OSM January In Season 2012

ALN I ECTIO P S DI E

FRESH BURNS: 4 FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS

OSM-MAG.COM

USIVE L C X E MNS U L O C FROM ERT

BB ER HI EE TUCKVI LEVALLKER LE THAC PAUL

PAYING TO PLAY

R E T O O SH SHOWCASE

WHAT'S THE COST OF OWNERSHIP?

SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS

AMAZING SHOTS FROM THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS

VOL 26 • NO 5 • IN SEASON 2012 • $ 5.95

DAILY COMMUTE 2012 ARCTIC CAT F800

SCENE IT? DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 31, 2012

SNAPSHOTS OF THE CSRA

OSM SLED REVIEW

IN-SEASON

BUYER'S GUIDE

TEAM FX NO TRAIL. NO PROBLEM.

BREAK NEW TRAIL WITH CONFIDENCE KNOWING FXR HAS YOUR BACK

THE TEAM FX IS EQUIPPED WITH F.A.S.T FLOATATION ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY BE PREPARED IF THINGS GET WET*

>> OCTANE HELMETS

>> RECUIT GOGGLES New wind-resistant tri-laminate inserts and wider tri-density molded face foam. The Recruit Goggle is specifically engineered to seal properly for winter applications.

Extremely lightweight, the Octane Helmet makes your ride more about the experience and less about the gear. Meets SNELL M2010 to ensure your safety (sizes XS/2XL). The optional FXR Breath Box and FXR Premium Winter Kit will seal off leaks and keep the weather off your mind.

TEAM FX JACKETS available colours are:

>> TEAM FX JACKETS The Team FX Jacket is built for rugged winter days, with a removable liner, insulated shell, and efficient venting. Features F.A.S.T. (Floataion Assistance System Technology), delivering added peace of mind.*

TEAM FX PANTS available colours are:

>> FUEL GLOVES

>> TEAM FX PANTS

Warm and comfortable, the Fuel Glove is the ideal companion on the trail. Fleeced lining for a luxurious feeling. Features an adjustable wrist strap, shock cord adjustable storm cuff and pre-curved fingers, you could say it fits ‘like a glove’.

The Team FX Pant will keep you warm and comfortable on cold days with easy to use 4-way full leg zippers with integrated dry vents.*

WANT MORE COLORS & STYLES

>> BACKSHIFT BOOTS The all new Backshift Boot incorporates a new waterproof seam-sealed membrane system with removable moisture wicking liner.

*IMPORTANT - Team FX jacket and pant must be worn together to Provide floatation assistance for up to 2 hours. Non Coast Guard Approved.

SCAN OR GOTO FXRRACING.COM

VISIT FXRRACING.COM TO LOCATE A DEALER NEAR YOU

WINTER’S RELEASE Few things can combine the energy, power, and explosiveness of snowmobile free riding, and yet leave you with mental calm when complete.

Location: Winter – Planet Earth Rider: Your Name Here Photographer: Todd Williams

THREADED NEEDLE Last winter our new man (or is that boy), or is that boy, showed us how to navigate the often dense pine cover found just below the oxygen starved tree line. Here he splits a seam aboard the FX Nytro XTX. Location: Montana Rider: Tyler “boy toy” Swarm Photographer: Todd Williams

FEATURES 28

SCENE IT SCENES FROM THE CSRA

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DAILY COMMUTE 2012 ARCTIC CAT F800 SNO PRO

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FRESH BURNS 4 FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS

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PAYING TO PLAY WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF OWNERSHIP?

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28 46

TOOL EQUIPPED SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS

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SHOOTER SHOWCASE A LOOK AT SOME GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE SPORT WE LOVE

100 IN-SEASON BUYER'S GUIDE

COLUMNS 12

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DRIFTS - PUBLISHER NOTES RICHARD KEHOE

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TRAIN TRACKS TUCKER HIBBERT

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FRESH BURN

WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE

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FOR THE RECORD PAUL THACKER

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TIME MACHINES JIM URQUHART - 1973 SKI-DOO BLIZZARD 340

106 THE GOLDEN YEARS

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ED LONG - 1971 SKI-DOO ELAN

110 NUTRITION & TRAINING DREW ROBERTSON

114 KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN SUZY STENOFF

120 FLOATBOWL PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS 16 30 32 34 104 112 118 122

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INDUSTRY NEWS OH $H#T MOMENT CRUISIN’ YOU TUBE ANCHOR OF THE MONTH READER SPOTLIGHT NBFSC REPORT OSM LISTINGS LAST GASP - JASON HOULE

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BUYER'S GUIDE p.100

SHOOTER COVER

SHOWCASE

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VOLUME 26 NUMBER 5 IN SEASON 2012 FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT

1-888-661-7469 President & Publisher: Richard Kehoe Editorial Director: Pat Bourgeois Managing Editor: Rick Bloye Technical Editor: Jeff Edwards Art Director: Darryl Aspin Production Manager: Tendra Crossman Photographers: Wayne Davis, Todd Williams, Jim Urquhart, Paul Mason, Midwest Sports Publishing Network General Manager: Michael Blakoe Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Matt Clark Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Kyle Carruthers, Warren Geer, Brad Stokes Administrative / Sales Coordinator: Harmony Kulikauskas Contributing Writers: Ross Antworth, Pat Bourgeois, Kyle Carruthers, Matt Clark, Peter Derry, Tim Erickson, Tucker Hibbert, Richard Kehoe, Levi LaVallee, Ed Long, Jason MacDonald, Ian Penny, John Sandberg, Suzy Stenoff, Paul Thacker, Jim Urquhart

Snowmobilers like selection.

Woody’s delivers. Ž

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Scan this QR code to get Woody’s recommendations speciďŹ c to your sled. Don’t have a QR code scanner on your smart phone? Search your phone’s app store for “QR Code Scannerâ€? to download one.

Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osm-mag.com

OSM is published six times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: 1195 Stellar Drive - Unit #4, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada L3Y 7B8. Telephone (905) 898-8585. Printed in Canada by Dollco Printing • Copyright 2012 OSM Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Subscription rates for magazine (includes Trail Map Atlas) $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities

www.WoodysTraction.com Grand MasterÂŽ

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‹ ,THPS! ^VVK`Z'^PLT JVT � 0,4 (SS YPNO[Z YLZLY]LK

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE Unit #4, 1195 Stellar Drive Newmarket, ON L3Y 7B8 ph: 905-898-8585 fax: 905-898-8071 toll-free ph: 888-661-7469 toll-free fax: 888-680-7469 email: info@osm-mag.com www.osm-mag.com

PROVEN PERFORMANCE. UNBEATABLE DEALS. LEARN MORE AT: TERRAINDOMINATION.COM AVAILABLE FINANCE OPTIONS (2008–2011 MODELS): 0/0/0 for 6 months (HSBC Installment) * 6.99% for 60 months (HSBC Installment)*** *Ride Free for 6 Months: Subject to credit approval from HSBC Retail Services Limited on qualified consumer purchases financed during this program. No payments required until 6 months from the date of purchase. No finance charges will be assessed until 5 months from the date of purchase. Rate after the 5 months will vary with term and is based on the credit profile of the customer. Minimum financed amount of $2,500. Dealer must be enrolled in the HSBC Installment Finance Program. No dealer participation will be paid on this promo. **Rebates vary by model. See your dealer for details. ***6.99% Finance Rate for 60 Months: Offer valid on all qualified models and subject to credit approval from HSBC Retail Services Limited on qualified consumer purchases financed during this program. Minimum financed amount of $2,500. Rates may vary based on the credit profile of the customer. No dealer participation will be paid on this promo. Dealer must be enrolled in the HSBC Installment Finance Program. Call HSBC Retail Services Limited Dealer Services for details at 866-711-9511. Š2012 Polaris Industries Inc.

DRIFTS

PUBLISHER NOTES

RICHARD KEHOE

DID YOU SAY CHAPARRAL?... I THINK SO.

1974 Chaparral 340 Liquid SSX

Our

local snowmobiling season started a little late this year. There are many places to ride across North America, but locally around my pad, we havenʼt had enough snow to ride. Locals have to trailer their sleds to find snow, which isnʼt the end of the world. Sometimes spending time in the truck isnʼt so bad.

Lately a topic of conversation around the office of OSM has been about vintage sleds and coming rides.

Bourgeois is always telling us about his latest weekly episodes of ERX racing with names like Juice, Bottle, Hammer, Cheese and others. Itʼs usually a good laugh. A few of us have an old vintage sled in the back of the garage, that only makes appearances on special evenings and occasions, unlike the ERX guys.

A friend of mine Ross, from New Brunswick, called me about a new vintage sled he purchased. It was a 1974 Chaparral. You see, the first sled Ross had owned was a 1974 Chaparral 340 Liquid SSX. He was excited about his purchase because an old girl like this is a rare find. Just as we were chatting, I received an email from another vintage

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rider, (the machine was vintage, not the rider) with a photo of a Chaparral for sale in Minnesota. I quickly forwarded it to Ross and asked him, “Does it look a little like this?” He opened it and couldnʼt believe that it was practically the same sled. What a coincidence, I get a random photo of his very sled, sent to me during our conversation!

Hereʼs the few lines that the owner posted, “Yes, it is an unbelievable day

We`re here for the Chaparral

that you can pick up an almost new, (I say that very loosely) 1974 Chaparral 340 Liquid SSX, Liquid cooled. This unit will fire on both cylinders with the help of starting fluid.” He might as well have tried closing the sale with “You think you hate it now…? Just wait until you drive it.”

Still on the line with Ross, he was asking me where Flint, Michigan was in relation to me. As we tried to work out a way to get his new sled out to him, a lot of things started to fall in place. Iʼm not sure what the odds are on what was about to unfold.

The only solution was to run the scenario by Mr. Wheel Man himself; OSM Technical Editor, Jeff Edwards. A quick text, and within seconds I get a reply; heʼll be heading through Cadillac, Michigan next weekend for a sled ride.

Problem solved; heʼll pick it up on his way back. Again, what are the odds, of all places for Jeff to ride? Heʼs passing right through Flint Michigan.

Still on the line, I fill Ross in on the plan. So that gets her from Flint to my office; now we need Ontario to New Brunswick. Well, stars align… A few OSM guys will be heading out from the office on route to ride the Quebec Maritime. New Brunswick being in that direction, the sled which was 2000 miles away will then be within 100.

Problem solved – Now say it like this ….Chhhhhhaparallllllllllllllll!

dayco.ca

Dayco was here.

Ride with confidence.

Dayco Canada Corp. 7810 Keele St. Concord, Ontario L4K 0B7 B7 /i \Ê äx ÇÈä È ääÊUÊ >Ý\Ê äx ÇÈä È Ón

IND US TR Y

NEWS

Tim Tremblay has been one of many riders who have staked out claim rights on future ISOC victories.

CROSS PARODY

Brian Dick, last year’s winner of the Red Lake I-500 cross-country race shredded ice as he bested the competition in the Pro-600 class at Pine Lake. photo from www.sledracer.com

BACK TO THE LAKE Elsewhere in this issue we reference the return of cross-country lake racing in United States CrossCountry (USCC) competition for the first time in over 10-years. With the emphasis having been placed on big, nasty terrain for many years, the high-speed lake race of yesteryear had been back burnered for more than a decade. But with low snow, race organizers returned to the roots of terrain racing, and pulled off one of the most entertaining races we’ve seen in years. The idea of racing on frozen lake surfaces is certainly not new. The one time king of terrain and still iconic International Cross-Coutnry Snowmobile Federation (ICCSF) and more recently the International Series of Champions (ISOC) both utilized frozen lakes as part of their overall mix of racing venues. Just weeks after USCC visited Pine Lake, another lake race was slated for Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Is there resurgence in the works?

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For the past several seasons on the ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross Series, the pro ranks have been dominated by a select few; namely a duo with names of Martin and Hibbert. But this season, while both Ross and Tucker have found themselves atop the box, and Ross Martin currently leads the Pro-Open points chase, the field is suddenly filled with other “contenders” who on any given day, can step up and put on a charge for the lead. With the season not even at the mid-way point at this writing, we’ve seen Malinoski, Gulla and Tremblay all find their way to the podium, while others including Lidman and Morin have been nipping at their heels, just off the box. You can keep pace with the standings at www.isocracing.com, as the series winds down to the last race of the season at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, March 16-18.

RIDE FOR DAD RETURNS For the second year in a row, Snowmobilers from across Ontario will once again meet up in Pembroke, Orillia and Midland for the second annual “Ride for Dad” on Feb. 18. Ride for Dad first started in 2000 as a motorcycle ride and since has raised over 8.7 million for prostate cancer. This year they will once again take it to the snow in hopes of raising more money to add to that already great total. You can visit www.ridefordad.ca for all the events details!

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RIDE AND BUY NEWS

Remember when dad would smooth talk the car salesman after returning from a test drive with the soon to be “new family-truckster”?

While we thought Dad was a tough negotiator at the time, we now know that nothing sells a vehicle better than an old-fashioned demo ride. Perhaps this is why we are seeing each of the manufacturers offering more and more demo ride opportunities.

Yamaha was the first to introduce extensive demo ride opportunities as they made the push with four-stroke technology.

Now all four offer some type of new model test ride. Most recently, Polaris announced a full demo tour that can viewed at: www.terraindomination.com, and Arctic Cat has set-up shop in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, just south of Houghton at the Wildlife Refuge. You can call them at 906-482-1001 for details.

CHECK OUT THE CSRA RACE TOUR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:

Feb 4-5 Louisville, QC. Feb 11-12 Orangeville, ON Feb 17-19 Valcourt, QC Feb 25-26 Cochrane, ON visit www.snowcross.com for more dates and locations near you.

166

SHELBY MAHON TRAILSPORT

Home: Parry Sound, ON Most Memorable Moment: First race I ever saw Sponsors: The Cove Marine and Recreation Centre, RBC Wealth Management

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NEWS

KAMP KUSTER Former snowmobile racer and mountain rider expert Carl Kuster, has teamed up with Ski-Doo to form a deep snow riding camp/clinic, appropriately named Carl Kuster Mountain Park (catchy isn’t it?). Kuster grew up shredding the back-country of Alberta and British Columbia before he spent several seasons racing alongside legendary snocross racer Blair Morgan. Now, armed with an arsenal of the latest mountain buggies from Valcourt, Kuster looks to share his passion and skills with others. Other “names” will join Carl throughout the winter including Rob Alford, Rob Hoff, Vincent Clarke, and Dave Norona. Camp sessions will be offered in one, two or three day stints, and classes will be broken down for different skill levels. To learn more visit: www.carlkuster.com or call 250-836-3058

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We can attest to Kuster’s skill as we had the chance to ride with, and photograph Carl as he wrung out the new Ski-Doo Freeride last March.

NEW ROYAL DISTRIBUTING STORE

Canada's largest Powersports retailer, Royal Distributing, will be opening a new LARGER store in Sudbury, Ontario this spring. They have been serving the Sudbury market since 2002 and have outgrown their current location. The new 12,000 sq ft superstore will be stocked with even more of all

the clothing, parts and accessories that customers have come to expect at Royal. Ease of access, improved parking and a more complete shopping experience are promised.

www.royaldistributing.com

25TH ANNUAL TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW!

2012 Dates have been set for the The 25th Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show! Mark your calendars for Oct 19 through 21, 2012 for the world’s Largest Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, taking place at the Toronto International Centre. Planning has begun and the 25th year will bring the largest gathering of Powersports enthusiasts in the Show’s history. www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

PROVEN VEN N PERFORMANCE. OR RMANCE. UNBEATABLE EA ATABLE DEALS. DEAL LS. **

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*Rebates vary by model, see dealer for details. **Offer subject to credit approval. Applies to the purchase of all new Polaris® snowmobile models made on the Polaris Installment Program between 10/1/11 and 11/30/11 with loan terms of up to 36 months. Fixed APR of 2.99%, 6.99%, or 9.99% will be assigned based on credit-approval criteria. Rider pictured is a professional on a closed course. Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. ©2011 Polaris Industries Inc.

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TERRAINDOMINATION.COM TERRAINDOMINA AT TION. O COM

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NEWS

YAMAHA WINS, SPARKS FLY Ross Erdman on his way to a USCC Pro-Open win.

After retreating from terrain competition for a few years, Yamaha announced their return to both terrain racing and hill climb competition, earlier this fall. With snow marginal at best, most races were postponed until mid-January, but the wait was worth it for Ross Erdman and Yamaha, who scored a debut victory in the USCC Pro-Open class, and racked up a second place finish in Semi-Pro 600, courtesy of rookie cross-country racer Ben Lindbom. Erdman came close in the showcase Pro 600 race too; running as high as second place before succumbing to equipment failure. The blue camp was soaring with enthusiasm, but as the next race neared, rumblings from competitive race directors put the squeeze on Yamaha. Claims of an illegal front suspension, which was not ISR approved, forced Yamaha out of the stock classes…for now. Just like a big zit, this is likely to get uglier before the complexion clears, and things return to drama as usual in the snowmobile racing world. Stay on top of the latest at our favorite racing web site: www.sledracer.com

E-CAT NOW CANADIAN EH?!

Who doesn’t love the ability to shop online, and after launching an E-commerce site for United States in May 2011, Cat has now opened an online store for Canadian customers as well. The new site and capabilities allows Cat customers to order parts, oil, garments and accessories from the comfort of their home, and have them shipped directly to their doorstep or to their local Arctic Cat dealer. I was wondering if they have any Purple Power Lube for our Wankel?

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LIMITED BUILD YAMAHA Another Yamaha buggy has recently been added to the mix for 2012. The FX Nytro XTX 1.75 is in essence, a “kitted� version of the standard model. But in place of the 1.25� lug track, typically found under tunnel, a Camoplast Backcountry 1.75inch rubber wrapper is swapped in place. The bigger lug track is better suited for off-trail, deep snow maneuvers, and the move follows an industry trend towards building more capable, “do-all� crossover sleds. Numbers of units will be very limited.

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SmartFoamÂŽ Garments are designed for use in a wide range of land and marine applications. The garments utilize the innovative SmartFoamÂŽ Technology to optimize physical comfort and provide safety to the wearer in a frozen lake environment.

Buoyant in Water: SmartFoamŽ is made of light weight closed-cell foam. For activities on or around water the SmartFoam™ Garment provides flotation protection. NOTE: This is not a PFD. Dynamic Thermal Regulation: SmartFoamŽ garments enable the wearer to experience warm insulation when they are relaxed, (non-active mode). As the wearer’s activity level increases, (active mode) so does the SmartFoamŽ garment’s ability to optimize comfort by increasing the rate of evaporation and cooling.

Ergonomic 3-Dimensional Design: • Articulated elbows and knees for freedom of movement and comfort • Bib pants have adjustable and comfortable suspenders. • All seams are stitched as flat seam construction to ensure comfort and non-abrasion to the wearer.

9 % -DFNHW 3DQWV

• waterproof/breathable • 400 denier rip stop • sealed/taped seams • seamless pocket • ergonomic design • articulated arms and knees

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âœŞ

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THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW

By now you’ve probably heard about the patent infringement lawsuit filed by BRP against Arctic Cat, back in midDecember. Since that time, much rampant speculation has taken place, mostly in those always honest and well educated online chat rooms and snowmobile forums. While we won’t go deep into the details of the lawsuit, which can be found with a little online digging by the way, Ski-Doo, in short, is looking to protect elements of their pyramidal over-structure design and rider forward ergonomics, first introduced with the 2003 Rev, and subsequently continued with the XP chassis.

Most snowmobilers know these two concepts have been, and are currently being utilized by all three competitors to Ski-Doo. Both the Pro-Ride chassis and the Yamaha Nytro for example, use an over-structure design very similar to the original Rev concept, and both also move the rider significantly forward on the chassis, in an effort to emulate the rider forward benefits first experienced with the 2003 Rev. So is it time for Arctic Cat to turn out the lights? Doubt it.

First, it should be noted that legal skirmishes like this are more common than you might think. In fact, we have insider knowledge that will confirm that legal squabbles between the

NEWS

OEMs regarding patent infringements are not unusual. So why all the hubbub this time? Seems this is one instance where someone outside the industry dug too deep; most likely a business reporter who could create significant financial implications for either company, by stirring the pot before anyone else. We suspect Ski-Doo’s hand was forced to make the news public.

We know what you are thinking; if all three brands have potentially infringed on the Rev design, why single out Arctic Cat? The big picture tells us that Cat is the company with the shallowest pockets, and legal proceedings aren’t cheap. By going after the “easier” target, Ski-Doo may stand a better chance of gaining legal leverage which, then in turn, can be used against the other two.

Of course, all of this is merely speculation, and the truth is, there are many other factors we may not know now, or ever.

Elements such as prior art, prior designs, past prototypes, ideas and designs from forgotten brands from the 1970s, or what is known in the engineering and legal world as patent navigation work-arounds, could all play a role in the eventual outcome, and could leave Ski-Doo with nary a leg to stand on.

Stay tuned.

While the lawsuit dates back to the first generation REV, and also includes the Twin Spar Cat… this trio of chassis designs that includes the Ski-Doo XP, the Arctic Cat ProCross and Polaris Pro-Ride, look very similar to the naked eye.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVENTURE? TELL US AND YOU COULD WIN!

We have to admit, when we saw the new Polaris Adventure buggy last winter, it got our palms sweaty as we began to plan rides to exotic, off-thebeaten-path, or legendary destinations. With the sport touring segment blossoming in the world of motorcycles, Polaris decided to borrow a page from their design manual and apply the same concepts here. Based on the all-new Pro-Ride Switchback, the Adventure combines performance ride traits, off-trail and on-trail capabilities, and integrated luggage for a long haul combination that is frankly new to the industry and one that we applaud. We were so smitten with the ride, we twisted the arm of Polaris to secure not just one, but several Adventure buggies for us this winter as our destination wish list filled quickly. What’s more, we want to bring along a couple OSM readers to one of our favorite riding destinations, the immaculate trails and hospitality of Quebec. To be considered, we want to hear about your dream adventure ride, simply visit the ‘What’s Your Adventure’ sign-up area at www.osm-mag.com and get ready for a trip filled with incredible scenery, immaculate trails, and the new Polaris Adventure snowmobile.

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NEWS

DERBY FORTY-NINE

With a dramatic pass on the final turn of a 30-lap final on a deteriorating track, Nick Van Strydonk passed Matt Schulz, to become the 49th World Champion and thereby have his named etched into both the trophy and the history books.

It had been several years since members of the On Snow crew had visited what is without question, one of the most iconic and historical racing venues in snowmobiling. But despite our brief departure, the 49th running of the World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River, Wisconsin didn’t disappoint.

From the rich snowmobiling heritage of the surrounding community; to the World Snowmobile Headquarters that is home to both the Antique Snowmobile Club of America and the Vintage Snowmobile Club museums; to the high banked, legendary oval of the derby track; the 11-day celebration of all things snowmobiling, especially world championship racing, remains a can’t miss.

AUTHORIZED POLARIS DEALER

NEW AND USED INVENTORY PARTS AND SERVICE ACCESSORIES

Spoiled Sports 905-436-6487

www.spoiledsports.com 1898 Baseline Rd.

Bowmanville, ON Rider pictured is a professional on closed course. Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel.

For safety training in Canada please contact your local Polaris dealer. Never drink and ride. 2011 Polaris industries Inc.

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ACC ESS

ON SNO WM AGA ZIN E

SCENE IT?

CANADIAN SNOWCROSS RACING ASSOCIATION (CSRA)

RISE 'N' SHINE It’s a waiting game every morning for the sun to rise.

Iain Hayden has been the man to beat on the track for nearly the last decade. Ultra smooth riding style, experience and conditioning is Hayden’s strength. That, and he’s unbelievably fast.

BRISK MORNINGS Although the sun was out, it didn’t mean it warmed up at all.

It’s true, diesel engines and -36 celcius can work together.

GETTING "SOME" AIR Officially out of the shadows of multiple CSRA Pro Champ father Ric Wilson, Devin Wilson is making his own name in the industry.

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Looking more like a Scooby Doo episode, the starting line was an interesting and scary place to be. If you found the clues from the starter you could solve the mystery. Be the first to turn one, and to the top of the podium.

#115 Dave Joanis has moved through the classes in the CSRA, and has now set the cross hairs on the Pro Open championship. The question isn’t, “can he”. It’s, “when will he”. Not if the 93 or the 73 plate have their way.

Class is in, J.B. Dennis was told to pay attention while waiting to get on to the track. Looking at the Pro Lite standings, it must be working.

Nothing like the motivational talk in the pits.

Generally when there’s that much steam emanating from a mechanic to the rider, it’s not a good thing, but when it’s -36 everything is steaming.

The next batch earning their way: (L to R) Brand, Dennis and Wilson are climbing their way through the Pro Lite rankings.

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ACC ESS

OH SH#T MOMENT

DRY BOOTS… WET EGO Suddenly Johnny reconsiders his decision to decline the supplemental small stream flood insurance from the rental shop.

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Got a better caption or an O.S.M. photo of your own?

We want it! Email us your best caption for the above photo series; or send us your O.S.M. photo and you could increase your swagger with On Snow Magazine swag. Email us at info@osm-mag.com or check out the O.S.M. photo gallery on our FaceBook page.

TOLL FREE: 866-386-6857 6517 WARWICK VILLAGE ROAD, WARWICK ONTARIO INFO@BLUEWATERTRAILERS.CA

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SKI-DOO ELAN

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The Ski-Doo Elan is one of the most beloved snowmobiles in the industry, from first ride memories to yanking the fish house to the honey hole, the little yellow sled that could still does for many. Let us count the ways.

You got a favorite online snowmobile video you think will make the cut and appear in a future issue of On Snow Magazine? Let us know. Send us the link along with your contact information to: info@osm-mag.com and you could score the same OSM t-shirt worn by our snowmobile paparazzi shooters.

STYLIN' STANDIN' TALL The macho track stand of the coveted modified Elan.

The speed, the power and grace of an Elan “flyby”…Choko be damned.

Submitted by Jamie K. from New Brunswick

VIEW AT WWW.OSM-MAG.COM

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POOF, YOU'RE GONE! The vanishing David Copperfield Elan, with prairie dog re-entry.

VIEW AT WWW.OSM-MAG.COM

THE REDNECK SLED The campfire Elan – proof positive that trees are traction.

RIDIN' DIRTY The sentimental Elan… the Swedish Chef theme song is a winner.

VIEW AT WWW.OSM-MAG.COM

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VIEW AT WWW.OSM-MAG.COM

Marketer Shows, OSM, Richard Kehoe Productions, Inc. or Patrick J. Bourgeois and its affiliates are not responsible for the content or actions of others in these videos. The comments expressed and the activities performed in these videos do not reflect the opinions and position of Richard Kehoe Productions, Inc., Marketer Show, OSM or Patrick J. Bourgeois and its affiliates and is no way an endorsement of such comments or activities.

PODIUM TESTED, TUCKER APPROVED.

2012

TUCKER HIBBERT TEAM MONSTER ENERGY / ARCTIC CAT PODIUM HAT The Official Podium Hat of Team Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert is now available for you! This adjustable snap-back hat features the logos of Monster Energy, Arctic Cat, Hibbert Racing and Tucker’s trademark 68.

See Tucker’s entire 2012 merchandise line today at tucker-hibbert.com or at his Official Merchandise Booth at an ISOC National Snocross event.

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of the month

Anchor

1986 Yamaha Inviter

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Anchor of the Month 1986 Yamaha Inviter NAME: ________________________________________________________ Sassy gold over sexy brown COLOR: _______________________________________________________ LENGTH:

95.9” (243.5cm) (102.6cm) __________________ WIDTH: 40.4” ___________________________

43.4”” (110.2cm) (174.1kg) HEIGHT: ____________ WEIGHT (DRY): 384lbs ___________________________ of 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Hamamatsu, Japan BIRTH DATE: Summer ___________ _________________________ snowmobile peace and industry acceptance and respect for AMBITIONS: World ___________________________________________________ snowmobiles of all colors, especially gold. ______________________________________________________________

TURN-ONS: ____________________________________________________ Riding single, sleeping single, watching the movie Top Gun, ______________________________________________________________ and of course Lionel Richie TURN-OFFS: ___________________________________________________ Egomaniacs, speeding tickets, couples.

MY FAVORITE SONGS/MUSICIANS:

________________________________ Walk This Way – Run DMC/Aerosmith,

Rock Me Amadeus – Falco, and anything by Lionel Richie ______________________________________________________________ NICKNAMES: Grasshopper, ___________________________________________________ Viggy, Twitch During the mid 1980s, Yamaha struck upon a streak of goodness. With DARK SECRETS: ________________________________________________ Arctic Cat bowing out of the picture briefly as they got their financial house in order and Polaris ______________________________________________________________ developing the IFS Indy, Yamaha captured everyone’s imagination with a series of uniquely different ______________________________________________________________ snowmobiles, led by the 1984 Phazer. It was this formula that led Yamaha to gain the number one ______________________________________________________________ market share position. With this newfound responsibility, leadership, and pressure, the company ______________________________________________________________ began to introduce vehicles that looked to expand the industry, and more specifically, their ______________________________________________________________ leadership and sales, led by the odd looking Inviter. The Inviter was built to deliver ride attributes ______________________________________________________________ that directly paralleled how enthusiasts “actually” rode – 30-mph, negotiating twisty, wooded trails. ______________________________________________________________ Unfortunately Yamaha product planners failed to recognize the massive snowmobile ego, the one ______________________________________________________________ that may trail ride at 30mph, but wants the capability to blister it at 100mph. While the Inviter ______________________________________________________________ never took hold during its run from 1986 to 1990, it has become a collectable oddity today, due in ______________________________________________________________ part to its funky one-up styling, single cylinder liquid-cooled engine, and upside-down airplane ______________________________________________________________ steering yoke. Recognizing their market miss, Yamaha engineers reversed course 180-degrees and ______________________________________________________________ then some, and in 1992, gave the snowmobile ego its snowmobile with a four-cylinder, muscle sled ______________________________________________________________ dubbed the Vmax-4.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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TRAIN TRACKS TUCKER HIBBERT

68 REASONS AND COUNTING

PHOTOS BY: JOHN HANSON AND ARCTICINSIDER.COM

Roger Skime never misses a race.

He loves racing more than anyone I know.

Rob Dahlen and my Wife Mandi work with me full-time, year-round. Rob typically has a smile on his face and Mandi is always on the phone or clicking away at the keyboard.

Iʼve

raced with the number 68 for my entire professional snocross career. I even ran it in my last season as a Semi-Pro. I wish I had a cool story on how I chose 68 as my number, but I donʼt. Somewhere along the way I started racing with 685, and Iʼm pretty sure it was in motocross.

Then, as I progressed I needed a twodigit number, so I dropped the 5 and stuck with 68.

Not very many people know that I pick the serial numbers of my race sleds. The Arctic Cat factory works with me so that I get serial numbers ending in 68 and 41 (my Dadʼs race number). The majority of

my “trophy” sleds end in either 68 or 41. I guess itʼs one of those perks you get when youʼve been on the same brand your entire life and the factory is in your hometown! A few people picked up on it when I had my sleds on display at Arctic Catʼs 50th Anniversary this summer. Itʼs a cool deal.

It might have been by chance that I ended up with 68 permanently connected to my name, but winning my 68th career Pro national snocross final was not. Iʼm not a superstitious person in the least, but on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., weird things happened.

It’s always great to meet kids that are fired up about racing.

The crew prepping #xx68 for battle!

Rob’s trusty race notepad with the Pro Open final listed as race 68.

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The track at Canterbury was fast and rough. It looks smooth in this photo, but trust me, it was anything but.

When my Dad isn’t busy working on sleds in the trailer, he likes to watch lines develop on the track.

He’s always quick to tell me if I was riding a slow line!

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Out of four sleds, I raced serial number xx68 at Canterbury Park. It wasnʼt a conscious decision; it was just the way my Dad chose to build up my race sleds for this season. The Pro Open final on Saturday night was the 68th race of the day. Each race, including amateur rounds and qualifiers are numbered. I didnʼt know until after I won, but Rob knew all day. He didnʼt tell anyone because he didnʼt want to jinx the win!

No werewolves were spotted, but the full moon was definitely out.

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The fans at Canterbury were unreal!

There was a full moon and the biggest crowd ever to witness an event at Canterbury Park. People have joked with me that the stars aligned for my 68th win. Maybe the full moon helped. I donʼt know the answer, but I do know nothing beats hard work and determination. I had to fight harder for that win than any race Iʼve competed in my entire career. It wasnʼt a pretty win in my eyes, but the fans loved it and Iʼll never forget it. ✪

*Editorʼs Note: Tuckerʼs career wins are tallied by Pro “national” final events. This includes WSA, WPSA and ISOC. This does not include ESPN Winter X Games or the FIM World Championship.

www.tucker-hibbert.com Twitter.com/hibbert68 Facebook.com/TuckerHibbert Youtube.com/TuckerHibbertTV

Headhsot by Todd Williams • www.toddwilliamsusa.com

WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE

NEW YEAR HUCK

I

feel like a broken record when I say this, but what a crazy couple of months it has been. The pace has been fast and furious; so much that I havenʼt even had time to get nervous when it comes to some of the crazy things Iʼve been doing!

After kicking off the national snocross season by racing the first race in Duluth, Minnesota over Thanksgiving weekend, I spent a few weeks in California on vacation, flew to New York, spent Christmas at home, and then returned to California for New Yearʼs Eve. The initial trip to California was supposed to include distance testing, but the Santa Ana winds said no way! With winds blowing anywhere from 40mph to 100mph, it was anything but ideal for jumping, so we went karting until the winds calmed. Once they did, we started testing and things went really well. Day after day, we were eventually able to stretch out the jumps to the distance we were hoping to hit. Thereʼs a lot of stress when distance jumping, even when testing. Each day you wake up praying that every detail is spot on, because if the

This is how I overcome being nervous, by being a complete goof!

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smallest thing goes wrong, you could end up with a huge problem, 400-feet later!

With distance jumping practice wrapped up, I immediately began hitting the freestyle ramp in preparation for a jump that I performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Yeah thatʼs right, the Tonight Show with Leno!! I was very excited to be on the show and Jay is actually a pretty dang cool guy. As part of the show, I got to ride my Mystik Loctite Polaris right off the stage, out into the parking lot, jump a “Winter Wonderland” and then drive my sled directly back onto the studio stage.

The jump went off without a hitch, and after completing both the distance practice jumping and the Leno jump, I was feeling way ahead of the game, given how testing didnʼtʼ go nearly as well last year.

Still, I have to say I was never more nervous to perform a small jump than I was in front of Leno. I just didnʼt want to get hurt again before the Red Bull New Year No Limits event for the second year in a row.

After the Tonight Show, I was off to New York City to be on Good Morning America,

Without Rick Bates (left) from Polaris and Glenn Kafka (center), and so many others, a jump like this would have never been possible.

along with a host of other ESPN programs. The number of interviews and appearances we did in just a few days was insane!

Taking a break to spend Christmas at home in Minnesota, I headed back to San Diego for the big jump. The first time I saw the actual jump set-up over water, I got a little weak in the knees. The ramps and distance looked gnarly. The days leading up to the jump included a bunch of media stuff, and plenty of checking, double checking, and triple checking all the different elements of the jump. Maddo and myself did a bunch of speed checks and we both felt confident in the set-up.

When the night of the big jump arrived, so too did the fog. It was so thick that at one point, you could barely see the landing from the jump side. Fortunately, the fog cleared just prior to our jump. After working on the concept for more than a year, I finally got my chance to hit the ramp and attempt to go huge in front of a global audience.

Running wide open, I hit the ramp and the sled flew perfectly. I watched the

It was a little odd seeing boats drive through the gap.

Excited to be in New York for Good Morning America… you betcha!

Is it a bad thing when your hospital has a framed photo of you in their lobby?

painted distance marks go whizzing past as I neared the landing, and when I saw the big line marking 400-feet go under me, I knew we had a good jump. After

100% INSTALL & RIDE

landing and slowing to a stop, (courtesy of a concrete barrier ha ha) I was so excited; I literally took off running. My emotions were at an all time high, and when I heard that I flew 412-feet, I went through the roof. It was longer than any jump I had landed in practice, and it was the real deal. It couldnʼt get any better, and I am still extremely excited and proud.

While the jump was huge, I had little time to sit around and enjoy it. More snocross races were on tap, and the Winter X Games was just around the corner. I high tailed it to Canterbury after just one day of snocross practice since November. I had speed at times, but I was also mega rusty.

Still, the weekend had its highlights including a heat race win and making it to the front row for both Pro Open finals.

Once home from Canterbury, I went into full ramp mode. I was practicing for best trick for Winter X and things were going really well. I was back to working on the double back flip; this time with a new ramp. Things were going so well - I was double spinning jump after jump into the pit, until one jump went slightly wrong. I pulled my head out of the rotation just a little, and that caused me to start pulling away from the machine as I landed. Upon

I guess I envisioned Leno in a different ride.

landing, I came down on something super hard, and in the process, broke my tibia. I was devastated. The accident put my Winter X plans on hold for another year, and as I pen this, I have been out of the hospital for just barely a week. With a rod in place, a few screws, and some mending time followed by rehabilitation, I should be good as new.

Hey, if you want to see what crazy stuff I am up to and can't wait for the Next OSM mag to come out, check me out on Facebook or twitter to hear everything as it happens! Thanks! ✪

Stay Connected TeamLaVallee.com Twitter.com/Levi_LaVallee Facebook.com/LeviLaValleeFanPage

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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FOR THE RECORD

11

PAUL THACKER

MONSTER TIMES

It

was a great holiday season on my end, and I hope everyone had an amazing break as well. It was nice to have a little down time and not be traveling every dang day.

So letʼs see, where do I begin? Right before the holidays I was able to get out to the Midwest and up to the snowmobile towns of Hurley, Wis., and Ironwood Mich., for the premier of NoStyleʼs “The Brofesional”. We had a great premier at a local Hurley establishment, and anyone that has ever been riding up there knows exactly what kind of establishment I am talking about. We had an absolute blast and I think all the girls did too! I was also in town for The Young Guns Shoot Out in Bessemer Mich. Matt Tingstad invited me

Monster Supercross VIP… hot tub and pretty women...nuff said.

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to host the event. It was nice to get on the mic and hang out with the old freestyle crew. I have to say, I was extremely impressed with the young talent that was invited. All who participated hung it out and really impressed the crowd. Luke Maue flipped to snow for the first time and was able to walk away with the top spot on the podium. I was totally stoked for him! It was a cool show and Iʼm hoping to see it develop into an annual event.

After Christmas, I had a few down days until New Years, and this year I was lucky enough to spend it in Las Vegas.

However, despite the big lights of Sin City, the hype was all about Levi and Maddo and the big huck in San Diego. It was something else for sure! It was great to

see the boys send it and land safely. I was really stoked to see Levi out-jump the dirt bike, since that has been a debate between us sled and bike guys for years. I was always sure the sled would eventually eclipse the bikes and it was nice to be proven right! My only complaint was how bad the camera work was! It was the biggest event of the year and you miss the shot? Iʼm betting that someone got into a little hot water over that. Congrats to Levi and Robbie on a job well done.

Typically, the first weekend in January means snocross somewhere, however this year I was invited to be a part of the Monster Energy Gives Back Program charity event in Corona Calif. Monster and Make a Wish teamed up to make a young manʼs wish to hang with some action sports athletes come true, and I was honored to be invited. At the Corona Pole Position Karting track it was Trigger Gumm, Rick Thorne, Twitch, TJ Lavine, Weeman, and I dukin' it out for fastest laps on a wicked track. It was a great turnout and tons of folks came out to show their support. I was fast and probably should have won the whole thing if Trigger wouldnʼt have spun me out with two laps to go. It was a great time for a great cause, and it was really nice to see a company in action sports like Monster Energy giving back.

January also means the start of the Monster Energy Super Cross season. This season definitely has all the hype, with all the big name riders healthy and looking to prove themselves again. I have been to a

The crowds were huge at the Anaheim 1 Supercross.

few supercross races in the past, but I have to say, A1 is something else! I have never seen such huge crowds; the stadium was sold-out with more than 75,000 screaming fans taking in the action. Monster always has a great VIP set up and this year was no different, as part of the spread was a hot tub filled with models! Good times for sure. Over the years of being a part of action sports, I have gotten to see some pretty cool stuff, but it still leaves me beside myself when guys like Rickey Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath come up to shoot the breeze and see how things are. Those are definitely guys that have always impressed me, and I have nothing but respect for them.

I have to say that supercross continues to nail it every time, as far as overall show and fan experience goes.

From the fireworks, to the rider intros, to the crowd interaction, and thatʼs before the racing even starts. Stewart, Reed, Vilo and Dungy were all super fast in qualifying, and you knew it was going to be a good night of racing. Vilo on his Monster Kawasaki ended up taking the win in convincing fashion. The battle for

Giving back during the Monster Energy Gives Back and Make A Wish event.

the remainder of the podium was tremendous with Reed and Dungy eventually taking the next two spots. Itʼs amazing how strong the fan base is for supercross, and we (snowmobile community) would do well to take some pointers from them.

2012 already has some crazy stuff on the calendar. Iʼm off to Wyoming to shoot, ride, and check out all the new 2013 Polaris sleds! Canʼt wait to get on a sled and do a little shredding! ✪

www.paulthacker11.com Twitter.com/paulthacker11 The Anaheim track is always one of the best on tour and this year was no exception.

Hanging with the best looking girl in the house during the A1 Supercross.

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK!

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THE DAILY

COMMUTE

By Jason MacDonald

2012 Arctic Cat

F800 Sno Pro

Each issue, our resident wrench, OSM fleet manager Jason MacDonald, whoʼs known for his Elvis hair, Bob Dylan impersonations and homemade granola bars, scrawls out his thoughts for our editor in chief Bourgeois to decipher and for you to read. No stranger to the business, Jason has been immersed and frankly, a little unstable when it comes to his love for snowmobiles for nearly as long as he can remember. His first sled was a 1971 Skiroule S-400 that he now hopes to ride again, with me scoring a replacement model at an area swap meet. Since then, MacDonald has done it all when it comes to snowmobiles including; sweeping dealership floors; sales; service; technical diagnosis; technical writing; technical training; and wrenching for I-500, snocross and NSSR competitors. The Mac and Cheese rides our long term loaners to work on a daily basis, and spends his time between the coming and going; boasting of riding skills; stomping on egos; combing his flowing locks, and when he finds time, manages the daily service load of a bustling metro area powersports dealer. In a nutshell, “Mac” has been passionately addicted to snowmobiles for 33 years, worked at dealerships for 16, a manufacturer for 5, and has had grease under his nails and scabbed knuckles the entire time…and thatʼs how he likes it.

now Gods be damned! With winter playing peek-a-boo and a back yard stacked with OSM buggies, my daily commute during the early stages of the 2011-2012 winter has involved far too many raspberry filled glazers and 20-ounce cups of Super America coffee sludge. Finally, with the big lake (Superior) having been tickled with a cold breeze, and producing a somewhat paltry amount of snow on the

western shores of Upper Michigan; the south of the border OSM crew has been towing to snow, every chance we get.

Subsequently, my daily commute has taken a backseat to weekend warrior rides. Still, as the miles tally, impressions are being made.

On a recent load and tow to the jutting land fingers of Michigan, after a fresh coating of nearly 12-inches of the elusive white stuff, the all-new Arctic Cat F800 in Sno-Pro trim came along for the ride.

Much of Michiganʼs Upper Peninsula is comprised of converted railroad routes, with small loops jutting out and back from the main corridor. Most of the trails encountered were groomed, yet were experiencing heavy traffic, creating numerous sections of deep chatter, holes, and even the occasional open

creek crossing. Despite the less than ideal conditions, more than 470 miles were logged.

The railroad grade is where the big twin Suzuki motor can really stretch out and cover terrain with more fury than a locomotive. While a beast when warmed, and jamming large quantities of fuel and air into the combustion chamber, the big twin mill starts the day spewing more twostroke smoke than seems necessary.

Once warmed however, the Suzuki 800 runs crisp. With no electric start available, the motor seems to spool to life slowly when the ripcord is pulled once, sometimes twice, and even occasionally, three times a lady. Initial throttle tip-in creates a gurgle before smoothing out, and this was especially noticeable during the first movement of the day.

The narrow stance of the new Pro-Cross chassis could feel even better with additional seat sculpting to reduce the flattop and sharp edge transitions.

If the gap in front of the bars is a deal breaker for you, we suggest this handy storage pouch that fits neatly in the opening and reduces engine bay noise.

The new Cat represents one of the few premium terrain sleds that is void of either rebound or compression clickers in the skid.

WITH MA NATURE BEING UNCOOPERATIVE, OUR RESIDENT WRENCH IS FORCED TO DRIVE HIS CAGE TO WORK, AND TOW TO THE SNOW.

S

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2012 Arctic Cat F800 Sno Pro

Drive-away clutch engagement is a bit harsh and hints at a potential appetite for belts, but the under seat spare was never needed, and the motor seemed to smooth as the miles clicked off. Whether real or perceived, the motor is loud compared to other new sleds on the ride, yet the consumption of fluids was surprisingly low and very close to a certain direct injected yellow buggy, also along for the ride.

The seat/cockpit was set up with the handlebars a bit low for my liking, so a quick trailside stop to adjust the angle really helped my comfort level. The front end works excellent in the bumps, but was lacking complete confidence when cruising rutted rail grades at “ticketable” speeds. Once in rough terrain, I forgot about the nervous feeling and was able to apply more finesse to the 128-inch rear skid, but still with more muscle than I would have liked. Part of this could be linked to front suspension geometry that seemed passive during initial turn-in.

Another quick trailside stop was made and the front FOX Float pressure was lowered to 60psi. This change allowed the front to roll more and also stay planted better when railing a corner.

With the bars in place, Float pressure adjusted, and the general “get to know me” out of the way, it was time to rally.

The new tapered tunnel has helped rid the Pro-Cross from the ʻstraddling a horseʼ feeling associated with the previous twin-spar chassis, but it could be made even better with a tapered seat.

By adding a 45-degree taper to the seatʼs edge, the narrow feeling of the tunnel could truly be appreciated. When moving far forward on the seat in technical sections of trail, the console forces your legs to be splayed widely, and once again, seems counterproductive to having a tapered narrow feeling tunnel.

Still, with that being said, if you are jumping side to side through twisty sections of trail, the footwells and console are not obtrusive either. The large gap in front of the handlebars offered an area to warm up the goggles during pit stops, as engine bay heat poured out from the opening. This same opening could also be the partial culprit for excessive engine noise.

Radially mounted brakes have been the braking buzz in high-performance street motorcycles for several years, and has helped usher in improved feel and

performance in most instances. Hoping to experience similar results on snow, the long-reach, non-adjustable lever found on the Pro-Cross Cat yielded good results, but without any significant positive feedback. This most likely can be attributed to both the drive shaft mounted rotor, which lacks mechanical advantage over a jackshaft, and the larger diameter 5/8-inch master cylinder piston. While certainly not lacking braking power, a bit more refinement could result in brakes that are a step above the status quo.

The rear suspension seemed to work well on trail chatter, but it also felt as if the motion ratio of the rear arm or shock valving was ramping up too quickly, and not allowing full stroke without some serious pounding or punishing treatment.

It could be that the front end is working so well, that the rear needs to catch up, but we were also running the SnoPro version of the machine with firm calibrations designed for aggressive riding, deep holes, and large square edged bumps. With some additional tuning and calibration aimed at achieving full stroke and a more “bottomless” feel, the new 2012 F800 will be a winner in many respects. ✪

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‘73

TM aicm e hines

Ski-Doo Blizzard 340 Story by Jim Urquhart Photos by Brian Balsaitis

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ONE SNOWMOBILE JOURNALIST CALLED IT THE MOST EXCITING RACE IN SNOWMOBILE HISTORY. IT WAS THE EAGLE RIVER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1971, AND YOUNG YAMAHA RACER MIKE TRAPP WAS SET TO RACE THE 15-LAP FINAL ON A 433 YAMAHA. THE ODDS-ON FAVORITE TO WIN WAS SKI-DOO RACER YVON DUHAMEL - HE HAD WON THE RACE THE YEAR BEFORE AND WAS ON A SLED, POWERED BY A MASSIVE THREE-CYLINDER, 797CC ROTAX ENGINE. WHILE TRAPP’S SLED WAS SMALLER THAN HIS COMPETITORS, HIS ADVANTAGE WAS WEIGHT. DUHAMEL’S MACHINE HAD MASSIVE POWER, BUT THE BIG TRIPLE MEANT IT DIDN’T HANDLE AS WELL AS TRAPP’S. PLUS, TRAPP’S SMALLER, LIGHTER YAMAHA TWIN WAS RUNNING ON ALCOHOL AND MAKING WAY MORE POWER THAN IT SHOULD. WHEN THE GREEN FLAG FLEW, TRAPP GOT OUT FRONT AND TRADED THE LEAD WITH DUHAMEL FOR THE FULL 15-LAPS UNTIL DUHAMEL FINALLY SPUN OUT ON THE LAST LAP, HANDING THE WIN TO TRAPP. TRAPP WENT ON TO REPEAT THE NEXT YEAR ON A BIGGER 650CC YAMAHA, MAKING HIM THE FIRST REPEAT EAGLE RIVER WORLD CHAMPION.

At

the end of the 1972 racing season, Trapp was one of the hottest riders in snowmobile racing. He had back-to-back World Championships, and along with his cousins, Lynn and Wayne had placed Yamaha firmly on the snowmobile racing map. Riding a wave of racing success, Trapp flew to California to meet with Mel Calloway, the guy who ran Yamahaʼs snowmobile racing program. Trapp was expecting to get a good offer from Yamaha, but Calloway was reluctant to sign the Trapps to a multi-year deal, favoring the year-to-year agreement they had been using, and in fact, the overall race package of sleds, parts, and money was less than the previous year. Feeling he had done more for Yamaha snowmobile sales and image than they were offering in return, Trapp jumped a plane back home, disappointed and miffed.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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TM aicm e Ski-Doo hines

Blizzard 340

Once home in Minocqua, Wisconsin, Trapp got to talking with some of his friends about what had happened at Yamaha. One of his friends had been racing for Ski-Doo and he offered to call Laurent Beaudoin, Ski-DooĘźs Racing Manager at the time. TrappĘźs friend got Beaudoin on the phone and put Mike on with him. The two talked about a contract and they agreed to have Trapp

come up to Valcourt for a contract meeting. In a matter of weeks, Trapp signed with Ski-Doo and the relationship quickly blossomed.

During the 1973 season, his first with Ski-Doo, Trapp won or placed in every race he entered with the 340 Blizzard pictured here. Upon his first return to Eagle River since leaving Yamaha, he used this sled to win Mod II. But by the

fall of 1973 many things in the world had changed, and political events were starting to impact snowmobile racing. In particular, the OPEC oil embargo happened in October of Ęź73 and the world was entering a huge energy crisis. Fuel prices spiked and with so much uncertainty, no one was really crazy about doing anything that wouldnĘźt bring an immediate return. Ski-Doo, Polaris

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and Arctic Cat got together and made a handshake agreement not to go Sno Pro racing for the coming season. When racing began a few months later, SkiDoo stayed home, honoring the agreement, but Polaris and Arctic Cat backed out and decided to go racing.

Trapp, still under contract with Ski-Doo, was more or less left out of racing by Ski-Dooʼs decision to honor the agreement they had made.

During the fall of 1973, while all this was going on, Trapp was living in Valcourt, getting ready for the 1973-74 race season. Once his day in the race shop was done, he found there wasnʼt much for an American to do in rural Quebec, so he asked his boss, Conrad Bernait if he could put his 340 Blizzard from the previous year, back together.

Ski-Doo had used it the previous spring for testing, and now it was simply collecting dust. Getting the go-ahead, Mike was not only able to rebuild the sled, but he also sent it back home where his younger brother Brian raced it

briefly. At the end of the 1974 season, it was put in a shed where it sat for the next 20 years.

Ski-Doo gradually worked its way back into racing after falling behind while sitting out the 1974 season.

Trapp stayed on and was part of the brandʼs formidable Sno Pro team in 1976 that consisted of Leroy Lindblad, Yvon DuHamel, Larry Rugland, and Trapp. Mike switched from ice racing to cross-country racing for the 1977 season, and posted his final victory at a race in Forest Lake, Minnesota. He then went on to head a successful construction business.

In 2004, Trapp began talking with John Jantsch, a snowmobile restoration expert from Wausau, Wisconsin. He mentioned the 1973 340 Ski-Doo Blizzard racer that he still had stuffed in his shed, and Jantsch said heʼd like a shot at restoring it. Trapp pulled it out and found that while complete, it had suffered damage to the tunnel at some point. Regardless, Jantsch stripped the

sled down to the tunnel, straightened it and gave it to Trapp who polished it up.

Jantsch spent the next three years restoring the sled.

While the basic chassis of the sled is very much similar to what anyone on Ski-Dooʼs racing program would have had in 1973, the engine is what makes this sled unique. The Rotax 340 features the best the Austrian engine maker had to offer including a magnesium case, titanium rods, and short stroke/big bore dimensions, designed for high RPM. While there could be another 1973 factory racer out there from the likes of a few local Quebec racers such as Lucien Lamoreaux and Gaston Ferland, who would get the good stuff from the race shop, as of now this is the only 1973 SkiDoo factory team sled known to exist. It is currently on display at the Snowmobile Hall Of Fame in St. Germain, Wisconsin.

To learn more about the Snowmobile Hall of Fame visit www.snowmobilehalloffame.com

FRESH BURN 2012 YAMAHA RS VECTOR

{

}

LIKE A WARM MAN-HUG, BE PREPARED TO LEAVE YOUR FOREGONE CONCLUSIONS AT THE DOOR

TRICK OR TREAT he Vector buggy has been given a bad rap. In fact, maybe most of the Yamaha line-up has been thrown under the bus for being old school, heavy, dated, or just plain vanilla. But after having an eye opening experience last winter, during the OSM ThrowDown, (See December issue – Ed.) we’ve been more receptive to approaching the Yamaha fleet with a warm man-hug and in the process, have left our foregone conclusions at the door.

The 2012 RS Vector does little wrong.

Just as it did for the Apex, power steering has transformed the Vector from good to great. Who would have ever

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believed that adding more weight to a Yamaha would be such a good thing?

The overburdened effort, and dart and twitch steering are nearly all but gone.

Instead, you’ll find near perfect response. From tight trails to open sweepers, bar effort is butter smooth and more importantly, vehicle reaction is very predictable and precise. Stock carbide is only a meager 3-inches, and performs “ok“ at best for about 250miles, at which time it becomes a dull bump of its former self. We swapped to 6-inch varieties, which further refines the response, but does so with little to no increase in effort or twitch.

Big, bold, and beautiful… after several night burns this season, the Yamaha gauge has won our hearts.

The soft sprung Mono Shock II CK suspension and deep foam seat combine for a comfort-laden ride, and the vehicle tackles trail chop with confidence. But remember, this is not a big bump sled not now, not ever. If your ego requires you to ride at over your head speeds though huge craters on a regular basis…keep walking. The Vector is a trail sled, plain and simple.

After coming off the Apex last winter, the 3-cyclinder Vector mill felt sluggish, especially during early break-in miles. But as we have continued to roll odometer digits, the motor awoke, gaining a throaty, midrange growl and firm, corner exiting pull.

In addition to gaining power steering, the new buggy lost the tunnel mounted shock adjustment knob. No matter, once you set the HPG clicker, it’s mostly click it and forget it. With four riders taking their turn, each with his or her own diet plan, it appears the Mono Shock skid has broad shoulders, able to accommodate different riders and terrain types with little adjustment.

Ergonomics are still too low for most, complicated by slippery seat material and a fuel tank cover that feels like a championship Halloween pumpkin, stuffed between your knees. ✪

>

RAVES

POWER STEERING IS SIMPLY THAT DAMN GOOD. UPSHIFT, BACKSHIFT, SIDESHIFT, EVEN BULLSHIFT…CLUTCHING IS SUPERB. THROWBACK STANDARD SEAT BUN STORAGE.

>

FLAMES

CHUNK THE PUMPKIN COWLING.

POOR HIGH BEAM SWITCH LOCATION, AND LACK OF USER-FRIENDLY HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT. REVERSE LEVER CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE.

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FRESH BURN

2012 ARCTIC CAT F1100 TURBO 50TH EDITION

{ } THRUST KNUCKLE DISLODGE YOUR TONGUE FROM THE BACK OF YOUR THROAT AND REALIGN YOUR EYEBALLS

he turbo fed, big Cat is a freaking missile. Like a full fisted punch to the throat, the acceleration is instant, shocking, and in some ways numbing. There are plenty of things about the new look kitties to talk about this winter, but after any ride beyond a yard loop aboard the top dog F1100 Turbo, all feedback is immediately boiled down to a few stammering statements of speed and acceleration. Only after you dislodge your tongue from the back of your throat and realign your eyeballs, do you begin to digest and understand the rest of the ProCross package.

Yes it’s fast - stooopid fast! In fact, it feels as if the familiar engine package, previously found in the twin spar chassis is even more beastly in its new confines.

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While we were initially concerned about noise and harshness of the turbo powertrain in the new ProCross after late spring samplings, the production version is vastly refined, with only a shuddered hiss of the waste gate being audible upon chopping the throttle.

Initial settings of the SnoPro suspension are firm, and after our first ride, we softened the black Cat at all corners. Of course, that won’t cure the dense foam, too wide and square edge seat design that only allows you to sit “on” the F-Cat. While appreciative of the upright and rider-neutral seating position, comfort is lacking.

On-trail handling is best described as neutral-numb. The sled doesn’t excessively understeer nor oversteer, yet

Despite the long lever and “radial” pull design taken from Superbike technology, the Cat lacks adequate braking “feel".

it fails to inspire large helpings of assured confidence, especially at speed. While trail conditions have been marginal at this writing, the ProCross in short track trim is at times, unsettled, especially in fore/aft movement. This could be due to the extra weight of the four-stroke turbo package in what is now certainly a lighter chassis, or it may merely require further suspension calibration and development. We opt for the later, especially after experiencing what feels like a harsh moment of rear suspension coupling.

Not surprisingly, traction, when void of aftermarket helpers, is always searching when met with full fisted grabs of throttle.

The 128” x 1.25” Camoplast spends plenty of time polishing the trail as streams of snow are ejected and continue to boil down the trail long after the F-Cat has past.

Suspension calibrations and seat comfort aside, the ProCross chassis represents a dramatic step forward for Cat in terms of refinement, with improved finish and sleek styling cues that finally compliment the beast lurking within. ✪

>

RAVES

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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FRESH BURN

2012 SKI-DOO MXZX E-TEC 600

{

}

THE DOO-X DOES MORE THAN JUST WORK, IT SHINES!

SURGICAL SWAGGER very once in a while, a snowmobile comes along that is so good in all the right places, that it’s hard to find fault. The 2012 MXZX with 600 ETEC power and R-motion suspension is that sled. No matter the trail, terrain, speed, or rider, the Doo-X does more than just work - it shines!

The new rear suspension, with or without tunnel-mounted knobs, is a winner. What makes it truly different from previous versions found under the yellow bomber, is how well it works regardless of conditions, speed, and rider weight.

Whereas with most suspensions,

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adjustments are invariably required at some point, the r-Motion continues to deliver, with little need for fiddle or faddle. That’s not to say we haven’t fondled the running board mounted knobs on our little white and yellow X. Doing so with understood purpose just makes things even better.

No surprises have been found with the 600 E-TEC either. After initial break-in, which, along with sensible throttle use, is also controlled via a pre-programmed “safe-mode” fuel and ignition map, the 600-twin comes alive as it nears the 300-mile mark. Prior to that, you may

Not to be outdone, the HPG Plus R front shocks have some big knobs of their own for rebound adjustments.

experience occasional lazy revs, limited peak rpm, and other oddities. Key take away – don’t go spouting off till your buggy comes alive.

In a tight, twisty trail, nothing can come close to the X. Whether you want to enter the corner high and apex early, or hug the inside line all the way through, or make an unplanned correction at any point in between, the XP chassis in X trim dices trails with surgical precision.

While we won’t call the MXZX the most comfortable sled for relaxed riding, the new taller seat with .75” of additional foam over previous iterations is noticeable. Wind protection is still marginal, especially with the standard window, and we still search for “lock-in” toeholds inside the overly roomy foot-wells.

Admittedly, newcomers to the XP chassis may still feel an occasional front suspension nervous twitch, one that was once more prevalent, but has since been softened through year-over-year refinements. While it may be a shortcoming to some, it’s a subtle vacillation to an otherwise exactness in handling that we’ll gladly accept. ✪

>

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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FRESH BURN

2012 POLARIS 600 SWITCHBACK PRO-R

{

}

LIKE THE COOKIE MONSTER RUNNING LOOSE INSIDE THE KEEBLER ELF COOKIE FACTORY

UNCOMMONLY GOOD hose of you who have followed the ink and paper flow of OSM over the past two seasons will know we haven’t been overly kind to the selfproclaimed “game-changing” Pro-Ride chassis and suspension from Polaris.

While some have called us North Star haters, it’s more accurately a case of high expectations being dashed.

The 2012 Switchback however, has taken several big steps in the right direction in an effort to fill our cavernous high-performance tank. No doubt the stretched stance of the Switchback ProRide suspension delivers a muchimproved ride over its shorter tracked sibling. Whether it’s simply the bridging capabilities of the longer rail, or that geometrically the Pro-Ride skid is more

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capable with longer components, the 136inch version is more compliant and more controlled than previous iterations of the unique, outside the tunnel suspension.

Huge bumps and massive craters continue to be the arena where the ProRide suspension is at the top of its game.

Like the Cookie Monster running loose inside the Keebler Elf cookie factory, such trail anomalies are swallowed up with an unmatched level of hunger and voraciousness. These capabilities get even better when liberal amounts of throttle are applied, and the rear suspension linkage is loaded as you slam into tall sharp edges and deep g-out trenches. If only it performed this admirably in all trail conditions, especially in squared edged, trail chop.

Despite being positioned outside the confines of a traditional tunnel, adjusting the coil over rear shock on the Pro-Ride suspension can be trying at times.

Our favorite 600-mill remains a quick revving ripper, although it at times feels labored by the longer track and uncoupled rail. Proper belt deflection is critical to ensure both crisp up-shift and quick back-shift. We adjusted our secondary twice within the first 300-miles, as both times we noticed sluggish back-shift and lazy up-shift while railing tight trails of northern Wisconsin.

The implementation of the race derived IQ Race IFS, found not only on the 600 Switchback Pro-R, but all Pro-Ride buggies for 2012, brings about the biggest and best improvements we’ve experienced. Steering effort is greatly reduced and equally important, and handling is more precise. While not on par with an MXZ, the push and occasional seesaw jackknife experienced on model year 2011 models is a shadow of its former self.

The wider seat is better, yet still too firm, and storage remains missing in action. Fit and finish is average, and the wow factor of the rear suspension remains too good to ignore. âœŞ

>

RAVES

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PAYING TO PLAY. DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

BY PAT BOURGEOIS HEY, WE KNOW BETTER THAN MOST THAT LIVING THE SNOWMOBILE LIFESTYLE ON A BUDGET ISN’T EASY. BUT THE ADDICTION TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST WINTER SPORT IS SIMPLY TOO POWERFUL TO IGNORE OR OVERCOME, AS ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF TODAY’S LATEST CROP OF OEM IRON. EVERY YEAR, DURING THE PEAK OF THE FALL BUYING FRENZY, WE ARE INUNDATED WITH QUESTIONS AND OPINIONS REGARDING THE COST OF TODAY’S NEW BUGGIES. FROM PRICE SHOPPING TO STICKER SHOCK, WE HEAR IT ALL.

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

Online forums probably bring out the worst fanners of the flame, with posts of price shocked, would-be buyers, willing to drive hundreds of miles to save a few bucks; or armchair product managers and bean counters, making arguments void of fact or experience, attempting to explain what is an exorbitant cost in their mind.

Nearly all of these rants fail to recognize that the cost of ownership goes far beyond the MSRP. With that in mind, the OSM crew began to collect data, and determine the true cost of ownership of a modern snowmobile.

From common replacement parts and accessories, to factory recommended service, to fuel and oil usage, we kept tabs for an entire season, talked to several dealers, and based our final numbers on an average 1,500 miles per season, over a two year period.

Our intent was not to pick a winner or a loser, but rather to illustrate that snowmobile price alone shouldnʼt be viewed in a vacuum. For the sake of consistency and ease of accumulation of data, all numbers are United States based. While Canadian values obviously will vary, we suspect the differences and patterns will mirror those found here.

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240 HP Z1 TURBO PACKAGE DYNO SERVICES DYNO JET TRACK DYNO MACHINE SHOP & WELDING BIG BORE ENGINE KITS CLUTCH BALANCING TRAIL & RACE PORTING CARB BORING & TUNING CYLINDER REPLATING & EXCHANGE PROGRAM GRASS & ASPHALT & ICE DRAG SET UPS HUGE SELECTION OF ENGINES, PARTS, TUNING COMPONENTS, USED PARTS & USED SLEDS

PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

MODEL/MSRP The models selected were what we deemed to be middle of the pack of the most popular category of trail sleds for 2012 – the 800s. While it’s impossible to find four sleds that are virtually equal in components and features, we feel that these four are closely matched in terms of power, shock and suspension components, and features such as electric start.

Obviously, each sled could be purchased for slightly less or in some cases, more than the manufacturer’s recommended retail price, but using the MSRP as our baseline is the most fair and consistent method for this exercise. In this

trio, the Apex is starting out at a clear disadvantage to the tune of $2,000-plus, versus the others. However, if you plan on keeping the sled for longer than two years, or driving it far greater than 1,500 miles a season, the tables can turn real quick.

MODEL

2012 Yamaha Apex

2012 Polaris 800 Rush ES

2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 800 ES

2012 Arctic Cat F800 LXR

MSRP

$13,999.00

$11,399.00

$11,899.00

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

REPLACEMENT PARTS & ACCESSORIES

In talking with other riders and dealers, and based upon our own experience, the list of replacement parts or accessories are some of the most common items every snowmobiler will have on their new sled wish list. While some go-fast ego jockeys may opt to stick with the low “showroom” windshield, in our neck of the woods where temps dip well below 0-degrees Fahrenheit on a daily basis, tall windshields are a necessity. Some may also argue that a four-stroke or the Rotax E-Tec may never need plugs; however, we still listed them for the sake of consistency. Note - both the Yamaha and Arctic Cat require four plugs versus two.

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

MODEL

2012 Yamaha Apex

2012 Polaris 800 Rush ES

2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 800 ES

2012 Arctic Cat F800 LXR

Replacement Parts Wear Bars (pair) Drive Belt Tall Windshield Hyfax (pair) Spark Plugs* Part Totals:

$37.98 $66.99 $109.99 $121.98 $21.86 $358.80

$119.98 $178.49 $99.99 $47.98 $6.98 $453.42

$51.00 $114.99 $102.49 $36.40 $6.98 $311.86

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

recommendations as outlined in the owner’s manual for each vehicle.

In instances where the recommended service coincided with summer storage preparation, (remember our numbers are based on two season’s of ownership, with

RECOMMENDED SERVICE

1,500 miles ridden each season) the greater level of service was recorded. Once again, these numbers can vary, based upon dealership and recommendations from your individual dealer, but these are the factory recommendations.

Stay at home wrench spinners may argue over this collection of bills, but again, we attempted to find methods that would result in the most consistent numbers possible. All service was determined with the understanding that each snowmobile would be taken to an authorized service center/dealership for each particular brand. Using standard shop rates found in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, (rates will vary by region) and the manufacture’s retail price for any required parts; we followed each manufacturer’s service and inspection

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

MODEL

2012 Yamaha Apex

2012 Polaris 800 Rush ES

2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 800 ES

2012 Arctic Cat F800 LXR

Recommended Service Initial Inspection 500 Mile Inspection 1000 Mile Inspection 2,000 Mile Inspection 2,500 Mile Inspection 3,000 Mile Inspection 3,700 Mile/Two Year Recom. Summerization Service Totals:

$0.00 $154.97 $0.00 $0.00 $252.87 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $407.84

$44.50 $118.50 $118.50 $207.35 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $124.07 $612.92

$0.00 $95.00 $0.00 $290.00 $0.00 $0.00 $467.50 $0.00 $852.50

$0.00 $123.00 $0.00 $196.29 $0.00 $196.29 $0.00 $123.00 $638.58

FUEL AND OIL COSTS Before you flood our mailbox with your personal experience of 30-miles-to-thegallon, while running wide open on some frozen lake in Ontario cabin country, hear us out. We arrived at our numbers using

the data collected during our inaugural OSM ThrowDown (See OSM December Issue – Ed.). During that weeklong test, we recorded every drop of fuel and oil used, (two-strokes of course) and then used those findings to determine 3,000mile results. Yes we ran the sleds hard; very hard in fact during the ThrowDown, and you most definitely could garner better results by being less liberal with the throttle. However, all four sleds were

MODEL

2012 Yamaha Apex

Fuel Costs** Oil Costs***

$752.32 $0.00

2012 Polaris 800 Rush ES $1,046.12 $224.95

driven as a group during the test, on the same trails, same conditions, with a rotating cast of drivers. Therefore, we feel fairly confident in the data acquired in regards to consistency and accuracy for the conditions.

As for the four-stroke Yamaha, oil cost is included in both the 500-mile and 2,500-mile service intervals, where an oil change with filter is included.

2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 800 ES $835.44 $346.42

2012 Arctic Cat F800 LXR $804.44 $365.42

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PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

WHAT IS THE PRICE?

To really appreciate the data, we encourage you digest the numbers, deeper than face value. Ask yourself these questions and more - How many miles do you believe you’ll ride each season? How long will you keep the sled? What are the shop rates at your dealer and do they offer service packages as part of a new sled purchase? In addition, the reliability track record of a particular sled or brand should also play an important role in determining your cost of ownership. With a limited number of weeks to enjoy our beloved sport, unplanned down time or trips to your dealership can in many ways, make or break your winter season. Finally, look at the used market for various models and brands to help you determine resale value. If you pay $1,000 more for a particular sled when new, but can recoup that money when sold, it needs to be part of the equation.

Happy number crunching!

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©2011 Millennium Technologies LLC. All rights reserved. MT0027A(08/2011)

PAYING TO PLAY • DETERMINING THE TRUE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP

MODEL

2012 Yamaha Apex $13,999.00

2012 Polaris 800 Rush ES $11,399.00

2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 800 ES $11,899.00

2012 Arctic Cat F800 LXR $11,899.00

MSRP Replacement Parts Wear Bars (pair) Drive Belt Tall Windshield Hyfax (pair) Spark Plugs* Part Totals: Recommended Service Initial Inspection 500 Mile Inspection 1000 Mile Inspection 2,000 Mile Inspection 2,500 Mile Inspection 3,000 Mile Inspection 3,700 Mile/Two Year Recom. Summerization Service Totals: Sub-Total Fuel Costs** Oil Costs***

$37.98 $66.99 $109.99 $121.98 $21.86 $358.80

$119.98 $178.49 $99.99 $47.98 $6.98 $453.42

$51.00 $114.99 $102.49 $36.40 $6.98 $311.86

$63.90 $89.95 $114.95 $34.58 $15.96 $319.34

$0.00 $154.97 $0.00 $0.00 $252.87 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $407.84 $14,765.64 $752.32 $0.00

$44.50 $118.50 $118.50 $207.35 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $124.07 $612.92 $12,465.34 $1,046.12 $224.95

$0.00 $95.00 $0.00 $290.00 $0.00 $0.00 $467.50 $0.00 $852.50 $13,063.36 $835.44 $346.42

$0.00 $123.00 $0.00 $196.29 $0.00 $196.29 $0.00 $123.00 $638.58 $12,856.92 $804.44 $365.42

Total Costs

$15,517.96

$13,736.41

$14,245.22

$14,026.78

PRESENT YOUR PPSC MEMBERSHIP AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT

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TOOL EQUIPPED. SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS

BY TIM ERICKSON

GO-FAST BITS AND FANCY RACE TRIM ATTRACT BUYERS. ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

In

the previous edition yours truly said the 2011 Ski-doo MXZ X-RS was a machine for

wannabe

tools.

Upon

close

examination, it’s easy to understand why the Ricky Bobby of trails near you would be compelled to fork over $13,249 U.S./$14,999 Can. (800 E-TEC) for the highest performing, most track-suited sled, currently available. The 2012 version of the XRS even puts suspension adjuster knobs in your face when huckin’ a superman seat grab. Those types of riders are in the target demographic, as are the guys who gain a few miles per hour with each sticker.

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TOOL EQUIIPPED • SKI-DOO MZ X - XRS But the branding on board the XPS isn’t because a designer was OCD with a vinyl sheet and printer.

The machine is meant to look fresh out of the Valcourt, Quebec race shop because it shares the same go-fast parts as the real deal. It just so happens the stickers on this machine actually mean something.

Let’s review:

KYB The shocks stay busy, damping the travel of the new rMotion rear suspension and for the front Aarms, too. Ski-Doo claims the most rising rate and progressive ratio in the industry. On this beast though, with the competition-spec valve stack, the ride can be harsh and

The rMotion is more than a gimmick – if nothing else, the large, visible knobs convince you to play with the adjustment range and voila – activate your ride tuning smarts!

Close-up to the shocks: KYB piggyback shocks control the damping in all four locations. Each has easy adjustment to customize your ride, but aggressive valving for race track duty mean that “cushy” is elusive.

• Billet Wheels

• Offset & re-location axles

• Billet Wheels with replaceable rubber

• Big Wheel kits

• Snowflap savers • Billet pull cord handles & choke levers • Gas Caps • Custom Riser’s

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• Billet grills & Snowflap plates

unforgiving unless you attack the harshest terrain with as much speed and force as possible. The big adjuster knobs for the rear come into play for dialing in the level of spring pre-load and rear shock compression damping. Like the 2011 model, we spent considerably more time with testing during our inaugural ThrowDown (see December OSM). The XRS needs to be driven at race pace to harness the full potential of the chassis.

XPS It’s the official factory oil of Team Ski-Doo, and it’s also uniquely formulated oil for all ETEC engines. The war nings are in the owner’s manual, and we’ve also heard from third-party oil manufacturers that E-TEC engines aren’t lubricated as well, using other oils, which will impact engine durability. Guess its time to pony up at your Doo dealer for the good stuff.

ROTAX In either 600 or 800 displacements, each is the gold class standard for blending peak power; rapid response; lightweight packaging; EPA compliance; and mileage.

613-489-5297

Handguard

Flare - Easily mounts to most handguards - Provides extra protection from: . wind . snow . branches

Only O nl y $45.00 $45.0 00 / pr Available from your local dealer or favorite catalog retailer.

jawsperformance.com

Pipes Silencers

Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

- Quick velcro install

STAY CONNECTED

- Requires existing rigid mount handguards

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twitter.com/osmmag ATV

MOTO

SNOW

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TOOL EQUIIPPED • SKI-DOO MZ X - XRS

NSK Bearings have a simple job to keep thing moving, but NSK boasts that its units are more durable and reduce the equipment failures. Race teams hate using products that don’t last in the heat of competition, and NSK is the official bearing of Warnert Racing. Form your own opinion.

BREMBO Brembo is the source of stopping power, and motorheads the world over know what stops the top performing supercars: Brembo. On the XRS, there is adequate stopping power with terrific ease, but we’re not unified in the belief that Ski-Doo leads the industry in braking feel, despite input via steel braided line.

CAMOPLAST While there is nothing new about a Camoplast track, propelling sleds to breakneck speeds, there is a new choice available on the XRS. You can find a 2012 Ski-Doo XRS equipped with either the 1.25-inch lug RipSaw, or the Ice Ripper XT track of same lug height with embedded studs. No more scrapped knuckles.

MODULAR MOD DULAR LAR HELMETS H HELMET ET TS IGNITION SNOWMOBILE HELMET MODULAR FLIP DOUBLE LENS MODEL

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TOOL EQUIIPPED • SKI-DOO MZ X - XRS The sum of the parts as noted by decal, as well as the other track-ready goodies like the taller and more forward bars with an over-engine post to quicken steering, etc – is that this is a top performance machine, aimed at the top performance riders. If you’re not an expert rider who can harness what this machine is capable of delivering, stick to the TNT or X, and have a wider range of supple comfort at the tip of the fancy suspension dials.

So, do the decals really add a few miles per hour on this sled? In all honesty, if the rider is one who appreciates the raceready extras, and can truly utilize their capabilities, it’s likely he’ll school you on an Elan too. ✪

The most trusted name in Snowmobile Pistons

Canadian Distributor

204-857-8960 www.sunandsnow.org ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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SHOOTER SHOWCASE

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SUNNY SIDE UP

Whether you love him or hate him, no one can underestimate Levi’s importance to our sport. He has attracted major sponsors to both the racing and freestyle scene, has been featured on countless prominent television shows including most recently the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and in general has been back flipping the sport into the limelight.

Photographer: Steve Hamilton

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SHOOTER SHOWCASE

WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE…

OSM staff shooter Todd Williams left his New York studio gig a few winter’s back and became a traveling gypsy photographer in the west, honing both his cold weather shooting skills and his riding skills. Already a brilliant photographer, T-Willy has also become an accomplished rider, which allows him to follow rippers into areas where other shooters simply can't tread, like Tim Hoff shown here, and in the process capture shots equally elusive.

Photographer: Todd Williams

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MENTAL FRAME

There are so many moments during a snowmobile ride that simply can’t be captured by still photography or video. Yet on a few rare occasions, the best shooters freeze those fleeting moments of snow and light that keeps us coming back for more.

Here Williams paints professional hill climber Jay Mentaberry against an angry orb of winter sunlight.

Photographer: Todd Williams

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SHOOTER SHOWCASE

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SNOW TRON

Capturing race images during night races has become much easier, thanks to new camera technology. Despite the technological improvements, photographer Brett Moist adds drama to Joliet, Illinois racer Ian Buchan with some flash and shutter trickery during this Great Northern Snocross Series race last season.

Photographer: Brett Moist

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SHOOTER SHOWCASE

JAW DROPPER

Marv Jorgenson, owner of a well-known dealership in the Minneapolis area, is a man who has thirst for speed. Holder of multiple world speed records, Jaws is perhaps one of Marv’s most well known creations. This 1982 “unlimited snowmobile” posted a best speed of 172mph in 1000-feet and is powered by a 2.5 liter Mercury outboard that produces 500-horsepower and more than 500-pounds of torque. When this photo was taken during a warm January day, photographer Brian Balsaitis recalls Marv was merely shaking the dust of the beast, which had not been run in nearly 15-years. Choosing to ride responsibly, the sled “idled” down the track at a mere 130mph. Afterwards Marv retired to the trailer where he hung out like everyone else, smiling and sharing stories with friends while enjoying the day.

Photographer: Brian Balsaitis 82

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LENGTH MATTERS

On Snow Magazine's regular columnist Paul Thacker made his mark on the snow-mo-world when he became the first person to jump a snowmobile in excess of 300 feet. While Thacker had attempted the feat previously, it was on a central Minnesota drag strip in late March of 2009 when Thacker finally broke the barrier and shooter Brian B. captured the leap.

Photographer: Brian Balsaitis

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SEA OF DREAMS

For every racer who has been both fortunate and skilled enough to win the legendary I-500 cross-country race, hundreds more try. Most will leave with dashed hopes but lifelong memories from what many consider to be one of the most significant races in the history of our sport.

Photographer: Jim Urquhart

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A LEG UP

A picture is often filled with stories that go far beyond what the eye can see. Along with the swirl of exhaust heat and reward mounted GoPro camera, we can’t help but look at this photo of Mike Schultz and smile. After a devastating snocross accident that would have sidelined most humans, Mike turned the tables on that fateful day, and quickly became an inspiration to many. Within a year he returned to racing, and in the process Schultz designed and developed the BioDapt performance prosthetic leg seen here.

Photographer: Gary Walton

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NO RESPECT

Dan Ebert has quite likely spent more time than just about anyone developing the new Arctic Cat Pro Cross race sled. Unfortunately, such dedication doesn't earn him any additional respect from his fellow competitors in the first turn melee of snocross competition.

Photographer: Gary Walton

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SUMMER LOVIN'

Even under the scorching heat of mid-July sun, snowmobilers will always find a way to enjoy their passion. The World Championship Snowmobile Watercross found in Grantsburg, Wisconsin has been a summer tradition for 35 years, and continues to amaze the uninformed of the capabilities of our favorite vehicle.

Photographer: Pat Bourgeois

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'YAM'ERICAN PICKERS

Sworn to secrecy, OSM Editor Pat Bourgeois is always on the lookout for vintage collections, rare race sleds, and oddities from the glory days of snowmobiling. This particular stash of mostly Yamaha sleds was found quietly collecting a light coating of summer dust inside a humble looking pole shed in a location he would only describe as “somewhere in the Midwest” during one of Bourgeois’ many vintage “hunts”.

Photographer: Pat Bourgeois

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EMBRACE

Snowmobilers openly embrace winter, whether from the saddle or standing trackside. This image was captured just moments before the start of the pro snocross final on the hillside of the now famous Duluth National season opener snocross race in Duluth, Minnesota.

Photographer: Pat Bourgeois

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SNAKE DANCE

Cross-country racing is making a return to prominence, and this past January marked the return of the classic lake race format for the first time in over 10-years. The USCC opener returned to the somewhat desolate but historic Pine Lake located in north central Minnesota and our resident race addict Jim Urquhart was there snapping pics and soaking in the high speeds.

Racers like DJ Ekre (Cat) and Ryan Faust (Polaris) carved up the long and twisting track.

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s ’ r e y u b guide

ON S A SE IN-

LIC SNOW GOGGLE Snow has fallen, you have your new suit, the trailers loaded and itʼs time to ride. Why haul around a camera in your pocket when it could possibly break, dropped in the snow, freeze, or our favourite, fly off the back of your sled when you pull away at the trail crossing. Why risk it when you can have a pair of goggles that have a camera in them. These goggles feature a 136 degree wide angle lens, a hands free 5.0 MP camera mode and a video mode that records HD 720P at a rate up to 30 frames per second with audio to capture all the action. The LIC Goggles even come with a 4GB Micro SD card so you can record over 1000 photos and/or hours of video. With all those bells and whistles, LIC did not forget about the goggle part. It is a summit series goggle and comes complete with a duel vented lens treated with anti-fog and Iridium coating for accurate Light Transmission. www.dlperform.com

STRAIGHTLINE PERFORMANCE E-TEC SINGLE PIPE Looking to pick up more of the “ponies” on your Ski-Doo 800? The release of the 800 E-TEC single pipe from Straightline Performance is a winner! The power improvements are as impressive as you would expect from Straighline Performance.

With a 5hp increase and 3lbs of torque – you can be sure you will notice this mod.

This Single Pipe requires no fuel programming and is a direct bolt on. Straightline does recommend an adjustable pin kit to be able to ad clutch weight over stock.

The first time you hit the throttle after adding this pipe is truly a BRAAAP moment.

Offered exclusively from Straightline Performance. www.straightlineperformance.com

MOTORFIST REDLINE JACKET AND BIBS Want to own a jacket that was named after the point that youʼre motor reaches the maximum output level? Well the Redline Jacket and Bib are for you!

MotorFist took into consideration extreme cold and high speeds when designing this product line and included features like; Toray Dermizax Fabric 2 Layer Construction with insulated and moisture wicking Liner, Fully Taped Waterproof Seams Throughout, 2-Way Zippers on Mesh Lined Armpit Vents, Powder Skirt, Fleece Lined Neck, Lay Flat Wrist Closures and Powder Cuffs With Thumbholes.

The Bib also includes features like; Full Length 2Way Leg Zippers, 2 Hand Pockets and 1 Quick Access Thigh Pocket, Heavyweight Fleece Lined Seat, Articulated Seat and Knees with Removable Kneepads and Gusseted Crotch. www.motorfist.com 100

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IN-SEASON BUYER'S GUIDE • STUFF YA NEED WHEN THE RIDE IS ON

HARTMAN BOLT-IN SKID SUSPENSION FOR YAMAHA

IfI f you have too be somewhere Monday Moonday morning, maybee you thinkin g about should be thinking

What better way to take the season to a new level than replacing your Skid Suspension. Yamaha owners look no further than Hartman. The new complete Lightweight Bolt-in Skid Suspension is designed with a 17 degree approach that help stops the trenching. Also installed are Walker Evans Nitrogen Air Shocks with adjustable air chamber for your riding style. The light weight components are standard equipment, and weighs between 43lbs for a 144” and 47lbs for a 174”. Hartman also offers them for Arctic Cat, Polaris, and Ski-Doo. www.hartmaninc.com

KIMPEX/96 STUDS PACKAGE DEAL Does it seem like the cracks in your track are getting bigger? Hoping every time you squeeze the throttle, that this will not be the day when you blow a track. Dreading dealing with drilling 96 holes to re-stud it? Why not buy the prepunched track, which includes 96 Traction Monster Carbide Studs, Nuts and Washers. All you need to do is install them. No pattern to worry about and no drilling, and just like making your meal a combo, a package deal is always less money. Get the new track and make studding easier, visit www.royaldistributing.com

FXR TRANSPORTER X GEAR BAG When youʼre about to leave for your mid-season trip to some far away land, there is nothing easier than making sure all your gear makes it there in one piece. We recommend you make it easier on yourself and pick up a new FXR Transporter X Gear Bag. Made out of an 840D Dobby shell and coming equipped with a full telescopic handle and a set of wheels this large 37”x14”x14 bag makes it easy to lug your gear around no matter where youʼre going. Itʼs available in two colours including; White Hazard and Char Hazard. Not only will you get all your belongings to the start of the trail, but youʼll look way cooler than your buddy using his old hockey bag from his “prime” season! Check out www.fxrracing.com to see all the great gear bags FXR offers. Available at a Royal Distribuing location near you.

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s ’ r e y u b guide

ON S A SE IN-

MOTORFIST EMPRESS JACKET AND BIBS Ladies are you feeling a little dated on the trails now that the season has started? The all-new Empress line from MotorFist represents the finest in womenʼs snowmobile outerwear. Full of warm features and a thoughtfully slim looking design, Empress riding apparel is just the right fit for the “queen” of the snow. Using the finest waterproof and breathable technical fabrics the Empress Jacket features include; Toray Dermizax Fabric 2 Layer Construction, Uninsulated Shell Jacket with Removable Insulated Softshell Liner, Waterproof, Windproof, and Breathable materials. It is constructed using 6 ounce Insulation in Body and 4 ounce Insulation in Sleeves and also includes Durable Reinforcement Panels on Shoulders and Elbows, with Fully Taped Waterproof Seams Throughout. The best part; the Snowflake designed details are reflective… Itʼs the little things. www.motorfist.com

TRICKED TOYS CUSTOM BILLET GAS CAP

BOSS NOSS If we need to explain the benefits of adding NOSS to your snowmobile this season, then move ahead to the next product in our buyers guide. BOSS NOSS is the Worldʼs only 100% regulated Nitrous Oxide Injection system.

BOSS NOSS offers a system that has the only pressure regulator in the world that works every time, any time, and all the time. They have designed SAFE Nitrous for any Snowmobile, ATV, or Motorcycle out there. For more Information, or to see the BOSS NOSS components and the technology visit their website at www.BOSSNOSS.com

Are you the sledder that likes to be the first to have all the new accessories for your ride?

Let us ask; do you have a custom billet gas cap? If answered Yes – move on to next item. If answered No – then you should continue reading. Unlike a lot of the gas caps out there, the thread on Tricked Toys caps are a 100% match to the factory thread on your machine. We heard that Tricked Toys actually built a custom thread mill so they could match the factory thread. Available in 2 styles and several colour power coat options, this simple add-on will finish out your sled just right. Come on, itʼs a custom billet gas cap, do we need say more? www.tricked-toys.com

Divas SnowGear is Proud to announce our latest partnership with Martin Motor sports! The full line is now available in Canada www.martinmotorsports.ca

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IN-SEASON BUYER'S GUIDE • STUFF YA NEED WHEN THE RIDE IS ON

POWERMADD EASYOUT What a great product to keep with you for when you or your buddy happens to drop it into the powder. Do what sledders do, and assist them out… and then tell your other buddies about it. The EasyOut from PowerMadd has a custom designed ʻcomfortableʼ rubber handle and custom tooled oversized vinyl coated ʻSʼ hook designed to fit any snowmobile ski handle. Place the ʻSʼ hook on the ski with the hook opening facing upward, keep strap taught and stand off to the side at a slight angle. Pull on the strap handle at the same time have the driver slowly accelerates, and snowmobile eases out of the troubled situation. Be a hero, and make him buy you lunch. www.powermadd.com

HEAVY DUTY DELUXE COVER Are you still using that old, ripped, mildew stink cover this season? It might be time to invest on your sled. The 600D polyester deluxe cover from Royal Distributing covers the entire snowmobile from skis to seatback. It has a Polyester felt windshield and hood area with an expandable lycra adjustment system that that will fit to all sizes. Most importantly it is approved for trailering. Please donʼt be the guy trailing your sled with a half inch of road salt on the hood. Available at www.royaldistributing.com

BUY AFTERMARKET AND SAVE 50% OVER OEM PARTS YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR AFTERMARKET ELECTRONICS STATOR REPAIR IN 24 HOURS! 1000S OF NEW PARTS FOR YOUR SNOWMOBILE, ATV, MOTORCYCLE OR PWC UNEQUALLED TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL OUR PARTS DEALER PROGRAM AVAILABLE ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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Reader Spotlight

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS As a retired service member of 24 years I know the need for our troops. Some think that we are all about War but this is far from the truth. I myself served 4 years in Germany and had 3 rotations in Bosnia. In Bosnia we ensured the peace remained, as well we supported orphanages, rebuilt schools and helped families in need. Much the same is being done in Afghanistan today.

I put together a sled to show support for our troops. To thank them for their hard work sacrifice they have to endure over the years. My son will eventually take his turn over seas so I know what it is like to be deployed and how the families of those deployed now feel.

Thank You Gerald

STAY CONNECTED facebook.com/onsnowmagazine twitter.com/osmmag

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THE GOLDEN YEARS MEMOIRS OF AN ADDICT: CHAPTER “16”

By Ed Long

'71 SKI-DOO ELAN

In

the spring of 1971, the soon to be Wife (first) agreed to try snowmobiling on her own, as a driver and not as a passenger. We had been dating/engaged for a while, and she had ridden on the back of my sleds. I visited the local Ski-Doo dealer at the south end of Streetsville, and instantly fell in love with the little yellow Elan.

A few days later I went to pick up the Elan and immediately recognized one of the little tricks that Ski-Doo used to lighten this sled. There were no hand holds on the ski tips. It would have probably taken a bit longer to notice this if I had driven the sled onto a trailer, but when you are loading a sled in a truck by yourself, you need the ski tip loops.

The next weekend we took a trip over to Milton ON., and rode the local farm trails for a few hours. The sled appeared to be the perfect size for the Wife, and everyone was smiling at the end of the day. Between Christmas (1972) and New

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Years, we took the sleds out once again around Milton ON., and rode the local trails. We were riding adjacent to a fence line when we came to a gate that required a 90 degree left turn. The trail was uneven and rough due to drifting snow piling up against the fence line and the sled tipped on its side, throwing the Wife over the high side and awkwardly onto a buried fence post. The sled was sold shortly after the doctor diagnosed her broken wrist. Probably just as well, as we were expecting our first born and fitting into a one piece suit while pregnant was to become an issue.

During the winter of 1973/74 I visited Lisgar Twin Seasons, the Moto Ski dealer between Streetsville and Milton, and was amazed to see our Elan sitting in the trade-in area. I bought the sled, right then and there. If I remember correctly, the new Elan cost around $575.00, and the same Elan a few years later cost me $200.00. Amazingly, the

hood was in good condition and the seat was original and flawless, except for a broken tail light lense. I really enjoyed this sled for a few more years and regret selling it.

Elan is French for enthusiasm, vigour and impetuosity; a perfect name for this little machine!

It is reported that the Elan was born from a study to make a snowmobile for children, similar to the Alouette Mini Brute, only big enough for a small adult as well. Bombardier determined there would be no cost savings using specially made tracks and engines, so they used items out of the parts bins; something the automotive business has been doing for years. It was said to be based on the same classic principals as J. A. Bombardier used when designing the first Ski-Doo; lightness, simplicity and economy. I firmly believe that they leaned heavily on the pre-1970 Baby Boas (Boaski) when designing the Elan, but thatʼs another story for another day.

"Elan is your machine," said Ski-Doo in their 1971 advertising. This was a light and nimble little newcomer that no one could have predicted would have a 25 year build cycle (1971-1996). The bicycle-like handlebars, lack of air intakes on the original hood, and the basic, albeit short skis without grab handles were all designed for lightness and durability.

The Elan was available in 250cc with an electric start option for the children and newcomers who found the Rotax Type 247, single cylinder engine, hard to pull over. The Elan weighed only 246/282 pounds with its steel chassis, fibreglass

THE GOLDEN YEARS MEMOIRS OF AN ADDICT: CHAPTER “16” • 1971 SKI-DOO ELAN hood and 15 inch wide by 114 inch long track. The Elan was designed for drivers under 150 pounds, but were in fact successfully used by trappers and hunters who weighed well in excess of this limit, when loaded down with supplies and equipment. The bogie suspension consisted of three sets of bogies. In some years, the bogies consisted of three trucks with 4 bogies each. In other years, the system consisted of three trucks with two having 4 bogies, and one with 3 bogies. Total production the first year was 34,707 units. One of the reasons the sled had such a long build cycle was the fact that in the later years, it was the only sled that fit up between the skis on northern bush planes.

In 1971, the smallest single cylinder Blizzard (Ski-Dooʼs race series) was based on the all new Elan and not the TNT tunnel and bulkhead. Officially, it was called a Blizzard but soon became known as the “Baby Blizzard.” The sled

had a free-air 246 cc engine producing between 22 and 24 HP, depending on what reports you read.

The 1972 (second year) Elan received skis with loops, while still using the bicycle handlebars and small air intakes on the hood. The early Elan only had three bolts to hold the hood to the hinge, and this proved to be a weak point. In later years, this was later changed to five. The only Elan to use a fibreglass hood was the original 1971 offering. All of the later years used a polycarbonate hood that literally self destructed upon any impact in the cold.

The 1971 tunnel and bulkhead were weak in a few areas and as such, the 1972 and subsequent Elans had angle iron extensions in the engine area that ran to the front of the frame. Bombardier added a spot welded thin steel piece of angle inside the tunnel about 24" long at roughly mid length. A 292SS version was produced in 1972 which used the same engine as the TNT, producing 22 hp. This

model was easily identified by the white stripe down the centre of the hood.

The three Elans noted in this article (1971-250, 1971-Blizzard and the 1972SS) are alleged to be the three rarest Elans. We are fortunate to own two of the three and a 1974 SS 294 twin. We enjoy bush whacking with them whenever possible, as they are light and easy to handle in deep snow and thick brush.

INSIDE

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RS LE LERS I OB BI M MO W O W SN SNO R FO OM R F

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NUTRITION AND TRAINING DREW ROBERTSON

RIDE HARDER. RIDE LONGER. ello OSM readers! Thanks to all of you that have emailed me with your various questions about nutrition, supplements and conditioning.

Hopefully, I have been able to point you in the right direction and answer your questions. I’m going to break this article into two sections; one for Trail/Mountain riders and one for snowcross/cross country racers.

First on the block is the Trail /Mountain riders out there, and what I want to do is help you get more out of your days on the sled by preparing the body, prior to heading out. Last year I took a couple of local riders and developed a mini-schedule for them, (seen below) and they all said that as a result of sticking to the schedule, they were able to ride longer, ride harder and were able to get up the next day and do it all over again…BINGO! That’s the result we all want right?

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SCHEDULE: TRAIL/MOUNTAIN SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

Riding

AM: Dynamic warm-up

AM: Dynamic warm-up

AM: Dynamic warm-up

AM: Dynamic warm-up

AM: Dynamic warm-up

Riding

PM: Walk / light jog

PM: YOGA

PM: Workout

PM: YOGA

PM: Load up and head down the road to ride!!

(see examples)

Some of you might look at this and say that it’s a large time commitment. In reality, the dynamic warm-up each morning took about 25-30 min; the walk / jog on Monday night was 30 min; the two YOGA sessions were done using DVDs or YouTube, and they were 30 min long, and the workout on Wednesday was about 20-30 min. So for an hour commitment each day, you can enjoy the sport we all love, to the fullest extent!

Workouts: Push-up x 15 Air squats x 20 Front bridge hold – 30 s Complete 10 rounds Rest as little as you can

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AM: Workout Cardio

AM: Dynamic Warm-up Workout: Deficiencies

AM: Dynamic Warm-up Workout: Circuit

AM: Dynamic Warm-up Workout: Speed

AM: Dynamic Warm-up

RACE DAY AM: Dynamic warm-up

PM: Riding Cardio

PM: Riding Cardio

PM: Riding Cardio

YOGA

Stretch / SMR

POST: Light cardio

PM: Massage / ART

PM: Movement patterns are looked at and corrected

POST: Light cardio

Stretch / SMR

This is just an example of a schedule for one of my riders. Depending on how active you have been in getting ready for the season, and where you are in your training cycles, your schedule will look a little different. However, all of my athletes like the schedule because they know when and what they have to do, with no guess work, no stress.

Take some time and come up with your own schedule, and if you need some help, make sure to contact me.

As always, Ladies and Gentlemen; if you have any questions about training, nutrition, or supplements, please let me know. I have heard from quite a few of you, so keep the emails coming. Find the time to take care of yourself and you’ll enjoy riding that much more!!

“I’ll show you how great I am.” M. Ali.

Drew Robertson Email: drew@evolvednutrition.com

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These are just two sample workouts. If you’re interested, please send me an email and I will send you a couple of more.

Now we work on the snowcross/cross country group of readers. First, I love scheduling; I think it is one of the most important and often overlooked factors in an athlete’s program. Have a look at the schedule I have created for a couple of my snowcross guys.

(45 -60 min)

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Message from the NBFSC and the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations Message de La Fédération des Clubs de Motoneige du Nouveau-Brunswick et le Conseil canadien des organismes de la motoneige Call for volunteers Snow has been reported all across the country early this year - are you ready? Snowmobile clubs have put out a call for volunteers to assist with the many jobs, from administration to trail work - many hands are required to make the trails magically appear again this year. If you have a few hours or can donate your time or specialized talents - all are welcome to enjoy in the camaraderie and time spent in the great outdoors with old friends or even make some new ones.

Smart Choice and Be Prepared Early riding fever needs to be balanced with understanding of thin ice and borderline snow conditions.

Remember that many hazards lurk just under the snow for those 1st rides into even familiar territory. Take extra time and precautions for early season riding. January 15 - 21, 2012 is International Safety Week - partner with your local MADD team to kick this special week off with a personal pledge of making "Smart Choices" by not drinking and riding - help save a life - it may be yours!

Be prepared before you go This message is for all riders - from servicing your sled, to preparing your trailer and tow vehicle, to wearing the right gear, to taking avalanche awareness and training, to planning trips and leaving an itinerary with family and friends. Such a simple message when tied to making "Smart Choices". Returning home safely after each trip is a personal responsibility that everyone needs to discuss with family, friends and fellow riders - together the message is better understood and accepted by all.

Community Awareness Now is the time to meet with your elected officials to make them aware of the economic impact that snowmobile trails have on your community. Ask for their support - from the municipality or local council members - bylaws and a snowmobile friendly attitude from local business. From the provincial elected officials - legislation, regulation and enforcement, funding partnerships and a

"How can we be a better partner" approach. From the federal elected officials - funding partnerships and "What leadership can we offer to assist the volunteer efforts to make trails a reality in every jurisdiction that has snow?"

Cost of Admission Recently we had a great discussion of the cost of organized snowmobile trails and the comment was made "Champagne expectations on a lemonade budget".

Now we all love lemonade but understand that the cost is very affordable. The same should be true of membership and rider expectations when the amount of volunteer hours that are so freely given to make snowmobile trails "happen" all across Canada. As signage and grooming increases so do the rider expectations. Not everyone seems to connect the amount of work for such a short seasonto the volunteer workload - from the increased administration, to volunteer recognition, to land owner agreements, to other trail users, to organized groups leveraging action plans for closure of trails, the local volunteer is very busy indeed. Everyone needs to get involved and to hold discussions on deliverables with a 3 to 5 year planning horizon. Together you will make a difference and keep both costs and expectation on a realistic level.

Permits Power Groomers The best donation or fundraiser in most regions in Canada is still the permit/pass or validation tag. If every user paid their fair share then the snowmobile trail system would be the best it can be. Every "user" includes the Federal and Provincial governments - millions of tax dollars are collected annually and a portion needs to be redistributed to the volunteer clubs and organizations that make the trails magically appear. The rider is the 1st piece in the user pay system, then comes enforcement be it peer pressure or with legislation, regulations and court action. Keep the economic impact numbers close at hand and share the details with your politicians.

Permits power groomers and all partners benefit on the backs of the volunteers - let's show them we both appreciate their efforts and are here to help.

Please support the businesses that support the NBFSC

Snowmobiling is New Brunswick’s Winter Tourism…

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www.nbfsc.com À la recherche de bénévoles On rapporte que la neige arrive tôt à travers le pays cette année… êtes-vous prêts ? Les clubs de motoneige sont à la recherche de bénévoles pour aider avec les différentes tâches, de l’administration au travail dans les sentiers – plusieurs « mains à la pâte » sont nécessaires pour que les sentiers puissent apparaître « par magie » une fois de plus cette année. Si vous avez quelques heures, veuillez contribuer du temps ou des talents spécialisés – on souhaite la bienvenue à tous pour profiter de la camaraderie et du temps passé en plein air avec de vieux amis ou même pour en faire de nouveaux.

Choix intelligents et Soyez prêts La fièvre d’aller se promener aussitôt que possible doit être équilibrée avec une bonne compréhension des conditions de la glace mince et de la neige peu profonde. N’oubliez-pas que plusieurs dangers se cachent parfois sous la neige durant les premières randonnées, même en territoire familier. Prenez le temps et les précautions nécessaires lors des randonnées en début de saison. Du 15 au 21 janvier 2012, c’est la Semaine internationale de la sécurité – établissez un partenariat avec votre équipe locale MADD pour lancer cette semaine spéciale avec une promesse personnelle de faire des « Choix intelligents » en restant sobre au volant – aider à sauver une vie – peut-être la vôtre !

Soyez prêts avant de partir – ce message est pour tous les motoneigistes qu’il s’agisse de : faire l’entretien de votre machine ; préparer votre remorque et votre véhicule qui en fait le remorquage ; porter les vêtements appropriés ; suivre de la formation sur la sensibilisation aux avalanches ; planifier vos randonnées et en laisser l’itinéraire avec votre famille et vos amis. Un message si simple lorsqu’il accompagne des « Choix intelligents ». Retourner sain et sauf à la maison après chaque randonnée est une responsabilité personnelle que tout le monde doit discuter avec la famille, les amis et les compagnons motoneigistes – quand on le fait ensemble, le message est mieux compris et accepté par tous et toutes.

Sensibilisation de la communauté C’est un bon temps pour rencontrer vos politiciens élus afin de les informer de l’impact économique positif des sentiers de motoneige pour votre communauté. Demandez leur appui – de la municipalité ou des membres du conseil local – pour obtenir des règlements et une attitude conviviale de la part des entreprises locales. De la part des députés provinciaux – des lois, des règlements et la mise à exécution des lois et règlements, du financement de partenariat et

d’une approche « Comment nous pouvons être un meilleur partenaire ?» Des élus au fédéral – le financement de partenariat, et « Quel leadership peut-on offrir afin de soutenir les efforts des bénévoles pour faire en sorte que les sentiers soient une réalité dans chaque juridiction qui a de la neige ?»

Frais d’admission Récemment, nous avons eu une bonne discussion à propos du coût des sentiers de motoneige organisés et le commentaire suivant fut offert : « Dans attentes champagnes avec un budget limonade ». Nous aimons tous la limonade, mais nous comprenons que son coût est très abordable. La même chose devrait être vraie concernant les attentes des membres et des motoneigistes lorsque l’on considère le nombre d’heures de bénévolat contribuées gratuitement pour faire en sorte que les sentiers de motoneige “se produisent” dans l’ensemble du Canada. À mesure que la signalisation et le surfaçage augmentent, il en est de même pour les attentes des motoneigistes. Ce n’est pas tout le monde qui semble comprendre la relation entre le montant de travail nécessaire par les bénévoles pour une saison si courte – de l’administration accrue, à la reconnaissance des bénévoles, aux ententes avec les propriétaires, à tous les autres usagers des sentiers, aux groupes organisés qui ont des plans d’action pour fermer des sentiers… eh bien, le bénévole local est réellement très occupé, n’est-ce pas ? Tout le monde doit s’impliquer et discuter les « produits livrables » avec un horizon de 3 à 5 ans. C’est ensemble que vous allez faire une différence afin de garder à la fois les coûts et les attentes à un niveau réaliste.

Les permis font rouler les surfaceuses Le meilleur don ou la meilleure levée de fonds dans la plupart des régions du Canada demeure toujours le permis ou la plaquette de validation. Si chaque usager payait sa juste part, alors le réseau de sentiers de motoneige serait le mieux qu’il puisse être. Chaque « usager », cela comprend aussi les gouvernements provincial et fédéral – des millions de dollars fiscaux sont recueillis à chaque année et une portion doit être redistribuée aux clubs de bénévoles et aux organismes qui font que les sentiers apparaissent « par magie ». Le motoneigiste est la base du système dans un système utilisateur-payeur ; ensuite, la mise à exécution, que ce soit la pression par les pairs ou par la loi, les règlements et les décisions judiciaires. Gardez à la portée de la main les chiffres portant sur les impacts économiques et partagez-en les détails avec vos politiciens. Les permis font rouler les surfaceuses et tous les partenaires bénéficient du travail des bénévoles – il faut leur montrer que nous apprécions leurs efforts et que nous sommes là pour aider.

Veuillez supporter les enterprises qui supportent le FCMNB TM

Campbellton

Miramichi

Edmundston Grand Falls

La motoneige est le Tourisme d’hiver du Nouveau-Brunswick…

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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PINK!

A LEGACY IN THE MAKING

13TH ANNUAL KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN

J

ust as this issue of OSM is hitting the newsstands, the Ontario Event Committee will be in full swing, setting up for the 13th Annual Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run, taking place the weekend of Feb 3, 4 & 5, 2012, at the Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. This event has become well recognized throughout the years, and is truly unique with its all-women snowmobiling theme. Not to say the fellas canʼt come out and support us, but the ride is just for the ladies. Although Mother Nature hasnʼt provided us with the early sledding season we have all grown accustomed to, the show must go on and we look forward to raising a ton of money for a great cause.

As our team hammers out the finishing touches on another top-notch event, Iʼd like to take you back in time, and through the journey of the charity and event history. It was Christmas 1996 when Kelly Shires found a lump on her breast. She didnʼt procrastinate; she visited the doctor immediately and they determined right away that she had breast cancer. At the time, Kelly had recently become pregnant and the doctors decided it was necessary to terminate the pregnancy, and then began a series of surgeries and on-going chemotherapy. From the beginning, Kelly experienced first-hand, all of the realities that come along with a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan.

She knew right away that she wanted to

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do something to help others in the same situation, and she immediately found the gap in the system for financial support for those battling breast cancer. This is where the idea for the ʻSnow Run” was born, and thatʼs when Kelly and Suzy Stenoff teamed up and launched the first Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run for fun in January 2000. The concept was to have an all-women snowmobile ride in support of financial assistance for breast cancer patients. It was a ground breaking initiative that flourished quickly. The idea and planning for the first annual event took place in late fall of 1999, and within a few short months, the event was well on its way. Mother Nature really wanted to have some fun with the girls and decided that the end of January was the perfect time to rain....yep, the first event was essentially “rained out.” This did not deter the 55 participants who signed up for the inaugural adventure. The event still took place; however, the ladies rode the route on a bus and at the designated lunch spot, they were treated with live entertainment and fun contests. Even without the snow, everyone who attended had a fantastic time and the first annual event raised $10,000!

The passion and momentum for the charity grew over the years. Kellyʼs cancer was in remission for a short time, but then came back and this time, it also moved into her bones and liver and she never stopped her chemotherapy. She

fought hard and in the last event she rode, (2004) she wasnʼt feeling well, but didnʼt let that get in the way and she was always smiling, no matter what. Not only did she ride in this event, she led one of the teams and at her last Snow Run, she would see it raise over $250,000. A big leap from the $10,000 raised just 5 years earlier. On October 31, 2004, Kelly lost her long, hard battle with breast cancer, but she continues to be an inspiration to us all. Losing Kelly was devastating to everyone around her, but it was also a lesson in determination, strength, and that together we can accomplish anything.

Prior to this yearʼs event and over the past 12 years, this “small” charity, with the avid snowmobilers who participate, and the most amazing sponsors and enthusiastic volunteers, have raised over $2.6 million dollars to help financially assist those battling breast cancer across Canada. The charity exists and is run through the hard work of dedicated volunteers and just one part-time, paid employee who helps manage the applications received for assistance. Part of Kellyʼs dream was to see additional chapters of this charity and event in other provinces.

In 2006 this dream was realized when Isabelle Dusastre, who had participated in a few Muskoka rides and had befriended Kelly, took on the challenge of starting the Quebec chapter. Now in its 7th year, and known as the Randonnee Des Neiges De

KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN

Kelly Shires Contre Du Sein, it hosts its next event on February 11, 2012 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, hometown to longtime charity supporter BRP/Ski-Doo. Adding to Kellyʼs dream of expanding the charity, most recently an ATV Jamboree event was added to the annual list of events in support of the charity (www.trax4bc.com). The 3rd annual TraX4 Breast Cancer event will take place at the Foley Fairgrounds in Parry Sound, April 27 & 28, 2012.

Last year, the Ontario event raised over $440,000; an amazing feat that Kelly knew someday would have been realized.

It is almost impossible to grasp the fact that the dream that one woman battling breast cancer had, is now such a success and helps hundreds (both men and

✪

women) of breast cancer patients across Canada in their fight. So many people do not realize how expensive a diagnosis and treatment can be. It is a common misconception that private or public health care systems will cover all of your costs, and this is not the reality. We all know that stress is not healthy, and that is where the charity can help alleviate the financial stress, so that those who are fighting for their lives can focus on their recovery.

Kellyʼs dream pulled together three amazing concepts. First of all, it raises much needed funds that go directly to those battling breast cancer. Secondly, it raises breast cancer awareness with such a unique event. And last but not least, it gives female sledders an avenue to have their own sledding weekend and a chance to let loose. Although the theme is, “women helping women,” there are ways for everyone to get involved. We have the most amazing male volunteers who work tirelessly in the cold to ensure that we have a fantastic day on the trails. They do everything from helping to park trucks and trailers, load and unload sleds, topping up our fuel at the lunch stop – they treat all the riders with VIP status, and we are so lucky to have their support. Some of them have also come up with some very unique ways

to help raise money for the cause, because they realize breast cancer isnʼt a battle that one fights alone. Helping someone through their journey takes a team of people, from their medical team to their family, friends, and co-workers rallying around them with support – it affects us all.

There are many reasons why someone may want to get involved, or why they would want to come and participate. You may know someone who is now battling, or has battled the disease. You may have lost someone to breast cancer, or maybe you just want to come and participate in an event that is like no other. The journey that this event will take you on is one that will leave you with lasting memories and a feeling like no other. The event is set up in a way that allows you to make it a full weekend event, or just for the day. You can participate in as much or as little as

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KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN

you want. You can choose one of four different teams to ride on, depending on your riding ability and/or comfort level – every level from the extreme, (Hooter Haulers) to the more laid back, (Team Turtle) so you can ride in a group atmosphere, but at your own comfort level.

Upon arrival at the resort, participants are greeted by the amazing grounds crew who will help as much or as little as you want. We realize that some of you are very independent women, and have no problem backing up your truck and trailer and off-loading your sled, but for those who need a hand, these guys are there to assist! Friday afternoon kicks off with the opening of our Registration, where our Registration Team will check you in and get you settled. Feel free to visit the “Pink Market” where you can browse the various vendors and pick up some unique items at a great price. Friday evening consists of a MeetʼnʼGreet where you get to meet your fellow teammates and other riders, have some laughs together and enjoy some good food, hosted by emcee Carey Moran of KICX 106. Thereʼs food, games and fun, not to mention the Decorated Bra Contest.

Saturday morning, riders are treated to a full buffet breakfast before heading out to the staging area. While participants are enjoying breakfast, the grounds crew is ensuring that everything is perfect for opening ceremonies, and this is also when the secret panel is out judging the decorated sled contest. Opening ceremonies is an experience all on its own that is hard to put into words. A moment of silence is observed in honour of those who have lost their battle with the disease, then everyone dances like nobodyʼs watching to the event theme song, “Man, I feel like a woman” by Shania Twain, the theme song chosen by Kelly Shires. Teams then are ready to hit the trails. Teams are cheered on as they leave the staging area and head out on the Muskoka trails. Teams head off on their designated routes, and all meet up at the lunch destination where everyone enjoys a delicious lunch. After lunch, teams head back out on the trails.

When the teams arrive back at the resort they are greeted with coffee, hot

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chocolate and treats donated by RadioWorld and Hidden Valley Resort.

While participants are relaxing and getting ready for the eveningʼs festivities, the volunteers are busy inside, setting up the silent auction and banquet for the evening. The evening is always filled with fun, silent and live auctions, awards and raffles. For those still raring to go, the dance floor is ready for you to dance the night away. The weekend concludes Sunday morning with a buffet breakfast, and full with wonderful memories.

Over the years, the charity has grown and has helped hundreds of breast cancer patients across Canada. Kelly had

that something special about her; an ability to pull people together and to have a great time for a fantastic cause. In honour of all those who we have lost to breast cancer, all of the courageous warriors currently battling the disease, and in memory of Kelly, we are going to continue doing this ʻKelly style,ʼ and that means “Dancing like Nobodyʼs Watching!”

Want to learn more about the event or make a donation, please visit: www.breastcancersnowrun.org For information on the financial assistance program please visit: www.kellyshiresfoundation.org

Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run

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RR #1, 49 Trails End Rd., Corbeil, Ont. P0H 1K0 Phone: (705) 752-2085 • Toll Free-1-877-752-2085 www.cozycampcottages.com Lct 18 miles south-east of North Bay on Lk. Nosbonsing, just off TOP Trail A102D. Modern housekeeping cottages. Fully equipped including microwaves, coffee makers, gas bar-bque's. Rentals by the season, weekly, weekends or mid-week when riding is the Best! Guide Service available. Ice Fishing Packages also available. Snowmobilers serving snowmobilers.

Check us out on the web! Your hosts Brian & Diane.

Hwy 560, General Delivery, Gowganda, ON P0J 1J0 info@gowgandalakecamp.ca (705)624-3446 www.gowgandalakecamp.com Fax(705)624-2166 Our 4 season resort has groomed trails to our door. Located in the center of A107C and the south end of L136 (north shore of Gowganda Lake) or drive directly to us on Hwy 560. We have 5 deluxe cabins, 4 which will hold up to 6 people, and 1 cabin that will hold up to 10 people. All units are fully furnished with 4 pc baths, full kitchens and satellite TV. General store, LCBO, beer store, and fuel are all on site. Meal plans are available with reservation. Accomodation as low as $30 pp/pd.

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Parry Sound (Ardbeg) Loggers Station House

Parry Sound S SEE MAP ATLAS PG. 30 Quality Inn/Golden Griddle Family Rest. + JR Sports Bar

Pembroke ;SEE MAP ATLAS PG. 24 Best Western Pembroke Inn

R.R.#2, Hwy 400, Exit #217, Parry Sound, Ont. P2A 2W8 (705) 378-2461 Resv: 1-800-638-5883 Fax: (705) 378-2137 www.parrysoundqualityinn.com

Hwy. 17 & 41 (1 International Dr.), Pembroke Ont. K8A 6W5

R ESTAURANT, STOR E and GAS 1294 HWY 520 NORTH, ARDBEG R.R.2 DUNCHURCH, ONTARIO, P0A 1G0 705-389-1966 www.loggersstationhouse.com Located on trail C104D in Ardbeg. OFSC trail D102C and club trail 600 are right at our doorway. We offer a fully licensed restaurant serving great food, a convenience store and regular and premium gas. Come ride in one of the most scenic areas in Ontario. We are open 7 days a week during sled season. Please check out our website for hours of operation and our new breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. We Accept VISA/MASTERCARD/INTERAC.

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Your Inn for All Seasons on the SEGUIN TRAIL has attractive & comfortable accommodations. Facilities include INDOOR POOL/SAUNA/ HOT TUB and the GOLDEN GRIDDLE FAMILY RESTAURANT which serves breakfast, lunch & dinner or warm up by the fire in the TJR SPORTSBAR and check out your favorite sports team while ordering from our NEW MENU. NEW SNOWMOBILE PACKAGES AVAILABLE! CALL 1-800-424-6423 TO RESERVE NOW!

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(613) 735-0131 pem5@bestpembroke.com Resv 1-800-567-5475 www.bestpembroke.com “ALL INDOOR RECREATION HOTEL”, right off TOP trails A & B, and RAP Circle. 2 Day suggested Circle Tour to Bancroft available.

Local 1 Day Circle Tour with meals available too. Access to Quebec trails. Indoor pool, spa, saunas, massage, fitness ctr., restaurant, lounge, fireplace lobby. In-room coffee, twin vanities, movies, 32" LCD TVs. Fireplace and pool side rooms available. Special Special Snowmobile Rates from only $68 ppdo with breakfast included.. Next to 24 HR. Gas. Only Pembroke Hotel on Trails.

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NEW BRUNSWICK

NEW BRUNSWICK

Wawa . ONTARIO MAP 11 Wawa Motor Inn

Bathurst Danny’s Inn

Edmundston Quality Inn

Restaurant & Conference Centre

919 Canada Rd., Edmundston, NB E3V 3X2 (506) 735-5525 • 1-866-612-9800 Fax (506) 739-6243 WWW.CHOICEHOTELS.CA/CN529 (case sensitive) • Located directly on Trails #12 & 17.

• Free long term parking for trucks & trailers.

• Fuel, Oil & Repairs nearby.

• Indoor Pool, Sauna & Jacuzzi.

• Enjoy Victoria Restaurant.

Join us at PJ’s Bar & Grille or our Victoria Restaurant. Ask any knowledgeable snowmobiler and they will tell you that the Edmundston area is among the best maintained Trails in Eastern Canada. At Quality Inn, we have snowmobile packages available starting at $47.95 per person (based on double occupancy).

Package consists of one night’s accommodation, hot breakfast for two and trail map. Call now to book your accommodations to "Blaze Throgh the North".

118 Mission Road, Wawa, Ontario P0S1K0 Tel: 705-856-2278 • Fax: 705-856-2171 Toll Free: 800-561-2278 Email: wawamoto@shawbiz.ca Website: www.wawamotorinn.com Your Superior Vacation Experience featuring 50 main building rooms, 20 cozy log rooms and 18 rustic Chalets with fireplaces. All main building rooms are 100% smokefree. Enjoy fine dining in the Fireside Dining Room and Lounge; home of the largest fireplace in the North. Easily accessible to snow trails and ample parking.

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Rte. 134, Bathurst-Beresford, NB E2A 3Z2 1-800-200-1350 Fax (506) 548-3266 info@dannysinn.com www.dannysinn.com On trail #19, "The Inn On The Trails" is centrally located between the City of Bathurst and the Town of Beresford, only minutes from night clubs and shopping. Loading ramp, indoor sled parking, repair bay. Parts & Service nearby and complimentary shuttle service. Deluxe rooms, excellent food, lounge, large games room, trail passes and tour guides.

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2 Lodging 5 Gas 3 LLBO 6 Rentals 1 ATV Friendly 7 Sales 4 Food 8 Repairs

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UR S! YO AR K D AR LEN M A C

SALES AND SERVICE

To advertise your business in this section call: 1-888-661-7469 ONTARIO

BOBCAYGEON UXBRIDGE

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BOWMANVILLE UXBRIDGE

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Archers Small Engines BRINGS NEW LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY TO YOUR ARCTIC CATS

Come be satisfied by the rising starts of POLARIS. York Region's newest, biggest dealer.

19890 Hwy 11, Bradford, ON L3Z 2B6 (905) 775-1717 • Fax (905) 775-0518 ONTARIO

DRAYTON

t#84 • MAP 48

ONTARIO

PETERBOROUGH O OUG

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ATV | MOTOCROSS MOTORCYCLE

925 WOODLAWN RD W CANADA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF 519.822.7081

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SHELBURNE

ONTARIO

Highway 89, Shelburne, Ontario L0N 1S6

WHITBY

NEW!

1737 LASALLE BLVD 900 CHAMPLAIN COURT 905.619.8000 705.566.8111 ONTARIO

8943 Danforth Rd E Coburg, ONT K9A 4J8

We have a large inventory of all types of trailers including snowmobile, ATV, utility, motorcycle, horse, livestock, equipment and dump trailers. Always a large selection of open and enclosed trailers in stock as well as a large selection of parts and accessories. We also provide a full in house service department for repairs and maintenance.

4 RETAIL LOCATIONS! SNOWMOBILE

GUELPH

We service ALL MAKES and ALL MODELS at better rates than dealers. 15 years experience, full machine shop. Your one stop shop for all your Snowmobile, ATV, Motorcycle and Small Engine needs. Whatever it is we can and will fix it!

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705-295-4283

www.gatewaypowersports.ca ONTARIO

WHITBY

• MAP 41

519-925-2089 1-866-925-2089 www.scottreinharttrailers.com MANITOBA

www.mt-llc.com

We have cylinders waiting so you don’t.

Thousands of stock cylinders are on the shelf for exchange.

Durham D Dur ham Region's Regio Re gion's n's #1 Ski-Doo/Sea-Doo, Skii Doo/ Sk oo/Sea Sea Do Doo o Sportboat, Can Am dealer. Full line of Ski-Doo sleds, parts, clothing and accessories.Trail starts at our door.

3 Douglas Road, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1M7 (905) 852-5884 • 1-800-668-SLED uxbridgemotorsports.com UXBRIDGE MINNESOTA, USA GREENBUSH

Full stock of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, CAN-AM ATVs, Sea-Doo watercraft and Triton Trailers.

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5701 Portage Avenue Headingley, MB, Canada R4H1E7 Phone 204-895-1727 • Fax 204-888-2705

SUBSCRIBE TODAY SNOWMOBILE DOLLY DOESN’T YOUR SLED DESERVE THE BEST?

TO NORTH AMERICA’S BEST SNOWMOBILE MAGAZINE VISIT www.osm-mag.com or call 1-888-661-7469

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FLOAT BOWL PAT BOURGEOIS

STORM CHASERS

Itʼs

the winter that never was, or at least thatʼs how it feels when the grassy knoll outside my office window shows little more than dirty, wind whipped pockets of snirt, smattered between blades of dormant grass. The calendar has already started its descent towards the bottom half of January, and the snow and cold in the heart of the snowmobile market (the Midwest of North America) remains on sabbatical.

Donʼt get me wrong, the sport remains very healthy, and there are several pockets from the Pacific to the Atlantic that are enjoying very normal winters. In fact, places like Alaska are overburdened with snow, as depth counts reach up to and beyond 20feet, and homes are literally buried under the snow pack. But here in the Midwest, (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and parts of Ontario and Manitoba) conditions have been anything but normal.

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Where there is snow, such as Michiganʼs Upper Peninsula or the north woods of Wisconsin, snowmobilers have been arriving in droves. Hotels are filled, restaurants are bustling, daisy chains of sleds snake their way through the trails, and groomer operators pull overnight shifts on a daily basis, in an attempt to keep up. The Minneapolis OSM crew has frequented these snowy pockets on several occasions this winter, and will most likely return several more times before our part of the planet tilts back towards the sun and spring arrives.

The lack of “backdoor” riding however, has helped me rekindle one of my most memorable snowmobiling experiences; storm chasing.

The first time I ever experienced such a ride was during the early 1990s. Up until then, I was a spoiled snowmobiler, living in far northern Minnesota and blessed with the opportunity to ride directly from my farmhouse from early December until often times, well past April 1st. Making the move to the Minneapolis area was a shock to my system. Not only was the concrete, traffic, and the notion of having to ʻtrailer-to-rideʼ somewhat foreign to me, the very fact that winter was now shorter and somewhat less predictable, was even harder to swallow.

It was a winter similar to this one, with snow only residing in the “traditional”

locations, and seemingly, the entire snowmobile population visiting and riding those snowy pockets, all at one time. For weeks, the storm track had been diving south, bringing significant snowfall to parts of southern Minnesota and Iowa; areas where riding is not common, and snow cover often melts just days or weeks after it arrives.

The 7-day forecast showed yet another storm taking a similar path, grazing the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and tracking well south. The storm looked to bring snow to central and southern Iowa, an area where snowmobile trail crossing signs were often replaced with beware of wandering Holstein warnings. This time however, my despair was replaced with curiosity. This time, instead of waiting for the storm to come to me, I was going to the storm.

Storm chasing has few rules, and truth be known, you might have to break a few along the way. Whatʼs more, the key to a good ride is to never chase a storm when it goes where you “want” it to, but rather to follow the snow when it falls in places you wish it didnʼt. A good storm chase will have you riding in areas where snowmobiling is not a vibrant part of the economy, trails are not plentiful, and luxuries such as trail maps, signage, and groomers are often nowhere to be found.

Preparedness is also important. Arriving to enjoy the white fruits bore from a misguided storm a week late, is often met with plowed roads, frozen berms, or worse yet; melted hopes.

This time the forecasters got it right, and while disappointed the storm would once again miss the heart of snowmobile riding in Minnesota and Wisconsin, it did leave 10inches plus of snow across south central Iowa. Being Johnny-on-the-spot, we unloaded in a vacated parking lot, outside a small town, and explored the Iowa countryside for the better part of a day. It was a snowmobiling experience unlike any I had before, and it has remained the impetus for several storm chase rides since.

The winter of 2011-2012 may very well be the winter that never was for certain parts of the Snowbelt. Still, the eternal optimist in me continues to watch the weather forecast, looking for the next winter storm and following its path… no matter where it takes me. ✪

JASON

LAST GASP HOULE

Straightline Performance

If speed and performance happened to be genetic attributes, Straightline Performance owner Jason Houle would be classified as doubly blessed with “good-genes”. A past racer who became synonymous with speed at a very early age, Jason became the first 16-year-old to hold a world speed record. Starting in 1997 along with his wife Denise, Houle began to apply his years of go-fast knowledge into his business that bore the perfect name for both his reputation and capabilities. Now considered one of the premiere snowmobile performance shops in the world, we managed to slow Jason down just long enough to grab this photo and get his latest take for our last gasp. To learn more about Straightline Performance we encourage you to visit their website at www.straightlineperformance.com Last snowmobile you owned?

2011 Ski-Doo 800 E-TEC Last snowmobile you crashed?

2009 Ski-Doo XR1200 with nitrous. We were testing a new 3-stage 350-horsepower plus, nitrous set-up. I hit the gas and stage one of the nitrous off the starting line and completely flipped the machine over.

The sled landed directly on the handlebars and console. Needless to say, the top end of the sled did not make it.

Last place you dined out to eat?

The Bears Den in St. Germain, Wisconsin.

Last band you listened to on your iPod? Sad to say, but it would have been 3 Oh 3 and the song, Don’t Trust Me. It was my wife’s iPod… seriously!

Last time you went over 100mph?

Typically every week. You’re not testing the product unless you’re giving it all it’s got.

Last time you were injured?

Unfortunately, it was just after this most recent Haydays event. We were unloading a sled from the back of a pick-up and I was the one in the bed pushing the sled out and as it started to drop the sled bumper hit the edge of the tail gate. While the sled was fine, my big toe, which was sandwiched between the sled’s bumper and tailgate wasn’t. The physical damage was loosing the nail and getting a few stitches, but my pride took it on the chin as my friends kept saying, “Suck it up, it’s only a toe.”

Last person you hugged?

It’s a toss-up between my wife and son.

Last time you got pulled over by the man?

It was late at night in the backcountry with no one around of course. Running with one headlight, I got tagged for doing 88 in a 55. By the time he reached 122

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my door, I already had the license and insurance ready. When he asked how fast I was going I honestly replied somewhere between 80 and 90. He let me off with a warning, and my insurance rates thank him.

Last near death experience?

I’ve had many of the oh sh** moments, but never what I would call a near death one.

Last great idea you had?

It seemed like a good idea at the time to plan a trip to northern Minnesota just 4-days before our second child was born. I figured a one day trip and four to go gave me a 3-day grace period… guess not.

Last television show you watched?

Drinking Made Easy on HD net. Great show on drinks from bars around the world.

Lasting snowmobile memory My son Michael’s first Haydays grass drag race in 2011.

Last thing you sold?

2005 Ski-Doo 800 Rev improved stock race sled.

Sold to a new owner to enjoy for years.

Last time you were inspired?

I’m not sure if it is an inspiring moment, but it is one that has stayed with me for life. My father gave me a line of advice I try and keep close when business always seems to get in the way. “We live life for memories, not money”.

Last thing you read?

Lean Thinking – It’s a new business plan we have been implementing recently at our facility.

Last thing you raced?

I personally have not raced at a sanctioned event for at least 3-4 years. But if you’re asking nonsanctioned, I’m out lake racing as much as possible.

Last time you were embarrassed?

This year’s Straightline Christmas party. My employees gave me a present that included tarp, duct tape, scissors, and bungy cords. They were all for a bed cover on the new truck I just purchased. I assumed it must have been a tough year for them, but moments later the brought out a real one. It’s great to have a team that knows how to have fun.

Last sporting event you attended?

The Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings in Green Bay 2010. With all the tension and drama that year with our quarterback Brett Favre, I had to make the trip. It was a great game to watch as the Vikings beat the Pack. The best part was we were next to a few women who were hardcore Packer fans. I heard every line imaginable as to why I should have been ashamed for wearing Vikings Favre jersey.

Last celebrity you met?

Travis Pastrana at the Indy Show. I ran into him at dinner and he seems like a down to earth guy.

Last project you worked on that you were truly excited about?

Typically I would discuss a new business idea, but since I have not personally raced in years the new Pro Stock 1000 snowmobile is what I get excited about as it nears completion.

Last vacation you were on?

Sandals resort in Jamaica with my wife Denise a year ago.

Last thing you’ll hope you’ll be remembered for?

That I was a true entrepreneur, not just another business owner.

Last words of advice?

Failing is just part of growth. The difference is how you get up and move on.

LEARN MORE AT: TERRAINDOMINATION.COM

SCAN* THE CODE SEE THE PROOF

THE FIRST FIRS ST TR TRULY RULY PROGRESSIVE-RATE PROGRE SUSPENSION. PRO-RIDE™ SUSPENSION • Progressive rate for better comfort and control

RIDER ACTIVE CONTROL • Incredibly light and responsive chassis

NEW RACE-PROVEN IFS • Sharper cornering with reduced steering effort

WALKER EVANS® SHOCKS • Built for tunability and fade-proof performance Rider der pictur pictured t edd is a pprofessional rofessional a on a closedd ccou course. urse PPolaris® oll ris ola iss ® rrecommends is® ecommends nds d th that hat aallll snowm snowmobile oww oobiile l rid ririders i ers e tta er take ake kee a ttraining rrai ainin ning nin i g ccourse. ouur se Doo nott aattempt ou t maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. ©2011 Polaris Industries Inc. *Message and data rates may apply. Walker Evans® is a trademark of Walker Evans Enterprises Corporation.