TGIF: The Jan. 31, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful that Fred's inlaws from the Hamptons gave him a set of used polo clubs for Christmas. 

I'm thankful we convinced Fred to play with a ball instead of baby seals.

I'm thankful the team now agrees that we play our very best snowmobile polo, with the greatest forward progress, when we hold the clubs in our left hands.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

X Games & Oslo: Gold Medal Weekend for Team Arctic

Last weekend Team Arctic mined for some serious gold, with Tucker Hibbert capturing his 8th career X Games gold and Zach Herfindahl leading a 17-win sweep of the first ditch cross-country.

Click to read the official Team Arctic press release.

Ditch Racing Begins! USXC Cross-Country in Oslo, MN

Check out this video from the first ditch race of the 2014 USXC cross-country season, held last weekend in Oslo, Minn.

Christian Brothers Racing: X Games Podium & Victory at Oslo

Christian Brothers Racing had another excellent weekend of racing, scoring a podium at the ESPN Winter X Games and winning the Oslo USXC cross-country.

Click to read the team's press release.

Testing Team Arctic's Soo 500 4-Stroke ZR

Two weekends ago, at the USXC lake cross-country race in Willmar, Minn., Team Arctic racers Ryan Simons and Brian Dick tested the sled they will race at the upcoming Soo 500 enduro.

For the first time ever, the duo will race a Speedwerx massaged 7000-Series Yamaha 4-stroke engine in the ZR R race chassis.

Click to read a few more details.

My Preferred ProCross Sled Set-Up

Note: This is a companion piece to THIS SET-UP story I posted earlier today.

Midway through last riding season and now again this season, I’ve worked to calibrate my ProCross-chassis Arctic Cats to handle exactly the way I want.

For groomed trails, I want more positive cornering, with less push and less inside ski lift.

Click to see my current set-up.

ProCross Handling Tips: Find Your Happy Place

Snowmobiles come off the assembly with a mix of component choices and adjustment settings meant to satisfy a wide range of riding styles, conditions and riders. They work pretty dang well in most conditions, but they are not perfect for us.

I recruited the help of Arctic Cat suspension engineers for some suggestions on setting up ProCross machines for various riding styles and conditions.

If you're looking to tweak your sled to suit your style, these suggestions are worth experimenting with.

TGIF: The Jan. 24, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful that Aunt Ethyl bequeathed to us her Lawrence Welk signature organ.

I’m thankful Northwest Piano & Organ switched from sled dogs to iron dogs for moving equipment from their truck to customers’ homes.

I’m thankful we’re doing this in January instead of June.

And I’m thankful it’s Friday, January 24, 2014.  

Team Arctic's Willmar, MN, Winning Weekend

Click to read the official Team Arctic press release from this past weekend of racing.

Willmar USXC Download: Team Arctic's Weekend

Team Arctic cross-country racers delivered another excellent performance, this time at the USXC lake event in Willmar, Minn.

It wasn't the usual win-everything performance, but 13 out of 20 is pretty awesome.

Click to read the lowdown.

TGIF: The Jan. 17, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful the authorities will be here momentarily.

I'm thankful they have radio communication with the K9 unit and the horse mounted officers.

I'm thankful that all of us scofflaws have agreed to NOT crack any 2-up-riding jokes once the authorities arrive.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

Deer Collision: My Fear Comes True (for Someone Else)

I think about slamming a deer probably 30 percent of the time I spend riding my snowmobile on trails in the woods. Seriously, I worry about it A LOT!

From now on, I'm sure the guy in the video above will ponder the possibility of hitting deer a least 90 percent of his ride time.

Click to read more.

Forget the SnoScoot: The Speedwerx Arctic Cat 206RR

Recently, Speedwerx came out with a kitted Arctic Cat ZR120 sled featuring the Briggs & Stratton 206 motor instead of the stock 120cc engine, plus a few extra goodies.

Their calling it the 206RR Arctic Cat, as in “race replica.”

It's a turn-key option for families who have outgrown the performance envelope of the stock 120, or/and those intending to race in the 206 class.

Click for details as well as a video that highlights its performance.

SHOF Raffle: Win This Sled, Ride with the Champs

While I can’t guarantee that you will win the above 2014 Arctic Cat F5, I CAN ABSOLUTELY promise you that by participating in the Snowmobile Hall of Fame Raffle, that you will support a truly great organization AND have a chance at riding away on the F5.

I like your odds!

The raffle is just one way to participate in the SHOF. Better yet, I recommend attending the entire 2014 Induction and Ride with the Champs.

Click for more info

TGIF: The Jan. 10, 2014 Edition

I'm thankful this thing has a Hemi.

I'm thankful that I bought the convertible option... otherwise I have no chance of hooking up with her.

I'm thankful I didn't wear that stupid "I Bang Ditches" T-Shirt that I bought at Hay Days.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Jan. 10, 2014.

Staying Home with Dad: No Racing for P.J. Wanderscheid This Season

Yesterday the news came from P.J. Wanderscheid that he and his crew will not race at the upcoming Eagle River World Championships, or any other events this season.

The 4-time World Champion and his family made the difficult decision because his father, Dick, is locked in tough battle with Stage 4 lung cancer.

Click to read more.

Thomas Sno Sports 2014 Arctic Cat Snowmobile Demo Ride

Thomas Sno Sports in Ogilvie, Minn., is hosting a 2014 Arctic Cat Demo Ride day on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014.

You can test-ride a new 2014 model 9000, 8000, 7000, 6000 and 5000-Series Arctic Cat, in ZR and XF flavors.

Click for more info on what is sure to be an awesome event.

Tucker Hibbert's 85th & 86th Pro Snocross Wins Video Wrap

Watch this sweet video of Tucker Hibbert winning his 85th and 86th Pro National victories from the 2014 Canterbury ISOC race weekend.

Christian Brothers Racing: Great Start to 2014

Christian Brothers Racing can boast the largest, most diversified team in snowmobile racing.

They can also boast about their awesome start to 2014.

Click to see a video recap and to read their press release.

Record-Breaking Start of New Year for Team Arctic

In a 36-hour period, Team Arctic racers broke snocross win records, won 17 of 20 cross-country finals and pretty much made it a miserable start to 2014 for anyone not riding Cat.

Click to read the Team Arctic press release.