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SnowTrax Selects 2011 Sleds Of The Year

Most Watched Series Grants Awards in Two Segments

Each season, snowmobiling’s most popular, most watched television series has picked one sled from the current model year offerings as the “Snowtrax Real World Sled of the Year”. History has shown the award is a significant predictor of sales success and often, market domination.

This year the competition was tight for the coveted laurels and included highly regarded contenders like Arctic Cat’s Z-1 Sno Pro and Yamaha’s all-new Apex with EPS.

The Snowtrax Crew consists of the industry’s most experienced editors who are unashamedly hardcore snowmobilers. Without hands-on experience with SOFTY nominees, the award would carry little credibility in the snowmobile industry.

Snowtrax Co-Host Luke Lester stated: “When we decided the Polaris 600 Rush Pro R was the winner of the Real World SOFTY, we didn’t have to fumble around looking for nice things to say. The sled outright stole the imagination of the team and earned respect with drop-dead reliability and outstanding performance.”

In just its second year the 600 Rush Pro Ride chassis has undergone myriad updates that dramatically affected reliability and improved both ride quality and handling response.

In both high speed, twisty trail carving and when run wide open the 600 Rush Pro R proved its mettle in the real world with Snowtrax staff.

The Real World SOFTY is an award system always on the alert for new trends while remaining acutely aware of variability in snowmobiler’s demands. Deep snow capability and trail mogul bridging attributes have moved up on riders “must have” lists the past three years.

To this end, SnowTrax decided the rapidly expanding Crossover segment should have it’s own Real World SOFTY.

In the words of X-Over specialist and Snowtrax Co-Host AJ Lester: “Ski-Doo pretty much invented the modern crossover sled and clearly dominates the segment with more offerings than any competitor in MY 2011. With the 600 E-TEC Renegade X and its superb 137×16 wide footprint setting the standard for this segment, we could not credibly overlook the vehicle as a completely worthy Real World SOFTY on its own.”

Without any debate, Ski-Doo has drilled the X-Over equation with this year’s 600 E-TEC Renegade X. The sled is equally as capable at deep snow boon-docking as it is on any trail surface.

It is amazingly competent in a broad range of conditions and the E-TEC engine line-up is clearly the benchmark for both power and amazing economy.

For MY 2011, Snowtrax Television is proud to pronounce the Polaris 600 Rush Pro-R as the Real World Sled of the Year and the 600 E-TEC Ski-Doo Renegade X as the Real World X-Over Sled of the Year.

To View the Snowtrax 2011 SOFTY Awards go to the Dayco Video Portal at SNOWTRAXTV.COM

Celebrating its 17th year, SnowTrax Television is a magazine format show that is packed with editorial content tailored to every type of rider. Each episode features in-depth product evaluations, instructional tech tips, destination features along with the latest news in the industry. Affiliated with national broadcasters TSN and TSN2 in Canada and the Outdoor Channel in the United States, SnowTrax Television is the most watched snowmobile show in North America. For more information and the complete broadcast schedule visit the SnowTrax Television website at www.SnowTraxtv.com

‘CAN YOU HANG’ CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED!

Winner to Join Snowtrax and Supertrax on Mountain Adventure with Chris Burandt

After 4 months of accepting entries and thousands and thousands of ballots received Supertrax Media Inc and Polaris Industries are excited to announce a winner has been selected in this season’s exciting snowmobile adventure contest aptly named ‘Can You Hang’.

The prize has been described by many as “the snowmobile experience of a lifetime” and includes an all expenses paid trip to ride brand new 2012 Polaris Assault and RMK sleds with the cast of Snowtrax Television and backcountry superstar Chris Burandt at the private “Burandt’s Backcountry Adventures” facility in Colorado.

Official ballots were available from Polaris Dealers, at both the Supertrax Media and Polaris booths at numerous consumer snowmobile shows along with being distributed inside 600,000 copies of Supertrax Magazine this past winter. Participants were also active in taking advantage of online entries made available on the Supertrax and Snowtrax websites.

The winner of this amazing adventure vacation is Scott Ashlaw of Williamson, New York. Scott had this to say about the trip: “At first I thought it was my buddies playing a joke on me. Getting to ride with Chris Burandt in the mountains and the guys from SnowTrax TV, its almost unbelievable!”

On top of riding new Polaris Sleds with Chris Burandt and the Snowtrax Crew the whole event will be filmed for an upcoming segment on Snowtrax Television and will be featured in Supertrax Magazine next season. For more information on the trip and to get the inside scoop on all the excitement be sure to check the Snowtrax TV Facebook page for daily updates.

For information on all the 2012 Polaris models go to www.polarisindustries.com and order your new Polaris sled before Snow Check ends on April 19th.

Celebrating its 17th year, SnowTrax Television is a magazine format show that is packed with editorial content that is tailored to every type of rider. Each episode features in-depth product evaluations, instructional tech tip’s, destination features along with the latest news in the industry. Affiliated with national broadcasters TSN andTSN2 in Canada and the Outdoor Channel in the United States, SnowTrax Television is the most watched snowmobile show in North America. For more information and the complete broadcast schedule visit the SnowTrax Television website at www.snowtraxtv.com

2012 M8 HCR Open Mod Shows Early Promise

Team Arctic Racers Take 10 Classes and 2 King Titles at Pebble Creek

Team Arctic Hillclimb racers continued their RMSHA winning with 10 class victories and two King titles at Pebble Creek.

With a little less than two weeks for the Tapios to prepare the 2012 M8 HCR ProClimb chassis for Jackson Hole, Team Arctic racer, Kyle Tapio pulled off a near victory in the 800 Open Mod class. With a baseline idea of what the ProClimb chassis was capable of, the Tapios regrouped and focused on Pebble Creek victory. That’s just what Tapio brothers Kyle and Nels did as they notched a one-two sweep of the Open Mod 800 class.

“We like what we are seeing in the all-new ProClimb chassis and are proud of the early wins. Next season should be really exciting for Team Arctic racers,” said Hillclimb Coordinator, Al Shimpa. “We can’t forget how well our 2011 chassis worked either as we won three-quarters of the Improved and Mod classes and swept the entire Women’s classes totaling ten wins and two King Titles!”

About Arctic Cat – Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minn., designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol ‘ACAT.’ More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available on the Internet at www.arcticcat.com.

2011 BEST IN CLASS: BEST 4-STROKE SNOWMOBILE

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Brothers and Co-Publishers of Supertrax – Kent and Mark Lester debate their picks for 2011’s Best In Class Awards.

WINNER: Yamaha Apex EPS

Mark Sez:

Okay, now the playing field is level! We’re talking exclusively about 4-strokes here and I can line up on the side of the all-new Yamaha Apex with electric power steering (EPS).

This innovation, combined with a set of well-thought-out skis has transformed the nervous handling of this fine mount in a way words cannot fully express. Add in an impressive injection of low-end torque and a nice increase in peak horsepower and you’ve got a 2011 sled that advances the art of snowmobiling in a very tangible way.

Yamaha’s EXUP variable exhaust valve technology is a way-cool enhancement to an engine that already produced formidable grunt and near-endless high RPM power.

EXUP increases efficiency, torque and peak power while netting a gain in fuel economy. We always said Yamaha will forget more about 4-stroke technology than everyone else will likely learn. The move to EXUP proves the point. Yamaha is already on its next generation of 4-stroke whiz-bang trickery while everyone else is staying put.

There’s more that makes the Apex the easy (Kent, I said easy!) choice as best 4-stroke for 2011. EPS has completely rocked the ATV industry. It’s so good it has become, in record time, one of buyers’ most sought after features.

Wouldn’t you know it, without exception, nearly every ATV maker now offers EPS. Look for this technology to spread in our sport in a similar way. Light handling, dart free straight-line stability and easy bar sawing on twisty trails are issues too important for any sled-maker to ignore.

I know, Kent’s going after the Apex’s lofty wet weight – and it is undeniable. However, if Kent could stay on a sled in the twisties for more than two miles he’d realize the Apex with EPS is now a credible handler in spite of its weight.

Kent’s Response:

Wow, Mark, did you win the lottery or something? Hey, any company can build impressive 4-strokes if they’re willing to put the retail price into the same category as the entire Western culture’s national debt. Gimme a break.

A much more sensible choice is Ski-Doo’s 4-TEC. I’ll agree, comparing the two, there is a horsepower difference but not everyone (ahem) has to validate their masculinity with a super-powerful sled.

The 130-hp Ski-Doo 4-stroke is smooth and quick and has proven to be incredibly reliable. The sheer genius of using it in the meringue-light Ski-Doo XR chassis puts it squarely into the wet weight zone of some recent 2-stroke sleds.

I firmly believe Ski-Doo’s strategy of taking the weight out of the entire sled, not just the engine, so the net mass is lower, is the best way to deal with the 4-stroke issues we’ve been writing about for so long.

The XR platform with a 4-stroke engine is flat-out revolutionary and has changed the way performance riders view 4-stroke sleds.

800 Switchback or 4-TEC Renegade?

Dear Motorhead:

Your mag nad show are the best in the biz. I make sure I get every issue and never miss a show!

Looking to buy new this spring but stuck between two sleds. An 800 Switchback RUSH and the 4-stroke Ski-Doo. We ride a little aggresively some times and not sure if the 4-storke is up for that task.

Thanks,

Robert

Robert

Thanks for your email!

I think you’re comparing apples to oranges – here’s why. You need to decide on the big issue before you move ahead with a sled choice. Do you want a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke X-Over? That’s the most important issue.

If you were comparing the new Switchback Pro Ride 800 to the Renegade 800 E-TEC I would be happy to give you my opinion. In fact, I am happy to give you my opinion on your question.

The 4-TEC SD is a 130 HP 4 stroke and the Switchback Pro Ride is a 153 HP 2 stroke. The Renegade is a light 4 stroke X-Over and likely the best 4 stroke X-Over in the biz right now. However, it is not the best X-Over period.

The new Switchback Pro Ride platform and the SD Renegade chassis with 2 stroke power are at the top of the game right now. It would be very difficult to pick the hands down best sled from among the two.

The new SB Pro Ride is a trail rider’s dream and unbelievably capable as a boondocker with its “naked” rear architecture. It can really dig in deep snow.

The Renegade is a worthy trail riding sled as well with an almost transparent feel to its 137 inch shoe. It is superb at boondocking as well.

The E-Tec 2 stroke engine is largely incomparable from a mpg standpoint but the Liberty 800 can run dead-even with it to the C-Note.

Strangely, the new 800 Polaris mills are equally as miserly on oil as the E-TEC is – up to 700 miles per tankful. Think about this in comparison to a 4 stroke seasonal oil change. This kind of 2 stroke oil consumption more or less negates the 4 stroke oil argument – unless you ride a jillion miles a year then the 4 stroke seasonal interval wins out.

Hope this helps – again, your first decision is 4 or 2 stroke for your new ride.

Motorhead Mark

Great Choice For SOFTY

Dear Motorhead:

Great choice for SOFTY! I do have a question though. In your lead-up you mention that fuel economy & resale are considered criteria in your evaluations yet very little was mentioned in the actual piece about these two objective areas. Is Polaris improving in these areas? They haven’t been strong in either the last few years.

Keep up the great work.

Greg

Greg,

Thanks for your email!

Yes, Polaris has made significant strides in improving oil mileage. In fact, we’re finding a Liberty 600 or 800 can go up to 700 miles on a tank of oil.

This is E-TEC oil mileage territory. Fuel economy on the 600 Liberty Cleanfire is most often around 16-18 mpg but can slip lower at lake velocities. We should have included these comments in the show – thanks for keeping us on our toes.

Thanks,

Motorhead Mark

SKI-DOO SNOWMOBILES SWEEP CAINS QUEST PODIUM

Teams of two racers each, riding BRP designed and built Ski-Doo snowmobiles, took the top three spots in this year’s gruelling Cains Quest cross country race. This marks the first time a brand has swept the top three spots since the race began six years ago.

Cains Quest is a true cross-country race over five days where each team navigates to nine check points on their own – no course markers or guidance is provided.

The 2011 race presented some extremely challenging conditions right from the start as the course had to be changed completely due to unseasonably warm weather, and racers took off into rain that changed to a blizzard before the first day was over. With the change in route many felt this was the most rugged course seen yet.

Coming home first were Robert Gardner and Rich Knipping of Team Maine, known as Team 22 for those following the race reports. This was their first win in the last 4 races and marks the second straight win for BRP’s Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

Following closely in second position, just two minutes behind, were local racers Gary and Chris Travers. Rounding out the sweep were last year’s winners Eric Hall and Tim Lessard, also from Maine.

The three teams shared a few common elements; great preparation, skill and perseverance, combined with the power and reliability of their Rotax-powered snowmobiles.

The first and third place teams chose BRP’s Ski-Doo Renegade models powered by Rotax E-TEC 800R engines, while the second place team was on an older Ski-Doo Summit X-RS Hillclimb Edition sled featuring the Rotax PowerTEK 800R engine.

Both choices proved to work great as the teams experienced no failures, allowing them to focus on the obstacles Mother Nature would throw at them instead.

“BRP’s Rotax E-TEC 800R engine provided us with a huge advantage, almost unfair, compared to most of our competitors,” stated Robert Gardner from Team Maine. “Having to stop less often and carry less fuel is big in a race like this. Plus we never had to take out a tool to fix or adjust anything – the sleds were bulletproof the whole race.”

The 2011 Cains Quest results tell the facts about Ski-Doo performance and reliability. When you want the complete package of performance, fuel efficiency and reliability – Ski-Doo snowmobiles are your only real choice.

For complete race results visit the Ski-Doo X-Team home page at >a href=”http://www.ski-doo.com” target=”_blank”>www.ski-doo.com

Looking At A High-Miler

Dear Motorhead:

I’m looking to buy an ’08 Renegade X 600 HO SDI. It has 14,000 Kms on it. The owner told me that those engines go to 30,000 kms before you have to do anything to it. Should I be concerned about the mileage?

Thank you and I value your opinion on this.

Dan

Dear Dan,

Thanks again – for your email!

You better be able to buy the sled cheap as 14,000 klicks is high mileage in any one’s book. Personally, I feel any sled at 6000 miles (10 K klicks) should have all bearings in the chassis replaced including jackshaft, front drive and all skid tires. As well, clutch bushings, weights/rollers and sliding surface parts (torque buttons) need replacement.

If the engine is tight and compression is where it should be there are more miles in the engine – however, you can’t expect to go much beyond 10,000 miles without re-ringing.

By the way – the chassis details apply to either 2 or 4 stroke motors – obviously a snowmobile chassis doesn’t care what kind of motor moves it. The re-ringing of a two stroke is usually a good idea at the 10,000 mile mark and is actually cost effective.

Hope this helps,

Motorhead Mark

Martin Finishes 2nd in Points in Both Pro Classes

Polaris snocross racer Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports) won his third Pro Open main of the ISOC National Tour at the circuit’s season finale in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, March 18-20, and he finished the season second in points in both Pro classes.

The 2009-2010 ISOC Pro Open champion, Martin had three Pro Open wins and four second-place finishes in 2010-2011 to finish second in points, 15 behind the leader. In Pro Super Stock, he had one win and four seconds en route to finishing second in the standings.

Polaris racer Justin Tate won the ISOC Pro-Am Plus 30 Super Stock title and Brett Nastala (Redline Racing) won the Sport Super Stock title. Finishing second in points races were Jennifer Pare (JFP RACING) in Pro-Am Women’s Super Stock and Mike Bauer (Judnick Motorsports) in Semi-Pro Super Stock.

Martin Battles to the End for Titles

Ross Martin did everything he could to try to win the Pro Open title at the season finale. He won both of his heat races and won the main, accumulating the maximum points, but he fell 15 points shy of the title he won a year earlier. He finished the Pro Open season with three wins, four second-place finishes and a disappointing 11th place at the Western Nationals that cost him valuable points.

In Pro Super Stock, Martin also ran consistently for most of the season, racking up one win, four seconds and a third. But he had two finishes outside the top 10 that proved costly in his bid for the class title.

Pro Classes at Lake Geneva

Martin was joined by two fellow Polaris racers in the top 10 in Pro Open at Lake Geneva. Brett Bender (Hentges Racing) finished sixth, Matt Piche (Hulten Speed Sports) was eighth and Bobby LePage (Team LaVallee) was 14th.

In the final Pro Open points standings, Martin was second, followed by LePage in 10th, Bender in 11th, TJ Gulla (Hentges Racing) in 17th, Christian Salemark (Hulten Speed Sports) in 18th, and Matt Piche (Hulten Speed Sports) in 20th. Just outside the top 20 was Andrew Johnstad (Johnstad Racing) in 21st, followed by Danny Poirier (Hulten Speed Sports) 24th, and Iain Hayden (Team Rockstar Energy Polaris) in 25th.

In the Pro Super Stock main at Lake Geneva, Matt Piche finished fourth, followed by Justin Tate in eighth, Bender in 11th, LePage in 13th and Martin in 15th.

Martin finished second in Pro Super Stock points, 30 behind the winner, while LePage was 11th, Bender was 15th, Gulla was 16th, Piche was 18th, Salemark took 19th, Johnstad was 20th, and Tate finished 21st.

Pare, Bauer & Nastala Run Strong in Finale

In the Pro-Am Women’s Super Stock main at Lake Geneva, Jennifer Pare finished second, followed by fellow Polaris racers Stephanie Schmidt (Schmidt Racing) in sixth, Kendra Dallmann (LePage Racing) in eighth and Tabitha Bode (Team BSR) in 12th. Pare finished second in class points, just seven points from the title, while Dallmann was fifth in points, Bode was ninth and Schmidt was 10th.

In the weekend’s two Semi-Pro Super Stock races, Mike Bauer finished third and second to clinch second place in points. Bauer was third in the first race, while Andrew Lieders (Team LaVallee) was eighth and Colby Crapo (Leighton Motorsports) was 10th. In the weekend’s second race, Bauer was second and was joined on the podium by Kody Kamm (Kamm Racing) in third. Crapo finished sixth, Andrew Lieders (Team LaVallee) was eighth, Ben Lindbom (Patriot Racing) was 11th, Trevor Leighton (Leighton Motorsports) was 14th and Renaud Alexandre (Renaud Alexandre) was 15th.

While Bauer finished second in Semi-Pro Super Stock points, Crapo was sixth, Kamm was ninth, Alexandre was 10th, Lieders was 11th.

The weekend’s two Sport Super Stock races were swept by Polaris racers Brett Nastala (Redline Racing), who won the first race, and Jake Scott (Hulten Speed Sports), who won the second.

In the first race, Leighton took third, Brian Ludwig (LR Motorsports) was fourth, James Johnstad (Johnstad Racing) was fifth, Jake Scott was sixth and Jake Angove (Angove Racing Team) was 14th. In the second race, won by Jake Scott, Jordan Kraus (Relentless Racing) was third, Johnstad was fourth, Leighton was fifth, Ludwig was sixth, Nastala was seventh and David Fradette (Bristow’s) was 15th.

Nastala won the points title by nine points, Leighton was third, Johnstad was fourth, Ludwig was fifth, and Scott was sixth.

Byers Motorsports Year End Wrap-Up

After 4 months of winter and CSRA racing, it all came down to the season finale at Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort in Barrie, Ontario for the Dayco National Snowcross.

The Supertrax/ Byers Motorsports/ Polaris team was ready to put on a good show for the hometown crowd, still pumped after the performance at Kitchener. An amazing 60cm snow base made for one of the best tracks that we have had at this event.

Kyle came back from school to join us for the season finale to take on the Sport 600 class. Kyle was looking good in practice and didn’t take long to feel comfortable.

In Moto 1, Kyle got pinched out off the start but made up some time going up the hill being 6th at the top. He battled back and forth for positions all race and just after the white flag, he passed 2 riders in the bottom corner putting him in 4th.

At the bottom of the hill, he hit a rut and put the sled on the top of the berm loosing 1 position but holding onto 5th. In Moto 2, Kyle got a decent start and was 4th at the top of the hill. With one lap to go, battling for the 3rd position, Kyle hit a hole going up the hill that bucked him off the sled and sent the sled rolling hitting Kyle in the back. Kyle was ok after the crash but did not race the remaining of the weekend.

Jamie was ready to rock in the Semi-Pro Stock class after feeling good and looking fast in practice. Jamie got a great start in Moto 1 and was 2nd into the first corner after the long drag race up the hill. Jamie was running very close to first place and was looking for somewhere to make up some time.

On lap 3, Jamie went for the finish line triple to make up time but came up short and hyper-extended his knee on the landing and pulling off the track. Jamie iced his knee during the break and went out for moto 2. He finished 3rd in moto 2 but could tell he was favoring the knee. Unfortunately with 28 racers and a 10th and 3rd finish in the motos, for the first time in over 35 races, Jamie did not qualify for the final.

In Sunday’s Open class, Jamie took to the track for moto 1 and grabbed a 3rd place finish. In moto 2, Jamie’s Polaris IQ and Dayco XTX belt pulled hard all the way up the hill to put him into 2nd. He got to the inside of the leader at the bottom of the hill and made the pass for the lead.

Jamie led the rest of the race until the last lap, where he got passed in the second last corner but held on for 2nd at the finish. After qualifying 4th for the final, Jamie didn’t get the start he had wanted and was 6th going up the hill.

He ducked down to the inside of the corner at the top of the hill, where all the other racers had pushed out wide, and made the pass into 3rd. On Lap 4, Jamie cased a jump coming down the down-hill rhythm section, lost control of the sled and the sled went off the track hitting a light standard getting stuck, taking him out of the race finishing 15th.

“It wasn’t how we wanted to finish out the season. We had some tough luck and injuries didn’t help us.” Jamie said after the weekend. “We have to thank our dad and race tuner at the track, Rob, for having the sleds running great all season. We had a good and fun year of racing. We’ll take the summer off and prepare ourselves for next season.”

This season saw on average 25 racers competing in the Semi-Pro class. Some of this season best racing came from this class as it was very competitive with many close riders competing for the podium at every event.

Unfortunately injuries and bad luck kept us out of the National Podium after this weekend. We are happy with our Regional point’s results after not competing at one of the events when he went with Supertrax Magazine to ride the 2012 sleds at Snowshoot.

“Hats off to both our riders this season as they rode well, had some great results, and promoted us and our sponsors well.” said Team Owner/Tuner Rob Byers.

CSRA Season Overall Points Results:

#219 Jamie Byers

Semi-Pro Regional (Competed in 7 of 8 Events):
Stock – 6th
Open – 6th

Semi-Pro National:
Stock – 5th
Open – 4th (4 points out of 3rd)

#109 Kyle Byers

Sport 600:
17th (Competed in 3 of 8 Events due to College)

We have teamed ourselves up with some really great companies and people who provide great products that withstand the extreme conditions of Snowcross Racing. We would really like to thank ALL of our great sponsors for their support once again this season.

Thanks to All our Great Sponsors: Supertrax Magazine, Byers Motorsports – Polaris, Gamma Sales- Fly Racing, Coldwave, Dragon Optics, Amsoil, Dayco Belts, Creechers Design, Woody’s, CM Sports/Clean Media – Photography, Powermadd, Sled Pro, TekVest