Arctic Cat teams look strong at the 56th running of the International 500 Snowmobile Race

When the checkers flew at the end of this grueling 500-mile race, two Arctic Cat teams in particular turned in some respectable finishes. The Cadarette Collision Racing #21 team had parked their Arctic Cat ZR 6000 R SX nicely in second place, mere seconds out of the coveted first place spot. And the #23 team of Benjamin Langaas came roaring in on their 2025 ZR 600 R XC taking home the hardware for a hard-fought and well-deserved 6^th place finish.

For those unfamiliar, this I500 race has been held on the same one mile long oval track ever since the first event was held here in 1969. Racers from all across the US and Canada gather here annually to compete and to be the first sled to complete the 500 mile endurance race.

We connected with Trevor Davidson of the Cadarette Collision Racing team to congratulate them on their accomplishment and to talk a bit about the race. One of the first things we asked Trevor about was the Arctic Cat snowmobile that they drove to such a successful finish. He told us that after considering a lot of different options, they chose to freshen up and run the same snowmobile that they competed with at this event last year: a 2023 ZR 6000 R SX. He explained that they knew the sled, and knew the set-up that they wanted to use. While some teams adapt Cross Country sleds to run this race, they have had their successes with sleds built off from a snocross platform. The sled retained its original C-Tech 2 600cc efi engine, but modified by Speedwerx as race rules allow, twin pipes, and all of the other things that one would expect from a high-level race effort such as this.

During qualifying rounds, their team quickly gained confidence in their snowmobile when they posted the 3^rd fastest qualifying time out of the 36 teams present, with Troy DeWald behind the bars. The other drivers on their team that kept this Arctic Cat running with, and often ahead, of some of the best teams in racing were: Ryan Spencer, Gunner Arlaud and Austin Leeck.

Trevor acknowledged that a lot of people and sponsors helped them again this year in their Soo 500 effort, including the hard work and determination of Team Arctic race manager Mike Kloety.  

Thanks to all of the teams that are keeping our favorite brand of snowmobiles competing in all forms of racing again this year!