Press Release –

New Sled Head 24/7 Manufacturer’s Cup to Award $10,000 to Top Brand at Season’s Close

As the tension mounts on the hills of Spirit Mountain on the eve of the first of eight races in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, the guaranteed purse amounts have been announced.

With more than $170,000 on the line, the pressure to perform is greater than ever.

Long before the International Series of Champions took over the reigns of the national snocross circuit, the appropriately dubbed “Racer’s Circuit” had developed a reputation for handsome purses and guaranteed payouts.

Now with a season purse total of $170,400, it appears ISOC is picking up right where it left off over 10 years ago.

In addition, a year-end Sled Head 24/7 Manufacturer’s Cup has been announced, adding an additional $10,000 to the manufacturer who accumulates the most year-end points in the four main event classes: Pro- Stock, Pro-Open, Semi-Pro Stock and Semi-Pro Open. Points will be awarded throughout the season, with only the points from the top finisher for each brand accounted for.

Race fans can keep track of the year-end points battle along with the Sled Head 24/7 Manufacturer’s Cup at www.isocracing.com.

Press Release –

The powersports industry is hit hard by the global economic recession and BRP is no exception.

BRP is thus taking conservative actions that include reducing overall production volumes in the coming year by 20% to accurately reflect the retail and inventory realities of the marketplace; cutting expenses to a minimum; and implementing major changes to the organization.

As a result, some 550 white-collar jobs will be eliminated, 80% of which will take place this month with another 20% over the next nine months. 

BRP has already laid-off some 370 blue-collar employees in its third quarter ended October 31, 2008 and another 430 blue-collar employees have received temporary lay-off notices in the fourth quarter. This workforce reduction involves all BRP divisions.

“These are very difficult decisions to make but we must take appropriate preventive measures considering the seriousness of the situation,” said José Boisjoli, president and chief executive officer.  “We believe these measures will reduce our costs and make BRP less vulnerable to drastic declines in revenues caused by events outside our control, such as the current crisis,” he added. 

These decisions entail:

Reducing overall production volumes by 20% for fiscal year 2009-10; 
 
Creating two new divisions responsible for product development and manufacturing by:

1. 
Merging the engine divisions (BRP-Rotax and Outboard engines) into a new one called the“Powertrain” division which will be responsible of the manufacturing and engineering activities of Evinrude and Rotax engines.

The Rotax engines will continue to be manufactured in Gunskirchen, Austria and in Juarez, Mexico  while the Evinrude outboard engine manufacturing will remain in Sturtevant, Wisconsin and in Dalang, China.

The engineering departments in Waukegan and Gunskirchen as well as the new product development process including the procurement strategy for these brands will be integrated into this new  division; 
 
2. 
Creating the “Vehicle Development and Manufacturing” division which will encompass the Valcourt and Benton plants as well as the Juarez plant with regards to the manufacturing of all-terrain vehicles.

Moreover, all engineering services for the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Can-Am brands will be integrated into this new division, as well as the new product development process including the procurement strategy for these brands.

Creating a new “Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Evinrude” (SSE) division regrouping the sales and marketing  activities  of the North American Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Evinrude brands;
 
Creating the “Can-Am and Customer Service” (CCS) division which will be responsible for the sales and marketing activities of our Can-Am products in Canada and the U.S. as well as the development of a worldwide strategy related to Parts, Accessories and Clothing (PAC) in addition to Customer Service and Dealer Support Network;
 
Focusing on innovation by maintaining our commitment to R&D, but at a reduced pace.

“We are confident these initiatives will help us come out of the recession a stronger company because this new structure provides us with the tools to focus on cost reductions, market strategies, product launches, product innovation and to maximize synergies in both the Vehicle Development and Manufacturing division and the Powertrain division,” concluded Boisjoli.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised 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, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines and karts. With manufacturing facilities on three continents, BRP products are distributed in more than 80 countries.

Press Release –

Round 2 of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series Explodes at Bad River Lodge & Casino National near Mt. Zion; Top Pros and Freestyle Action On Tap

Tucker Hibbert threw down a challenge to all other professional snocross riders on the planet during round one action in Duluth over Thanksgiving Weekend, and the stage is set for intense competition December 12-14 in Ironwood, Michigan.

After sweeping the Pro Main Events in Duluth, other top snocross pilots are have their sites set on Hibbert and the top box on the podium.

The weekend heats up fast Friday night at 7:00pm with the Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour.

The top freestyle athletes in the world will showcase the most insane tricks, launching their snowmobiles from two freestyle ramps to a backdrop of infused rock and free swag to the fans.

Joining them will be the biggest names in cross including Hibbert, Levi LaVallee, Robbie Malinoski, Iain Hayden and others for an evening of hospitality and autographs.

Competitive juices flow early Saturday morning with support class racing, culminating with the Main Event from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. This all-out showcase of the top Pro and Semi-Pro riders anywhere will be bar to bar non-stop action, with qualifying, last chance qualifiers and finals running back to back to back.

“This format will be new for many race fans familiar with traditional national snocross events,” said ISOC Race Director Blair Bodley. “It’s a format not unlike what is used in motocross or supercross and is designed to benefit both racers and spectators.”

The one-day main event is designed to improve awareness and attract a bigger crowd for the showcase event. In the past, fans were accustomed to seeing top riders race at various times throughout the three-day event. Often, fans and racers alike were unsure when they would be on the track.

“This format will guarantee fans who come to the Main Event will see the top riders compete in an action filled 3 and a half hour showcase,” said ISOC Marketing Director Andy Groebner. “Just like supercross, the format will ensure fans will see each pro perform at least twice on a bigger track with qualifying and finals featuring more laps.”

Scott Lorentz, the Director of Operations for ISOC agrees. “The days of spectators spending the entire weekend at the track are gone. By creating a tight, action packed show on Saturday night allows race fans, particularly families, to see a great show and not commit an entire weekend at the track.”

The second half of the new format equation is safety. By dividing up the Pro and Semi-Pro riders from the support class riders, track technicians can alter the course for different riding styles.

“Safety is always our number one concern,” said Bodley. “This format will allow us to knock down some of the more technical areas of the track for Sunday support class racing. We want to grow this sport and we believe keeping the racing fun and injuries to a minimum for the younger and less experienced racers will do that.”

What you need to know:

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

When: December 12 -14

Where: Ironwood, MI Gogebic Community College, Mt. Zion, E-4946 Jackson Road Ironwood, MI  49938
 
Schedule of Events:

Friday: 7pm-8pm: Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion Tour.
Saturday: 4pm – 7:30pm: Pro and Semi-Pro Main Event; 9:30am gates open with support class qualifying.
Sunday: 9:30am: Gates open remaining support class racing.

For more info visit ISOCRacing.com

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By Ed Klim

Families across North America are changing their holiday and vacation plans, enabling them to stay closer to home and closer to family.

Snowmobiling provides a growing number of families with the opportunity to vacation close to home, as a family. I participate in many tourism and travel seminars and have seen reports documenting how families are staying closer to home, traveling and flying far less than in previous years and have a tendency to vacation and recreate close to or within their home state or province.

The shift is profound and it can be realized when looking at the number of airline flights that have been cancelled, the empty cruise ships and the very quiet Orlando airport.

Meanwhile, resorts that cater to snowmobilers, downhill skiers and other winter enthusiasts are reporting robust bookings with snow cover aplenty.

The snowmobile manufacturers have initiated a communications effort between the snowmobile community and CVBs, Travel and Tourism Bureaus, and Chambers of Commerce across North America.

Each month this winter every Chamber and Visitor and Convention Organization will receive a special E-mail newsletter from the ISMA office, highlighting the positive aspects of snowmobiling to include the positive economic impact snowmobiling has on the region.

We are also sending to all of these organizations up to date family snowmobiling photos that can be used in their promotion pieces, trail maps and more.

To help support that effort, we are sending positive news release stories and articles to over 4,000 daily and weekly newspapers throughout North America and are developing working relationships with editors and sports writers across the Snow Belt.

We believe this extensive outreach to the general media creates positive working relationships for the entire snowmobile community. We are already receiving numerous inquiries on the positive economic impact of snowmobiling as well as the positive family social fabric that snowmobiling brings to the community.

Finally, the manufacturers have collectively initiated an extensive internet advertising campaign which has targeted non-snowmobilers and snowmobilers alike. If you have a computer, you should soon be seeing pop-up ads depicting fun family snowmobiling encouraging you and your neighbors to go snowmobiling.

When you start to see the pop-up ads on your computer, let us know. Ride safe and enjoy the winter. Consider taking a non-snowmobiling friend snowmobiling during our special Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week – February 14, 22, 2009.

For more information on the Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week, please visit the Go Snowmobiling web site at www.gosnowmobiling.org web site.

Press Release –

Stranded in Northern Quebec, Outdoorsman Rescued After Sending Location Coordinates and Distress Message From His SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger — Injured, without supplies and more than a two week walk to the nearest village, Rejean Able was located and airlifted to safety

Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. reported today that on July 25, 2008 experienced outdoorsman Rejean Able, who was on a six week wilderness trek in Nunavik, located in the remote Ungava Peninsula of Northern Quebec, was rescued using his SPOT Satellite Messenger after a canoe accident left him stranded without supplies.

As he was approaching a series of rapids, Mr. Able lost control of his canoe and capsized. Submerged with his feet caught under the seat of the canoe, he was able to free himself and swim to the embankment, but in the process lost his canoe and all off his supplies. He also lost his rifle which he had taken for protection against wolf packs known to be in the area.

Mr. Able had his SPOT Satellite Messenger in his pocket which he was able to use to send a 9-1-1 emergency distress message with his GPS location.

His GPS coordinates were immediately dispatched to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center who alerted the nearest Inuit Village to Mr. Able, along with his need for rescue.

A surveying helicopter in the area was able to assist local authorities and airlift Mr. Able to safety.

“SPOT literally saved my life,” said Rejean Able. “Without it I would be dead.” Upon rescue, Mr. Able learned that the location of his accident was at least a 15 day walk in to the nearest village.

After returning to his home in the Mont Tremblant region of Quebec, Mr. Able is recovering from his injuries and the trauma associated with the accident but is thankful to be alive.

“I am telling all of my friends who like to venture in the wilderness to make sure they take a SPOT Satellite Messenger with them. It is inexpensive and can save their life”.

Combining reliable commercial satellite and GPS location technologies, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is a lifesaving and affordable personal safety device, designed to provide users with a vital line of communication to friends, family, co-workers and emergency services, independently of cellular coverage.

The world’s first GPS-enabled personal satellite tracker, SPOT has won numerous industry innovation awards and assisted in the rescue of over 80 individuals around the world since being introduced just one year ago.

About SPOT Satellite Messenger

The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world’s first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer’s location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT is helping users live to tell about it – from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes – visit www.findmespot.com .