Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced that the responsibilities of retiring Vice President of Snowmobiles and Slingshot, Mike Jonikas, will be divided between two roles reporting directly to President and Chief Operating Officer Bennett Morgan.

Chris Wolf, currently General Manager, Snowmobiles, will be promoted to Vice President of that business, and Craig Scanlon will fill the role of Vice President, Slingshot.

“Mike’s departure presents us with an opportunity to leverage our incredibly deep pool of talent and further develop two outstanding performers,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman and CEO.

“Expanding Chris Wolf’s role into Vice President, Snowmobiles, allows him to continue the work he and Mike did spearheading the renaissance of our Snowmobile division. And by promoting Craig Scanlon to Vice President, Slingshot, we apply the experience of one of our largest business’ chief architects toward leading a new business with substantial runway.”

Chris Wolf started with Polaris in 2002, rising through roles in sales, service, and product management before advancing to Director of Snowmobiles in 2011 and subsequently being promoted to General Manager, Snowmobiles in 2014. Chris graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Craig Scanlon has been with Polaris since 2004, rising through a variety of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) line management and sales positions prior to assuming the Director, ORV Sales and Marketing role in 2010.

Scanlon was further promoted to General Manager, Side-by-Side vehicles in 2012. He graduated from the University of Maryland- College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Pro Armor and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced that Michael (Mike) Jonikas, Vice President of Snowmobiles and Slingshot, will be retiring in May of this year.

Over the past fifteen years, Mike Jonikas has been a key leader for Polaris and the powersports industry, and has made significant contributions to both.

Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a Marketing Director in the Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) division, then went on to become the first General Manager of Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, Vice President of Sales & Corporate Marketing and On Road, and finally VP of Snowmobile and Slingshot.

Under his guidance, Polaris’ snowmobile business has reached new heights in performance – both from the vehicles themselves and from a sales perspective – while his work with Slingshot resulted in one of the most successful product launches in Polaris history.

“Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15 years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and corporate marketing team, contributing significantly to our success,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman & CEO. “Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and our gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures.”

“I have been privileged to work with Mike for the past 15 years,” said Bennett Morgan, Polaris President and COO. “It is a fact that Mike’s efforts played a significant part in making Polaris the company it is today. We owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his contributions to our business but also for the passion and pride he brought to every leadership challenge we set before him, no matter how daunting.”

“I have worked with so many great people during my time at Polaris, and it is their passion and commitment that I will miss the most,” remarked Jonikas. “Though I was present as Polaris broke through the $2, $3 and $4 billion revenue barriers, launched any number of groundbreaking products, and became a truly global business, it is the day-to-day interaction with the best team in Powersports that always inspired me. As I leave, I am confident that the company is in great hands, and I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish.”

Wine continued, “It is never easy to replace someone of Mike’s caliber, but we have a deep reservoir of strong leaders ready to tackle such challenges, many of whom Mike trained himself. We have developed a thorough succession plan for his role, and details will be forthcoming.”

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Pro Armor and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.

The 16th Annual SAE Snowmobile Challenge was held at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI from March 3-7, 2015.

This year 21 teams from the US and Canada and one from Finland participated in the weeklong event. The members of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association: Arctic Cat, Bombardier Recreational Products, Polaris, and Yamaha were proud Gold-level sponsor of the event.

Representatives from the Manufacturers were involved in the event and supported the skilled students participating from the Universities and Colleges from around the world.

The University of Wisconsin – Madison bested the tough competition and was announced the winner of the Internal Combustion Engine Division. The second spot for the overall competition went to Kettering University from Flint, MI.

The competition featured a new Diesel Utility category where North Dakota State took first place. The diesel category is new this year and was created as diesel sleds have different characteristics than gasoline sleds and there is growing demand for snowmobile use in the agricultural and hard work categories that would use diesel power. Second place in the Diesel category was awarded to SUNY – Buffalo.

The Finnish team of students from Lapland University of Applied Sciences celebrated their first year as the top Zero-Emissions team!

Michigan Tech University has hosted the Snowmobile Challenge for the past 13 years and experienced a beautiful snowy winter with temperatures solidly in the freezing range providing ideal conditions for the SAE Collegiate Design competition.

Building off successes from previous years, a record-setting 11 teams completed the 100 mile endurance run to Copper Mountain.

In addition to engineers and other supporting groups, the United States Forest Service is very supportive of the Challenge. Forest Service representatives believe that the snowmobile industry and clubs have made great strides, and this partnership with the Snowmobile Challenge is a great opportunity for the students to help move forward in a partnership.

The SAE Snowmobile Challenge includes such activities as:

– Endurance Run from Houghton, MI to Copper Harbor, MI
– Technical presentations on emissions and design parameters
– Subjective handling event
– Acceleration Test
– Scientific testing of emission levels and sound levels.

Plans are underway for the 2016 Challenge which will again be held at Michigan Tech beginning March 7, 2016. The snowmobile manufacturers will work with the Michigan Tech planning team in helping design event activities and more.

The competition amongst the Universities and the quality of the products produced continues to improve and the overall competition is getting more challenging each year.

Polaris RMK snowmobiles dominated the latest RMSHA hillclimb as Polaris racers won 10 Pro classes – including every Stock and Modified class – and all three King of the Hill titles at the Pine Creek Hillclimb on March 7-8 in Pinedale, Wyoming.

Polaris racers used this Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Assn. event as a strong final tune-up prior to the season’s premier event, the Jackson Hole [WY] World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb, March 26-29.

Racers aboard Polaris RMK deep snow models nearly identical to those that riders can purchase at Polaris dealerships won all four Stock classes at Pine Creek, won all four Modified classes, and earned 25 of 36 available podium spots (70%).

The depth of the Polaris hillclimb team was evident by the number of racers who earned top-three podium spots.

– 13 different Pro racers reached the podium
– Two Pro Masters racers reached the podium
– Four Semi-Pro racers scored a top-three finish, as did five Amateur racers

PRO CLASSES: Sweeps in Stock & Mod Classes

Keith Curtis won four classes – 600 Stock, 1000 Stock, 800 Modified, and Open Modified – and took second in his fifth class, 800 Stock. He went on to win the King of the Hill competition among both Stock and Modified class winners.

The other two Stock classes were won by Polaris racers Luke Rainey in 700 Stock and David Sharp, Jr., in 800 Stock.

In the Mod classes, Tyler Crockett won the 600 Modified class and Justin Thomas won in the 700 Modified class, where Polaris racers swept the top five places.

In the Improved Stock classes, Rainey won the 800 Improved Stock class – then went on to earn the Improved Stock King of the Hill title – and Aaron Sterck won in 700 Improved Stock.

Polaris racers lead in RMSHA season points standings in every Pro class. Curtis is the current RMSHA points leader in 600 Stock and 1000 Stock, and Rainey leads in the 700 and 800 Stock classes.

Les Keller leads in 600 Improved Stock Points, Sterck leads in 700 Improved, Erin Beukelman is the 800 Improved points leader, and Sharp leads in 1000 Improved Stock points.

In the Mod points standings, Justin Thomas leads in 600 Mod points, Beukelman leads in 700 Mod, and Curtis leads in 800 Mod and Open Mod points.

Polaris Racers Win in Pro Masters, Women’s

Polaris racer Dennis Durmas won the Pro Masters Improved title at Pine Creek, and Shelley Heap dominated the Women’s classes as she won the Stock and Improved Stock classes and the Women’s Queen of the Hill competition.

Polaris racer Johnathon Durmas won the Juniors class and Rayden Gladfelder won in Amateurs Modified. Durmas is the Juniors points leader heading to Jackson Hole.

The Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb, scheduled for March 26-29, is a non-points event, but is regarded as the sport’s most prestigious hill climb.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.
Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory, Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Pro Armor and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.

BRP Ski-Doo X-Team racer Elias Ishoel rode at a torrid pace no one could match to take both Pro Lite wins at the ISOC Snocross Racing season finale March 13-15 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Ski-Doo racers Kurt Bauerly (Pro Vet), Marica Renheim (Pro-Am Women) and Garret Goodwin (Adaptive) joined him on the top step of the podium to wrap up a great season for the ISOC X-Team Racers and the MXZx 600RS sled.

Bauerly and Renheim won season championships in their classes; Ishoel grabbed second in the penultimate Pro Lite class and Tim Tremblay placed second in the Pro Open class.

Young Elias Ishoel really stole the show all weekend as he put on a demonstration of skill and determination around the brutally punishing Lake Geneva track – even winning from the back row after being penalized for jumping the start on Sunday. His downhill leaps were awe- inspiring as he made his way to the front of the pack in each of the finals.

In Pro Open, former champion and top contender Tim Tremblay had a rough weekend but managed to retain his second place in the season points championship standings.

The Bauerly family has a long history of snowmobile racing and the latest to step up with a big trophy was Kurt. He has been strong in the Pro Vet class all year and continued his winning ways in Geneva with the win and season championship, but the guy pushing him hardest was cousin Ross who finished third on the weekend and second overall in points.

Women Pro-Am racer Marica Renheim has been dominant all year, winning every final and the season championship. But she had some serious competition from fellow Ski-Doo racer and new comer Megan Brodeur who made Renheim work for the wins on more than one occasion – often times leading race laps. Congrats to both ladies on their domination of the class.

In Sport class Kamryn Anderson had a breakout weekend, finishing on the podium twice with a third place on Saturday and a second on Sunday – his first top three finishes of the year on the longest, toughest (and most fun) track.

For more information on Ski-Doo snowmobiles visit ski-doo.com, or the On Track blog site for racing specific information.