When Seeing Snowmobiles Was Like Winning the Lottery

Sometimes I forget that there was a time, not too many years ago, when the only viewable information we could get about snowmobiles was either magazines, books and promotional material.

Even Archie Comics were cool if there a snowmobile was involved.

And those few times I stumbled upon snowmobiling on television was like winning the lottery.

Click to read my ramble.

Mid-School Trivia Contest

The first person who answers all of the mid-school, diabolical questions correctly, wins an infamous ArcticInsider Gift Pack.

Good luck, and cheat if you want.

2012 Supplemental Arctic Cat P,G&A Catalog

Every year Arctic Cat produces a parts/accessories/Arcticwear catalog with its new and popular items. The thing is, that catalog is only some of the stuff they actually have available.

They also create supplemental catalog that includes many new items (not in the color catalog), as well as lots of other good parts/accessories, but most of us never see it.

CLICK HERE to download a 10MB pdf of the catalog.

New Arctic Cat Products for October '11

Arctic Cat released info on a new batch of products:

-Graphics Kits

-50th Anniversary Oil Drum

-38-in. Wide A-arm kit

-Skivvies

Click to check 'em out.

Revisited: Minnesota-to-Moscow Snowmobile Expedition

HERE'S a cool story that revisits the famous 1990 Minnesota-to-Moscow snowmobile expedition.

I feel fortunate to know Scott Eilertson and Lee Busse quite well. I also have a funny story I'll share about Grigori Shulik... sometime.

Waconia Open House

Waconia Powersports, the Arctic Cat snowmobile and ATV dealer on the western edge of the Twin Cities, is hosting its Open House this Saturday, Oct. 8.

If you're nearby, come for the hotdogs and deals, then stay for the bonfire and 50 Years of Arctic Cat movie.

Boondocker Turbo for the 2012 Arctic Cat M800

Boondocker has two turbo kit options for the new Arctic Cat M800: one that's intercooled, and one that isn't.

Check out these beauty pix of the intercooled kit.

Two Perfect Days in TRF

What was going on in Thief River Falls last Friday - Saturday?

Click to see a few pix.

SHOF Raffle: Win a Nelson-Built Replica

For all of you who want (or are building) a modernized vintage Arctic Cat El Tigre Cross-Country, throw down $10 for a chance to win one built by Brian Nelson (right).

You'll be supporting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in the process.

Click for more info.

DNF: Snocross at the Upcoming X Games

I'm told that snocross won't be part of the "entertainment package" at the upcoming ESPN X Games.

But you will still be able to watch an unending supply of backflips, tail-grabs and Indian Airs.

Click to read a little bit more.

C.J. Ramstad's Trail will be Officially Designated

The influence of the late C.J. Ramstad will be celebrated with the official dedication of the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore snowmobile Trail.

Click for some details.

Q&A with Andy Beavis, Arctic Cat Engineer

Andy Beavis is a Design Engineer at Arctic Cat, who designs parts and assemblies for the company's mountain sleds.

Click to read about his job, and to see his sweet skills to ride the machines he designs.

Country Cat Open House Oct. 1

Country Cat of Sauk Centre, Minn., is hosting their annual Open House on Sat., Oct. 1.

Click to read a checklist of what you'll see there.

Testing a Prototype Arctic Cat Sno Pro Racer

Here's a short video of some Team Arctic crew testing a prototype 2012 Sno Pro race sled, comparing it to Dan Ebert's 2011 Sno Pro stocker.

Pre-Season Testing of the Arctic Cat Sno Pro Racer

I’m really pumped that the new 2012 Sno Pro 600 race sled is built on the same ProCross platform that we regular riders will get.

This past spring I witnessed handful of engineers and racers spending the day testing one of the early prototype Sno Pro 600 race sleds.

Racer of the Year: Joey Hallstrom???

On the heels of the 2012 F1100 Turbo Sno Pro winning Snowmobile of the Year honors, another Arctic Cat icon earned a prestigious award:

Joey Hallstrom was named Racer of the Year.

Huh?

Click to see some congratulatory pix, and for news on how you can dethrone him for next year.

Sled of the Year: Arctic Cat F1100 Turbo

The November issue of Snow Goer magazine is out, in which the editors named the 2012 F1100 Turbo Sno Pro the "Snowmobile of the Year."

My question for you is: Does an award from the snowmobile media influence you, in any way?

Sept. 15 Trip to Arctic Cat

I was at Arctic Cat in TRF yesterday. A quick one-day trip to do some work, get a photo of Kathy Johnson and see some friends.

This is What 600 HP Looks Like

Hypersports/D&D built a 600-plus horsepower drag racer based on the 2012 Arctic Cat F1100 Turbo.

Here are a few pix and video.

UPDATED with another sweet new video.

34 Things I Learned at Hay Days 2011

I know it's cool to brag about how long you've been going to certain popular events (FYI: I've been going to Hay Days since 1953).

I'm not very cool, but here are 34 things I learned at the 2011 edition of this remarkable event.