TGIF: The May 30, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful for summer.

I'm thankful the ladies love wheelin' in bikinis.

I'm thankful we opted for the amphibious 6-wheeler models, because these ladies are looking to go swimming.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, May 30, 2014.

FOX SHOX Midwest: A Day Inside (and Outside)

Riding, testing, calibrating, rebuilding... there's a lot happening at the FOX SHOX Midwest Service Center, a fact I learned firsthand during a visit this past March.

Click to see what's new there, and for FOX-equipped 2015 Arctic Cat snowmobiles.

TGIF: The May 23, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful for the extra flotation of the 16 x 174 x 3.0-in. track when boondocking in the back country.

I'm thankful to once again set a high-mark.

I'm thankful we were able to eliminate the inside ski lift during cornering by simply eliminating the skis.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, May 23, 2014.

Master Craft: Mike Miller's Magic Restoration

Mike Miller's email message to me began with this:

"I bought a 2007 Crossfire 1000 off Craigslist. I had never seen such a turd in all my life (and I've been a snowmobile mechanic for over 25 years).
 
The entire way home I kept thinking, "What have I got myself into and why am I doing this again?"
 
The answer to Mike's question lies in his remarkable ability to restore snowmobiles.

Click to see what I'm talking about.

Do a Craigslist Kindness (and Help Saves Lives)

I don't normally do Public Service Announcements here, but this is an exception.

Someone please buy this Arctic Cat DVX... because doing so could help save lives.

Click for a wheelie wacked CL ad.

TGIF: The May 16, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful for a smokin' fast sled.

I'm thankful for the hit I feel when it's on the pipe.

I'm thankful I didn't get the Marlboro gig because I'd rather be known as the Mark Ten Man.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, May 16, 2014.

Racing's Greatest Reward

The success of racing snowmobiles is measured by the experience, not the finish order.

And by this measure I feel like a World Champion.

Click to read more.

Arctic Cat Radio: Year after Year its El Tigre, Pantera and Lynx

With the Pantera and Lynx once again joining the El Tigre in the Arctic Cat line for 2015, now is a good time to listen to this vintage 30-second Arctic Cat radio advertisement from 1975 that highlights the same models.

Just click the player link below.

TGIF: The May 9 Mother's Day Edition

Thanks mom, for all that you've taught me.

The wisdom you've imparted to me helps guide the things I do and the choices I make.

I hope you're proud!

I'm so thankful it's Friday, May 9, 2014.

Happy Mother's Day!

Winnipeg Momentum: Cross-Country Racing Goes Point-to-Point

Midwestern cross-country racing has been healthiest only when there was a premier 500-mile, point-to-point event.

For 2015, USXC is launching the Winnipeg-to-Willmar I-500 XC race, a four-day 600-mile romp across legendary terrain.

Click to read the significance of this event.

Cat's Pride Club Kit: What Do YOU Want?

The folks at Arctic Cat are looking for your help to determine the featured products for the 2015 Cat's Pride Club membership kit.

Click to read more and provide your feedback.

TGIF: The May 2, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful to have experienced another awesome winter of snowmobiking.

I'm thankful that I can react to the change of seasons with a quick conversion to moto.

I'm thankful for the law firm of Briggs, Stratton and Tecumseh.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, May 2, 2014.

Eagle River 1976: Calm Before the Storm

January 1976. Eagle River, Wisconsin. The World Championships of oval racing.

There, in a moment of calm before the racing storm that would unfold in less than 24 hours, Team Arctic’s Dave Thompson (right) and Yamaha’s Dick Trickle shared their thoughts while sharing a Pabst.

A Pabst!

Click for some additional cheer.

TGIF: The April 25, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful for the go-anywhere freedom we enjoy with our new Trail Boss.

I'm thankful for the added safety that the rear handrails provide for our children.

I'm thankful for the upcoming Mud Nationals.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 25, 2014.

Jim Dimmerman's Arctic Cat 6000 C-TEC2 Report

Last month Jim Dimmerman spent a day on a 2015 XF6000 featuring the Arctic Cat 6000 C-TEC2 engine.

Afterwards, the former Team Arctic legend/World Champ/Cat dealer penned a few words describing his experience with the new engine.

Jim agreed to let me share his thoughts... readable after the jump.

Canadian Connection: Hammer & LumberHead Summarize the '14 Season

With the end of the 2014 snowmobile season comes a report on the Great White North from our intrepid Canadian sledheads, Hammer and LumberHead.

Between bouts of Moosehead, back bacon and maple syrup, the two Catnadians pieced together a nice tribute to some of their favorite people and machines.

TGIF: The April 18, 2014 Easter Edition

I'm thankful for everyone who voted for me in the Miss Snow Bunny pageant.

I'm thankful for chocolate eggs, jelly beans and those weird, sponge-like marshmallow things.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 18, 2014.

Happy Easter Weekend!

April 2014 Arctic Cat Trip Report

I was at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls recently, where I saw a bunch of interesting stuff, including a demonstration on fabricating an exhaust from engineer Greg Spaulding.

Click to see this and some of the other people and things happening at Arctic Cat on this trip.

Up in Smoke: Last Snowmobile Ride of 2014?

Yep, that's my 2014 Arctic Cat ZR6000 El Tigre going up in smoke on what might be its last ride of 2014.

With friends like mine, who needs enemies?

It happened last week on Minnesota's C.J. Ramstad North Shore snowmobile trail.

Click to read about the mayhem.

TGIF: The April 11, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful we've finally engineered an elegant solution to the pesky problem posed by those damned barbed-wire fences.

I'm thankful that Ted was the test rider chosen to prove the concept during next week's board meeting, rather than me.

I'm thankful that we seldom have to lift the hood on these modern snowmobiles.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 11, 2014.