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SIXTH X GAMES GOLD FOR TUCKER HIBBERT

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Fifth Gold in a Row for Hibbert; Silver Medal for Jeff Tweet

Team Arctic superstar Tucker Hibbert claimed his sixth Gold Medal at the ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., with another dominant display of snocross supremacy.

It was Hibbert’s fifth consecutive gold medal and his 10th medal in 12 years. His teammate and mechanic Jeff Tweet was equally impressive, finishing with a silver medal in the Adaptive Snocross final.

Racing his Monster Energy Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 with a Speedwerx modified motor and clutching package, Hibbert combined strong holeshots with his typical blazing speed and control to convincingly win his heat race and final.

The only drama happened on the first lap of the final, when one competitor jumped the start and another partially landed on Hibbert before veering off the track.

Hibbert shrugged off both incidents, took the lead threw down a series of fast laps before cruising to an unchallenged win. The victory moved Hibbert past Blair Morgan on the all-time win list.

“This win feels amazing. Every win is special but this one means a lot to me. Beating Blair’s record for most snocross gold medals is really exciting, but I have to thank him for setting the bar high. He helped make me the competitor I am today and I really wish we were still battling on the track.”

Factory Team Arctic Semi-Pro Kyle Pallin finish an impressive fourth place in the final, leading a team green charge that included Dan Ebert (fifth), Cody Thomsen (sixth) Zach Pattyn (seventh) and Johan Lidman in tenth.

Jeff Tweet’s silver-medal in Adaptive Snocross was sweet retribution after breaking his leg in last year’s Adaptive race. Tweet double-jumped his way through the final technical section of the course to pass into second-place, and his first X Games medal.

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.

10 SNOWMOBILING MUST-HAVES: A Good Suit

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If You Don’t Have The Items On This List, You’re Missing Out!

Warmth is almost always the utmost consideration when you’re buying a new snowmobile suit.

Style is the main selling factor, however, and it’s interesting to observe how many people will compromise warmth and comfort for something that makes them look like their favorite snocross champ.

Check out the stitching and arm cuffs and when it comes to insulation, look for brand names like Thinsulate, Polarguard, Primaloft and Thermolite. These products deliver high levels of warmth without adding bulk.

You may also want to move up to a vapor barrier type suit that wicks moisture away from your body but keeps the heat in. This feature can be expensive but is worth it, especially if you tend to ride fairly aggressively. Remember, in sub zero weather, moisture inside your suit is your enemy.

Speaking of moisture, it’s not a bad idea to check out some of the flotation suits available in the event you should take a dunking in open water.

After years of riding, we’ve found some nice features we’d recommend. Pre-bent arms and knees are a nice comfort idea so you’re not always fighting the cold fabric when seated on a sled.

We like extra pockets, both inside and outside, particularly on the bib part of the suit. This makes it easy to stash extra gear like a camera or cell phone close to the warmth of your body.

Polaris Riders Win Five Medals in X Games Events

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Polaris snowmobile freestylers and snocross racers used Polaris Terrain Dominating performance to fly and race to five medals at the 15th annual ESPN Winter X Games, held January 27-30 at Aspen, Colorado.

High-flying Swede Daniel Bodin (Team LaVallee) won gold medals in Snowmobile Freestyle and Snowmobile Best Trick, snapping his four-year string of qualifying for X Games finals and finishing just off the podium.

Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports) earned his second-straight silver medal with a second-place finish in Snowmobile Snocross. The defending ISOC Pro Open champion has won silver medals at the past two X Games after suffering a season-ending injury in an X Games practice session in 2009.

Caleb Moore, a Texan who races Polaris ATVs, won bronze medals in Snowmobile Freestyle and Snowmobile Best Trick and also competed in Snowmobile Speed & Style. His brother Colten, also a Polaris ATV racer, finished just outside the medals in the two freestyle events and teamed with his brother for one of the most memorable freestyle tricks in X Games history.

Daniel Bodin Soars Up to Grab Two Golds

Just weeks prior to the X Games, Daniel Bodin was invited by Polaris snocross racer and freestyle star Levi LaVallee to train with and compete for Team LaVallee. LaVallee, who has won X Games medals in a wider range of events than any other snowmobiler, was injured practicing for a planned New Year’s Eve distance jump, so he worked closely with Bodin prior to the 2011 X Games at the team’s Minnesota training center.

Bodin had qualified for the Snowmobile Freestyle finals in each of the previous four years, but finished fourth each time. In the 2011 finals on Thursday, January 27, he delivered his greatest performance ever and won the gold medal handily. Caleb Moore used his fearless, high-flying style to clinch the bronze medal for the second-straight year.

Three nights later, Bodin and Caleb Moore each earned the same medals, respectively, in Snowmobile Best Trick, an event in which each competitor performs one big trick in each of two rounds.

In the first round, Bodin launched his Polaris snowmobile off the tall jump and flipped the sled while sailing 100 feet to the landing ramp.

Caleb Moore’s first-round trick was the first Carolla ever done in snowmobile freestyle competition. As he and the sled sailed from ramp to ramp, Caleb rolled his body over sideways while his body was extended off the back of the sled.

Bodin held the lead after the first round, Caleb Moore was second, and Colten Moore was fourth.

In the final round, Bodin once again flipped his IQ Race Sled off the 100-foot ramp, and this time dismounted the sled and held the seat strap with both hands in a Double Seat Grab.

Caleb Moore performed another Carolla in the final round, this time with a no-hands landing. Colten Moore started his final trick by parking his sled in front of the crowd, dismounting and encouraging the crowd to cheer.

His brother Caleb drove up, Colten got on the back of his brother’s sled, and they backflipped the sled off a ramp, with Colten hanging onto his brother’s body as they flew. The crowd was ecstatic about the two-man flip, but the judges gave Colten no score since Snowmobile Freestyle is an individual event. Caleb earned a bronze medal while Colten took fifth.

Ross Martin Continues His Strong Run

Snocross racer Ross Martin continued his strong season by earning the silver medal at the X Games. Martin is currently in second place in ISOC Pro Open and Pro Super Stock points, and he will be gunning for the lead in both classes when ISOC National Tour racing resumes February 4-5 with the Eastern Nationals in Farmington, New York.

While Martin earned his second-consecutive X Games snocross silver medal, fellow Polaris racer Iain Hayden (Team Rockstar Energy Polaris) finished eighth, Colby Crapo (Leighton Motorsports) was 14th and Bobby LePage (Team LaVallee) was 15th.

Polaris Snowmobiles Busy On the Slopes

Along with starring in the snowmobile competition, Polaris snowmobiles were integral to the smooth flow of the busy Winter X Games event schedule. Polaris snowmobiles were used by ESPN staffers at multiple competition sites, and long-tracked Polaris sleds provided snowboard competitors with rides from the base of the mountains up to the starting lines during several events.

Arctic Cat Recalls Snowmobiles

Recall Due to a Loss of Control Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC.

Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Snowmobiles

Units: About 16,500

Manufacturer: Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn.

Hazard: The front lower suspension arm can crack during use which could lead to loss of control, posing a risk of severe injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: Arctic Cat has received 13 reports of suspension arms cracking. No injuries or accidents have been reported.

Description: This recall involves all 2010 Arctic Cat Z1, TZ1, F, Bearcat, M, and CF model snowmobiles. All variations of color and model features of the models listed are included in this recall. The model name is indicated on the side of vehicle, in the registration materials and owner’s manual.

Sold at: Arctic Cat dealerships nationwide from June 2009 through January 2011 for between $6,800 and $15,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these snowmobiles and contact their local Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners have been directly notified about this recall by mail.

What Suspension Tops an M-10?

Comment:

Dear Motorhead:

I have two Polaris 2003 600 Classics with the Fast M-10 suspension. I bought them new in 2003 and have not seen any really drastic imporvements in ride qualtiy to make me want to move up to something newer. They ride like you are on a cloud and never dart due to the dual runners.

I have read your evaluations for years and I have drawn my own conclusions by reading the magazine’s comments on suspensions. I ride big miles and want the most cushiest, softest ride you can get. I want to ride like I am floating on a cloud with my suspension absorbing all the bumps. I have not found or seen anything better than the Fast M-10 that is on my Classic 600’s.

So what sled would say gives a better cushier softer ride than the M-10 on my Polaris? If there is one then how much more better ride is it? I realize there may be a minimum improvement, but I would like the bottom line as everyone says oh my new sled rides big miles perfect…and then they sit on the M-10 and are silent.

So to me what is the point of selling the Classics with the M-10 if there really is nothing that much better.

I have been continually told hands down the M-10 is still the best in the business. Even the RUSH has its issues. Is it really that superior to the M-10…really?

Thanks for your help.

Bruce

reply:

Thanks for your email!

Your arguments about the great ride from the M-10 are hard to refute – however, there’s more at play today than just ride.

You need to consider the benefits of rider forward ergos which on its own improves both ride and handling.

Polaris makes a number of models which have both great suspensions and great ride. The IQ’s with 136 inch skids including the touring models are exceptional and will equal your M-10.

The new Rush LX is another great riding sled. While M-10 was good in its day the compromises demanded by having that skid stuck in a “old-style” sit down ergo package are more than countered by newer rider forward designs.

Hope this helps.

Motorhead Mark

10 SNOWMOBILING MUST-HAVES: The Right Helmet

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If You Don’t Have The Items On This List, You’re Missing Out!

When it comes to snowmobiling, there’s more to a helmet than just looks. There are a number of important things to think about and one is cold weather vision.

Most modern helmets have internal venting systems that help keep the rider’s face shield free of condensation. “Help” is the key word here because when temperatures drop way low, few of them actually solve the problem completely.

You’ll have to make an important decision on how you’re going to get rid of the warm air you’re exhaling or whether the ideal situation for you is to wear goggles with an open-style helmet.

If you wear eyeglasses, it’s even more important to manage the fogging problem. When sizing, be sure to make allowances for extra headgear like glasses, a balaclava or a No-Fog mask.

When you’re wearing extra layers, usually one size larger is advisable for the best fit for a snowmobile helmet.

Head protection is another issue and since there are minimum standards for helmet construction you can be reasonably assured most helmets will stand up to normal impacts and abrasion.

We recommend nothing less than a helmet with a current DOT or Snell testing laboratory certification and you can verify it by checking for a Snell tag inside or the DOT sticker on the outside.

Experiencing Lag on Ski-Doo Renegade 4-TEC

Question:

Dear Motorhead:

I love SnowTrax Television, but I’m wondering what you mean by hesitation and the lag you mentioned on the XR 1200 Renegade.

If you check out Doo Talk, you’ll see owners have never noticed this hesitation and many will actually say the throtle is too sensitive.

Can you explain?

Jason

Reply:

I did go to dootalk and read the many “unbiased” and polite comments. Here’s what I do know. NEVER EVER say everything isn’t 100% peachy about a Ski-Doo or you’ll get this kind of reaction.

Here’s the deal. We ride everybody’s sleds – a lot. Our team knows what its talking about. There is perceptible throttle lag just off engagement (that’s when the primary clutch squeezes the belt) and it persists under certain load and throttle openings to just under 5000 RPM. It disappears at higher RPM’s as the speed of the air moving through the intake tract increases. Take a look at how far away the butterfly is from the engine – this is why the lag exists at low RPM, large throttle openings.

This isn’t about a Yamaha being better or a Ski-Doo being worse. If the commentators had listened to the two test rides – the Nytro and the Renegade XR, they would have noticed Luke had far more criticisms of the Nytro than the Renny. In fact, the only neg he pointed out was the throttle lag on the Renny – period.

Is the XR 1200 4-Tec a perfect snowmobile? According to the enlightened folks who own them it is. In our informed estimation based on both thousands of miles and tons of comparison riding, it’s close.

By the way, Snowtrax did pick the 1200 GSX Limited last year as their Real World Sled of the Year. I hope it was okay for us to do this and have a few criticisms about the sled as well. What’s the perfect sled? It doesn’t exist – yet. Our job is to find out what is right and what isn’t and tell you about.

Motorhead Mark

TEST RIDE: 2011 Ski-Doo 1200 Renegade X

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SnowTrax Television Co-Host Luke Lester evaluates Ski-Doo’s potent 1200 Renegade X 4-TEC.

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Frisby Grabs Bronze in Best Trick at X-Games

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The crackling whine of two-stroke engines and smell of premix at 8,000 feet quafted off into the distance Sunday night at X Games 15 with the running of the fifth and final snowmobile event, Best Trick.

As they have been since day one, Monster Energy athletes were up to the task, led by Heath Frisby’s bronze medal in the event.

Frisby busted out his industry-best tsunami back flip, and landed without his hands on the bars for good measure. The judges approved, giving him a 86.0 score on his first of two runs.

“It’s one of the craziest feelings poking out underneath the sled,” said fellow Monster Energy snowmobiler and ESPN color man, Chris Burandt on Frisby’s jump.

Visit monsterenergy.com for more on Frisby and the rest of the team as they compete in Winter X Games 15, plus coverage of Monster’s activities during the four-day event.

OFSC Celebrates Reduced Sled Emissions

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) celebrates significantly lower emissions for Best Available Technology sleds during February, National Snowmobiling Environment Month.

Powered by cleaner-burning, advanced 4-stroke and next generation 2-stroke engines, today’s snowmobiles help keep nature beautiful by operating more efficiently, effectively and quietly than ever before, while virtually eliminating smoke and smell. Moreover, increased fuel efficiency means that less fuel is being burned, which also results in overall emissions reduction.

Earlier this decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new standards for lower emissions from many internal combustion engines, including those that power snowmobiles. The new standards were phased in gradually, in 2006 and 2010, with more in 2012. EPA standards for snowmobiles are traditionally mirrored in this country by Transport Canada.

Snowmobile manufacturers have ramped up the development and introduction of new snowmobile engines that meet or exceed EPA requirements for 2012.

In fact, Best Available Technology snowmobile engines produce at least 90% fewer hydrocarbons and 70% lower carbon monoxide. More reductions will inevitably follow as engines become even cleaner and as more Best Available Technology snowmobiles replace older ones on the snow. Overall, snowmobiles account for only a small fraction of all the motor fuel burned annually in Canada.

National Snowmobiling Environment Month is also a celebration of the many stewardship accomplishments of the OFSC and its member clubs. These ongoing initiatives include effective trail planning to protect sensitive habitats and species, to control erosion and to install bridges and culverts that protect rivers and streams, plus activities such as seeding, tree planting, working with government and environment groups, and ongoing education and outreach efforts within the snowmobiling community.

In addition to embracing Best Available Technology snowmobiles, the OFSC is using National Snowmobiling Environment Month to remind riders to leave tracks not trash; to maintain sleds at peak operating efficiency; to avoid noisy after market pipes; and to stay on OFSC trails when riding.

With $1 from every snowmobile trail permit sale allocated to environmental projects, the OFSC is committed to proactive leadership and support for snowmobiling and snowmobile trails, to conserve, protect and appreciate the environment in a responsible, long-term sustainable way, which enhances the health, enjoyment and prosperity of Ontarians, by working with stakeholders in many ways, including effective planning, education, programs and environmental projects.