Press Release –

Snowmobilers across Canada will get an early look at the Winning Performance of the 2007 Polaris snowmobile lineup at 2007 Premier Snowmobile Shows held in seven cities from March 20 through April 8.

The shows coincide with the all-new Polaris Snow Check Factory Connection spring retail program offering the most extreme savings, free options and a free 4-year bumper to bumper warranty or financing allowing customers to ride free until April 2007.

Complete details of the Snow Check Factory Connection program are available online at: www.polarisindustries.com.

The 2007 Premiere Snowmobile Shows featuring the new Polaris lineup will be held in Winnipeg, Edmonton, London, Barrie, Kanata, Laval and Quebec. Show venues, dates and show times appear below.

WINNIPEG
Monday, March 20
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Hall “B”
375 York Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

EDMONTON
Thursday, March 23
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Mayfield Inn & Suites Hall ABC
16615 109th Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta

LONDON
Tuesday, March 28
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Western Fair (Canada building)
316 Rectory St.
London, Ontario

BARRIE
Thursday, March 30
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Georgian College Athletic Centre
1 Georgian Drive
Barrie, Ontario

KANATA
Sunday, April 2
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bell Sensplex
1565 Maple Grove Road
Kanata

LAVAL
Wednesday, April 5
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Centre Forzani
4855 rue Louis-B-Mayer
Laval, Quebec

QUEBEC (2 days)
Friday, April 7, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Les Galeries de la Capitale
5401 blvd des Galeries
Quebec

BRP shocked the ATV industry when it announced it would be moving all ATV production to its Mexican based watercraft facility over the next year. Will BRP move sled assembly to Mexico too?

While we think the question deserves asking, here’s what makes sense: First of all, manufacturing of snowmobile parts from all four manufacturers has been taking place offshore for years.

We do know from discussions with OEMs who build both ATVs and sleds that ATVs are more expensive to manufacture than snowmobiles.

Retail pricing in the ATV market is fiercely competitive and thus requires intense cost control to maintain profitability.

It doesn’t mean snowmobilers are less discriminate about sled pricing; it means ATV profit margins dictate strict attention to production costs. Don’t expect to see any sleds built in Mexico in the near future.

Apparently photos are again circulating of Honda sleds in prototype form. Our in depth investigative team suspects the motorsport giant was interested in building snowmobiles a few years ago, before Yamaha’s successful 4-stroke program hit the snow.

With Yamaha picking up the pace, increasing sales and clearly cementing itself as the number one 4-stroke snowmobile manufacturer, we think there’s little room for Honda to carve out an identity.

Building a snowmobile requires the development of multiple technologies. Any OEM scoping out this biz must develop and produce engines, CVT transmissions, suspensions and chassis platforms that are better than companies producing sleds for half a century.

Press Release –

The Ski-Doo/Dodge Trucks/Supertrax Super Team enjoyed great racing action at a new venue – the Bracebridge Fairgrounds – in the middle of snowmobile country in Central Ontario. Great crowds all weekend made this event exciting for the team as both Matt and Justin railed qualifying with enormous holeshots and impressive scores.

Matt Turner rode superbly on Saturday scoring wins in qualifying rounds for both 440 and Open. His Sean Tilley tuned Ski-Doo’s looked untouchable as Matt consistently ran out front, tripling and doubling on command with finesse and precision.

Matt has been protecting an injured shoulder all season but his on-track performance certainly belies the North Bay, Ontario rider’s injury. When it came time for final round racing on Sunday Matt had a less than satisfying run in Pro 440 holding fourth behind team mate Justin Parnell – scoring fourth at the checkers.

Matt currently sits in second place in National Pro 440 CSRA Championship Snowcross. In Pro Open Matt’s 600cc Mod produced a fluke ignition problem on the starting line – leaving Matt unable to wick up the power and deliver his trademark consistent start or strong finish in this class. Matt stayed on the track to collect as many points as possible.

Justin Parnell continues to mature in CSRA Pro class competition with more poise and confidence every week. This weekend saw Justin struggle somewhat late on Saturday with a scary off in qualifying and some less than strong finishes.

Parnell, quiet and determined, focused his attention on Sunday’s final rounds of qualifying and most importantly, on the Pro 440 and Pro Open Finals. Looking more comfortable on his Sean Tilley tuned Ski-Doo’s than any previous weekend thus far – Justin railed his way to a strong third place finish in Pro 440.

Parnell’s starts are becoming as consistent as team mate Matt Turner’s – an indication the two are establishing an impressive rider dynamic that’s sure to lead to wins as the season wears on.

In Pro Open competition Parnell put qualifying problems behind him, scoring a hard fought and hard earned third at the checkers. That’s a pair of thirds for the CSRA’s hottest new Pro rider.