Ryan Simons Strikes Hillcross Gold at ESPN X Games

Team Arctic's Ryan Simons struck gold in Hillcross at the ESPN X Games yesterday.

It was an awesome display of holeshot, power, jumping and sled preparation.

Click to see some pix from SnoX365.

2015 Grafton USXC Report: Down & Dirty Ditch Cross-Country

The top cross-country racers in the Midwest hit the ditches and river for the first time during the 2015 USXC season, shedding light on which racers and brands were best equipped for the kind of terrain racing that most accurately reflects where most of us ride.

Here's how it looked to my eyes (and through my Nikon lens) as it unfolded.

11 Wins: Team Arctic XC Racers Own the Ditch at USXC Grafton, ND

Team Arctic cross-country racers dominated the first ditch and river race of the season, scoring 11 wins in 17 classes at the USXC cross-country in Grafton, ND.

Click to read the Team Arctic press release.

TGIF: The Jan. 16, 2015 World Championship Edition

I'm thankful for the rich history, creative genius and hopeful experimentation that has been part of the Eagle River Derby since Day One.

I'm thankful for the way certain sleds draw our attention and, on occasion, lead us onto paths that change the sport for good.

I'm thankful I can sit through this final in the comfort of a cockpit, enjoying amenities like heat, 8-track music system, a handy glove box and the convenience of a cigar

P.J. Wanderscheid: The Drive for 5 (Part 1)

This weekend Team Arctic's P.J. Wanderscheid is aiming to extend his record number of Eagle River World Championship titles to FIVE!

He will attempt this historic feat after a one-year hiatus from racing, during which he and his brothers Mark and Dave attended to their ailing father.

Wanderscheid isn't the only Team Arctic racer hoping to win this year's World Championships: two-time winner Gary Moyle will be there and strong as ever. Will we see another epic battle between he and P.J. like the one in 2011? Let's hope so.

Colt Dellandrea will also be there, more prepared than ever to try for his first win.

Best of luck to these guys and all the other racers competing in this historic venue.

The 2015 USXC I-500 Cross-Country is ON! (With a Few Changes)

The Seven Clans Casino USXC I-500 cross-country race is ON, albeit with a few modifications due to the lack of snow in central Minnesota.

Click to read the route update, and why this will still be an epic three or four-day cross-country event.

News Bits 1-14-15: You Can't Make Up This Stuff

Pathetic or hilarious? You decided. Then guess whether the dude’s B.A.C. is over .30. 

Arctic Cat and Tucker Hibbert deliver a Make-A-Wish dream-come-true for a boy battling leukemia. This is so cool!

There is absolutely no reason to add the words “Had Drugs” on this headline about a snowmobiler. Of course the guy was on drugs.

Another item flagged for its headline...a clever word play that pokes fun at you and I.

What it’s like to plunge 3,000 feet down a mountain, into a ravine, then suffer 32 hours believing you would die? An absolutely harrowing story, and a reminder to never snowmobile alone.

I will admit that I always wanted to snowmobile on my high school’s football field. Some goons actually follow through with such wishes.

Team Arctic Proves Depth at 2015 Canterbury Snocross

Team Arctic delivered a pretty exceptional performance at last weekend's ISOC snocross National at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

Click to read the official team press release.

Watch History Being Made: Tucker Going for His 100th

Fourteen years and a couple months ago, in his first weekend as a professional snocross racer, Tucker Hibbert won the Pro Open class at the 2000-2001 season opener in Duluth, Minn., at the tender age of 16.

In the 14 years since , Hibbert has risen his fist in victory a total of 99 times. Tonight he will go for his 100th.

Click to read about why it will be worth watching.

TGIF: The Jan. 9, 2015 Edition

I'm thankful for the DIY kit projects I read about in Popular Mechanics.

I'm thankful that people* are finally starting to take the Pacer more seriously.

I'm thankful for the luxurious paint, more effective front bumper and premium shock package available in the Limited package.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.

*Special thanks to Charles Plueddeman for taking (and sending) me a photo of his car.

Outta The Box: Initial Sled Prep Ideas

I'm guessing that when you buy a new sled, you perform a few basic adjustments and make a few custom touches.

Here are some basic adjustments and modifications I make to my sled prior to the start of the riding season... then I want to know what YOU do.

Click to see a few tricks.

2015 Detroit Lakes Download: USXC Cross-Country Race Recap

Last weekend marked the second USXC cross-country race of the season, held in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Yep, Team Arctic delivered an awesome performance. But as always, there's more to story than just the headlines.

Click to read a little deeper.

Who's Scamming Who?: A Text Exchange about a Sled on Craigslist

As many people who have tried selling something via craigslist know, there are a lot of would-be scammers out there. Some are immediately apparent while others are slightly craftier.

A regular reader of this site (let’s call him “Moe”) who is selling an Arctic Cat Z1 Sno Pro via craigslist had an excellent text exchange with a scammer.

The beauty of it was, Moe recognized the scammer from the outset and immediately started jacking with him.

Click to read the humorous exchange that ended well for both parties.

New Year, Same Story for Team Arctic at 2015 Detroit Lakes XC

Team Arctic delivered a pretty awesome performance at the USXC lake cross-country in Detroit Lakes, Minn., taking 16 of 19 classes and 30 of 57 podium positions.

Click to read the press release.

TGIF: The First Friday of 2015 Edition

I'm thankful the snowmobile that made this track wasn't too wide or too tall.

I'm thankful the magazine photographer didn't go with the OTHER concept he had for the cover image.

I'm thankful for the power of suggestion.

And I'm thankful we can put our thumbs up for 2015.

Happy New Year 2015 (And Thanks For a Great 2014)

I didn’t have the time the past few days to put together the New Year’s post I intended, so this will just have to be short and sweet.

Click to read what I think about you and this little garage we swap stories in.

Win With Tucker: Arctic Cat C-TEC2 Oil Gift Pack

The closest thing to a SURE thing is that Tucker Hibbert will win whenever he hits the track.

If you sign up for the Win With Tucker C-TEC2 Oil giveaway, Tucker's win could put a sweet give pack straight into your hands.

Click to learn about the cool promo.

Interstellar: Launching a Snowmobile Into Space

Inspired by the possibility of traveling to planets and dimensions beyond our own, Spaceman Spiff launches his Arctic Cat into space.

Truly interstellar!

Thomas Sno Sports' 2015 Arctic Cat Demo Ride Day

Wondering what a new 2015 Arctic Cat rides like? Want to compare the the Arctic Cat 600 C-TEC2 with DSI to the 7000-Series C-TEC4 engine from Yamaha?

You can do this and more on Jan. 8, 2015 at the Annual Thomas Sno Sports Demo Ride event.

Click for more details on this free event.

TGIF: The Dec. 26, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful the Dads of Anarchy have taken a Christmas break from terrorizing the 'hood with their hellacious brand of crazy.

I'm thankful it's only the One Percenters, and not Two or Three.

I'm thankful they announce their presence with easy-to-spot orange vests and the trademark thunder of their Rumble Pack exhausts.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.