(THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN December 29, 2025) – Perhaps the most legendary figure in the history of Arctic Cat is proudly being welcomed back and will utilize his new role of Arctic Cat brand ambassador to continue to spread his knowledge and his passion for powersports to new and existing powersports enthusiasts.
Roger Skime – a legendary engineer, designer, test rider and racing aficionado – has officially returned to the Arctic Cat team by personal invitation from the new ownership group.
The fabled inventor of the first slide-rail rear suspension and many other innovations over his illustrious 57-year career at Arctic Cat was welcomed back by company President & CEO Brad Darling.
“With his passion for snowmobiling, racing and innovation, Roger embodies the Arctic Cat spirit perhaps better than anybody on earth,” said Darling, who led a group of investors in buying the company in April. “There should never have been any gap between Roger Skime and the brand. Now that gap has officially been erased.”
Skime famously began his Arctic Cat career in 1962 when, at age 19, he stopped by the factory looking for a summer job and impressed founder Edgar Hetteen.
As employee No. 5, Skime started as a laborer but quickly moved up to an engineering position after showcasing growing technical knowledge and an unrivaled work ethic. He eventually became the VP of Engineering and had his fingerprints on pretty much every Arctic Cat development for several decades. Skime was an engineering leader, huge racing proponent and constant presence at the company until his retirement at the end of 2018.
“I’m very excited,” Skime said about both his renewed role and the new ownership of Arctic Cat. “There was a lot of concern and stress about the brand, and I was communicating with Brad every so often saying, ‘Brad, go get ahold of this thing, get it back on track.’ Now I just couldn’t be happier, because there isn’t a better guy to do that than Brad Darling.”
Roger’s role will take him places he never truly left, at racetracks, in dealerships, and on the trails, continuing to advocate for the Arctic Cat brand to which he dedicated most of his life.
Welcome back Roger Skime, and welcome back Arctic Cat! Employe #5 should have never been driven off in the first place. He’s the heart and soul of that company. I was hoping he would make a return. Lets go Arctic Cat, we are all rooting for you!
Wow, this is big news. No better guy to be back at Cat and to be put into a position of being an ambassador for the brand. Can’t wait to see and talk with him again.
awesome news!
so happy roger is back!
he should have never been let go in the 1st place, among others, because of a terrible cut throat company such as textron,
good riddance to them
here’s to a great new future for Cat and Roger skime!
Thank you Brad Darling and company. This Legacy belongs with the brand! Your leadership is definitely restoring some lost ground and excitement. Attaboy…Jim
Jimmer, get your butt up to theif on a part time basis, go get more of the band back together
EXCELLENT integration of some fabulous exclusive Roger images, team AI!
This new Arctic Cat is restoring my trust and excitement for the brand in big time ways. Thank you Brad Darling and congratulations to Roger Skime. The future is very bright.
Congratulations to both Roger and to Brad & Arctic Cat. It’s a step in the right direction for sure to see Arctic Cat get back on “track”.
When Textron forced some legends into retirement it was truly heartbreaking.
This is great news. Rogers been pretty much silent since the new ownership, this confirms he was fully on board.
Awesome Awesome
Where would Roger be without Cat? No one can imagine him anywhere else. On the other hand, where would Cat be without Roger? He’s just always been there. A perfect fit. Great to see him back..Bobby
Great news, for Cat and the sport Mr Skime has so much knowledge and deserves to be involved, He has been so helpful to many teams and drivers throughout the years, proud to know him when involved with our team with Jim Herzig
Salute!
Roger has enough to do with his cows! And all his health problems.
Can you think of a better Brand Ambassador? Perfect. Welcome back Roger.
What an awesome come back! Putting the band back together that rocked the racing world for so many years! Kirk, and the rest, were you at gentlemen!
Get more of the band back together! Go get HOLLYWOOD!!
This is great news for all involved.
Please, remember the long-suffering dirt division.
This is the Way.
I am so happy for Roger and Brad ‼️ Arctic Cat is lucky to have you both🤗