Press Release –

Polaris Industries announced an exciting new “Winning Riders” program. The sport of Snowmobiling is built by thousands of clubs and volunteers who give countless thousands of man hours to develop, maintain and groom the over 225,000 miles of trails in North America. Most of the trails and riding areas Snowmobilers enjoy today exist because of volunteers. The “Winning Riders” program is designed to recognize and say thank you to the state and provincial associations and their clubs and volunteers.

The “Winning Riders” program will provide a cash donation to North American States and Provinces for every new Polaris snowmobile sold from September 1, 2005 until March 31, 2006. Checks will be distributed on or before May 1, 2006. Eric Lindquist, Snowmobile Division General Manager said “We want to give back to the grassroots level, and the “Winning Riders” program is one way to do so.”

In addition to a cash donation to the states and provinces, which can be used for any purpose they choose, Polaris will also be mailing a thank you letter to every new Polaris snowmobile purchaser. The letter will not only thank them for their purchase, but will also tell them about the donation, by Polaris, on their behalf, and drive them to the Polaris website at www.polarisindustries.com/WinningRiders where they can learn more about their state or provincial association. The web site encourages membership and involvement for riders that are not currently members.

Polaris will further support the “Winning Riders” program by placing ads in many state and provincial association publications from October, 2005 through March, 2006. The ad Features a gloved hand with a big “thumbs up,” and is entitled “Sweet Trails. Fresh Powder. And The Clubs Who Make It All Possible.”

Press Release –

Yamaha snowmobile racers stirred up a blizzard of wins in racing competition to cap the summer over the weekend of September 24-25.

At the Northeast Grass Drag Series in Colebrook, New Hampshire, Yamaha machines made short work of the 500-foot long dirt sprint.

Greg Omasta launched his Vector four-stroke triple to a win in the Stock 500 class, then Omasta and Matt Caruthers took wins in the Heavy Stock 700 and Heavy Mod 700 classes, both aboard Yamaha SRX two-strokes.

Meanwhile at the National Snowmobile Racing Association Mid-West Nationals at Grayslake, Illinois, Yamaha riders were laying down still more winning performances.

Under muddy conditions, Randy Stodola dropped the hammer on his RX-1 to take the win in the Stock 600 class, with Pat Hauck bagging second on an Apex. Pat went on to top the Improved Stock 600 class on an RX-1, then won the Improved 800 class on a two-stroke Vmax.

Sunday was even more impressive for Hauck, as he rode his Nytro to a Stock 500 win, followed by Jim Jones on a RS Vector.

Hauck did the deed once again in the Stock 600 class aboard an Apex, this time shadowed by Randy Stodola on a RX-1 – the two swapping positions from the previous day.

Hauck finished out the weekend with a win in the Improved Stock 800 class. One more Yamaha four-stroke – a Vector piloted by Chris Wise – took the win in the Trail Stock 500 class. For this crew of winning Yamaha drivers, winter can wait!

The New York State Legislature recently passed a bill aimed at setting a 55 MPH speed limit for snowmobiles and banning anyone under the age of 14 from operating a snowmobile without adult supervision.

The bill appears to be directed at safety issues requiring 14 year olds to obtain a snowmobile Safety Certificate. The speed limit will be imposed on over 80% of the States trails, but only those on public land or maintained by snowmobile clubs.

The new law also includes an important change to state trail funding. A $45.00 trail development fee will be required annually from snowmobile club members when registering a sled. Non-members will ante up $100.00 for the same cause.

Press Release –

Snowmobiling enthusiasts from around the country got their first taste of what Polaris has on tap for the 2006 season recently at the PSGDRA Grass Drags in Greenville, Michigan. Brian Talty of Talty Polaris in Streator, Illinois piloted a stock 2006 Polaris 600 HO Fusion, a modified 600 HO Fusion and a 2005 Polaris 440 IQ Racer in separate grass drag races – and captured top honors in all three.

Known as “Flyin’ Brian”, Talty was amazed at the performance of each sled and the reaction of the crowd when he finished first – not once, not twice, but three times. “The 2006 600 HO is a very exciting sled this year and provides a great balance of what everyone wants – it’s the sled a lot of people have been waiting for.”

The 2006 600 HO Fusion is purpose-built for dominant on the trail performance. Its powerful Liberty 600 HO engine is based on the same mechanical magic that makes the Liberty 440 engine the one to beat on snocross tracks across the snow belt.

In addition, the technology behind the track-inspired IQ chassis that carried Polaris racers to 7 total championships around the globe last season is also standard equipment on the class-leading 600 HO Fusion and several other ’06 models. These include the turbo charged FST Switchback and deep snow king 900 RMK.