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Sportech Scores Four Podiums at ERX

Press Release –

Andrew Breaks Out in Semi-Pro; Taylor Battles for Top Position; Chris Scores Second Place in Plus 30

Team Sportech did not disappoint home town faithful as all three riders scored podium wins during the International Series of Champions (ISOC) Minnesota Regional action at ERX Motor Park in Elk River.

In what was for many, the debut of the newly created Extreme Motor Park (ERX) of Elk River, local favorites Team Sportech, put on an impressive display of race laden talent in Semi-Pro, Pro-Women and the Plus classes, claiming four podiums and setting the tone for the second half of the snocross season.

It was a coming of age weekend for Team Sportech’s youngest rider Andrew Carlson.

After battling with some of the top riders in cross at the ISOC National event at Canterbury Park a week prior, Andrew stepped up his game and his confidence, proving he can run and gun with some of the best riders in the Semi-Pro ranks.

He proved his mettle by winning his first heat races of the season, with a pair of firsts in Saturday qualifying action. When the snow dust settled, Andrew was on the front row for all three Semi-Pro finals.

As the final rounds went green Sunday, Andrew parlayed his new found confidence and front row position into a pair of podium finishes, snaring a third in Semi-Pro Open and a second in Semi-Pro Super Stock #1.

It looked as if Andrew may podium all three classes, but a poor holeshot in Super Stock #2 forced Andrew to settle for seventh at the line.

“I’ve been working hard on my starts and I think it really paid off this weekend,” Andrew said after the close of the last final. “I felt strong off the line and into the first corner and it makes a huge difference. We had a great starting line at ERX and our Arctic Cats were wicked-fast off the line all weekend.”

The same game changing moment for Team Sportech was displayed in the Pro-Women ranks, as Taylor Carlson stepped-up and battled against veteran pro racer April Moritz all weekend. The two traded top positions both in qualifying and in the final, but eventually April managed to hold on to the top spot, as Taylor crossed the line in second.

“One of my goals coming into the weekend was to really work on my jumping,” said Taylor inside the Sportech race rig after the race. “At Canterbury I struggled on some of the bigger jumps so I worked on my rhythm and timing all week. I felt more comfortable today, especially over the huge tabletop jump. My lap times continue to improve and a first place finish is in my sites.”

Rounding out the Sportech ERX romp was team manager Chris Carlson who put on an impressive display in both the Plus-30 and Plus-40 classes. Chris’ qualifying efforts were top-shelf, sweeping the Plus 40 heat races making him easily the top qualifier.

Chris also posted impressive heat race results in Plus 40 making him the top qualifier there as well. However a mechanical in Plus-40 ended his hopes of a weekend sweep and a hard charging Karl Christian in Plus-30 battled with Carlson lap after lap, eventually taking the top spot at the line.

Next up Team Sportech will compete February 7 and 8 at the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota in ISOC National competition.

HALIBURTON SLED RENTALS OPENS AT RED LEAVES

Press Release –

Canadians looking to get away for a memorable vacation this season can now consider the stunning vistas of Red Leaves, an extraordinary, new, luxury resort community in Muskoka, where all the tools are in place to celebrate the holidays and embrace a classic Canadian winter.

Just in time to enjoy the season, Haliburton Sled Rentals (HSR), a company devoted to winter sports equipment rental and tours, has opened at Red Leaves.

All of the toys needed to enjoy the destination’s hand-cut adventure trails, ice-skating pond, and snowy landscape will be available.

HSR is located at well-known Lake Rosseau boating address of Wallace Marina and rents ice skates, cross country skis, snowshoes and handheld GPS guides.

Guests can book skis or snow shoes for $30 a day; or ice skates for $15. A flex pass lets guests rent all three for $50 a day, or $75 for two days. Rates are also available for guests age 12 and under.

Handheld GPS devices can be rented for $10 a day. Rental equipment rates include a trail pass and trail map.

For more adventurous types, snowmobiles and snowmobile equipment (suits, boots and helmets) are available, as well as half-day, full-day and twilight guided snowmobile safaris through the legendary Muskokan woods.

Snowmobile rentals start at $299 per day, and can be rented for up to a week at a time.

Snowmobile tours start at $275 for a half-day (single; $299 double). Snowmobile rentals include trail permits, unlimited kilometres, one helmet and a trail map.

Equipment, including additional helmets, suits and boots can also be rented. For more information, contact HSR at www.skidoorentals.com or call (705) SKI-DOOS (705-754-3667).

Visitors to Canada’s new year-round retreat, located amid the rugged natural beauty of Muskoka, will be able choose from a number of planned activities, including guided hiking through acres of unspoiled nature to admire the wildlife and incredible views of the mature pine trees and the Canadian Shield; moonlight astronomy treks to observe the Northern Lights; and sedentary pleasures, such as snuggling up by a stone fireplace with a piece of great Canadian literature from the library at the newly opened JW Marriott Resort & Spa, The Rosseau, a luxury hotel at Red Leaves.

From Dec. 22, 2008 to Jan. 2, 2009, guests of The Rosseau can participate in fun and family-focused activities including paddle art painting, and how-to classes in making miniature model boats, gingerbread houses and bird boxes.

Red Leaves is the newest, most exciting luxury resort development in Ontario’s best-known escape of Muskoka.

Red Leaves is becoming a world-class travel destination that blends the natural beauty of Muskoka with the very best of urban amenities. Set on more than 1,400 acres, it includes more than a mile of continuous Lake Rosseau waterfront.

Red Leaves is unfolding in phases, and includes The Rosseau, the first JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Canada, the legendary Muskoka family retreat, Clevelands House, a working marina, an unspoiled 700-acre Nature Reserve, and the Nick Faldo-designed golf course called The Rock.

Over the years, Red Leaves will expand to include an entire resort community including a vibrant four-season village, unique shops, a vibrant performing arts theatre and much more.

Red Leaves is located in the village of Minett in Muskoka, approximately two hours north of Toronto. For more information contact info@redleavesmuskoka.com or call 1-866-764-6388 or visit the website www.redleavesmuskoka.com.

TIM HORTON’S GEORGIAN CUP – OWEN SOUND

Press Release –

Hundreds of competitors gathered in Owen Sound, Ontario last weekend for the Tim Horton’s Georgian Cup making for some exciting battles in all classes.

The cold weather managed to keep some spectators away on Saturday but the residents of Owen Sound couldn’t keep themselves away on Sunday as they filled the stands for the final events.

History was made as spectators witnessed the marriage of track official, Don Farrish on the finish line jump prior to the start of Sunday’s feature finals.

The highlight of the weekend was in the Pro Open where #115 David Joanis, last year’s National Semi-Pro Champion, took his first Pro win after a tight battle with team-mate #73 Lee Butler (Royal Distributing Polaris).

It was Butler who took the lead from the start with Joanis banging on the back door lap after lap. Joanis eventually made the pass for the lead leaving Butler and #166 Spencer Moncrief (Shorline Construction Arctic Cat) to fight for second place.

When the checkered flag came out, an enthusiastic Royal Distributing team celebrated their rookie racers’ first ever win in the Pro class at only 16 years old. Butler finished behind his team-mate in second place followed by Moncrief.

In the Pro Stock race, Royal Distributing racers once again rode out front with Butler in the lead followed by Joanis (Royal Distributing Polaris) which is exactly where they ended up on the final lap with #14 Peter Raymer (Sloot Construction Ski- Doo) taking third place.

In Semi-Pro action it was #173 Corey Watkinson (Shorline Racing Arctic Cat) who took home the Georgian Cup in the Open class followed by #333 Jeremy VanDolder (Dayco Ski-Doo) in second place and #87 Dustin Vandrie (Monster Energy Arctic Cat) in third.

Luck wasn’t on Watkinson’s side in the Stock class, a bad start left him fighting his way through the pack leaving #87 Dustin Vandrie to take the win ahead of #511 Jaymie McPhail (Sloot Construction Ski-Doo). #333 Jeremy VanDolder rounded out the top three in third place.

For the second weekend now, Semi-Pro and Pro racers competed in the Blair Morgan Rehabilitation Fundraising Race. #115 Joanis took the win followed by #98 Mike Island (Rosko Powersports Ski-Doo) in second place with team-mate #217 Sean Macaulay (Rosko Powersports Ski-Doo) in third.

In the Semi-Pro/Pro Women class, #55 Angela Vacchino (Shorline Racing Arctic Cat) had a clean sweep with wins in all three motos as well as the final. #111s Stacey Orr (Rosko Powersports Ski-Doo) took second place in the final followed by #989 Wakenda Peters (Peters Motorsports Arctic Cat).

The Georgian Cup played host to the first round of the Vintage class race series. Over 20 vintage racers showed up to put on an exciting show for the crowd. Local riders came out on top in both the Vintage Open and Vintage 2 classes, #7 Cory Sherman and #75x Jason Smith respectively.

In the Vintage 1 class, #43 Jim Scott took the win. Races are at the Lindsay Exhibition Centre this weekend, January 24th & 25th, for Round #1 of the Kawartha Cup. For more information and full results visit www.snowcross.com

LANAUDIERE QUEBEC

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Lanaudière is considered a MUST for any snowmobile vacations and is conveniently located close to Montreal, Ontario and the northeastern states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Flanked in the south by the St. Lawrence River, Lanaudière region stretches up into the spectacular landscape of the Laurentian and Mauricie regions and is bordered in the north by the Laurentian Mountains.

The territory covers a total area of 5,227 square miles – a true winter paradise where snowmobilers can explore more than 1,400 miles of fantastic trails.

For 30 years the Lanaudière region has been renowned as the best place for snowmobile vacations and as a prime destination, among snowmobile enthusiasts worldwide.

The riding season often begins as early as mid-November, with plenty of snow through most of March.

The typical annual snow coverage in Lanaudière often exceeds 2 metres (over 6 feet) – even more in the north. The average January temperature is around 8° F. During that time, temperatures may range from about 20° F up to the freezing point.

Sudden temperature changes and heavy snowfalls can create great opportunities for different daily experiences!

Welcome in Lanaudière, the no.#1 snowmobile country! Fun is waiting for you.

Start your trip today, visit www.bonjourquebec.com/snowmobile.

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First Ride On The 2010 Polaris Rush

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By: Motorhead Mark Lester

To say that 2010 will be a year to remember in the evolution of snowmobiling would be an understatement.

While many innovations over the years have focused on weight, ergo’s and motor advancements none have broken the conventional barriers and stepped out of the box regarding rear suspension technology.

For 2010 Polaris is breaking that mold and evolving conventional rear snowmobile suspension in a way most haven’t ever dreamed of.

From the ground up the Rush is a different breed sharing only the front suspension, motor and small bits and pieces with its IQ brethren.

Noticeably leaner and sleeker lines distinguish the Rush while the sudden stopping running boards and exoskeletal-like rear suspension links add futuristic appeal.

The Rush is built on a totally new pyramidal design chassis that delivers over 60% more torsional stiffness when compared to the current IQ design.

This added strength is accompanied by far fewer welds and the use of a structural bonding agent that along with rivets and bolts holds the frame together.

Look for the full 2010 Polaris Rush Review in the next issue of Supertrax.

World’s Best Snowmobile Athletes Compete Feb 6-8

Press Release –

The top professional snocross racers on the planet, as well as the leading freestyle athletes anywhere will invade the Brainerd International Raceway for Round 4 of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, February 6-8, 2009.

Fans in attendance will witness the world’s best snowmobile riders compete side-by-side for more than $250,000 on a racetrack littered with huge jumps and insane terrain.

Racers will fly more than 80-feet in excess of two-stories high as they negotiate one of the most challenging snocross tracks the Midwest has ever seen.

Winter X Games Champions including Tucker Hibbert and Levi LaVallee along with freestyle kings Paul Thacker and Sam Rogers will be there, giving area fans the only opportunity of the year to see these incredible riders in person.

The weekend heats up fast Friday night with the Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour freestyle showcase. The top freestyle athletes in the world will perform some of the most insane tricks ever seen on a snowmobile including a back-flip!

Riders will launch their snowmobiles from a freestyle ramp to a backdrop of infused rock and free swag for the fans. Joining them will be the biggest names in snocross racing for an evening of hospitality, autographs and family fun. Admission is Free with a Weekend Pass or just $10 without.

Competitive juices flow early Saturday morning with qualifying, culminating with the first of two Main Events at 4:00pm. This all-out showcase of the top Pro and Semi-Pro riders anywhere will be bar to bar non-stop action.

There’s also free snowmobile demo rides for the kids and adults as Yamaha lets fans experience their new Nytro snowmobile while one lucky youth demo rider will have a chance to win a new Arctic Cat kids snowmobile.

Capping off the weekend will be Sunday morning qualifying and the second Main Event feature with Semi-Pro and Pro finals at 1:00pm. Plus Yamaha freestyle phenom and X Games competitor Jeff Mullin will bust out some of the sickest tricks you’ve ever seen aboard his Yamaha Nytro during the Main Event intermission to further heat up the action.

Racing gets underway at 9:30am both Saturday and Sunday, and race fans will want to be sure they are in the stands for the two Main Event feature races Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are on sale now at www.isocracing.com

What you need to know:

What: AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, the Biggest Names Go Bar to Bar on a National Stage.

When: February 6-8, 2009; Pro and Semi-Pro Main Event Saturday at 4:00pm and Sunday at 1:00pm.

Where: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota

Schedule of Events:

Friday: Doors Open at 5:00pm
6:00 – 6:45pm: ISOC Pro-Rider Autograph Jam Session
7:00pm-7:20pm: Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour
7:20pm – 8:00pm: Pro Practice Session
8:00pm – 8:20pm: Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour

Saturday: 4:00pm: Pro and Semi-Pro Main Event; 8:00am gates open with qualifying action starting at 9:30am.

Sunday: 1:00pm: Pro and Semi-Pro Main Event with Yamaha freestyle show during the intermission; racing starts at 9:30am.

Tickets:

FREE with Weekend Pass Friday Night Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour; $10 without
$25 One Day Adult Pass – Valid Saturday or Sunday
$35 Weekend Adult Pass
$10 One Day Children Pass (ages 7-15) – Valid Saturday or Sunday
$20 Weekend Children Pass (ages 7-15)
Children 6 and under FREE

Advance tickets are on sale now at www.isocracing.com

Who:

Professional snocross and freestyle athletes including:
– Tucker Hibbert Multiple X-Games gold winner, current points leader.
– Levi LeVallee – Winner of two gold medals at last year’s winter X Games.
– Steve Taylor – Professional Yamaha snocross standout and X Games competitor.
– Carly Davis – Currently the fastest woman on snow and Pro-Women points leader.
– Ryan Simons – X-Games competitor and podium regular hailing from Alberta.
– Paul Thacker – World record long-distance jumper and freestyle athlete.

Plus:

– Kids 120 demo rides with a chance to win a 120 Arctic Cat for everyone who rides courtesy of Arctic Cat and Christian Brother Motorsports. Winner announced Sunday at 2:00pm.
– Yamaha demo rides for adults, aboard their latest 2009 models.
– Free Pit Passes ($10 value) from area Polaris dealers while supplies last.

For more information visit www.isocracing.com

About ISOC – The International Series of Champions (ISOC) is the premiere snowmobile race sanctioning organization in North America and sanctions a national snocross tour in addition to three regional circuits. Visit www.isocracing.com

Snowmobiles Built to the Highest of Standards

By: Ed Klim

The snowmobile manufacturers continually improve quality and certification production standards for snowmobiles.

As we all know, snowmobile engines are now built to strict EPA emission standards and requirements. The snowmobile manufacturers are preparing to introduce their model 2010 snowmobiles, which are required to meet EPA phase 2 emission standards.

The phase 2 standard tightens up emission requirements considerably and requires updated emission related technology into the marketplace. Snowmobilers will see this new technology at spring shows 2009 and will be experiencing the new products next winter.

Based on snow cover and the cold temperatures this winter, we are confident that many snowmobilers will be enjoying the new products in the near future.

In addition to stricter emission standards, the manufacturers continue to work on building quieter snowmobiles. Snowmobile sound testing procedures are being reviewed and updated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and you can be rest assured the vehicles will be tested to these new rigid standards and our vehicles will meet these new testing standards.

All new snowmobiles built by the four snowmobile manufacturers of ISMA (Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris, and Yamaha) are SSCC certified. The Snowmobile Safety Certification Committee (SSCC) requires new snowmobiles be certified and audited by an independent, third party, testing laboratory.

The laboratory the manufacturers of ISMA use is SGS US Testing Company, the second largest third party testing laboratory in the world. There are 29 separate standards and SAE certification requirements which all new snowmobiles must meet.

These standards cover areas such as: Sound Level, Fuel system, Lighting, Control systems, Shields, Safety guards, etc.

The certification process is deliberate, concise, and intense. All engineering specifications must be met and on site testing and audits both announced and unannounced are conducted by laboratory personnel.

The manufacturers, collectively through the SAE and through ISO (International Standards Organization) are always refining and reviewing the standards and preparing the standards for an international standards review.

The manufacturers, through the SSCC have joined the ISO working groups and we will be working with these groups in sharing technical information, standards and certification procedures so our products continue to be recognized and certified to the very highest of standards worldwide.

When you ride your snowmobile, there is an SSCC label affixed to the tunnel. The label verifies your vehicle has been certified to the highest of standards recognized internationally.

The future of snowmobiling is bright and full of promise and new technology. The new technology brings new product quality to the marketplace for all of us to enjoy.

Renegade 600 E-TEC: F-F-F-Fast and F-F-F-Freezing

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By: Kent Lester

Without too much gushing over the 600 E-TEC – you’ve been reading all season how much Supertrax loves this benchmarking new engine technology from BRP – we wanted to put some focus on the MX-Z’s other assets.

Our shiny, yellow Renegade has been ridden a lot this winter and we have a very strong feel for its strengths (many) and its weaknesses (few).

Here’s a couple of our gripes: First, because this has been such an extraordinarily cold winter, we’ve found the XP can be a frosty ride, even with the higher MX-Z windshield.

The cold seems to affect the rider’s lower body most and, unless you’ve layered on extra long-johns, you’re going to feel it on cold days.

The hands are vulnerable, too, despite the fact the handwarmers generate ample heat. If you ride in extreme temps all the time, we recommend using both the high windshield and the MX-Zx accessory handlebar mounted wind deflectors from Ski-Doo.

The other issue is ski darting. Although the sled doesn’t display this characteristic as much at higher speeds, everyone who has ridden the Rennie and other 121-inch XP models too, feels the darting is both unnerving and annoying.

Here’s the fix. Go to your dealer and buy the extra carbide runners for the sled’s Pilot skis. Just drill the holes (the bosses are already there) and ante up for a second set of carbides. It makes a world of difference to have two runners per ski.

Kudos? You bet. We love this sled’s great power delivery, its incredible gas mileage and the completely revised and vastly improved ride quality it exhibits for 2009.

Not only would we recommend this sled, it’s the first sled we’d recommend for 2009!

Click here for specs and details!

Polaris Racers Win Nine Eagle River Derby Titles

Press Release –

Dustin Wahl Earns Podium Spot In Championship, Beau VanStrydonk Wins Two Oval Titles, Snocrossers Sweep Pro Open

Polaris snowmobile racers earned nine World Championship titles and three Polaris ice oval racers finished among the top six spots in the World Championship race held at the 46th annual Eagle River (WI) Snowmobile Derby on January 15-18.

In the World Championship final held Sunday, January 18, at the famed Derby Track, Polaris racer Dustin Wahl of Greenbush, Minnesota, fought through the field following a restart to earn a third place finish.

Nick VanStrydonk of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, finished fifth and Brandon Johnson of Greenbush finished sixth.

Polaris racers won Eagle River World Championship titles in both ice oval and snocross classes during the four days of racing. The Polaris oval champs were:

• Dustin Wahl in Formula One Open (Thursday) on a Wahl Bros. race sled with a Polaris Liberty® engine.
• Beau VanStrydonk of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Pro Sprint 600 and Junior III 600 Sprint (both on Friday).
• Joey Fjerstad, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Semi Pro Champ 440 (Friday).
• Scott Clark, Eganville, Ontario, in Formula 500 (Friday).

Polaris racers who won World Championships in snocross were:

• Shaun Crapo, Aurora, Minnesota, Pro Open (Friday)
• Chris Kafka, Stratford, Wisconsin, Pro Open (Sunday)
• Kendra Daniel, Marshfield, Wisconsin, Sport Women
• Manny Drexler, Stratford, Wisconsin, 120 Champ

Wahl Fights Through Pack in WC

Dustin Wahl posted the fourth-best time in World Championship time trials, and ran well in qualifiers to earn a spot in Sunday’s final.

Just five laps into the final, Wahl got caught up in an accident on a restart and was forced to restart at the back of the field. He worked his way through the field to reach third when he ran out of laps and had to settle for a podium position rather than the title.

VanStrydonk and Johnson ran strong to finish in the top six and Joey Fjerstad reached the final but crashed out of the race on lap five.

Strong Oval Finishes

In the Junior III 600 Sprint class on the Eagle River ice oval, Polaris racers finished 1-2-3-4, led by winner Beau VanStrydonk.

Finishing second through fourth, respectively, were Michael Urban, Gunnar Sterne (on a Polaris-powered Wahl sled) and Matthew Ritchie.

Polaris racers also dominated the Formula 500 final on Friday. Scott Clark took first, and finishing third through eighth, respectively, on Polaris sleds were: Eric Buchholz, Ben Harris, John Henke, Ken Lacy, Greg Davis and Bryan Fischer.

Snocross Racers Shine

Derby organizers showcase selected snocross classes during their popular Friday Night Thunder event and also during Sunday’s lineup of World Championship finals. Polaris snocross racers ran well in the spotlight both times, winning the Pro Open class each time.

On Friday night, Shaun Crapo won Pro Open to lead a parade of Polaris IQ® Race Sleds across the finish line. Seven of the top 11 racers were on Polaris sleds, including: Derek Ellis (fourth), Mike Bauer (fifth), Chris Kafka (sixth), Ryan Carey (eighth), Bill Smith (ninth) and Kory Hodkiewicz in 11th.

On Sunday, Kafka won Pro Open and Ellis finished third. In Sport Women snocross, Kendra Daniel won Stephanie Schmidt took second.

About Polaris – With annual 2007 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all terrain vehicles (ATVs), including the Polaris RANGER™, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.