest.

Click for a quick recap of all the details.

Just Launched: 2019 Arctic Cat ZR 6000R SX Snocross Race Sled

When you pretty much conquer every single snocross class the season prior, you can be forgiven for not completely reinventing a new snowmobile for the upcoming season.

Still, Arctic Cat did NOT rest on their laurels for 2019, as evidenced by the all-new ZR 6000R SX snocross race sled unveiled this past weekend at Hay Days.

They added the Dual Stage Induction (DSI) system to the C-TEC2 engine, made new forged aluminum spindles while retaining last year's outstanding geometry, recalibrated the FOX shock package, fixed a bunch of little gremlins and more.

Click to read the goodness.

Just Released: Arctic Cat 2019 M6000 ALPHA ONE

Arctic Cat unveiled three new 2019 snowmobiles at Hay Days this past weekend, one of which is the M6000 ALPHA ONE, which features the stunning single-beam rear suspension and track system that has pretty much revolutionized backcountry riding since it's debut last spring.

It's little surprise that Cat will equip an M6000 with the new ALPHA ONE system, complementing the M8000 version. In presenting the newest machine at Hay Days on Saturday, Arctic Cat reiterated that it's aimed at riders who are looking to learn and hone their backcountry skills.

Click for the whole scoop.

More Badass: 2019 Wildcat XX Models

The most badass handling off-road side-by-side blasts into 2019 with more power, more options and more comfort.

I'm talking about the race-winning Wildcat XX from Textron Off Road. Now with 130-hp naturally-aspirated.

Plus a new Limited Edition model that features a factory-installed SSV^® premium audio system features marine-grade integrated amp, two Kicker^® speakers, custom enclosures and wiring harness. The system is controlled with a Bluetooth® controller and LCD display that includes an AM/FM tuner and AUX input.

Click to serve up some badassedry.

And There Were Three: A Trio of Havoc SxS Models

Textron Off Road just announced some new-for-2019 side-by-sides, including what is now a trio of Havoc play/work crossover machines.

The all-new Havoc base model and Havoc Backcountry Edition join the Havoc X in the performance/play/work/do-it-all category.

Click for pix and info.

Pump Away

"Decide which hand you want to use, and pump away."

There you have it.

Here's What Happened at Hay Days (in 1978)

Want to know what happened at Hay Days without having to brave the crowds, overpriced parking and other sundry stuff?

Well, here's what happened...in 1978. Courtesy of Minnesota Snowmobiler magazine.

For those who want something a bit more fresh, I'll see you the Annual Sno Baron's Hay Days extravaganza happening in Minnesota this weekend. Be at the Arctic Cat booth at 1pm on Saturday to see the unveiling.

Booya!

They Laughed...When I Mixed Freestyle & Watercross

Kids...DEFINITELY try this at home.

TGIF: The Aug. 31, 2018 Suzuki Prowler Edition

I'm thankful for the Arctic Cat Prowler (1990-1995, RIP).

I'm thankful for the nearly 4 decades of Suzuki engine power in Arctic Cat snowmobiles, and the strong connection that existed between the two companies.

I'm thankful for those dedicated few who couldn't say goodbye to either the Prowler or Suzuki power.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.

Product Spotlight: Modular Helmet with Electric Shield

Now begins the time of year when Arctic Cat shares news and a tighter focus on some of the cool new stuff that's available for the coming snow season with the lowliest bottom-feeders on the planet (aka: guys who publish websites and magazines).

Also right here and right now, is the Arctic Cat Modular Helmet with Electric Shield.

It's a popular skid lid for a whole bunch of riders, and for good reason.

Click to read them.

Product Spotlight: Interchanger 3-in-1 Jacket

Now begins the time of year when Arctic Cat shares news and a tighter focus on some of the cool new stuff that's available for the coming snow season with the lowliest bottom-feeders on the planet (aka: guys who publish websites and magazines).

Right here, right now, is the Interchanger 3-in-1 Jacket.

Click for a quickie.

Hall and Ernst Go 1-2 at NHRA BIR Nationals

Check out the scorching-fast 1/4-mile runs by Team Arctic's Glenn Hall (far lane, on the ProCross 9000 Turbo) and Matt Ernst (near lane, Twin Spar 9000 turbo) in the Pro Stock Snowmobile final at the NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., last weekend.

Ernst actually had the quicker run -- a 8.242 second burner compared to Hall's 8.273 blast -- but it was Hall's nearly instant .104 reaction time that delivered the VERY close victory.

Both ran 155-plus MPH, and both looked smooth as silk cruising down BIR's tarmac.

Congrats to both!

Ray Bulloch and Wildcat XX Win Vegas-to-Reno

Textron Off Road Factory Race Team’s Ray Bulloch and co-pilot Kaleb Myers delivered a mossive win the Pro UTV NA Class the Desert’s Vegas-to Reno-race this past weekend.

The 1-day, 531-mile race is considered one of the toughest and most prestigious of the BITD Series events.

Bulloch piloted the nearly-stock, naturally aspirated No. 1835 Wildcat XX to an absolutely crushing win 11 hours and 26 minutes, nearly 18 minutes faster than the second place UTV. 

The win was a true testament to the durability of the Wildcat XX and its racers, who only stopped for a belt, tire change and fuel while leaving nothing but dust for a class full of custom-built vehicles.

Congratulations to the team for proving the new Wildcat XX is truly the best in the desert.

2019 Wave 1 Side-by-Sides from Textron Off Road

Here's the First Wave of 2019 Side-by-Side models from Textron Off Road, with at least one more wave to come at a later date.

These new models join the recently released Prowler Pro and the earlier Wildcat XX models.

Click to check out what's new.

2019 ATV Models from TOR Wave 1

Today Textron Off Road (TOR) released information on several ATVs and UTVs for the 2019 model year. In its information sent to media, TOR called it a "First Wave Launch" which suggests additional wave(s).

For ATVs, the big news for wave one is a new Alterra™ 570 ATV; a very-updated 700 engine/transmission in many of the Alterra 700 models; and a reprisal of several models that saw limited visibility over the past year.

Click to read the details of the ATVs. 

No Ordinary Forklift: The Origins of Arctic Cat

What does an old forklift, Roger Skime, Edgar Hetten, David Johnson, Arctic Cat and Polaris have to do with one another?

More than I would have ever imagined.

Click to read a story about the origins of Arctic Cat, the founders of Polaris and the little known history of no ordinary forklift.

Lurking Within: A Cat, A Race and a Mighty Good Feeling

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

TGIF: The Aug. 3, 2018 Bunny Edition

I'm thankful for bygone eras and the bunnies who played them.

I'm thankful that snowmobile companies steered clear of #scandal and paid no #hushmoney.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.

Join Team 68 This Saturday for Fun and to Help Grant a Wish

Tucker Hibbert might have retired from professional snocross, but he hasn't stopped trying to make a difference in peoples' lives.

This Saturday, he's hoping fans, friends and family will join him at the 2018 Walk for Wishes^® Twin Cities event in order to raise money for Make-A-Wish^® Minnesota to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

Join Team 68 in person, or in spirit. Click for some primo info.

Arctic Cat County Fair in TRF

It looked a lot like Catfest at the Pennington County Fair in Thief River Falls, last week. There were Team Arctic racers, vintage sleds, new sleds and wheelers. And people. Lot's of people!

What's Catfest? It was a once-every-five-years celebration of everything Arctic Cat that occurred in TRF beginning in the late 1980s and through the 1990s.

By pairing with the Pennington County Fair (itself one of the most vibrant county fairs in Minnesota). the five day event had lots of added attraction.

I was lucky to spend an afternoon there. Click to see some pix.