(Press Release) — The 2006 Arctic Cat Crossfire has performance coursing through its veins via engineering genes bred from the successful M-Series and Firecat lineage.

For 2006, Arctic Cat focused on producing a snowmobile that had exceptional performance in all categories of trail handling, deep powder capabilities, suspension and most importantly rider ergonomics.

The Crossfire shares a lot of elements found in the mountain machine such as higher mountain handlebars attached to a reinforced steering post. These bars not only help you toss the sled around in the powder, but help the transition from sitting to standing.

Adding to the ergonomics category are wide running boards with a flatter stirrup for improved stand-up riding and star-punch running board traction features found on the M-Series machines.

The new Crossfire is designed to work exceptionally well on the trails but can journey into deep powder excursions with ease. The hood draws air through intakes near the headlights that feature removable snow screens. Complementing the functionality of the hood are tool-free removable side panels. These easy-to-remove panels allow quick access to the engine, clutches and brake.

Propelling the Crossfire to a new class of dominating performance is the Suzuki laydown 700 EFI powerplant that leaves the competition soiling their snowsuits as you blow by them.

All that power is put to the ground via the ACT Diamond Drive System that eliminates the traditional chaincase with a planetary gear drive located on the PTO side of the chassis. This weight reduction also places the hydraulic brake disc directly on the drive axle.

Power is fed to a FasTrack Long Travel System slide-rail suspension with lightweight aluminum Arctic Cat (IFP) shocks and a Torque Sensing Link rear arm. Wrapping up the suspension system is a 15 x 136 x 1.25” Ripsaw patterned track designed for the ultimate trail and powder performance.

Up front, suspension duties are taken care of by the AWS-VI double wishbone A-arms with lightweight aluminum Arctic Cat gas (IFP) and 42” – 44” adjustable ski stance.

This fire breathing new model is available in Black or Orange. You better hurry to get one; this new hybrid is going to leave the competition crying!

On August 6th of this year, our own CJ Ramstad rode a test project Polaris Fusion across the ice fields of Iceland’s Vatnajokull glacier to a spot on the snow-covered surface called Grimsvotn where glacier scientists had constructed two large huts for use by glacier and volcano researchers.

CJ says there was no doubt something was going on under the ice at Grimsvotn when he was there as steam was coming off nearby bare patches and the two buildings were heated by ample steam vents rising up underneath.

Just about three months later to the day, on November 2nd, the slumbering giant under the ice decided to blow and the place known as Grimsvotn disappeared, becoming a huge volcanic caldera similar to an eruption in the same area in 1996.

The resulting plume of smoke and ash was easily seen from space on the EROS satellite network and gasses and dust were detected as far away as Norway.

“Volcanoes are like that,” CJ says with a shudder, “one minute you’re laughing about monsters under the ice, next minute – if you happen to have the bad luck to be there – you’re blown away in an explosion of lava and ash.” What if it had happened when the riders were there? Maybe next time, CJ says.

Polaris new IQ 900’s have been getting a lot of attention at dealers since the first units arrived in late October and early November.

The first few hundred Fusion 900’s were subject to a “Stop Sale” notice due to a potential problem with the IQ’s radical hollow drive axle. In fact – only one axle failed in actual testing. However, Polaris was concerned with product safety on the new sleds and didn’t want to take any chances so new axles were shipped to the handful of dealers who received early production units. The balance of the sleds were all given new axles by Polaris.

When we toured the factory in late November we witnessed ongoing strength and hardness testing on axles destined for Fusion’s and RMK’s.

Keep in mind, this exact same axle was used in all production 2004 Pro-X models last year and in 2003 and 2004 Polaris 440 Pro-X race sleds.

Yamaha dealers are happier than we’ve seen them in at least five years. Both the new Vector and the RX-1, with its radical adjustable suspension, have been selling very well.

In fact, we’ve heard some dealers ran short on Vectors during the fall selling season.

It’s interesting to note Yamaha customers who may have migrated to other brands during the suspension crisis of the past few years appear willing to give Yamaha another try with these vastly improved models featuring superb quality suspension systems.

It’s no secret Arctic Cat is expected to move back to a 15 inch track in 2006 Firecats. The current M-Series mountain roosters have a new wider, bulkhead to accept 15-inch wide tracks. This tooling could be immediately transplanted into a 121-inch version.

There’s more reason for AC to move in this direction than just track width: engine width. The current F-Series bulkhead with the current 700 is way-tight due to the tunnel dictating actual engine bay width.

We believe the much loved ZR 900 will morph into a Firecat/M-Series chassis with a new laydown, 900 to 1000cc mill in ‘06. To get the width required for a big block mill, we think a 15 inch wide track will be mandatory.