BRP signed a multi-year strategic alliance with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. (TCFIF), a new wholesale financing provider.

TCFIF will be providing wholesale financing solutions to BRP’s Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Can-Am North American dealers and be the preferred wholesale financing partner to Evinrude and Johnson outboard engine dealers.

“We are thrilled to add BRP and its roster of dealers to our customer base,” said Ross Perrelli, president and chief executive officer of TCFIF. “The creation of this long-term North America-wide relationship is proof that our formula of industry experience, exceptional customer service, and a reliable and stable source of capital is a winning one.”

TCFIF and its affiliates will be a convenient one-stop shop, offering inventory financing, equipment financing and commercial banking services.

Additionally, TCFIF will dedicate staff to service BRP dealers; key members of their account team will be working within BRP’s offices in Montréal.

“We know that wholesale financing is key to the success and growth of our dealer network,” said Yves Leduc, vice-president and general manager, North America division. “We are pleased to add TCFIF to the list of our financial suppliers supporting our Canadian and American dealers. With its wide range of financial services, solid value proposition and great customer focus, TCFIF will be an excellent partner for our network.”

This agreement comes into force in February 2012.

TCFIF, an indirect subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (NYSE: TCB), is a premier inventory finance company offering a full range of inventory financing solutions to manufacturers, distributors and their dealers throughout the United States and Canada in the powersports industry, the lawn and garden industry, the recreational vehicle industry, the marine products industry and the consumer electronics and appliances industry. TCFIF originated approximately $2.5 billion in loans to nearly 9,000 customers in 2010.

BRP’s 2012 version of the Ski-Doo MX Zx 600 RS will see big improvements in engine and chassis performance to propel Ski-Doo X-Team racers to even more wins this year.

The engine, front and rear suspensions and drive train were all changed with sno-cross and cross country racers in mind.

Headlining the list of changes will be the new engine which delivers an additional six horsepower and better throttle response across the entire operating range.

The list of new components is lengthy but starts with a new crank case, a new patent pending crank shaft design and new cylinders – all directed to provide better flow and higher horsepower.

The engine is designed to be very efficient from 8300 to 8800 rpm with a broad powerband. A new fuel pump and hose routing improves fuel delivery to the muscular monster and new ECM calibrations will complete the power pack.

The front suspension was also analysed for ways to improve chassis performance and balance to better match up with the new skid frame introduced last year.

The change to new, taller spindles improves ski pressure and cornering while the new powder coating will reduce any snow or ice build up.

A redesigned steering post and bushing further reduce any bump steer to non-existent. Finally a new upper A-arm which creates a new steeper caster angle rounds out the geometry package. Racers will notice much straighter tracking through the bumps and better chassis balance front to rear.

The rear suspension was introduced last year as “PCX” but that was only intended to disguise the rMotion name until the consumer version was introduced.

For 2012 the rear suspension is named rMotion Racing. Both skid frames share the same basic geometry featuring a rising rate rear shock and long front arm, but each are optimized for their intended uses. The rMotion Racing has a new reinforced rear arm, improved coupling system, and new reinforced powder coated rails for reduced ice build up.

Once all the new parts were put together, significant time was spent on chassis calibration. All four shocks have been re-worked to deliver more compliant performance in small bumps for less rider fatigue, yet still handle the nasty kickers and big jumps.

The drive train changes were aimed at improved belt and clutch performance to deliver consistent RPM and performance lap after lap.

The new engine mounts are stiffer to keep the clutches better aligned and new specs for the secondary clutch will allow it to float a little to improve belt life.

There’s better venting to the clutches, reducing power robbing heat and the belt itself is new construction for durability and performance.

The deep 19/49 gearing will pull hard to the first turn and optimize clutch calibrations for sno-cross set-ups. The driveshaft mounted brake will also get better venting for cooler running.

Finally the look of the machine changes with a new black powder coated tunnel to further reduce and ice build-up and provide a stealth look, along with new graphics and coloration.

Recap of what’s new:

600 RS Engine – six more horsepower

– New crank case design
– New patent pending crankshaft design
– New cylinder design
– New fuel pump and hose routing
– Broader power band, from 8300 – 8800 RPM

Front Suspension

– New taller, powder coated spindle
– New steering post
– New steering post bushing
– New upper A-arm
– New shock calibration

Rear Suspension – rMotion Racing

– New reinforced rear arm
– Improved coupling system
– New reinforced powder coated rails
– New shock calibration

Drive Line

– New engine mounts
– New sliding driven clutch
– Better venting to clutches
– New Belt
– New 19/49 gearing
– New brake venting

Chassis

– New powder coated tunnel

Polaris snowmobile racers head into the new racing season with a leg up on the competition as the 2012 Polaris 600 IQ Race Sled features race-ready suspension calibration that carried Polaris racers to podium finishes in the second half of last season.

The 2012 Polaris 600 IQ Race Sled also features the powerful, title-winning Liberty 600 engine and a white hood with retro graphics that were featured on Polaris production and racing sleds in the 1970s and ’80s.

Plus, technology developed through racing is now enhancing the riding experience of enthusiasts. The Independent Front Suspension (IFS) that provides easy steering and responsive handling in the race sled is now used on several model year 2012 Polaris consumer snowmobiles.

Polaris Snowmobile Racing Manager Tom Rager, Sr., said the race sled’s suspension setup was fine-tuned throughout last season and delivered outstanding performance, so racers will take delivery of 2012 race sleds that are ready to hit the track.

“We have Ben Hayes, who previously worked with Fox Racing Shox and Walker Evans Racing, as our in-house suspension specialist, and he worked really hard on setups last season,” Rager said. “Working closely with our racers, he came up with an incredible setup that two teams used in last season”s final four or five races.”

“We continued testing and development with our racers after the season and made further calibration changes so the front and rear suspensions are better than ever, and we’re going to continue to move forward.”

The current setup features revised shock valving and stiffer rear torsion springs than racers started with on the 2011 Race Sled.

“It delivers improved performance because the suspension is compliant through high speed bumps, and when the sled comes off doubles or table tops, the sled absolutely goes straight,” Rager said. “We gain speed through the rough sections because the sled stays so straight.”

The Independent Front Suspension (IFS) has proved to be so durable and delivers such easy, responsive handling that it is featured on several model year 2012 Polaris production sleds such as RUSH models, Switchback models and Switchback Assaults.

This IFS design requires less steering effort, and provides flatter cornering. Racers will stay fresher throughout a race and be able to run at maximum speed from start to finish. Consumers will also stay fresher and be able to ride hander longer.

The 2012 Polaris 600 IQ Race Sled was developed as a snocross sled, but extensive additional testing was done to fine-tune a chassis setup for cross-country racing.

Crosscountry racers who want to campaign this sled will receive information about how to adjust their shock valving and springs to achieve premium terrain performance.

2012 600 IQ Race Sled Details

The 2012 IQ Race Sled is built on the Polaris-exclusive IQ Chassis, which is strong, durable and lightweight.

Designed for maximum efficiency, the chassis’ part count is minimized and advanced assembly techniques are used to produce the strongest bonds among components.

As a result, Polaris racers compete on sleds featuring maximized structural rigidity and the performance and durability required to win championships.

The IFS uses Walker Evans Aluminum IFP (Internal Floating Piston) 16-position compression-adjustable shocks with piggyback reservoirs and has 10.3″ (26.2 cm) of travel.

The IQ Rear Suspension has a Walker Evans Coil Over Shock as the front track shock, and the rear track shock is a Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16-position compressionadjustable large body shock.

The rear suspension has 13.9″ (35.3 cm) of travel. Under the hood is the class-leading, liquid-cooled Polaris Liberty 600 twin, which has dual Mikuni Rack TM 40 carburetors, NiCaSil-lined cylinders for optimized heat dispersion and the Polaris VES (Variable Exhaust System) for outstanding power and instant throttle response.

Managing the power delivery is the legendary Polaris P-85 clutch, and for braking the race sled has a Cyclone master cylinder and lever and a liquid-cooled Phantom dual-piston caliper.

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