New Products: Cat Wraps for Arctic Cat Sleds

Back when Edgar and I were designing the Panther, nobody ran decals on their sleds.

Later, when Roger and I were tweaking the first prototype El Tigre, people ran the square registration decals purchased from the hardware store.

It was during the early 80s when I was helping Z put the final touches on the first AFS Cats that going full-custo with painted pinstripes and registration numbers signified that you were a serious sledder.

And when Kirk and I were imagining the Torque Sensing Link for the ZR line, die-cut vinyl became the new standard for sled sweetness.

These days, you gotta have a wrap.

So after that history lesson, it's time to click to see the new Cat Wraps from Arctic Cat.

New Products: Arctic Cat Garage Collection of Casual Threads

I have a feeling that the new Garage Collection of portswear from Arctic Cat will be pretty popular.

Click to see these fancy new threads.

2014 Arctic Cat ATVs and Side-by-Sides

Arctic Cat recently pulled the wraps off of most of its 2014 line of ATVs and side-by-sides.

Click to read the highlights, a few ride impressions and see some cool pix.

TGIF: The Aug. 9, 2013 Edition

I'm thankful for snow. I'm thankful for the rubber track.

I'm also thankful for skis.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 9, 2013.

(Super-thankful to Minnesota Rob continuing support of TGIF.)

Don't Be Shocked! FOX Racing Shox Files $120 Million IPO

Starting tomorrow, you can own even more of FOX Racing Shox than the units on your snowmobile or Wildcat.

The company completed an IPO yesterday and will be offering 8,571,429 shares at ~$14 per share.

Former Arctic Cat Pres. Lowell Swenson to be Inducted into ISHOF

On Sept. 13-15, former Arctic Cat President Lowell Swenson will be postumously inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Eagle River, Wis.

Swenson was a key figure in Arctic Cat history, guiding the company through the tumultuous decade that began in 1966.

Click to read his bio.

Return of the Winnipeg I-500 Cross-Country?

What do you think of a return of a point-to-point I-500? 

Brian Nelson, owner of USXC, thinks enough about it that he and Joey Hallstrom spent a day last spring doing reconnaissance of a route from Winnipeg to Thief River Falls.

Nelson's goal is a return to the Winnipeg for 2015. 

Click to read more.

TGIF: The Aug. 1, 2013 Edition

I'm thankful for snowmobiles and choppers.

I'm thankful for the inventive spirit that pervades the world of snowmobiling. 

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Aug. 2, 2013.

(Thanks to Minnesota Rob for the submission.)

Transport Yourself to 1980: 1-min. El Tigre & Jag Radio Spot

Click below for a 1-minute transport back in time to 1980 (when you might have been listening to the radio and heard this commercial for the Arctic Cat El Tigre and Jag).

Q&A with Adam Kuiken: Senior Test Engineer for Arctic Cat

Adam Kuiken is an Arctic Cat Senior Test Engineer whose job is to develop and collect test data during product development.

It's amazing (to me) the kind of data he's able to collect, and how that translates into the machines we buy.

Click to read the interview with him.

TGIF: The July 26, 2013 Edition

I'm thankful that the human spirit naturally compels us to compete, no matter what the vehicle or circumstance.

I'm thankful that the dreaded "inside ski lift" is a rare occurance when these guys take to the race track.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, July 26, 2013.

Arctic Cat Reports Strong Fiscal 2014 First Quarter

Today Arctic Cat reported record results for its fiscal 2014 First Quarter.

One line from the results that greatly pleases me: "The company continued to increase investment in research and development to ensure a strong pipeline of new products and technologies..."

Click to read the full report. 

Team Arctic's Dale Lindbeck Wins 2013 Grantsburg Watercross

A huge cyber high-five to Team Arctic's Dale Lindbeck for once again cashing in his chips to win his FOURTH IWA World Championships of Watercross in Grantsburg, Wis.

Special thanks to SledRacer.com for the sweet photo.

Catching Up With Curt Asche and His 51,000-Mile Arctic Cat ATV

This is Curt Asche and his 2007 Arctic Cat TRV 650 H1.

Nothing too unusual here, except that Curt's logged nearly 50,000 miles on the machine!

Click to read a bit more about the pair.

TGIF: The July 19, 2013 Edition

I'm thankful it's Friday, July 19, 2013.

And I'm especially thankful that all kinds of people like Arctic Cat.

Lauretta & Roy Blomker: Thanks for the (2X) 30 Years!

Last Friday, after 30 years of dedication to their jobs at Arctic Cat, Lauretta and Roy Blomker stepped out of their weekly routine and into retirement.

I enjoyed a nice conversation with both of them during which they talked about what a pleasure it's been to work for Arctic Cat customers (and the company).

Click to read.

First Time: Alex Fortune's First-Ever Race in His Arctic Cat Wildcat

Alex Fortune of Cresco, Iowa, recently competed in his first-ever UTV race at ERX MotorSports Park aboard his Arctic Cat Wildcat X.

Here's his first-person account of the experience.

"Ya Know" Arctic Cat Radio Spot from 1972

Click Here for the 1-min. "Ya Know" Arctic Cat Radio Spot from 1972

Ya know, there's a lot of things ya didn't know about Arctic Cat...

Click the story link for a larger version of this Arctic Cat ad from the 1972 snowmobile season.

TGIF: The July 12, 2013 Edition

I'm thankful it's Friday, July 12, 2013.

I'm thankful I love snowmobiles and inventiveness.

And I'm thankful for Minnesota Rob for yet another TGIF contribution.

Snowmobile Freestyle Like It's 1999

Snowmobile freestyle has come a long way since its "invention" in 1997-1998.

This sweet video from 1999 shows some classic names of the era: Chris Vincent, Trevor John, Noel Kohanski and some punk kid named Tucker Hibbert.

The heel-clickers, can-cans and supermans are equally classic.