Today, we have a big announcement: ArcticInsider has been acquired by Tom Rowland, owner of Thomas Sno Sports in Ogilvie, Minnesota.
Tom Rowland is one of the most passionate Arctic Cat enthusiasts we know, and is no stranger to this site. We guarantee he will be the perfect preservationist for the entertaining Arctic Cat content created by John Sandberg, Kale Wainer and Pat Bourgeois that resides here and will continue to elevate this popular enthusiast site.
In true ArcticInsider fashion, we thought it was best to ask Tom a few questions about his intent with ArcticInsider and how he plans to bring continuing life and content.
ArcticInsider: Tom, I think most everyone who has followed this site is familiar with your name and dealership, but why donāt you give us the elevator pitch on your background and love for the Arctic Cat brand.
Tom Rowland: Well, my history with the Arctic Cat brand is rooted deep, as it probably is with so many others who are Arctic Cat loyalists. In my case, my family was an Arctic Cat dealer in the 1960ās, and much of the 1970ās, before closing shop and pursuing other careers. Snowmobiling (and the Arctic Cat brand) was such a big part of my childhood and teenage years that I guess it was only a matter of time before I decided to own a snowmobile business. In 1988, Thomas Sno Sports was founded in Ogilvie, Minnesota where we remain today.
ArcticInsider: What makes you want to carry on the legacy of ArcticInsider? Will it be you alone creating content?
TR: To borrow a familiar Arctic Cat tagline coined in the 1990ās, Iāve always thought ArcticInsider has done a great job of capturing āWhat Snowmobiling is All Aboutā. Snowmobilers are a passionate group, and those who ride Arctic Cat, take passion to a whole new level. The content on this website is incredibly educational, and entertaining. We are going to preserve all of the content thatās already in place and are going to keep adding to it. Iāll create some of the content, but have an enthusiastic group at the dealership who will help. Ill also draw on some of the friends we have made in the industry over the last 35-plus years to provide some inspiration and input too.
ArcticInsider: John, Kale and Pat provided āinsideā information from the Arctic Cat factory. As a dealer, how will you provide unique inside information about the brand?
TR: Yes, great question. The āinsideā information we plan on sharing will differ slightly, but as a dealer, we do have a tie to the factory. Our store has a few thousand customers pass through the doors every year, they are all riders just like we are, and nearly every one of these folks have a story to tell. There is no greater way to connect with Arctic Cat enthusiasts than to be speaking face-to-face with the actual people that have bought these machines and are out riding them every chance they get. Also, we have had great relationships with all of the people at Arctic Cat for over three decades, no matter whom the leadership might be at a given time, I wouldnāt be surprised that we still get handed a bit of inside information to share with ArcticInsider visitors.
ArcticInsider: What should readers expect from you, in terms of the kind of content and frequency? Will you continue ArcticInsider social media? (Facebook, Instagram & YouTube)
TR: We want to capture people stories, riding stories, racing stories, product stories and the like. One difference that might show through is different writing styles of any given contributor. While those who provided content before us have been actual journalists and marketing professionals, we are just snowmobilers with a passion for the Arctic Cat brand that want to connect with others. We will definitely keep all of the social channels active that ArcticInsider currently has, and will be adding content.
ArcticInsider: Relive and share your favorite memory of spending time with the three clowns, John, Kale and Pat
Tom Rowland: It is not easy to pick just one, there are many! I would have to say that the annual ālast ride of the yearā weād take on Minnesotaās North Shore trail each March/April were really memorable. Of course, all of the goofy antics stick in my mind, and I am literally laughing out loud as I am writing this, but also just looking back on the fun a group of people can have while out snowmobiling and how you guys were able to capture those experiences and share them with others. We will do the same.
ArcticInsider: Please give Tom and his team a warm welcome in the comments!
WOW very great news. Tom is a great guy with a wealth of knowledge
Looking forward to the take over
Hopefully Tom puts arctic insider back on the map
Congratulations Tom! This is great news. Wish you the very best in this endeavor.
Welcome Tom!
One thing I miss on this page was each year there was detailed info as to what exactly was updated on the Race sled(s) for the season. I pray Arctic Cat continues to make sleds down the road and if they do perhaps you can try to bring this back.
Textron stopped investing/innovating/changing the race sled. Itās difficult to post articles about the changes when essentially there arenāt any.
āYesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery.ā
Who knows what the future holds for Arctic Cat and its race sleds / race program.
If Cat gets bought, if the new owners recognize the benefits derived from racing, and if they have deep enough pockets, maybe weāll see new race sleds out on the track in the not-too-distant future.
As long as Textron holds the corporate reins, not going to happen.
Congratulations Tom, and thanks to Kale and Pat for your efforts the last few years too! Iām looking forward to whatās in store!
Congratulations, Tom and best wishes always to you, Pat!
Congratulations Tom.
I think your the perfect candidate
to carry the flag into the next
administration!!
Really look forward to reading and
getting your insights into the brand
we love!!!
Couldnāt think of a better caretaker for anything Arctic Cat related. Weāre lucky to have Tom! Letās go!
Congratulations Tom.
Looking forward to you (and yours) spin on all things Arctic Cat, and, as a top dealer, will continue to get true āinsiderā information from the corporate gods (whomever they happen to be).
Hoping one of the first postings as the new captain of the ship is that Cat has been purchased by a domestic buyer who not only has the financial wherewithal to make the company successful, but understands nuances of the snow and dirt business and can successfully navigate the challenges they pose.
Tom, thanks for keeping this webpage going and I look forward to reading your content. Hoping that Arctic Cat has brighter days ahead.
awesome!
looking forward to some fresh articles regarding bar riser height, dangling and freestyle
any rumor of a new 7000 coming?
(cough)
hi Kale! š
Thanks Tom Rowland
Why is arcticinsider changing hands so often? Also a dealer told me that cf moto did buy cat or is in the process any confirmation? Seems that the 858 reviews seem to be pretty dull so far. Is the 858 a dud or is it just still in need of fine tuning. Races Iāve seen itās getting beat by 850s easily and 800s are very close?
Congrats Tom! I canāt think of better hands to keep the passion for Cat going for everyone!
Congrats to you Tom for taking this on and you are the perfect fit. The fine tradition of this site is in good hands.
Well, my comment disappeared, so I will paraphrase and try again.
Congrats to Tom on this new venture. The E-Z-Go morons may succeed in destroying whatās left of todayās Arctic Cat, but they canāt take away the history and heritage that we all love.
Tom is the guy! Congrats! Like many of us here, Tom is a true green bleeder and I see a bright future for Arcticinsider!
I just heard for the first time that this guy Tom has purchased Arctic cat. Glorious news as I have had a passion for the name. Iām turning 78 this year and to wake up and see this news is so meaningful. winter and Arctic cat go together like Annita Bryant and orange juice and Florida sunshine. I am very disappointed that such a great product of Theif river falls Minnesota could have been in the hands of failure people that obviously didnāt have the qualifications to manage a great product and tribute to Minnesota. The history of the original people that started this product is so awesome and the dedication they had with Arctic cat is second to none. What I donāt understand is why didnāt the local people and some of the businesses of Theif River Falls merge together like the locals at Polaris and the employees did. I was glad to see them pull away from Textron and Iām hoping that Tom takes Cat away from Textron and has no connections with that company. I was at a snowmobile grass drag race at the time Textron made their faky debut of the purchase of Arctic cat and had quite a conversation with the so called executives of Arctic cat and Textron. Got the biggest bullshit story that you would never want to hear but did. I know that the Textron individual that stepped up to try and save the conversation and gave such a bullshit excuse knew in the back of their mind that when I said Textron was just using Arctic cat as a write off didnāt want that statement brought up. But thatās the way I saw it and I couldnāt help but tell them that they were full of shit when they tried telling the gathering of people that day that they had built Polaris up before they sold it. I have the satisfaction that they are eating their words now. Iām glad Tom stepped up to the plate. Been wanting to ask PJ Wandersheid of Country Cat over in Sauck Center Minnesota why being as he raced the brand and bragging about being the biggest Arctic cat dealer in North America that he didnāt step up and do what Tom is doing. I can honestly say that Iāve never heard of Tom before but Iām proud to say I know the man now and Iām going to have to make a journey over to shake that manās hand. Thank you Tom for keeping the tradition going.
Pretty sure Tom just bought ArcticInsider and not actually Arctic Cat. Textron paid $247 million for Arctic Cat, so I am pretty sure that is more coin than a few locals in Thief River Falls (notice the spelling of Thief) can afford!
Tom, what an experience it was to meet you. We are true followers of Arctic Cat. It was fun to see your collection and see your passion for Arctic Cat. Letās keep in touch. If you ever need anything out West here is my contact
[email protected]
Rocky Bruderer
Hope to see you wearing that hat!šš»
I watched your video, and it was very good to see Tomās collection, and get some positive Arctic Cat vibes. Well done!
ski doo has 26 youth sleds, so cat is will be filling those orders.
Iām glad someone will keep Arctic Insider rolling! Congrats!
Hopefully better times are ahead for Arctic Cat and we hear something soon about whatās going to happen with the brand. Textron obviously did it no favors, so we can only hope whatever happens next is better.
Hopefully you can hit Sandberg up to write you a few articles now and then, I love his take and writing style.
As President of the Joey Hallstrom Fan Club, I welcome you to ArcticInsider.com.š
funny how the long winded guys are the ones with the least amount of correct info