Available!: Speedwerx Supercharger Kit for Arctic Cat Wildcat

Speedwerx, the purveyors of extra horsepower for all things Arctic Cat, just announced the availability of their Supercharger kit for the Wildcat 1000i H.O. ROV side-by-side.

Crucial numbers: 130-140 hp... 90-plus mph... and $6,500 U.S.

Click for more pix and info.

2012-13: Season of Championships for Team Arctic Snowmobile Racers

Congratulations go out to all the Team Arctic racers, crew and family who participated in the great sport of snowmobile competition during the 2012-2013 season.

And another high-five to those whose dedication and consistency resulted in a High Point Championship title!

Click to read the Team Arctic press release.

Getting Revved Up for Prom in Minnesota

The winter of 2013 continued its snowy march towards summer, dumping more than 14-in. of snow in Southeastern Minnesota last week.

The snow added a new element to the traditional prom festivities for the Alden-Conger High School. Making the most of it were Jordan Bute (L) and Parker Hemmingsen.

Click to see a few more pix.

The Gripper... A New Breed of Arctic Cat Track for 1975

I'm not sure what I love more... the fact that Arctic Cat highlighted its TRACK for a 1975 television commercial, or the cozy, hardware-store-meets-book-store setting they created for it.

Either way, I hope you also enjoy this step back in time.

Just Unlucky or a Reason to Wear Protective Gear

WARNING: What happens in this video is ugly. Probably a 6 or 7 (out of 10) on the Ugly Meter (but for sure an 11 on the Pain Meter for this poor guy).

This video was emailed to me by my friend Rich Jensen, although I'm not sure I should be thanking him. Rich's subject line on his email was, "Good reason for a protective riding vest."

I watched the video and yes, a protective vest would have saved a lot of skin. Literally. I wear a vest probably 95% of the times I ride, so Rich will get no argument from me.

However, I will say that I doubt anyone could have predicted what happens to this sledder. It's a complete fluke, probably a 1-in-a-Million. I suppose that's the point of wearing protective gear: insurance protection in case you strike the Unlucky Lottery.

My question to anyone who cares to answer: Do you ride with protective gear (vest, shin pads, neck brace)?

Why or why not?

Listen (and Watch) Ken Kranz's 1971 Arctic Cat King Kat 800

I've become a huge fan of the sound that an Arctic Cat King Kat 800 4-cylinder makes. In-person is the ideal experience, but with only 124 of these produced for 1971 (and the reluctance of many current owners), it's a rare treat.

So enjoy the next best thing by listening (and watching) Ken Kranz fire up his for 34 glorious seconds.

FOX Championships from Across the Snowbelt

FOX SHOX athletes had another remarkable 2013 snowmobile race season, racking up championships in snocross, cross-country and hillclimb.

Click to read the press release and see some pix.

April 22: (Maybe) Our Last Ride of the 2013 Season

On Monday, April 22, six of us enjoyed an awesome 125-mile snowmobile ride on Minnesota's North Shore (of Lake Superior).

It was the latest that any of us could remember riding in Minnesota (in nearly ideal conditions).

Click to read the story.

Q&A with Ross Spoonland: The 10,294-Miles (in a season) Man

Ross Spoonland has my admiration, respect and envy. And for good reason.

In the span of four months he notched 10,294 miles on his 2013 Arctic Cat XF1100 CrossTour!

Yes… that’s TEN THOUSAND!

Click to read about his amazing season.

April Ditch Riding in Northern Minnesota

Northern Minnesota got hammered with another storm last night, with upwards of 24 inches falling along the North Shore.

This shot was sent to me today from Mike Swinehart, who took it while riding in the Emily, Minn., area.

Click to see another shot from Mike.

The Art of Displaying Decals

Decals are like fine art. They need to be displayed somewhere for you to enjoy them.

For many of us, that display surface is a refrigerator or tool box.

Click to read.

Part 2: Team Arctic’s Mike Kloety Talks About the 2012-13 Race Season

With another season of snowmobile racing in the rearview, Team Arctic Race Manager Mike Kloety (R) was gracious enough to answer questions about the team.

In this second of the two-part interview he talks about the Sno Pro 600 race sled, the health of the sport and Arctic legend Roger Skime.

Click to make the jump.

Get High & Buy a Couple CLEAN Arctic Cats

I'm not sure what I want more: to own these two perfect 1988 Arctic Cat AFS beauties or to see how many bowls of hooch the guy smoked before recording this sales video? Tough call.

Definitely worth a watch just for the narration.

Thanks to Randy for the tip!

Part 1: Team Arctic’s Mike Kloety Talks About the 2012-13 Race Season

With all but a couple (hillclimb) races to go, the 2012-13 snowmobile racing season is in the books. And like usual, Team Arctic saw its share of success as well as its challenges.

In this first of a two-part interview, Team Arctic Race Manager Mike Kloety talks about the season from his perspective.

Click to make the jump.

Endless Winter: Love it or...

Many of us in the upper Midwest are enjoying a doozy of a snow storm today, April 11.

The talking heads on television and radio are apologizing for the weather.

Friends and relatives are complaining.

What's not to love about an endless winter?

A 1987 El Tigre Custom from The Cat Kid (aka Doug Hanson)

A Before/After of the sweet custom 1987 Arctic Cat el tigre 6000 built by Doug "The Cat Kid" Hanson

Click for some cool pix as well as some background on Hanson himself.

Team Arctic's Tucker Hibbert and Martin Moland win Clash of Nations in Sweden

Team Monster Energy/Arctic Cat's Tucker Hibbert put an exclamation point on of his remarkable season, winning Pro Open at the Clash of Nations in Sweden.

His Team Arctic (and practice) teammate Logan Christian finished third.

And his international Team Arctic teammate Martin Moland of Norway won the Pro Stock final.

Click to read the press release.

Arctic Cat & Yamaha: How Did We Miss All the Hints?

Nearly as shocking as the news of Arctic Cat/Yamaha partnership was that it happened without the industry catching wind of it.

In a sport that feeds on rumor and innuendo, there were no real hints or clues about it from either company prior to the official announcement.

Or was there?

Recently I perused a stack of old sled magazines and brochures to see if there were indeed hints that foretold of this historic event.

I was blown away by what I found!

Feels Like Cheating: 235-Mile Weekday Ride in March

I can think of no better way to spend the last Wednesday of March than on a 235-mile snowmobile ride with friends.

Bonus: We rode to Brainerd, Minn., to demo the new 2014 ZR6000 and ZR7000!

Click to read about a fantastic end-of-the-season ride.

Kyle Tapio & Arctic Cat are King of Kings at Jackson

Once again, Team Arctic's Kyle Tapio absolutely killed it at the Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb, taking five wins and the King of Kings title for the second year in a row.

Read the press release about his and the other stellar Team Arctic performances at Jackson.