The snowmobile manufacturers are completing production of the 2011 model snowmobiles as snowmobilers eagerly await the upcoming snowmobiling season.

2011 brings renewed optimism and a positive outlook for the manufacturers and related suppliers. The 2011 models were introduced to the public at the Sneak Peek shows held across North America this past spring.

We are happy to report that record attendance at shows across the country preceded strong advanced orders. The enthusiasm for new snowmobiles is based on a pent up demand to enjoy the winter on a snowmobile and the knowledge that the manufacturers are building quality, clean, quiet, responsive machines for all of us to enjoy.

New engine technologies and ride performance technologies have been introduced with the 2011 models as well as improved efficiencies and handling characteristics.

The fall show circuit is shaping up to be a record breaker and many of the snowmobile shows are already sold out and are forecasting strong attendance and new product offerings.

The manufacturers are not only encouraged by the strong attendance at Spring Sneak Peek shows, but are also encouraged by the dramatic increase in visitation to the Go Snowmobiling web site, which is designed for new snowmobilers and non-snowmobilers.

This past year, 29% of the visitors to the Go Snowmobiling website were non-snowmobilers and a high percentage of those visiting the site stated they were in the market to purchase a snowmobile and planned to do so within a year. Not only are non-snowmobilers visiting the site for the first time but they are doing so in record numbers.

During the 2009-2010 snowmobiling season, over 2,519,000 visitors came to the www.GoSnowmobiling.org web site, many of whom filled out our questionnaire. This data compares to 1,512,000 who visited the site in 2008-2009. The interest level is high, the fall shows look like they are going to be sold out and full of excitement.

The spring shows were great, and sales of used snowmobiles and parts, garments and accessories last year were very strong. This places the dealers in a good position for the upcoming season.

Used inventory is minimal and we are looking for a great snowy year in the snowmobile community. Plan on visiting your local snowmobile dealer and your local snowmobile show this fall and bring a friend to go snowmobiling.

BRP launches year 3 of program that gives back to numerous volunteers who work on snowmobile trails throughout North America

Based off the huge success of the program in 2008 and 2009, BRP and its Ski-Doo dealers will again donate up to CA $1 million dollars to North American snowmobile clubs for snowmobile trails through the Ski-Doo Million Dollar Club Support Program. Regardless of the brand they own, every snowmobiler will be able to participate in this fundraising program.

Last year, the program delivered $720,000 to over 1600 North American clubs: 12% of active snowmobilers actually participated in the program.

For each snowmobiler submitting a certificate at their Ski-Doo dealership, BRP will donate $10 to their snowmobile club through the program. Program certificates will be available in all snowmobile magazines, at fall snowmobile shows, and on ski-doo.com. A television, public relations and direct mailing campaign will also be launched come the fall of 2010 to reach every snowmobiler.

“The shear volume of letters received praising BRP and our dealers for the program over the last two years is proof enough for us that this program worked wonders,” said Yves Leduc, vice-president and general manager of the North America division. “It is simply amazing to see how many people went out of their way to write to us and share what they did with the funds and how it impacted their club – and how important that contribution was to the upgrades they did to the trails’ infrastructure.”

Regarding BRP’s Ski-Doo Million Dollar Club Support Program, Connie Lester, executive director of Snoman Inc. in Manitoba said, “Snoman and its member clubs would like to thank BRP and all the provincial dealers for their efforts regarding the BRP Club Support Program. Thank you for providing our organization with the opportunity to benefit from your marketing initiative. You have made a real difference again this year and we look forward to your support in the coming season.”

The top club in each of the below regions will receive a 2011 Ski-doo MXZ TNT or Summit to use for additional fundraising activities: Canada East, (Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, PEI, Nova Scotia); Canada West (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Alberta, Northwest Territory) USA East (Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin); USA West (California / Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming). There will also be parts, accessory and clothing incentives for clubs that reach 75% or more participation from their membership.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, Rotax engines and karts as well as direct injection technologies such as E TEC. BRP products are distributed in more than 90 countries.

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Yamaha launches new advertising campaign to include real world Yamaha owners

For years Yamaha Motor Canada has been asking “What kind of Yamaha are you?” and more and more Canadians are answering back. So much so, that for 2011, Yamaha plans to include pictures of real world Yamaha owners in their promotional materials.

“We agreed it was the next logical step to our advertising strategy,” says Yamaha’s National Manager, Marketing, Tim Kennedy. “In our first run of ‘What kind of Yamaha are you?’ we used generic images; last year we featured Yamaha celebrity figures like motocross champion Colton Facciotti and Facts of Fishing’s Dave Mercer. Now we want to showcase those who have walked into a dealer and purchased a Yamaha. It’s a great way to bring a ‘real world’ perspective to our products.”

Yamaha is currently creating advertisements for every product group (motorcycle, ATV, side by side, snowmobile, marine, and power product) and searching for just the right “This is my Yamaha” candidates.

Do you want to show the pride of ownership of your Yamaha with the rest of Canada? If so, please submit your favourite photos to their Facebook Fan page, facebook.com/YamahaMotorCanada.

All-New IFS is One Key Element of the 2011 IQ Racer

What do you do with the world’s best race sled? If you’re the Polaris engineering team, you work to make it even better for next winter.

The Polaris race development team has taken the proven Polaris IQ Racer – a sled that has won numerous titles on race circuits across the snowbelt – and improved it substantially for the 2010-2011 season.

How? By developing an all-new Independent Front Suspension (IFS) that’s the best they’ve ever built.

How new is it? It has new spindles, new upper and lower control arms, a new upper control arm ball joint and more!

It’s not only new, it’s better. In late-season and post-season testing, Polaris engineers and top Polaris factory racers dialed in the new IFS to give racers more precise and flatter cornering, easier steering – and better durability than ever.

In the rear, the 2011 IQ Racer features a new Walker Evans coil over needle front track shock that improves performance and consistency in all racing conditions.

From the nose to the snow flap, the 2011 Polaris Race Sled is the best ever – which is saying something, considering the championships Polaris racers have been piling up in recent seasons.

Full details will be revealed in the fall. See you at the track!

About Polaris – With annual 2009 sales of $1.6 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use and has recently introduced a new on-road electric-powered neighborhood vehicle.

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

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. has announced the appointment of Rob Powers to the position of Snowmobile Product Manager. In this leadership role, Powers will capitalize on the strengths of Yamaha’s snowmobile product line, and be a key decision maker driving the direction of Yamaha snowmobiles in the future.

Powers, a 13-year Yamaha veteran, returns to the Snowmobile Division after a three-year tenure as the Great Lakes Regional Business Manager. “I am thrilled to take on this new role at Yamaha,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with all of the snowmobile team members and our dealer partners to continue growing our business by delivering the very best quality products and services.”

“This is an exciting opportunity to move Rob back to the Snowmobile Division,” commented Henio Arcangeli, Jr., President of Yamaha’s Motorsports Group. “We are glad to have such a passionate snowmobile enthusiast leading this team. His love for the sport and the people who ride will help Yamaha to continue bringing premium and innovative technology to the snowmobile market.”

MORE POWER AND NEW SUSPENSION

BRP is introducing the 2011 Ski-Doo MXZx 600RS earlier than past years to make it clear the machine has significant changes to benefit its racers. The two biggest changes are the addition of more horsepower to the engine and a completely new rear suspension.

Despite the success seen on the 2010 race sled – like Tim Tremblay taking the ISOC Pro Stock National Sno-Cross series title, Lee Butler winning Pro Stock in CSRA, plus multiple wins and championships in Semi-Pro and Sport classes across all venues – the Engineering team in Valcourt has stepped up with big time improvements for 2011.

“In racing you never stop developing your product, and because winning is part of our heritage at BRP, you can expect that we would continue to improve the MXZ race sled to be much better than last year.” stated Denis Morin Vice President of Engineering for BRP. “The changes will provide better starts and more speed along with a very controlled ride tailored specifically for race conditions.”

The MXZx 600RS engine will come with new cylinders and a new combustion chamber shape to significantly improve power at all RPM’s. Racers will see better acceleration, stronger mid range response and more top end power as a result of these changes – which leads directly to better holeshots and better pull out of the turns.

The clutch calibration has changed substantially to make sure the extra power is delivered to the track, along with quick back shifting and instant throttle response.

The rear suspension is completely new this year – dubbed PCX – this new skid frame is intended for race use only. The PCX features a stronger re-designed coupling system, new shock motion ratio geometry and the built in durability a racer demands.

In addition to taking the big hits of jumps and bumps, the PCX will deliver better cornering and better holeshots by controlling the chassis pitch more thoroughly throughout the travel, along with improving the sled’s cross country capability.

“We’re really excited about the changes for 2011.” said Ski-Doo Race Manager Jeff Goodwin. “The new suspension has been a huge step forward and will really make a difference for the racers in all conditions. Combine that with the extra engine power to assure great holeshots and we have a great race sled for next season that will be hard to beat.”

Racers have until May 1st, 2010 to complete an application (available on the X-Team home page) for the new MXZx 600RS. More details, photos and specifications will be offered in the fall.

There will also be Race Schools conducted this fall to support racers on the new MX Zx 600 RS. Be sure to check www.ski-doo.com in mid September for more information.

Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to transition its snowmobile engine manufacturing from Suzuki Motor Corporation.

Arctic Cat will begin manufacturing some of its own snowmobile engines in St. Cloud, Minn., after the 2014 model year. Currently, Suzuki supplies all engines for Arctic Cat’s snowmobiles.

Suzuki will continue to supply the company with engine parts to service existing engines after the 2014 model year.

Commented Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer Christopher A. Twomey: “Suzuki has been an outstanding engine supply partner for more than 25 years and remains a significant shareholder in Arctic Cat. However, we are changing our engine strategy in order to gain more control over our products, and enhance our ability to meet regulatory and performance requirements. This also will enable us to better utilize our current engine manufacturing capacity, resulting in potentially better costs.”

Twomey added: “Our St. Cloud engine facility has been a great addition for the company since we began manufacturing our ATV engines there in 2007.”

The 56,000-square- foot plant is located on 15 acres and currently employs 41 people. At this time, the company plans to use existing plant capacity and personnel during the transition.

Arctic Cat expects snowmobile engine production to begin in St. Cloud in fiscal 2015.