AJ Lester pushes Ski-Doo’s 2010 MXZ XRS 600HO to its limits sharing his expertise as a former snowcross racing champion.
SNOWTRAX TELEVISION CROWNS SKI-DOO’S GSX 4TEC 2010 REAL WORLD SLED OF THE YEAR
SnowTrax Television, North Americas most watched snowmobile enthusiast televsion show and Supertrax Media Inc are proud to announce this year’s winner of the SnowTrax Real World Sled of the Year, the Ski-Doo GSX 4-TEC 1200 SE.
“This year we picked a winner from a decisively different category than any of our previous choices.” commented SnowTrax Host, Luke Lester. “The GSX SE is not a mid priced sled. This is full jam performance trail sled. But, we just had to accept the fact that like all of our previous winners, this sled impressed everyone who rode it. Not JUST long distance trail guys either. We had a few hardcore testers who had to bite their tongue’s at the end of a long day on the GSX. Quite simply, the sled impressed virtually all of our discerning testers. I think that says a lot about the real world appeal of this sled.”
The Real World Sled of the Year award is in its sixth season. During that time SnowTrax has honored notable winners like Yamaha’s Venture GT, Ski-Doo’s 600 SDI, the Polaris 600 IQ, the Polaris Shift and last season’s winner the Ski-Doo 600 ETEC Adrenaline. While the 600 class appears to be favored, it’s not a rule and this season marks the first time a one up 4-stroke sled has taken home the top honors. The award is open to any segment or size sled.
This year the Snowtrax Crew were joined by the Supertrax International Magazine staff in their selection process. Supertrax Magazine is the largest circulation; most read and critically acclaimed snowmobile enthusiast publication in both the United States and Canada. The Snowtrax and Supertrax team employed the popular Supertrax ‘Best In Class’ (BIC) Awards process to assist in determining the nominees in a combined effort to arrive at the Real World Sled of the Year winner.
Where other awards pick winners at the beginning of a season based on, often times, only a brief encounter with a new sled, the Real World Sled of the Year is put through paces under every imaginable condition, on every trail surface our viewers might use it. The sled has to start and run reliably every time.
It has to be easy on the wallet at the pumps and it has to be capable of 300-mile days without leaving a rider feeling beat up. Important features like storage, wind protection, hot grip performance, gauge packages, ergonomics, adjustability and straight line speed are all taken into consideration before a winner is crowned.
SnowTrax Co-host A.J. Lester, stated, “Among the over 20 sleds in our fleet the GSX was continually on the trails, day after day. It was ALWAYS requested by our crew when planning a long trip and of all the sleds in our fleet, this one caused the most, lets say confusion, when it came time to swap sleds on the trail. No one wanted to hand it over!”
From the entire crew at SnowTrax Television and Supertrax Media Inc, congratulations to Ski-Doo and the GSX 1200 4-TEC SE for winning the coveted 2010 SnowTrax Real World Sled Of The Year.
Celebrating its 16th 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 tip’s, destination features along with the latest news in the industry. Affiliated with national broadcasters TSN, TSN2 and A-Channel in Canada and the Outdoor Channel in the United States, SnowTrax Television is the most watched snowmobile show in North America.
Complete Class Domination in RMSHA Hillclimb Competition
Fresh off winning 9 World Championship titles at Jackson Hole, Team Arctic hillclimbers delivered an encore performance at the RMSHA Pebble Creek race in Pocatello, Idaho, winning 11 of 22 class finals and taking the Improved King title.
Once again, the potency of the M Series line of snowmobiles proved decisive in the battle for the high country, accounting for wins in the 600, 800 and Open categories, including the all-important 800 stock class.
Coupled with wins in the Junior, Semi Pro, Women’s and Pro men’s classes, it was comprehensive crushing of the competition by Team Green.
Ten different Team Arctic Racers scored wins, with Sid Archibald taking two class wins and Scott Cheeney winning both a class and the Improved King title. The Zollinger family continued their winning ways at Pebble Creek, with Nate, Tony and Amy scoring one win each.
“Our racers have worked hard all season, and it’s paid off with two dominant performances in the past two weeks,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “When we win half of the class finals and put 15 different racers on the podium, you know our racers and M Series sleds are the best in the world.”
This winter we did a story that I was really excited about and I want to share a bit more about why Lake Running holds such a special place in my heart.
From the time I was just a young sapling my dad would plop me on the seat in front of him and we’d ride his favorite loop of lakes from my home in Minden Ontario.
We’d head north to the small town of Eagle Lake, then west through the famed Haliburton Forest and Wildlife reserve to Dorset, then back south to Minden.
In total we’d run about 30 lakes, put on just under 150 miles and would ride through some of the most beautiful, scenic and untouched landscape Ontario has to offer.
This ride was something I looked forward to all week and it was something my dad and I loved to do together. More than once we’d stop along a particular portage between lakes, or if the stars were out and it was dark we’d stop out in the middle of a big lake and say to each other, “lets always remember this moment” and you know what, 20 years later I still do.
You need to understand that we didn’t poke around these lakes. When dad and I would be out riding together we’d be running fast. It was these times with him that solidified my love for riding and my addiction for speed (going fast).
There aren’t many places in North America you can actually do this type of running and Ontario is special because of its large concentration of lakes that freeze so solid and are networked so well.
Lake running is about more than just opening up the throttle and trying to break the sound barrier though. Being able to cover so many miles so quickly means you can go further from home easier.
Many riding areas keep you to one set of trails, but in Ontario’s lake country you can run every day for weeks and never hit the same trail twice.
The last thing that draws me to running lakes is the freedom. In Ontario there are no speed limits on lakes. I’m not suggesting that everyone should hit these lakes and run 100 mph, but if you’re going to, there’s no safer place to do it than on a lake.
I do need to stress the importance of safety and common sense if you plan to run lakes. Don’t think you should just unload your sled and take off on some random lake. If you’re not familiar with the lake your on, or running lakes in general, you simply shouldn’t do it alone. Go with someone familiar with the area.
A person with a solid knowledge of the area will know what lakes freeze safely, where dangerous spots might be and where the entry and exit points on that particular lake are. They’ll also know what else to watch for, like pressure cracks, rocks or stumps and ice fishing huts. If you don’t know what to look for and how to spot these things you can get into trouble fast.
Lake running is something that just ingrained in me. Its what I know, its what I do and its what I love. Its one of Ontario’s unique natural attractions and something every snowmobiler should try.
Visit GoRideOntario.com and plan your lake running vacation for next season and click here to watch this segment!
Question
Dear Motorheadd,
Just read your article online as to how long E-TEC engines should last. Have already seen one with 500 miles on it that has had 2 engines rebuilt. This is not an isolated case either.
Ed
Reply:
Thanks for your email!
I disagree with your assertion that this incident you have mentioned is not isolated.
We’re watching very carefully to see how the 600 E-TECs are working and we have not seen any undue wear or problems.
You need to understand, every engine in the sno-mo-biz is subject to failure – even 4-strokes. If you have witnessed an E-TEC failure you have seen the exception – not the rule.
When we see a pattern of problems with E-TEC’s we’ll report it. Right now – across North America, we do not see it.
FYI – our 600 ETEC has over 2000 miles – no trouble. Our limited build 800 has 2275 miles on it and no trouble whatsoever.
Motorhead Mark
Question
Dear Motorheadd,
I own a Summit 550 (fan cooled). Is it dangerous to adjust the needle in the carbs to make the gasoline consumption leaner? Could it result in an explosion?
Tevie
Reply:
Thanks for your email!
Adjusting any parameter of your sleds carburetion has risks if you don’t know what you’re doing.
I would suggest reading info from Mikuni on jetting or getting advice from a dealer or local tuner before doing any jetting adjustments.
Ambient temp, altitude and current settings must be used in any equation when making jetting changes.
A very real risk of seizure is apparent if you don’t know what you’re doing. Conversely, your sled will run worse if you go the wrong way and end up too rich.
Motorhead Mark
Question
Dear Motorheadd,
I have a 2007 F8 and being the first year of the F series it is lacking a little in the power department.
Is the ride any better on the 2010 model and is it worthwhile to upgrade when the there are aftermarket parts that will increase the ponies.
Thanks,
Mark
Reply:
Thanks for your email!
The F-Chassis has gone through many updates affecting both ride and handling. However, shock packages are a big factor in the F-Series.
Here’s what has improved exponentially since your 2007 was built. Handling. The F-platform had the tunnel to bulkhead angle changed in MY 09 effectively steepening the rake of the front spindles.
This move mostly eradicated the annoying understeer (push) the sled displayed since it’s inception.
You can tune up your 800 to run very strong by contacting Speedwerx or other AC purveyors of power.
Good Luck,
Motorhead Mark
Despite the warm weather and there being no snow left anywhere in Ontario, the CSRA was able to pull off the event this past weekend in Kitchener at Chicopee ski resort. It was a nice day on Saturday but the skies decided to open up and let the rain fall for Sunday’s racing.
Kyle started off the weekend with a 4th place moto 1 finish after getting a bad start, and passing riders through the rhythm section. In moto 2, Kyle got squeezed out on the start and was 5th into the first corner. Once again making him work for positions, passing two riders through the rhythm section to finish 3rd. 4th and 3rd in the moto’s gave him the final pick in the front row for the final.
Off the start, Kyle kept to the inside while the other riders were pushing out and bunching up, allowing him to get up to 3rd. He made a slight mistake on one of the downhill sections and the 4th place rider passed him but later bailed in the rhythm section putting Kyle back up to 3rd where he held on for the checkered and podium finish.
Jamie was on the throttle in the Semi-Pro Open class on Saturday grabbing the holeshot in every race. In moto 1, Jamie was having a tough time getting through the no-berm corners and was passed on the last lap for second place finish. In Moto 2, he had the lead for 2 laps before getting passed through the rhythm section at the bottom of the hill. Jamie held on for another 2nd place finish.
Jamie qualified 4th for the final and lined himself up on the outside for the start where he had started all day. Once again it paid off. He held on the throttle over the first jump putting him upfront to run his own race. Jamie led the race from start to finish for his 1st Semi-Pro Win. “I’ve waited a long time for this win. Everything came together for this race; the sled worked awesome.” Jamie said pumped after the win.
In Sport 600 Sunday, Kyle was running a strong 2nd pushing for 1st in Moto 1 before hitting a kicker going through the rhythm section, causing the sled to nose-dive and throw him off with one lap to go. With the 7th place finish in the first moto, he knew he had to go out for the win to qualify for the final. Kyle’s sled bogged off the start which put him to the very back of the pack. Kyle didn’t give up and charged hard to finish 5th but unfortunately did not qualify for the final.
In Moto 1 of Semi-Pro Stock, Jamie’s sled hooked up and put him up front coming out of corner 1 in second. He kept the pressure on the #217 Ski-Doo sticking the nose of his sled in view in a couple of the corners. Jamie was almost able to make the pass through the rhythm but settled in for 2nd. In Moto 2, Jamie was having trouble on the start line with his goggles fogging up because of the humidity and rain. Jamie was running 4th battling with 3rd until his goggles fogged up on the second lap. Jamie ran 2 more laps but fell off the pace due to the lack of vision falling back to 5th.
On the last lap, a frustrated Jamie tossed his goggles off giving him clear vision but it was too late and finished 5th. Jamie made some adjustments to the goggles and went out for the final looking for a strong finish. He grabbed a handful of throttle and took the short lived lead as he blew over a berm coming down the hill and got into the soft snow. Jamie had a good battle going majority of the race with #107 and finished 3rd at the checkered flag for another podium finish.
Our next event is the Season Finally April 10-11 at Horseshoe Ski Resort near Orillia and Barrie. The team is excited for this race as it is our hometown race and is usually t-shirt weather. The word is that Horseshoe still has lots of snow to make us a great track to wrap up the season.
Polaris Terrain Domination Includes Victories in Snocross, Hillclimb and the Grueling Iron Dog Cross-Country Race Across Alaska
Polaris Terrain Domination extends from the snocross tracks to the hillclimbs to the world’s most grueling cross-country snowmobile race, the Iron Dog, which was won this year by Polaris racers Chris Olds and Tyler Huntington.
The duo won the 1,971-mile race across Alaska by more than two hours, and that’s after coasting to victory because they built up such a significant advantage on their Polaris 600 IQ Shift snowmobiles.
The Iron Dog victory added to the Terrain Domination achieved by Polaris racers throughout the winter all across the snowbelt.
Along with the Iron Dog victory, Polaris racers won three Pro-class points titles on the ISOC race circuit, won multiple class championships on the U.S. Cross Country circuit, and reconfirmed the brand’s deep snow prowess with multiple titles at the Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb.
Undoubtedly, the most demanding single event is the Iron Dog, which sends teams of racers across Alaska, from Big Lake to Nome and back across the state to Fairbanks.
Man and machine are subjected to a wide variety of Alaskan terrain, from rough mountain passes through the Alaska Range to high-speed running on the frozen Yukon River.
In every situation – even a nearly snowless stretch across the “Farewell Burn” – the winners’ Polaris snowmobiles performed above all expectations.
“I feel awesome,” Huntington said after winning. “It’s been something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life, and I finally got it. I can’t explain it.”
Polaris Dominates Iron Dog Pro Class
The 2010 Iron Dog was so demanding that only 12 of 29 Pro teams finished. Of the top 10 Pro teams to finish, five of them were on Polaris snowmobiles.
Along with the winning team, the other Polaris Pro teams in the top 10 were: James Sweetsir and Mark Tope, both of Anchorage, in fifth place; Ryan Sottosanti of Wasilla and Jeremy Neeser of Anchorage in sixth; Louis Miller III and Louis Miller IV, both of Anchorage, in seventh; and Kenny Johnson of Wasilla and Andy Lachinski of Palmer in tenth.
Polaris teams have won 12 times in the race’s 26-year history, including 2009, when Todd Minnick and Nick Olstad posted the fastest winning time ever while winning a tight race. Prior to winning this year, Huntington’s best finish had been third place in 2008, while Olds, 38, had one fourth-place finish in his previous eight tries.
Olds said the winning team encountered “a little bit of everything” in terms of terrain during the race. “It was a little bit warmer than typical on the first half from Big Lake to Nome, and across the Farewell Burn there was probably a 50 to 60 mile stretch where there was no snow at all. We were pretty lucky because our machines have actual temperature gauges on them, so when we saw the temperature get to around 215-220 degrees; we stopped and tried to find snow to pack on the coolers to get them cooled down.”
“The burn area was really hard,” said the 24-year-old Huntington. “You’ve got to force yourself to stop.”
Cruising to Victory
They also found it challenging to hold back as they approached the end of the race. They knew they had a substantial lead, and didn’t want to ride too hard or make a costly mistake.
“We felt pretty comfortable at the end of the first day when there were only three teams in front of us,” Olds said. “I think probably a big advantage we had was we didn’t let our machines overheat. Some teams either lost coolant or they overheated their machines so it caused problems later on in the race.”
Olds and Huntington moved into second place on day two, and in Kaltag in the early morning of day three, they passed the lead team, which was repairing a faulty electrical component on a sled.
Once in the lead, Olds said, “we didn’t do anything too crazy. We just tried to watch ourselves… You’re thinking all the time of what little things could happen. Physically, we were fine and our machines were solid, but in your head, being up front, it was our race to lose this year, so we were really worried about something little happening.”
All that happened was they rode steadily on their Polaris snowmobiles and received a heroes’ welcome as they crossed the finish line in Fairbanks. Olds, who is from Eagle River, Alaska, said he and Huntington, who lives in Fairbanks, plan to defend their title in next year’s race. “Absolutely,” Olds said. “I could see myself doing it another 10 years for sure. I feel pretty good right now.”
World Domination in Snocross and Hillclimb
If there was any doubt about which snowmobile was the world’s best, Team Arctic snocross and hillclimb racers answered by winning a combined 10 World Championship titles and taking 29 podium positions.
At the FIM Snocross World Championship in Mala, Sweden, Team Arctic’s Tucker Hibbert won his first-ever World title in convincing fashion, going 1-1-2 in the round-robin format finals.
Just as impressive was the history-making Team Arctic podium sweep, with Sweden’s Johan Lidman taking second and Alaska’s Cory Davis taking third.
On this side of the pond, Team Arctic hillclimbers applied their skill with the incredible climbing ability of the M Series snowmobiles to win nine classes at the Jackson Hole (Wyoming) World Championships, including two King of the Mountain titles.
Highlighting Arctic Cat’s strength in all engine categories, Team Arctic racers scored wins in the 600, 700, 800 and Open classes to once again confirm that M Series Mountain sleds are best-in-class.
“Winning 10 World Championship titles in a single weekend is a huge accomplishment for Team Arctic,” said Mike Kloety, race manager. “Sweeping the podium in Sweden put an exclamation mark on another winning season of snocross. Taking nine hillclimb World Championship titles across the full spectrum of classes confirms the strength of our racers and crews, the hard work of Al Shimpa our hillclimb coordinator, and the performance of our machines.”
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.
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