The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is providing parents across Ontario with a special opportunity to get their children safety trained in their home communities. The first OFSC Snowmobile Driver Training Week runs from December 8 to 16, 2007.

Its purpose is to promote the benefits of receiving rider education from a certified instructor prior to operation of a snowmobile. Upon successful completion of a written exam at the end of the six-hour course, students who graduate receive a Snow Vehicle Operator’s License.

Contact your local club or the OFSC directly for more information on the 2007/2008 driver training seminars.

Press Release –

How far would you go to support a good cause? This winter Arctic Cat plans to go 500 miles over rivers, trails and drifted ditchlines to help a cross country racer raise money for Children’s Miracle Network(CMN) and Gillette Children’s Hospital.

The idea was originally pioneered by Jim Urquhart, editor of SNO-X Magazine. Last season Urquhart raced the USCC Red Lake 500 in the Fan 600 class and brought home first place while raising over $3,000.

Urquhart said, “My daughter is now two and my son is under a year old. I’m very fortunate to have healthy children, but there are kids that need help in many forms. The Children’s Miracle Network hospitals are committed to providing the best care for children when they need it. Racing snowmobiles is a great outlet for helping them.”

Like most racers Urquhart contacted a pile of quality sponsors to support his program, but unlike most racers his sponsors either donate product or services to make his race season a success, while the cash generated is donated directly to CMN.

For the 2008 USCC race season, Urquhart will be Factory-backed by Arctic Cat, piloting a fully race-prepped F5 tuned by the legendary wrenches at Black Magic Motorsports.

“Last year was my first time and I set out to just finish the Red Lake 500 while raising at least $2,500. I surpassed both goals,” Urquhart said. “This years Red Lake 500 will see some stiff competition, but I have fast equipment under me and I’ve got a great group of sponsors helping me, to help the kids.”

If you are interested in supporting Urquhart aboard his Arctic Cat please call 715-247-5052, sponsors will receive a prominent logo on the F5 race sled, as well as a logo added to a one-page ad in SNO-X Magazine.

The USCC Red Lake 500 will take place January 18-20 and is hosted by Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn. And no matter how Jim finishes, everyone wins this race.

For more information on Arctic Cat snowmobiles, please log on to www.arcticcat.com or visit your local Arctic Cat dealership.

Press Release –

Yamaha rented the track on Monday to give local snowmobilers an opportunity to take demo rides. Hundreds of people were able to come back to the track and test ride new 2008 snowmobiles.

Next stop in the WPSA tour is the Air Force Canterbury Snocross in Shakopee, MN, Jan 11-13.

That well-timed break gives the Yamaha Factory Snocross riders a chance to recover and continue their heavy R&D schedule, so things look great going into round two.

Marier, positive about the weekend’s results and the direction the team is heading, says, “We are racing as a development program. Steve is a finesse rider, so we are working on calibrating the machine to his style and improving durability all the time. We’ll be testing and racing at a regional level to be ready for the second National round.”

Yamaha Factory Snocross team sponsors include Yamaha, Yamalube®, FXR®, Camoplast®, Fox Racing Shox™, GYTR™, Stud Boy®, Fly Racing® and Evolved Nutrition. Yamaha Factory Racing Team support is provided by OTSFF. The Minocqua Race Team is also sponsored by Phiten Racing.

Press Release –

The 2007 WPSA National Team of the Year amassed 5 podiums and 2 X Games invitations at the season kickoff in Duluth, MN amongst one of the best Duluth tracks in years!

The team picked up the new season right where we left off last year by opening the Friday X Games qualifier with two riders, Levi LaVallee and Bobby LePage, earning invites to the big show in Aspen.

Levi finished second in the first X Games final and Bobby infused the hometown crowd with a third place. TJ Gulla received a manufactures pick from Polaris prior to the event. That leaves us with three riders already qualified for the ESPN Winter X Games Snocross event held January 25th- 28th in Aspen, CO!

Pro Open found TJ caught up in a first corner incident put was able to work through the pack and muscle his way into a great 6th place finish. That is why he is a true champion! Levi also cut through the pack coming from 10th all the way to 2nd and attacking Tucker Hibbert for the lead when his goggle strap malfunctioned and he actually had to throw off his goggles with a couple of laps to go. He finished the race with a crowd loving 2nd place.

Pro Stock started with TJ and Levi mid pack working their way through the crowd together passing the competition one right after the other. The hard work from the duo paid off as TJ finished 4th and Levi 5th. It capped off a 1-5 Polaris finish.

Bobby continued to bolster the crowd Saturday afternoon as he took the holeshot in the Semi-Pro Open final. He held the point for two laps until teammate Brett Bender passed him and started to check out. Bobby just kept his race pace and was able to track down his teammate and make the pass with two laps to go.

Brett stayed within striking distance but it was Bobby who took home the checker first and Brett a close second. Chris Kafka finished 9th but had worked his way up to challenging for the third podium before a last lap mishap dropped him back. Scott Vig also rode well to a 14 place finish in the final. Congratulations to the semi-pros for putting on a great show and posting great finishes!

Sundays Semi-Pro Stock was a little bit different. But not by much. Bobby and Brett came out of the hole in 1st and 2nd again and the crowd knew they would be in for another great show.

Bobby led the race to the half way point until Brett took advantage of a mistake by Bobby to take the point and the eventual win! Chris Kafka was caught up in a first turn tangle but picked his way through the field to finish a very respectable 6th all the way from the back of the pack.

**NOTICE**

If you haven’t already ridden your 2008 XP REV you may want to contact your dealer and see if your sled falls into this update.

Sleds built during and before October of 2007 including all limited build race models may experience the thumb and hand warmers burning out. Along with that your digital gauge may also act strange.

We experienced the burn out within 100 miles, however there is no set time in which the malfunction will occur.

Before you take off for the holidays, be sure to check with your local dealer so you aren’t left with cold paws.