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MY LINE
There is only one top of the hill, but a thousand ways to get there during the Hillcross Championships on the slopes of Mont Du Lac in Superior, Wisconsin Shooter: Aaron Belford
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FEATURES 26
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HONEY OF THE MONTH 1993 ARCTIC CAT ZR440
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TIME MACHINES 1971 ARCTIC CAT KING KAT
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ONE AND DONE IS THE VIPER S-TX THE EVERY MAN'S SLED?
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TO THE BOARDS
38
WHEN BOARDERS AND SLEDDERS MEET
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FRESH BURN 2015 POLARIS AXYS SWITCHBACK PRO-S
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SHOP HUSTLE SLYDOG HELL HOUND SKIS
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SHOOTER SHOWCASE OSM'S ANNUAL PHOTO EXTRAVAGANZA
100 PEAK SEASON BUYER'S GUIDE
COLUMNS 16
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WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE
108 FLOATBOWL PAT BOURGEOIS
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OSM is published five times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 716, Elk River, MN 55330. Telephone (888) 661-7469. Head office address is PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone 1-888-661-7469. Printed in Canada by LoweMartin Group, Dollco Division. • Copyright 2014 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 $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.
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DRIFTS
PUBLISHER NOTES
RICHARD KEHOE
MY MORNING RIDE
ow that winter is in full swing and the big lake finally tightened up around the 15th of January, it’s made my commute to work that much better. Leaving my house in the early morning on my ride to work, I’ve started to see a few familiar faces around the lake. They’re probably high school kids getting to school, but whoever they are, they don’t seem to mind their commute. I’m guessing that like me, a few of them
are taking in a short ride while on the way. Whatever they’re up to, it’s by far the best way to start the workday. Venturing out around Simcoe, the rides from the office have been amazing. It took some convincing, but a few of the fellas agreed to leave their Muff pots and shepherd’s pie at home. You never know what to expect out there, and we didn’t run into many challenges along the way, other than being a little lean on snow in
Eco cars and E-TEC park close together in the OSM parking lot to give the pick-ups priority parking.
The muffpot wizards make light work of hopping the Indy over a fallen tree.
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one area for a few kilometers, the odd downed tree, and Darren (the muff pot wizard) only moved one small planet (rock) off the trail with his sled. Good thing he didn’t have his muff pot pie cooking, or we’d never hear the end of that hot mess under the hood. On our ride, we weren’t turned around too badly due to the signage being a little “pre-season”, and we made it to where we wanted to be, but in a roundabout way. By luck, we ended up a little further south than we wanted to be, and stumbled onto a true find called the ‘Patti House Smokin’ Barbecue’. We carb’d up for the rest of the afternoon with everything from smoked chicken fajita quesadillas, pulled pork soft tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, to a mammoth burger. Drop by this stop if you’re ever in the Coboconk area. Everything was so good, that I bought a tshirt as a reminder to hit it again! So sit back, relax and enjoy the magazine, I hope you enjoy the Shooter Showcase Special Issue of OSM. Be sure to take it all in, take some photos and submit them to us at info@osmmag.com for our next issue of OSM, or if it’s that good, next year ’s Annual Shooter Showcase.
Feeling like you need a few more calories and carbs before heading back out on the trail? Smoked chicken is waiting for you at the Patti House.
IND US TR Y
NEWS
WINTER X 2015 GLIMMER AND FADE? Another round of ESPN’s Winter X Games was logged into the books this past January, and while the snowmobile portion of the event seemed to have lost some luster due to changes in the format and what appeared to be a lack of hype and interest within the snowmobile community, the event itself continued to grow. More than 115,000 fans took in the action in person at Aspen, Colorado, making it the biggest X Games to date. On the snowmobile side of things, Tucker Hibbert earned another victory in snocross, his eighthconsecutive medal. Joining him on the top box in other snowmobile competitions were Heath Frisby with the gold in Snowmobile Long Jump; Colten Moore winning in Speed & Style; Ryan Simons (pictured) marking his turf in the return of HillCross; and Garrett Goodwin earning gold in Adaptive Snocross.
RETURN OF THE WINNIPEG...NEXT YEAR At first it looked as if the return of the famed Winnipeg point-to-point 500mile cross country race would be shortened to a Winnipeg to Thief River Falls event, followed by two-days of local loops. But then as the end of January approached, and snow was still nowhere to be found across much of northern Minnesota, word came down that the race would be cancelled completely. There were several long faces in the OSM offices that day, as we are sure there were in cross-country racing households across much of the Snowbelt. Yet despite the set-back, USXC race chief and Winnipeg organizer Brian Nelson remained positive, looking ahead to next year, in hopes of making the event’s return even better.
MORE BAD NEWS FOR GLOBAL WARMING PUNDITS According to the so called “experts”, one of the biggest causes of global warming is the release of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere from such things as our beloved automobiles, coal belching power plants, and yes…even our little snowmobiles. Turns out they were wrong. The latest release of data from NASA shows quite the opposite. After creating a computer animation program that would monitor CO2 output around the globe, the scientists had hoped to further prove their theories on global warming by showing places like the United States and Russia were sources to blame for our global warming woes. Instead, what they saw was places like the U.S. and other industrialized nations barely showed up. Instead, the data came back showing the primary sources of CO2 comes from below the equator from…get this…tropical rainforests. Whoops. 18
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HIGH-SPEED STRENGTH Ballistic, Battle-Ready and Speed-Hungry. That’s the mindset that built KLIM’s new Vector Parka. You can’t find a trail, temperature or terrain it can’t dominate. Massive levels of abrasion-proof overlays, Intelligent 3M™ THINSULATE™ Insulation and the world’s strongest GORE-TEX® GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY® construction. See the world’s toughest riding gear at your KLIM® dealer today.
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IND US TR Y
NEWS
RED BULL SNOW BOUNDARIES Think big...really big...that’s the idea behind the new and recently announced Red Bull Snow Boundaries race event slated for March 27-28, 2015 at Spirit Mountain Ski Resort in Duluth, Minnesota. Never known for doing anything half-ass, the Red Bull Events Crew is looking to host the largest and most challenging snowmobile race, period. The cross-country endurance event will feature a closed-loop course that will feature terrain elements from nearly every discipline of snowmobile racing...maybe more. The expected course will consist of 20-miles of trails, 6-miles of hill climbs, 4-miles of ice and a host of other obstacles including water skips; log crossings; rock chutes; bridge crossings; tire piles and near vertical climbs. Event organizers are looking to attract as many as 400 participants, and with a total prize package valued in excess of $100,000, they might just do it. What’s more, the event is absolutely free for fans, and if it mirrors other Red Bull events we’ve attended, it’s sure to be a party. Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.redbull.com" www.redbull.com and search for Snow Boundaries to learn more.
MINNESOTA ORPHANS SET TO MEET Editor Bourgeois just returned from the 25th anniversary celebration of all things old and snowmobile related, also known as the Waconia Ride In. This year’s event featured the Minnesota iconic brands of Polaris and Arctic Cat, and it was a big one. Already dubbed the world’s largest vintage snowmobiling event, this past January’s event did not disappoint. After we stopped Bourgeois’ babbling and incessant drooling, we discovered that next year’s event, tagged for January 29-31, will be a doozy as well, as the 26th annual Ride In will recognize the “other” Minnesota brands who didn’t make it. Those include Muscaro; Brut; Husky; Viking; Larson; Scorpion; Sno-Craft; Ski-Bird; Ridge Runner; Wildcat; Sno Coupe and Yukon King. Mark your calendars now and we’ll see you there. 20
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MINNESOTA DNR NARROWLY DEFINES A SNOWMOBILE We got word early this winter that the proud snowmobiling state of Minnesota and their Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has narrowed their definition as to what they would consider a snowmobile. According to an article from the Forum News Service, the Minnesota DNR no longer considers conversion kits for ATVs, motorcycles, or any other aftermarket snowmobile type kit to be considered a snowmobile, and therefore are no longer allowed on the state’s 22,000 miles of trails. While we can understand the intent of the law, (would you want to meet a tracked RZR face to face on a narrow trail?) the scope of the law seems a bit broad and perhaps too limiting. Let’s face it, the tastes of today’s younger sledders is far different, and if letting them ride a conversion motorcycle such as those from our pals at Timbersled or miniconversion SnoRipper (pictured) from Holeshot, is what it takes to keep them engaged in the sport…we say let em ride.
arctiva.com
IND US TR Y
WE HAVE SOME WINNERS!
NEWS
FOUR INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to Rob Clark of Bracebridge, Ontario and Steve Dubbs from Maple Grove, Minnesota for being 500 bucks richer by entering the “WinWith-Choko” contest. Both Rob and Steve received a $500.00 spending spree on, Choko gear, from their local dealer by simply taking 32.4 seconds to fill out a free ballot on www.osmmag.com. Boom like that, the lads are living large and sporting some new gear. Stay tuned, as this contest was a huge hit, and probably going to happen again!
The Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, Wisconsin announced the induction of four more members of the snowmobiling community. They include Bob Enns, cross-country and ice oval stand-out racer; Herb Howe, winner of the inaugural Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 crosscountry race; Mark Zelich, television personality who for more than 20years covered snowmobile racing and snowmobiling in general in Wisconsin; and Pat Mach, (posthumously) former racer and founder of the United States Cross-Country Circuit (USCC). This year’s induction ceremony will be held February 7, 2015 after the annual Ride With the Champs event held that same day. Congratulations to all inductees.
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WORDSEARCH: BOOTS Need some time alone in your thinking room, have a seat on the throne and give it a go.
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A R F L Y R A C I N G O Z S ✪
M E D X J C Y E A S H M K O
A D S K F T V A R L C M A D
H I F U E A C A C B V C X K
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A S M O W R I T T C H O K O
I T I D Z B O E I Q C R A G
E U L H C A X Y C U C T N M
M O L A J F B A C R B E F O
C U C Y H F D S A G C C M T
I R A L T I M A T E E H S O
T O K R E N H L K L I M K R
T R U K K V R P T E P X I F
P Y M T T O C S F W B K D I
A V I T C R A N A T X C O S
A S G F E C B J F X R D O T
Altimate Arctic Cat Arctiva Baffin Castle Choko CKX Coldwave Cortech FlyRacing FXR HJC HMK Klim Motorfist Polaris RUOutside SCOTT Ski-Doo TRUKK Yamaha
WE’RE GOING TO THE SOO As this issue goes to press, the OSM crew is getting ready to head to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to attend the International 500, more commonly referred to as the Soo-500. This time we will be going to the historic endurance ice oval race as more than just fans, but specifically we will be following young gun Bobby Menne of Virginia, Minnesota. Menne is an up and coming racer in the national USXC cross-country tour, and he is looking to make his mark at the Soo as well. The Menne crew was putting the finishing touches on their well prepped Polaris as we penned this update, and they sent us this photo before loading the trailer. She’s a looker eh?! Look for a full story on Menne’s Soo journey next season in the pages of OSM.
NEW 2016 SNOWMOBILE TOUR ANNOUNCED As we hit the midway point of the season, the first inklings of the new 2016 models have started to hit our radar. With these new sleds comes the Manufacturer’s Sneak Peek Tour, where you can see the latest iron from Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha in the flesh, and talk to factory representatives to the get the inside scoop on what makes them tick. This year’s tour dates have just been announced and you can find one near you and make plans to attend by visiting www.snowsneakpeek.com" www.snowsneakpeek.com
128-INCH IRON DOGGER This past January, the kids at SkiDoo gave us an inside look at their latest limited build snowmobile, designed for competition in the grueling half-race, half-survival competition known as the Iron Dog. The MXZ based snowmobile is aptly named the Iron Dog, and comes to market in both 600E-TEC and 800R engine options. Aside from a few specific chassis reinforcements typically found on race specific sleds, and suspension calibrations tuned for the rigors of cross-country racing, the one surprising difference with the Iron Dog sled is the use of a 128-inch r-Motion suspension, instead of the traditional “short-track” skid we’ve come to expect in the MXZ configuration. Could this signal an end to the nimble, short track trail sleds from Ski-Doo? Time will tell.
RIDE IN STYLE WINNER Divas SnowGear and Yamaha announced the winner of Ride in Style Sled Giveaway contest! Lucky Stephanie Francis of Almont MI has just become very popular among her sledder friends. After doing a lucky snow dance and rolling around in 4 leaf clovers Stephanie became the winner of a brand new 2015 Yamaha Viper STX snowmobile courtesy of Divas SnowGear (DSG) and Yamaha Motor Corporation. Divas SnowGear coordinated The Ride in Style giveaway in partnership with Yamaha Motor Corporation, Kicker Livin’ Loud and yours truly, OSM Magazine. Congratulations Stephanie!!! For complete details and the list of 1st-4th place prize winners headover to www.osmmag.com ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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Headhsot by Todd Williams • www.toddwilliamsusa.com
WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE
PROUD PARENT was awesome, but he wasn’t able to get himself on that top box. . .that changed at Canterbury Park. Kyle went flag-to-flag for his first ProOpen win! Most people don’t realize how much goes into getting a win against the best in the world. I can tell you first hand that you make sacrifices that others aren’t willing to and it is mentally and physically demanding like no other. But when you finally get to stand at the top of the podium, holding that first place trophy, as the fans scream your name and the pictures flash, you instantly fall in love with the amazing feeling you get, and that motivates you to get right back to doing the work that got you there, no matter how brutal it can be. Kyle is starting to figure it all out and he is committed to doing whatever it takes to get to his goal. He is a bright kid that is motivated to get to the top, and I think this first win is just the beginning of many great things to come. Well, I have to be going, and get back to practicing for X Games. With four disciplines on my X Games “to do list”, I have my hands full, so hopefully it will work out. Wish me luck!
Liv already has great freestyle technique!
very year as we lead into X Games, things seem to get more and more crazy. The lack of snow this year has made it even more so. Because of this, we had to do some heavy-duty snow making this year to get my compound up and running. We blew snow for several days and I realized right away that it would be way better if the generator that powered the snow guns ran on air, water, or high fives! Unfortunately, it is very partial to diesel fuel and diesel costs a lot more than air, water, or high-fives . . . like a lot more! I blew Red Bull out my nose when I read the diesel bill! Ha ha! But I now have a ton of snow and we all know that snow and fun go hand-in-hand! Sometimes you have to look past the cost and think about the potential for fun and
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make a judgment from that. It has been fun getting my freestyle tricks back, since I wasn’t able to do any freestyle last year. Hopefully all goes well, and we can be ready for X Games in Speed and Style as well as the other three events I plan to participate in. By the time you read this, you should know how I did. In between practice sessions for X Games, we had the International Series of Champions (ISOC) National Snocross race at Canterbury in Shakopee, Minnesota, and this time it was no normal race weekend for Team LaVallee. Kyle Pallin has been a part of our team for the past couple of years, and he has steadily progressed during that time. He started getting pro podiums last season, which
No snow? Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.
Much like Dalton in the movie "Roadhouse", I hear this all the time!
I couldn't wait after seeing a little snow!
This is what we all work so hard for. I laughed when I saw this guy’s shirt at the races.
Teaching Jake Scott Fox Shox video shoot.
Video shoot with Polaris.
Jason Zucker from the Minnesota Wild stopped by our booth at Canterbury Park.
Marking my territory.
The 108 compound looks pretty sick for not having any snow!
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Honey of the month
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Honey of the Month
NAME: _________________________________________________________ COLOR:Black, ________________________________________________________ Green and Checkered Flags...naturally BIRTH DATE: ___________________________________________________ First public appearance, Haydays - September 13, 1992 PLACE OF BIRTH: _______________________________________________ AMBITIONS: ____________________________________________________ TURN-ONS: _____________________________________________________ TURN-OFFS: ____________________________________________________
I’m Gonna ______________________________________ Be (500-Miles) by The Proclaimers FAVORITE SONGS/MUSICIANS: and the Theme from Rocky _______________________________________________________________ FAVORITE FOOD: ________________________________________________ Raw Eggs, Indy Taillights, and Zucchini NICKNAMES: ____________________________________________________ DARK SECRETS: _________________________________________________ One would never know it by its track record of success during the ZR’s inaugural _______________________________________________________________ season of competition, but the 1993 ZR 440 was fast-tracked to market by Arctic Cat’s race _______________________________________________________________ development squadron. An unfortunate encounter with a stump on the final day of the I-500 by Kirk _______________________________________________________________ Hibbert aboard the now much maligned Prowler Special set the wheels in motion to “rush” the ZR _______________________________________________________________ project. In fact, racers who had applied with Team Arctic to compete during the 1992-93 season, _______________________________________________________________ completed paperwork that led them to believe they would be racing a reworked Prowler. But by _______________________________________________________________ September, the rumors and speculation of a “new” sled was confirmed when the ZR was unveiled _______________________________________________________________ during the Haydays grass drags. Up until the ZR era, most believed an A-arm front suspension would be _______________________________________________________________ too heavy and to expensive to ever really become the future of snowmobile designs, and the competing _______________________________________________________________ manufacturers continued to toy with trailing arm designs for another 10-years until succumbing to the _______________________________________________________________ vi rtues of the double wishbone suspension. During that 10-year span, Arctic Cat, and the ZR _______________________________________________________________ specifically, enjoyed incredible success on the race track and the trail - considered by many to be the _______________________________________________________________ best handling sleds on the market. The limited build 1993 ZR 440 along with the also limited build ZR _______________________________________________________________ 580 enjoyed sweeping success in that first year of competition, winning virtually every major race _______________________________________________________________ including the I-500 with Kirk Hibbert at the helm. The sled marked a major turning point not only for _______________________________________________________________ Arctic Cat, but as hindsight clearly shows, in the future design of snowmobile suspensions as well. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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TM aicm e hines
‘71
Arctic Cat King Kat
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THE PURSUIT OF MORE BY 1970, snowmobile racing was becoming a high stakes game. As sled sales continued to grow, new manufacturers seemed to pop up almost daily, each looking to grab a share of the growing pie. No matter the color, style, or inventiveness of a particular sled, everyone was looking for effective ways to give their brand an edge on the competition. With racing, that edge was cut and dried. You were either a winner or you weren’t. In 1969, Arctic Cat had won two of the biggest races in snowmobiling – the Winnipeg to St. Paul and the Eagle River World Championship – as well as the coveted Kawartha Cup, a combination cross-country/oval points race.
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TM aicm e hines
1971 Arctic Cat King Kat
Headed into the 1970 season, all of the top manufacturers had their sights set on Arctic Cat. The company was one of the fastest growing in the industry. In 1969, they had floated 175,000 common shares of Arctic Enterprises common stock, which sold for $37 per share, netting $6million. No small peanuts in 1969. Arctic Cat executives such as Bob Bromley, Edgar Hetteen, Bill Ness and Lowell Swenson believed that racing was important on two levels: First it was a proving ground for not only existing machines, but perhaps more importantly, on future designs. Second, it generated tremendous amounts of publicity and consumer interest. On top of this, Arctic Cat had a record year of growth in 1970. Sales were up 113-percent, and the
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company had a 13-percent market share in North America. That same year, there were 52 brands of snowmobiles, so for one brand to corner that much of a market saturated with so many consumer choices, put Arctic Cat near (or perhaps at) the top of the heap. When it came to racing, Arctic Cat had many advantages beyond the support of management. Their machines had an aluminum chassis, (with steel bulkhead) and were the only ones with slide rail rear suspension. In 1970, Arctic Cat introduced the small, lightweight Puma chassis, which was designed and built with racing in mind. Of the 54,168 snowmobiles Arctic Cat produced in 1970, roughly 1,937 of them were Puma and Puma EXT models that were built to
go racing. The next year, Arctic Cat made the Puma a full consumer model, and branched the EXT name off as a separate racing model.
TM aicm e hines
1971 Arctic Cat King Kat
The development of the EXT racing platform for 1971, was a blending of lighter components, new suspension technologies, clutching improvements and of course…more power. During this time, power was often equated to more, as in more engine led to more power, and Arctic Cat took the “more is more” approach to the extreme. After a summer season of testing that resulted in losing one of the first EXT race prototypes on the slopes of Mt. Hood, Oregon, (see sidebar – Ed.) Arctic Cat revealed a fleet of potent, race ready sleds for the 1971 season. These sleds represented the EXT Special series, and part of this mix of race ready sleds was the mighty King Kat. The “King” was built with one of three massive engine options – a Hirth 793 triple, a JLO 650 triple, or the impressive Kawasaki 800 fourcylinder (featured here).
To accommodate these massive engines that were literally shoehorned into the EXT chassis, the “Kings” were
fitted with widened Puma hoods. More than any other sled in the EXT lineup, the King Kat embodied Arctic Cat’s view on racing as a vehicle for machine development and publicity. The King Kat featured here is equipped with the 800cc Kawasaki four-cylinder, the first use of a four-cylinder in any snowmobile. It marked a new partnership between Arctic Cat and Kawasaki that would ultimately simplify parts cataloguing for both the manufacturer and dealers. Of the 415 King Kats produced in 1971, 124 of them came with the four-cylinder Kawasaki engine. This King Kat is owned by Rich Peterson and resides at the Zed Shed in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
LOST ON MT. HOOD As mentioned in the King Kat feature article, one of the first 1971 EXT prototype snowmobiles was lost during testing on Mt. Hood in Oregon. It was June of 1970, and Arctic Cat was deep into the development of the EXT program for the upcoming season. With no snow to be found in Minnesota during the heat of summer, the engineering team traveled to Mt. Hood in order to test on the glacial snow that resided there year-round. During testing, the team would wake early each day and test until it got too warm, then pack the EXT in until the following day. On one particular morning, Arctic Cat engineer Roger Skime awoke extra early and fired up the EXT to set out on a test ride up the slope. With a studded track, Roger had the urge to see just how far he could climb. Turns out he made it right to the top, but once there he realized he was in trouble. The climb was so steep and the packed snow conditions so icy, he had no safe way down. As he tried to descend he realized nothing was slowing him down and, seeing he was heading for a deep crevasse, he bailed off. The machine was lost as it tumbled into the crevasse and Skime nearly followed in behind it. Despite an injury to his knee, Roger spent the next two-hours sliding himself down the slope and back to the lodge. The sled was never recovered. 32
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LEVI LAVALLEE DISTANCE WORLD RECORD HOLDER FOR SNOWMOBILE JUMPING
T
his issue’s “Roots” comes from Kale Wainer, Media Relations “guru” at Arctic Cat. Make no mistake, Kale is a snowmobile enthusiast to the core, and his love for the sport goes far beyond the new iron he gets to be around on a daily basis. Proof positive is this photo Kale sent our way recently, along with some of his personal early memories of those first rides, first snowmobiles, and the lasting impressions they made. I believe the sled in the photo is a 1967 Alouette. The picture was taken around 1981, at which time I was about 6 or 7 years old. That would make my Dad, who is in the picture with me, about 36 or 37. That sled started my love affair with snowmobiles. I remember my dad and uncle would take me with to go find parts for that sled and my uncle’s ’69 Panther in the late Fall, so they could get them ready for another season. I loved the leopard print seat on that Panther. It always captured my imagination…and still does. That Panther looked so mean in black. My Dad would work on that Alouette for what seemed like an entire day, just so he could take me on a 30-minute ride (before it broke down again). Finding parts back then was an adventure. It was a trip to some guy’s barn that worked on small engines, it was nothing like the dealerships of today (at least that is how I remember it, growing up in Northwestern Wisconsin). This photo is a classic…how many kid’s scarves got sucked into the carb intakes on those old sleds?! I remember the Alouette being crazy loud, and to be honest, it scared the crap out of me, but I always enjoyed the ride and the tracks that it left behind in the yard. Still, to this day, when I see snowmobile tracks in a yard or ditch as I drive down the highway, I think about those early rides and how lucky that person is who laid down those tracks now. The Alouette ended up in the local landfill about 5-years after this photo was taken, but the engine was yanked beforehand and it’s still in my possession. Do you have an early snowmobiling “roots” memory and photo you’d like to share with us? We’d love to see it and share it with the OSM family. Email us at editor@osmmag.com
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Towing A Downed Sled So you’re just driving your sled along doing 80-kilometers an hour, and all of a sudden you just hear nothing but “ARRGGHHCCHHKKKHH!” And just like that you’ve got a downed sled. Can you believe it? Well ya better, and you better know how to get yourself out of that mess, or you’ll be spending the night in the bush. Bottom line is, when you’ve got a downed sled, the only way to get that thing out of there is for you and your buddy to tow it back to civilization. As with anything, when comes to towing sleds, there’s a right way and a wrong way. How do you know the right way? You read OSM’s Talent Check, that’s how.
FREE WHEELIN’ Before you tow a sled, you have to take the drive belt off. Now, maybe that thing’s already “off” and that’s why you need to tow it. Shoulda brought that spare belt chief. Anyway, your sled won’t roll or won’t roll easily with the belt on it. Oh…and by the way, if you don’t know how to get your belt off, (and back on) you shouldn’t be out there in the first place. Truth hurts pal.
This simple method is one of our faves, especially when you have limited resources and a rough and twisty trail to navigate back to camp. Get the downed sled as close and tight to the bumper as possible, and put the “lucky”, broke-down chump on the back of yours or another ride and rally on.
HOOK ‘EM TOGETHER We see a lot of snowmobilers trying to tow their busted sleds like a car, with a long tow strap and the downed sled trailing 20-feet behind. This is all wrong. That downed sled is darting in the tow sleds ski ruts, it’s tough to keep the tow strap tight, and any sort of obstacles like hills and stop signs make it a miserable affair. Here at OSM, we always tell people you don’t even need a tow strap to tow a sled. All you need is a little rope, (an extra pull cord for the sled will do) or what we carry is an old ratchet strap with no hooks on it (just the strapping). Get the sleds together, front to back, and tie the ski loop of the downed sled to the bumper of the tow sled. Now the tow sled is in complete control of the downed sled. With this method, you can even tow a sled that might have busted front suspension or busted drive chain.
Another tow-‘er-back option is to secure the ski tips together with chunk of random branch and tow the downed sled from one, both, or if the branch is strong enough, from the tree bark itself.
CRUISE IT HOME
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Obviously, with a sled hooked to your bumper, you need to ride differently, but towing that sled goes a heck of a lot easier than you might think. Maybe the worst part of this whole deal is that the guy on the downed sled freezes his butt off. Better than a long walk back to camp eh?
If the sled is down…like really down…just leave it and head for home. Things will look better after an evening of hydration.
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PAT B O U RG E OIS
Is This the Only Snowmobile You’ll Ever Need?
B
lack, bitchin’ and beautiful; those were the thoughts busting our frontal lobe when we got our first look at the latest crossover sled from
Yamaha last spring. With the crossover market continuing to grow, (or should we say get more confusing?) the number of models and combinations that are now deemed crossover has gone gonzo… frankly to the point of overkill.
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1 done Let’s face it, some of these latest crossover combinations are little more than splitting hairs… a two inch longer track here…a different lug pattern there…whatever happened to just getting on a sled and ripping it? After all, how many new sleds can Joe average six-pack and his Krispy Crème family truly afford at nearly 13 smackers a pop…did I hear one? So with that said, wouldn’t it be sweet to find a sled that just did it all? Maybe it’s not the master of a particular domain, but rather is pretty damn good at a lot of stuff. So when our eyes got past the sexy black lace encasing the new Viper… we wondered aloud if this was our girl? There’s really no secret to the S-TX, other than a combination of coveted dimensions and performance goodness wrapped up in a package with lots of standard stuff that delivers more function than form. There’s a big window, gas shocks, fuel sipping engine with big torque power, standard rear mounted storage rack and a modular pocket bumper that can accept an assortment of Yamaha accessories, including a quick attached two-up seat. The foundation of the S-TX is the standard Yamaha crossover platform, with the stretched Dual Shock SR 141 rear suspension, wrapped by the slightly more aggressive Cobra track with 1.352” lugs. Power comes from the familiar and happy Genesis 1049cc High-Performance 4-stroke engine, and clutching is courtesy of the smooth ways of Yamaha’s YVXC drive and driven. The longer skidframe is of the uncoupled variety, which is a bit of a headscratcher, given that most S-TX buggies will spend the majority of their winters honing groomed trails. The rear suspension is good, but not great, especially when rocking big trail chatter or with a passenger on board. Up front, the now familiar big and tall spindle design of the SRV suspension is mated to coil-over high-pressure gas shocks. They’re not the sexy, flashy shocks that your buddies are sporting on their new snow rocket, but they work…nuff said.
Heart of a Yamaha Now we all know that the SR-Viper series is an Arctic Cat chassis at heart, but there are some key differences that do in fact, make it a Yamaha. While we were skeptical at first, after a season on snow with the first graduates of the Yamaha/Arctic Cat partnership, we can honestly say we feel a difference. For starters, Yamaha clutching has a factor of “smooth” you don’t find on the green versions. Engagement slips in low and smooth versus the more typical Arctic Cat aggressiveness. While the Cat may win the holeshot battle, the YVXC system will likely result in longer belt life and a more enjoyable ride, especially when trail cruising. In fact, we find the Yamaha system just a bit smoother across the entire operating range, with smoother shifting, and perhaps slightly more responsive backshift. This is not to say Arctic’s clutching is worse, it’s just different, and in a snowmobile designed to rack on lots of trail miles, we’re giving the nod to the tuning fork, belt grabber. While we believe much of the ride calibrations for joint effort sleds are fairly common, no matter the color or badge, the SR-Viper, and for the sake of this discussion the S-TX, does have a different state of ride tuning. Again, the difference is subtle but discernable. The S-TX leans a tad towards the comfort side of the scale, sacrificing an aggressive edge. One of the key differences here are the skis. The S-TX comes equipped with Yamaha’s Tuner 2, a dual keel ski that allows you to “tune” the ride by swapping out various carbide lengths on the inside or outside keel. Unlike the offset dual carbide, single keel design found on Arctic Cat models, the Tuner offers less darting and a slightly less steering effort. Both are precise, and you can obviously make chassis adjustments to match your riding style, giving the front more bite, less push, and confidence for initial turn in.
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Standard coil-over, aluminum bodied gas shocks handle bump duties at the front. While many trail riders feel they need the added bling, adjustments and costs of premium dampers, these gas-charged tubes are more than enough for most.
THE GENESIS MOTOR RIPS LIKE CORN THROUGH A GOOSE. The layout of the SR-Viper S-TX is big, with bars that are slightly too broad and a cockpit that feels at home for riders over 6-foot. While the S-TX is dubbed a “do-it-all” sled, it remains confused over its true intention as it sports a center grab handle for off-trail running, but is void of the much coveted heated seat.
All About Smooth The ride and handling of the S-TX is calm and predictable, especially at slow to medium trail speeds (the pace this sled and intended rider will likely experience). However, if you want to push it hot down the trail with your buddies, keeping it smooth is the name of the game. In other words, you can’t ride the S-TX (or frankly most other Yamaha models) with a run and gun style. Come in hot, jam the brake, and power out of the corner at full dope…negative ghost rider. You’ll be fighting the big Viper through the entire corner. With the S-TX, you need to think slow to go fast. Enter the corner with speed with the throttle off. Set-up for your apex and gently tap the brake to set the track, with just a hint of trailing brake. Initiate the turn and plant the outer Tuner into a solid line. Ease on the throttle and as you exit the apex, squeeze the ponies from the Genesis and set your sights on the next corner. No sudden handlebar jerks, no track lock-up, and no heavy throttle thumb…keeping it smooth will keep it fast. ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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IT'S HARD TO SCREW UP BLACK…IT JUST LOOKS GOOD While the front suspension lacks the super sex appeal of clickers or air shocks with external EVOL chambers, we continue to be impressed with how forgiving the ride quality is. What’s more, the SRV front is way predictable, especially in unforgiving chop and mid-corner craters that can unsettle a sled with unpredictable ski lift. Trust your line and stay steady throttle and the front suspension delivers as good as any, especially for mid-speed on trail duties as this sled was intended. Out back, the uncoupled rear suspension comes up a bit short in our book. We’d personally like to see the entire skid tuned for more on-trail bump compliance versus off-trail exploring. A combination of an un-coupled rail, and rear arm FOX FLOAT 2 shock results in unexpected harsh bottoming in big chop, along with the occasional “unload” on the backside of square edge craters. Out of the box, the S-TX is somewhat confused in that regard, with on-trail calibrations up front and off-trail to the rear. Such is often the case in the “crossover” category, where engineers and product planners are often at odds as to where the sled will truly be ridden. While the S-TX certainly can be taken off-trail, and we intend to give it a good run in the bush later this winter during our annual Throw Down ride report, we believe this is a 90-percenter trail sled.
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The S-TX is also available in a red and black color combination that includes white powder coated tunnel and suspension components.
The modular rear bumper touts “pockets” that accept several available accessory options. The standard rear rack plugs into this bumper, and several soft-side luggage options can be fastened to the rack for large capacity, one-up touring.
Anywhere you want to go!
www.timbersled.com w ww ~ 208 208--255 255--5644 w..tim
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1 done After we log some additional miles this season, we will be transforming the suspension of our S-TX with a custom set of Axis shocks from Hygear Suspension, along with their rear drop link-linkage kit. Watch for a full report in the fall of 2015.
Demanding More Despite the suspension shortcomings, we can’t help but like the big black (also available in red) Viper. As prices of sleds continue to escalate, the ability of “one” sled to be adept in a wide variety of snow conditions, both on-trail and off, should rank high on many buyers’ wish lists. What’s more, with MSRP tags exceeding well past the $10K mark, (no matter the color of your currency) long term quality and dependability should play a bigger and bigger role in the purchase decision process. With a Genesis four-stroke engine and YVXC clutching under cowl, Yamaha already has a leg up on the competition in this developing battlefield. What’s more, it appears the Yamaha/Cat
The Cobra track offers decent off-trail traction, but is barely discernable over a RipSaw II track in most snow conditions. Personally, we’d prefer the improved on-trail characteristics of the 1.25” RipSaw, which has slightly less side-bite and thus, improved cornering performance over the Cobra. 44
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GOING FAST ON A VIPER IS ALL ABOUT SMOOTH relationship has dramatically improved initial build quality of snowmobiles emerging from the Thief River Falls factory. Sure, there’s plenty other sleds on the market that are sexier, offer more in terms of pure performance, suspension capabilities, or specialize in areas of pure-off-trail, two-up touring or aggressive trail riding. But money talks, and in these days of seemingly unpredictable winters and rising costs, the S-TX is a smart buy for every
The SR 141 is a traditional drop-link design suspension with an uncoupled rear-arm, and features a conjoined rear wheel-set for reduced weight, a FOX FLOAT 2 rear shock, and an aluminum bodied, high-pressure gas front arm shock.
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S to ry a n d P h o to s b y V e r n o n D e c k
As
professional snowboarders we get paid to go
out in the backcountry, to film and make images for our sponsors and magazines.
Sounds like a great job right? Well damn straight bud, it is!
Not only do we get to go rip-it in the backcountry, we do so
all over the world, searching the globe for the best mountains and the deepest snow. While the search for the perfect run is never-ending, how we access these remote backcountry runs has changed. When we visit New Zealand or Alaska for example, we use helicopters. In Japan we have to “hoof-it” using snowshoes. In Europe it’s a combination of snowshoes and splitboards. Back home in
ABOUT
the US and Canada, we use snowmobiles.
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Vernon was born in Motueka, New Zealand and has spent much of his adult life in Switzerland. A high school dropout at age 16, Vernon gravitated to the vagabond lifestyle early as he backpacked around Australia for nearly three years. During that time, he picked up his first camera and managed to wrangle a job with a Formula 1 race team. After that he moved to Switzerland and was exposed to snowboarding in 1997. Not long after, he landed a job as staff photographer at Volcom, a lifestyle/outerwear clothing company that utilizes music; art; film; skateboarding; surfing and snowboarding as brand pedestals. Vernon has now been with Volcom for ten years, and has had the opportunity to photograph some of the most talented and interesting individuals. He hasn’t had an apartment for the past year, instead choosing to live out of his 35-foot sail boat, currently moored in Australia. If he’s not shooting , you’ll find him slowly sailing his way around the world.
VE R N ON
DECK
“Sledding is pretty much the coolest thing I get to do every winter. For most pro snowboarders it’s just transport, but for me its much more. I love the speed, the smell, the danger, and the possibility to explore what’s over the next ridge.” –Vernon Deck
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Snowmobiles allow us to get out and away from the crowded ski resorts. They take us deep into the backcountry, carry our heavy filing equipment, and are a hell of a lot of fun. Some snowboard pros can barely tolerate these snowmobiles, cursing the early morning exhaust plumes, and frown upon the noise and sweet smell of spent exhaust…they simply don’t like them. But there are others…myself included, who not only accept snowmobiles, but look forward to these backcountry trips. In fact, don’t tell anyone, but I prefer a powder turn on a sled, to one on a snowboard. Coming from a motocross racing background as a teen, sledding is now my octane replacement. The shrill of the engine as it grooves in its powerband is uncomplicated, raw and addictive. The amount of terrain we can access in a day aboard a snowmobile constantly amazes me; and there is always the impulse to see what lies beyond the next ridge. When snowshoes are strapped to our feet, we often never know, but with a snowmobile we can nearly always find out for ourselves. Of course, just like any extreme sport, motor or no motor, the risks are real, and the chances of someone getting hurt are always present. It’s then that we realize just how remote some of our ride and photo locations truly are; and it’s also then that we really appreciate the capabilities of a snowmobile to get us back to civilization and proper care. Unfortunately, there are times when tension can develop between snowboarders and backcountry sledders; both groups are essentially looking for the same thing…untouched powder, downhill bombs, and steep faces to launch. For most of us though, we don’t let it bother us. When I look through a snowmobiler’s eyes, I would want to do the same thing and high mark the hell out of a perfect face. We all just want to have fun. With that, I asked the folks at OSM if they’d like to share a day on the slopes with us, and they happily obliged. Think snow and I’ll see you in the backcountry.
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Someone is excited to go shredding in the backcountry…on the way to the trailhead in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
At the end of the day, we are out there to snowboard and shoot photos for our sponsors. But who can resist doing a quick hack in front of your buddies when the snow is fresh and deep? Curtis digs on in, just for fun.
I mounted a Go-Pro on the ski of pro snowboarder Bjorn Lienes’ Yamaha, and told him to go shred some turns. Turned out nice!
Parked next to the Snake River in Wyoming, we unload early and do a quick beacon check before the steep climb up from the valley floor. ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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Gearing up at the trailhead, it might be early with grey skies and snowing, but the excitement level is high and smiles are on everyone’s faces. Bryan Iguchi has done this hundreds of times before, but his stoked level is still over 100.
Everyone has their own checklist in their head. Have I packed everything…lunch; spare goggles and gloves; beacon turned on; camera and spare batteries; extra layer of clothing; avi-gear? Then there's the sled stuff that was done on the way to the trailhead; fuel, oil, and spare belt. It’s all checked off, so let’s go!
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This was our shuttle route for a line the guys were snowboarding around the corner. It was a bit of a detour, but doubling up the steep stuff is sometimes not worth the hassle - better to take the long way ‘round. 52
This location is a fair ways back on the Rutherford Glacier in British Columbia, Canada. We were actually socked in most of the day, and had nearly decided to call it quits when the sun started to poke though. We made a track to the top and got Jake in position, and by then the weather had shown its good side so he sent it. We got a couple of real good clips and photos logged before the clouds rolled back in and we were forced to tiptoe back down the glacier in full retreat mode.
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This shot came out of boredom! We'd been stationed in Permberton, British Columbia for three weeks, and finally decided to pack it in, as it had warmed up and we had a long drive back to Salt Lake City. On an endless stretch of open road, I suggested Markus ride the sled for a bit while I shot some pictures while perched on the roof of the pickup.
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FRESH BURN
2015 POLARIS AXYS SWITCHBACK PRO-S
THE TURN RETURNS no secret that most of us here at OSM have no love lost for the now out-to-pasture Polaris ProRide chassis. While the sled had amazing moments of greatness, namely in massive whoops while on the gas, the sled had more shortcomings than gains, compared to more conventional chassis and suspension combinations. Truthfully, we were a bit surprised to learn last year that Polaris invested in a second generation, “out-side-the-tunnel” snowmobile. In fact, we had figured the Roseau crew would have invested more in the
It’s
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stunning and traditional Indy chassis. We were wrong. The new AXYS however came to the table with full disclosure, (finally) as Polaris engineers outlined the objectives of the new chassis and modified suspension, at the same time pointing from behind open palms at areas where they hoped to improve upon the Pro-Ride design. Aside from all that is new with the AXYS, and there is plenty, (the majority of which is a homerun) the focus for us (as it was for Polaris as well) was in two key areas; turning and broad shouldered ride compliance. The Pro-Ride proved
One thing that hasn’t changed with the new AXYS is how familiar you will become with the rear shock preload and compression settings. The suspension still requires to you to chase trail conditions, with ongoing adjustments throughout the day’s ride, in an effort to find compliance.
PRESENTED BY
GRAND PRI X SK I-DOO DE VALCOURT 33e EDITION
to be a wrestling match when attempting to hone a twisted trail with precision. Excessive inside ski lift and the need to be incredibly active within the cockpit, often positioned the ProRide as a fourth place ride when it came to on-trail handling. What’s more, despite the big shock, forward thinking rear suspension design, finding the suspension’s sweet spot was a constant chase. As trail conditions changed, the need to change the settings on the rear suspension followed. As for us personally, we never could find that “sweet spot”, save for those massive holes, where you could hammer the gas and literally float through like superman. While the new AXYS looks way similar to the Pro-Ride…it isn’t and it also doesn’t ride like the Pro-Ride (thankfully). The biggest thing you’ll notice with the new AXYS (in both Switchback and Rush lengths) is that the sled stays flat and hones corners with far less effort than before. Despite riding on early season trails that had yet to “set-up”, the AXYS felt incredibly predictable…dare we say intuitive. Steering effort is smooth and easy, and the chassis holds a line with precision. Come in hot, set the track with a tap of the brake, and pick your line…the AXYS holds it. All that’s left is to pour on the go juice and set up for the next turn. Objective accomplished! As for finding the “sweet spot” with the revised rear suspension, the verdict is still out. With limited snow conditions at this writing, we still have limited time aboard the AXYS, with about 500-miles logged to this point. However, in
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those miles we can say the new ride is better, but in our opinion it still lacks the broad shoulders and ride compliance in virtually any condition that it needs, in order to compete with the class leading Ski-Doo REV-XS chassis. Out biggest complaint to this point is the inability of the ProRide to deliver compliance in big chatter AND in large bumps, without adjustment. What’s more, when you do begin to gain compliance in large craters, the attitude of the sled is impacted, as the extra preload required, pushes the nose downward upon deceleration, thereby upsetting those smooth handling traits we just raved about. We have some ideas as to what might be going on here, and we are exploring those options with some upgraded shock technology, with greater adjustments including the ability to control rebound, an area we think is definitely needed with the Pro-Ride design. Of course there is plenty more about the new AXYS that we absolutely love…the engine is a ripper and from our impromptu tests…it’s damn fast! The fit and finish is way better, the LED headlight is blinding, and the new set of accessories available from Polaris keeps getting better, meaning we can no longer throw rocks about the lack of storage options with the unusual design. Oh yeah, and then there is that amazing digital gauge, available on 60th Anniversary Editions. If you haven’t sampled one yet…don’t. Because once you do, you will want one. This is automotive technology, and the integrated GPS and Bluetooth communication is the stuff that will have tire kickers pulling the trigger on a Polaris over other brands. The gauge package and associated Rider-X website and smart phone application has Polaris positioned to lead in this emerging technology for years to come. Mark our words…all sleds will have this technology in 10-years, it’s that good. The last unknown with the AXYS for us at this early point in the season comes down to the same question many past 800 owners are also asking…is the new 800 engine durable? This is something we won’t know until enthusiasts log a season, maybe two. Polaris needs this engine to be a homerun, especially with all indications pointing towards the new motor expanding to the RMK platform for 2016. Past 800 owners obviously want more power, but more than anything else they want an engine that can take a flogging and live to tell about it. Only time will tell.
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Polaris finally updated the left-hand control block with the new AXYS platform. It’s a big improvement, but the compact layout creates some fumbling for those with big hands, and the lack of backlighting turns it into a guessing game during night rides.
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RAVES
INTUITIVE AND SMOOTH HANDLING WITH NO ACROBATICS REQUIRED. POLARIS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL DISPLAY IS THE FUTURE. WICKED FAST ACCELERATION… WHISPER QUIET INTAKE.
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FLAMES
FINDING THE REAR SUSPENSION SWEET SPOT IS STILL A PUZZLE.
LONG-TERM 800-ENGINE QUALITY REMAINS A QUESTION MARK. NEW LEFT-HAND CONTROL BLOCK SORELY NEEDS BACKLIGHTING.
NEVER RIDE ON DULL CARBIDE RUNNERS AGAIN ®
RIDE SAFER AND EXPERIENCE ALL THE PERFORMANCE YOUR SNOWMOBILE HAS TO OFFER
ER ORD NOW 5 $64.9 ORDER TODAY @ BITEHARDER.COM! Made in the USA! 1-855-294-2483 (BITE) ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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SHOP HUSTLE
Insight and Opinions on Our Latest Shop Escapades
We went for the swirl pattern in black and white for our Polaris Assault. The online ski-builder application at the Slydog website allows you to build and view your new skis before you ever place an order. Cool stuff.
Slydog Hell Hound Skis he crew from Slydog got us hooked up last season with their latest ski technology, dubbed the Hell Hound. If it sounds badass, that’s because the kids at Slydog have positioned this runner as the surest footed, aggressive, powder hungry and still trail friendly, tough as nails ski they offer. Heady stuff eh? Thus we grabbed us a fresh six-pack of cold ones and hit the shop for an hour of hustle, in preparation for a three-day spring ride in the backcountry swamps of Editor Bourgeois’ old stomping grounds where as he puts it…”trees are traction and stopping is for quitters.” Surprisingly, there’s a lot of technology that has been molded into this new design from Slydog. At first glance, the ski looks big and beefy, the topside is relatively smooth and is available in a multitude of colors and patterns. In fact, you can customize your Hell Hound skis on their website, where their “Ski Builder” allows you to choose a graphic pattern, up to two color choices, skull heads to prove you ride standing up, (only available on certain models) and your ski model (8” Powder Hound, 7” Powder Hound, 6” Trail or the Hell Hound). The bottom side is where the good stuff happens, and it starts with what Slydog calls an intake scoop at the front of the ski. This decreasing channel that runs on
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The versatile, but off-trail focused Polaris Assault 800 was our test buggy for the Slydog Hell Hound skis last winter. We will be fitting these same skis onto our AXYS Switchback this season, as we explore the backcountry in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan later this month.
The stock Polaris ski with wearbar came in at 6-pounds on the money; the Hell Hound was at 10-pounds exactly – that’s a 4-pound disadvantage with the stout design of the Hell Hound. Both skis were weighed with wear bar in place and spindle fastener.
both sides of the keel, is said to “pull” snow into this channel, and as it narrows, it then compresses the snow against the reverse angle keel to create a swimming effect, thereby creating lift on powder snow. The reverse angle keel which runs the entire length of the ski, is said to force the ski to create its own footprint on packed snow conditions. This shape is used to minimize darting, and at the same time maximize control in these same conditions. All these unique angles and channels are machined into an extra thick platform that is incredibly rigid, and subsequently should prove to be tree stump tough. Our spring snow conditions were not ideal for testing the floatation and powder capabilities of the Hell Hounds, (we hope to experience those conditions this winter) but the packed snow on-trail and heavy, wet off-trail snow did give us a good feel for the expected manners in those conditions. Increased steering effort was immediately noticeable, even with a rather average host wearbar and carbide insert. While the oversized keel delivered extremely positive bite, never giving us any doubt as we charged hot into corners, all the spinach in the world could not have helped us muscle the Polaris Assault host vehicle for the day. Even on early morning hardpack, where only the host bar was in contact with the snow, the full length, flat design of the keel forced the entire length of the wearbar to work the snow, thereby requiring additional effort. No question, the skis were extremely precise because of this, but the trade-off is more than what we would consider acceptable. Off-trail, in the shade of the trees, the Hell Hounds delivered far better results, as we noticed immediate lift and acute response to subtle steering inputs, without
unexpected results. This was the case even in spring sugar powder that is often bottomless and crystallized. Here, the Hell Hounds felt at home, yet that admirable trait was gone as we broke out of the shade and back into the soft spring snow, where the heavy effort and tractor like demeanor returned. In short, the Hell Hounds look kick ass and impress in sugar snow conditions, which would lead us to believe you will experience equally good results in dry powder snow conditions. Yet, a weight penalty of 8-pounds of sprung weight and less than hoped for on-trail results makes the Hell Hound a better, one-dimensional ski, best suited for off-trail only applications.
The benefit of the large, reverse cut keel is immediately noticeable in off-trail powder snow conditions. However, the massive keel and flat bottom design delivers heavier than expected, or necessary, steering effort on trail.
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LISSA MARSOLEK
JOE WIEGELE STEVE HAMILTON
TODD WILLIAMS
AARON BELFORD BRETT MOIST
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GRACEY DOVE
JOE WIEGELE No Style Productions St. Paul, Minnesota nostyleproductions.com
ABOUT THE SHOOTERS
AARON BELFORD Minneapolis, Minnesota aaronbelford.com
Born on the frozen tundra of central Minnesota, I spent my youth on one adventure or another, trying out every imaginable sport I could find, and making some up along the way. This led me to my ultimate adventure, joining the Marines. In the beginning of 2004, I began my transformation and assimilation into one of the sickest fighting forces in the world. Then after 8 years, 6 months and 22 days of living in one desert or another, and after the wars were over, I started a new adventure as a photographer. As a lifelong athlete and adrenaline junky, I adapted well to all sports and excelled especially at shooting. Whether it was a rifle or a camera, I rarely missed my target. My focus is on action adventure sports and lifestyles, to produce dynamic, breathtaking imagery that envelops you and sucks you into the action. I shoot what I love and love what I do. I live the action that I capture and enjoy every second of it.
LISSA MARSOLEK Menomonie, Wisconsin sourceimagery.com
Michigan native Lissa Marsolek is a freelance photographer based out of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Lissa is the staff photographer for the ISOC National Snocross Series, team photographer for Christian Brothers Racing, and a contributing photographer for magazines such as RacerX Magazine and On Snow Magazine. When not traveling and capturing action sports, Lissa operates a 1250 sq. ft. commercial studio with a 32 ft. infinity wall. Her broad range of work includes, but is not limited to portrait, fashion, custom motorcycles, classic cars and action sports. A former pro snocross racer, Lissa turned that passion into a profession as an action sports photographer. Aside from her skills behind the lens, Lissa still finds the time to be a wife, mother of three, and seek out adventure, adrenalin and the great outdoors...always with a camera in hand.
BRETT MOIST Chicago, Illinois brettmoistphotography.com
I spend my time covering many different forms of Sports and Motor Sports. I have worked with numerous clients such as LAT Photographic, Toyota, and Richmond Int'l Raceway, just to name a few. I have had photographs featured in numerous publications including RACER Magazine, Speedway Illustrated, and On Snow Magazine. One of my biggest accomplishments was taking home 1st place in the Race Action category in the 2013 National Motorsports Press Association's Photo Awards. (Editor’s Note) Brett approached OSM during our initial year of publication in the United States, and we set him loose with photo credentials and an all-access pass into the wild, fast, and often times dangerous world of professional snocross. The images he sent back blew us away, as he not only captures the action with tack sharp results, but at the same time, the raw emotion that racers possess, but often keep bottled up inside before the green flag drops.
I've been shooting photo and video for as long as I can remember with my Dad's old film cameras and a Hi8 Handycam that I received as Christmas gift as a kid. I started semi-professional shooting of photo and video in 2003, with a Canon GL2 and Canon D60. No.Style Productions was established in 2005, on a random weeknight out in downtown Minneapolis, over many adult beverages and conversation over what me and my friends thought was lacking in our scene at that time. It's now been a full time profession since 2010. I try to specialize in motorsports...if it has a motor or makes noise with gas, I point my lens at it and shoot. Races, action sports, and live event coverage...that’s my gig, but I don’t do weddings!
STEVE HAMILTON Bessemer, Michigan wfofoto.zenfolio.com
Steve Hamilton is an action sport and lifestyle photographer, originally based out of Waunakee, Wisconsin, but recently relocated to Bessemer, Michigan. Hamilton covered the WSA, WPSA, and ISOC snowmobile series from 2004-2012 and before that, ATV racing events from Wisconsin to Texas. Photographing life as a Midwestern snowmobiler and hunter as of late, Hamilton brings the locally brewed trail-rider perspective to the masses through @WFOfoto. Hamilton photographs the life of the actual, real world snowmobiler - the fish fry hopping, public trail riding enthusiast that’s just working to do a tail stand and dodge all the trees.
TODD WILLIAMS Los Angeles, California toddwilliams.com
Todd Williams is an editorial and commercial photographer who was born and raised in central Minnesota. Todd moved to New York City in 1995, where he worked under the tutelage of respected photographers like Gregory Heisler, Howard Schatz and Kenneth Willardt. Over the past 15 years, he has developed a unique camera perspective that is crisp and adventurous. Avid OSM readers will recognize Todd’s name and his work, as he has been our shooter of choice on many of our location shoots. Like many action sport photographers, Todd is a passionate enthusiast as well, and as we can attest...one hell of a rider. Todd often finds the angle, the mood, and moment that others simply don’t see, and his irreverent free spirit is the perfect fit for OSM’s don’t give a damn, let’s just have fun lifestyle. His images range the spectrum from serious, in-your-face product portrayal, to doing the things and capturing the images where others don’t dare or think to tread.
GRACEY DOVE Vancouver, British Columbia underexposed.tv
Gracey Dove is a Shuswap woman from the Canim Lake Indian Band. She moved to the beautiful city of Vancouver to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an actress. She is a graduate from Vancouver Film School andis currently auditioning regularly in the film industry. When she is not working on a script, Gracey loves the great outdoors and photography, whether it’s ripping down the slopes, or climbing a rock face! This year has brought big opportunities, working with the "UnderEXPOSED" team on APTN. Gracey has been the host of 13 new episodes, including everything from snowboarding and skateboarding to surfing! This new show has combined her love for TV and photography all in one. Along with plenty of fun has come challenges that she never expected, pushing her to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. One of Gracey’s assignments this season was to follow Canadian Snowcross Racing Association Pro racer Dylan Hall, on his quest for a yearend championship. Her small sampling of photos found here offer just a taste of her unique and different perspective of this ‘in your face’ sport.
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GROUND ZERO
Before the rising spring sun warms the slopes of Mont Du Lac, racers prepare at ground zero atop the frozen dirt as they plan their ascension to the top. Shooter: Aaron Belford
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PERFECT SOLDIERS
Every chase for a championship starts with preparation well before the first hints of winter sweep across the planes of the Midwest. Inside the Carlson Motorsports race shop, a stable of Polaris race sleds are readied for the season of battles ahead. Shooter: Aaron Belford
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HONED PRECISION In the fast paced world of professional snocross racing, attention to detail can spell the difference between standing on the box, or waiting for another day. Shooter: Aaron Belford
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VIEWPOINT
The time between ramp and landing is little more than mere seconds, but what occurs between those two touch points with Mother Earth is where energy, power, and grace combine. Shooter: Brett Moist
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DISCONNECT
Often times the weakest link occurs where flesh and blood meet fuel and steel. Shooter: Brett Moist
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SPARKLE AND STAND
Each year, the national snocross season ends on the undulating slopes of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and no other driver has basked in the fireworks of a year-end championship more often than Tucker Hibbert. Shooter: Brett Moist
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WATCHFUL EYE The potential for injury in snocross is real, and perhaps nobody is more familiar to these risks than the men and women who are there first when tragedy strikes. Shooter: Gracey Dove
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LEVEL COMPLETE The track at times can be a battlefield for competitors, but as the final lap concludes, the sportsmanship and appreciation for the fight that just occurred can be just as meaningful. Shooter: Gracey Dove
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GIRDWOOD ANTI-GRAVITY Freestyle athlete Joe Parsons not only defies gravity, but often times can turn what appears to be surreal into reality. Shooter: Joe Wiegele
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FROZEN FLIGHT
Kourtney Hungerford takes flight against the night sky in Budapest, Hungary. Shooter: Joe Wiegele
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NOT SO EASY RIDER
Freestyle athlete Joe Parsons not only defies gravity, but often times can turn what appears to be surreal into reality. Shooter: Joe Wiegele
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MAGIC KINGDOM Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota is often considered the “crown jewel” of snocross venues. Shooter: Lissa Marsolek
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SOLAR FLARE
The mind of a racer can seemingly process the terrain around them and the shrill of nine other racers with nearly unmeasurable speed...turning minutes into moments in the blink of an eye. Shooter: Lissa Marsolek
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DOG DAYS The season never sleeps, and when the summer sun burns hot, so too does the action of the International Watercross Association (IWA) as Austin McCurdy launches to a win during the Superior Wisconsin Shootout in 2013. Shooter: Steve Hamilton
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SCORCHED Temperatures nearing 70-degrees had fans in shirt sleeves and Brett Bender getting “swappy” on the infamous front stretch of a “spongy” Lake Geneva track in 2012. Shooter: Steve Hamilton
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WINTER’S CALL
Each winter, the massive, deep and often never frozen waters of Lake Superior becomes a breeding ground for immense snowfall across much of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These deep snows blanket thousands of acres of wooded terrain, creating a Siren’s call for exploration. Shooter: Steve Hamilton
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TRACKS OF TIME
Snowmobiling at its core is still about family...coming together to share past experiences and create new ones that over time forms a lifetime bond with the sport and each other. Shooter: Steve Hamilton
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WITHOUT A STICH Snowmobilers have been called many things...crazy, cold, smelly, adventurous...or in this case, all of the above. Shooter: Todd Williams
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MACHINATION The manipulation of light meets thousands of grains of snow and the explosive power of octane...captured for an instant. Shooter: Todd Williams
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K PEA SON SEA
s ’ r e buyguide
Now that you are laying tracks and winter is in full swing, we have put together a list of items that we feel you need to know about to make your riding even better. Whether these are tried, tested and true items we use, or new stuff that came across our desks at the shop, this is some stuff you need to know about.
KLIM F4 HELMET
If you are the type of aggressive rider that tends to work up a sweat out on the trails, then the F4 is a helmet you should look at. Built on the idea that ventilation is the key to a great helmet, the F4 comes with a Windstopper® snap-in liner to keep the frosty air at bay, but all the while, offering crazy air flow through the induction system. The air channels actually force fresh air into the inner chamber while removing the moist air, which we all know, wreaks havoc on sub-zero days. It is that moist air that makes you feel the cold when you stop for a break and it starts to freeze. Other features include a large eye port for increased field of view, removable cheek pads, and the F4 even comes with a fancy, fleece-lined carrying bag. Next level stuff. For complete information check out www.klim.com
FLY MID-LAYER
OK, sometimes we feel like we are beating a dead horse on this issue, but we cannot stress enough that to properly “gear-up”, layering is essential. Now guys, layering these days is not throwing on your old college hoodie and a Kiss concert tee from the Dynasty Tour (however, should you own of those we salute you). It is choosing the technically advanced, mid-layer stuff that Fly has come out with. The mid-layer Jacket and Pant is constructed from a moisture wicking material that offers 4-direction stretch. Not only will this gear keep you warm, it will also keep you dry, and it moves the way you do when you are out pounding the trails. The jacket also features vent zippers for when things get too hot, and the pants feature a side waist adjustment, for when you decide to go with the plate of pulled pork poutine over the mixed green salad. Available through your local WPS dealer: www.wps-inc.com
FXR HELMET BAG
By this point of the season, you think you have everything you need, until we drop the Ultimate Helmet bag in front you (we just heard you mutter, “Yup I need that”). You can tell that the design team at FXR are all riders, just by the features they jammed into this helmet bag. The large main compartment has a spare visor pocket and extra padding to protect your helmet, along with a water drainage system. Then they went and added 2 large goggle pockets in the side and an end pocket for your helmet cams and accessories. Yup, we have to agree, that IS the ultimate helmet bag. For complete details check out: www.fxrracing.com
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POWERMADD SENTINEL MIRROR KIT
Listen, we all know that mirrors are not the favourite choice to add to your buggy, but we also know that they do serve a purpose (and in some Provinces and States they are mandatory). New from PowerMadd is the Sentinel Mirror Kit that allows you to use your existing PowerMadd Sentinel handguards, and mount two small, unobtrusive folding mirrors that don’t look bad at all. The mirrors have been designed to follow the lines and shape of the guard, and offer rear-view when needed, and then fold away when not needed, or when using a cover. You have to hand it to the guys at PowerMadd – that’s pretty ingenious. For full details check out: www.powermadd.com
HMK TRAIL PACK
With the lack of storage on the new sleds, we at OSM have converted to backpacking our stuff. The trail bag from HMK has a ton of features that come in really handy when you need to carry extra stuff. Things like a padded goggle pocket, a sternum strap with rescue whistle, and an easy to access trail map sleeve. So, if you are thinking it might be time to upgrade to a backpack that was designed for sledders, then this is your bag, baby. For complete details head over to www.hmkusa.com
HMK SHIRT
What‌it’s a t-shirt with the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo‌Need we say more? Available at: www.hmkusa.com
K PEA SON SEA
s ’ r e buyguide
FXR MISSION X JACKET
We have cross over sleds, so why not cross over jackets? The Mission X Jacket from FXR is considered a Cross-Over jacket because it is based on the mountain line-up, but also has a removable liner needed for the ground and pound guys. Some cool features are the removable, adjustable hood, fleece lined hand pockets, hidden key pocket on the sleeve, and those fancy lycra cuffs that we all love (how did we survive without those cuffs is the real question). Available in a bunch of colors, one being the camo-orange style, and yup, camo is the new black and we just went there. For full details head over to www.fxrracing.com
FLY IGNITER BALACLAVA
Most of the crew over at OSM wear open face, and take our balaclavas very seriously. Most importantly, it has to be warm, fit right, offer wind protection and still be thin enough to fit into the helmet (we have a few XXL head sizes on staff, and it is a real issue), The Igniter from Fly is constructed of CoolMax ÂŽ material that keeps you warm and dry, while the material on the top is thin and comfortable, so this bad-boy receives check marks all around. Available through your local WPS dealer: www.wps-inc.com
TRAIL GRABBERS
You know the saying “sometimes less is more�? Well, in the case of Trail Grabbers from Bergstrom Skegs, this statement holds true. The Trail Grabbers are designed to screw directly into the lug of a track, and offer carbide point-of-contact to slick surfaces. A few advantages to these screw type studs are; faster install time, (96 down the center takes about 15mins) less weight than traditional studs, less damaging on trailer or garage floors, and can be removed easier if you are trading in your sled. OSM got our hands on some Trail Grabbers this season, and we can report that the install was easy, and after this season, we will also let you know in an upcoming issue how they performed. Stay tuned. For complete details, recommended sizing and track pattern, head over to: www.bergstromskegs.com
ZOAN POLAR GLOVE
It is around this time of the season that you start to take inventory of your gear, and realize that your fingers are freezing because you are using gloves that are 7 years old. Gloves will eventually wear out, and if you are noticing the old fingers are burning at the end of day, then maybe you should look at the Polar Glove from Zoan. The gloves are constructed from leather and Cordura™ and feature a 100% waterproof and windproof, breathable membrane liner. The fingers are pre-curved for a better rider fit, and the gauntlet is extra long and wide for better protection and warmth. The Polar Glove also features reflective panels and the little rubber “dohickeyâ€? thing that helps clear your visor after your buddy roosts you at the road-crossing‌What? Like that has never happened before. For complete details check out www.zoanhelmets.ca
Mtn M tn Ta Tamer amer Mt Rear Suspension "! ! ! ! " ! !
613-489-5297 jawsperformance.com
www.timbersled.com w ww.ttiimbe ~ 208 208--255 255--5644
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Pipes Silencers
Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha
SLP AXYS SINGLE PIPE
Attention new Axys owners, you need to read this. SLP has developed a new, lightweight silencer that claims to shed 13 lbs from your buggy, all-the-while adding 9 ponies under the hood. Crafted with a ceramic coating that not only makes this silencer look “Bad-Ass”, it also aids in over-all heat reduction. SLP has tested this pipe and it passed the SAE J2567 (yah we are taking the word on that) stationary test, which is below 88 decibels. Lastly, no fueling changes are required, so install is stock out the box, but SLP suggests you purchase a set of extension spring hooks to make it easier. Head over to www.slp.cc for full details.
TRACTION GRIPPERS
Made from 0.125” thick aluminum, these traction grabbers from Yamaha make a huge difference if bashing through the deep stuff is your thing. Shown here for the new Viper, these grips feature a more aggressive pattern than what comes stock on the boards, and let’s be honest, add serious LCV (look cool value) points to your sled. They come supplied with instructions and all the hardware needed for a simple install. Head over to the Yamaha Parts and Accessory webpage for complete details. www.yamahapartsandaccessories.com
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Mark Schiffner TEAM Industries
other. This eliminates the scrubbing that the clutch does on one side of the belt, allowing for less heat and more accurate tuning. Also, our HYVO chain conversion kits have been our fastest growing product. We find that when Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo customers are gearing their machines, they also upgrade to the HYVO chain and sprockets for the added strength and longevity. The staples of our product line have been, and will always be, tuning components. Helixes, springs, sprockets and chains have been very popular as long as we have offered clutches. Snowmobiling is such a tuner sport, so we always see a demand for these products that optimize a sled for the rider/application. Most snowmobilers associate TEAM industries as the drivetrain gurus of the industry and frankly, that is a fairly accurate statement. TEAM, which is an acronym for Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing, has been deeply entrenched within the snowmobile industry since the late 1960s, and the company remains passionately engaged as a major player, both as an OEM supplier and aftermarket entity. We caught up with Mark Schiffner, TEAM General Manager of their Aftermarket business for a five-minute update on the industry heavy weight. TEAM has been around for quite some time, for those who are not familiar with the back-story, give us a quick history lesson. TEAM was started in 1967 by Don Ricke. From humble beginnings, TEAM has grown into a market leader in drivetrain technology that employs over one thousand people in six facilities. TEAM grew with the snowmobile boom in the seventies, and continued that expansion by getting into the design and manufacture of transmissions and clutches for the ATV/UTV market, from the early nineties until today. For most snowmobilers, they think of TEAM as a clutching company, but you are actually so much more than that. Tell us about it? Most snowmobilers are familiar with TEAM Aftermarket. When some engineers at TEAM came up with the design of the first TEAM clutch, (the TSS-98) we needed a venue to sell it, as we had a hard time getting an OEM to use it in production. We formed TEAM Performance Solutions (now TEAM Aftermarket) to sell TEAM products directly to consumers, racers, and dealers. TEAM Aftermarket is just one division of TEAM Industries. TEAM Industries is a multi-million dollar company that supplies components and engineered systems to companies throughout the world. TEAM manufactured products can be found in products from Polaris; John Deere; Arctic Cat; BRP; Yamaha; Eaton; Harley-Davidson; Evinrude; Kawasaki; EZ-Go; Club Car and Honda. Tell us about what your most popular products are for snowmobilers. The TEAM Tied clutch has been very popular for the last five years. The Tied clutch operates differently than other driven clutches on the market. As the clutch opens and closes during upshift and backshift, the sheaves do not rotate relative to each 104
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At its most simplistic form, the snowmobile drive and driven clutch have changed little over the past 25 years. Do you see this being the case going forward? The basic CVT system is elegant in its simplicity and thus, it is a very economical and efficient method to “change gears”, as compared to other transmission designs. As with everything else mechanical, I think we may see logic integrated into CVTs and more exotic materials in belt manufacture. I don’t think we will see a revolutionary change to drive and driven clutch designs any time soon. The current systems are pushing 160+ horsepower through them and they continue to perform quite well. Where do you see TEAM’s future? TEAM has a bright future. We have a very motivated and creative group here that are in many cases, enthusiasts at heart. This translates into the passion that we bring to our jobs every day. TEAM is very involved in the powersports market, but I can see us diversifying into other markets that value innovation. TEAM will continue to grow our business through joint developments with OEMs, design for manufacture on build-to-print work, and cutting edge manufacturing techniques. As long as we continue to innovate and work hard, TEAM will be a world class manufacturer for a long time. To learn more about TEAM Industries and their aftermarket products visit them online at www.team-ind.com
While the company was originally founded in Cambridge, Minnesota, the headquarters is now located in Bagley, Minnesota – founder Don Ricke’s hometown. The Bagley facility was opened not long after TEAM was awarded significant development work in the late 1980s with Polaris as they entered the ATV market.
For more information: Dealer Program Available 218-334-3388 info@composit-usa.com composit-tracks.com
INDUSTRY
411 ® Keeping things sharp and refusing to compromise, BiteHarder
founder Glenn Welch developed a quick, easy and cost effective way to sharpen your carbide runners (and now your carbide tipped studs) in just minutes, before you hit the trails. The OSM crew has been using the BiteHarder tool for the past year, and we can attest…it really works. With this season’s limited snow conditions, we’ve been spooling up our BiteHarder tool more than expected. We recently gave Glenn a buzz to get the latest update on the BiteHarder story and see what other tricks he may have up his sleeve for this issue’s 411. What was the impetus for starting the company? Like anything, carbide runners wear and when they do, it reduces their ability to bite. Reduced performance is always a point of frustration for snowmobilers, and none of us like to compromise. Typically, we are faced with running on dull runners, or spending lots of money on new ones. The runners are not necessarily worn out, they have just lost their edge, and from my frustration came the development of the BiteHarder carbide runner sharpening tool. The tool is designed to quickly and effectively put a new sharp edge on your carbide runners. BiteHarder eliminated the
BITEHARDER INVENTOR AND OWNER OF WELCH MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES SHOWS OFF HIS TRICK CARBIDE RUNNER SHARPENING TOOL.
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 4
compromise of riding each season on dull runners. Give us some details regarding the BiteHarder sharpening tool? Our tools are CNC machined from billets of 300 series stainless steel to precise tolerances. Industrial diamonds are bonded to the cutting surface using the latest adhesion technology. Our Standard Series of Tools are designed to work with the speeds (RPM) a cordless or corded drill will provide. This allows for portable trailside sharpening. Our STD Series Carbide Runner Sharpener retails for $64.95, and will provide 40 plus sharpening sessions before it
CARBIDE IS HARD…REALLY HARD, (YOU KNOW THOSE SCRATCH MARKS ON YOUR SHOP FLOOR) WHICH IS WHY THE BITEHARDER TOOL USES DIAMONDS ADHERED TO THE FACE OF THE SHARPENING TOOL.
begins to reduce effectiveness. Our Professional Series Tools are designed to work at higher speeds and incorporate a higher quality of diamond and bonding material, which provides a much longer tool life. Our PRO Series Carbide Runner Sharpener retails for $184.95 and will provide 200 plus sharpenings. How long does it take to sharpen your runners with BiteHarder? In as little as 15 to 20 seconds, you can put a new edge on your carbide runner. The same goes for our carbide studsharpening tool. We recommend you start with a new set of carbide runners and maintain the edge as they wear.
LOOK FOR THIS SHARPLY PACKAGED TOOL AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER, OR SIMPLY GO ONLINE TO WWW.BITEHARDER.COM TO ORDER YOURS.
Trying to bring back a set of runners with 2000 miles on them will only put excessive wear on your tool. How did you develop and test BiteHarder? In designing the tool, we had a number of criteria we wanted to meet: Manufacture and sell a product that provides the highest levels of workmanship and quality. Provide snowmobilers with a simple to use and cost effective tool that allows them the ability to experience the full potential of their equipment. Maximize safety through better snowmobile maneuverability and control. Carbide is used on snowmobile runners primarily because of its hardness, cost effectiveness, and availability. To sharpen carbide, you need something harder. This is where diamonds come into play and why BiteHarder uses diamonds in all of our sharpening tools. New carbide runners come with a “V” edge in 60 or 90-degree variations. The edge quickly becomes dull after a short period of time due to road crossings, gas stops, detours, etc. Through extensive testing in real world riding conditions, we found that an extended edge, or what we call our “AdvantEdge”, provided superior performance to a standard “V” configuration. This patented technology requires (on average) sharpening your carbide runners approximately every 250 miles. What’s the best way to purchase BiteHarder? The best way to purchase our products
HERE’S A CARBIDE TIPPED STUD BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE WITH THE NEW PRO SERIES STUD SHARPENER.
is on our website at www.biteharder.com. We also distribute our products through Western Powersports in the U.S. and Mountain Sports Distribution in Canada. Both of our distributors have done a great job at getting our tools into dealers throughout North America, and continue to expand our presence. Do you offer any type of warranty or guarantee? We stand behind every tool that leaves out facility. All tools are manufactured to the highest quality standards, but will wear out over time. It is for this reason we can only process a return on products that have not been opened. Do have any other products or services in the works you can tell us about? This season, BiteHarder released our diamond coated stud sharpener. This professional series tool allows the user to sharpen 750 to 1000 studs at a retail cost of $149.95; that is about $0.20 per stud. A track with 96 studs can be sharpened in about 30 minutes. The tool was released this season on our website only and has become a hot seller. Watch for it at your dealer’s parts department next season. For the 2015/2016 snowmobile season BiteHarder will be releasing three new products, one of which will be a standard series (portable) stud sharpener, designed to be used with a cordless drill. The other two will be support products that complement our sharpening tools. Tell us something about the company that you wish more people knew. All of our BiteHarder products are made in the U.S.A., under our parent company Welch Manufacturing Technologies, Ltd.,
THE LATEST TOOL FROM THE BITEHARDER CREW IS THIS DIAMOND FACED STUD SHARPENING TOOL.
which is an ISO and AS9100 registered company involved in the manufacture of precision components for the aerospace and automotive industries. This assures that every BiteHarder product is manufactured to the highest industry quality standards. Founded by Glenn Welch in 1989, Welch Manufacturing Technologies, Ltd. has been in business for 26 years. Glenn is a mechanical engineer from Northeastern University and an avid snowmobiler who no longer is frustrated with worn carbide runners. What is something you are sure to find inside BiteHarder headquarters fridge? BiteHarder tools, carbide runners and a cordless drill…we like to keep things cool. Oh yeah, there might be some hydration in there too. Where is your favorite place to ride and why? The Province of Quebec. Quebec offers diverse riding conditions that are typical of what most snowmobilers encounter. The trails are clearly marked and the conditions are very reliable. Most of our on-snow testing has been conducted over thousands of miles of riding in Quebec. What’s next for the company? BiteHarder is committed to evolving our current product line, and continuing to expand with new and innovative products that make snowmobiling a much safer and more enjoyable experience. In 10 words or less tell me why someone should purchase BiteHarder? Why compromise…never ride on dull runners or studs again.
THE STANDARD SERIES BITEHARDER TOOL CAN BE USED IN ANY CORDLESS OR CORDED DRILL TO SHARPEN YOUR WEAR BARS IN JUST MINUTES. FOR MORE HARDCORE APPLICATIONS, THE PROFESSIONAL SERIES TOOL CAN BE USED IN TOOLS THAT SPOOL UP TO SPEEDS FROM 10,000 RPM AND HIGHER. ON SNOW MAGAZINE
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FLOAT BOWL PAT BOURGEOIS
THE TINKERERS
One part vintage...one part lawn mower...entirely bitchin’. he buzzing and popping of literally thousands of vintage and antique snowmobiles was like a swarm of sluggish hornets released into the cold of winter. One by one they rumbled past my perch on the edge of Lake Waconia. The shutter of my Cannon clicked repeatedly as those that jumped out from the crowd puttered by and I could hear myself call out the names of some models and brands that have long since left the industry. From perfectly restored racers to rear-engine sleighs, they were all represented at the annual Waconia Ride In, appropriately dubbed the world’s largest vintage and antique snowmobile show. It’s become an event I refuse to miss, and likely one of my favorites of the season. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the “Ride In” and to celebrate the milestone, event organizers paid tribute to not one, but two iconic brands - Arctic
T
Cat and Polaris. Being a Minnesota event, it was the perfect solution for a state that was, and continues to be in many ways, the heart and soul of the sport. It was once home to several snowmobile manufacturers, (by some estimations, close to 20 once called Minnesota home) and it remains the epicenter of events, racing, many aftermarket companies, and of course Polaris and Arctic Cat. A major component of the Ride In is the Sunday judged show, and this year it was filled with sleds of every make, era, and condition. The beauty of the Waconia show, unlike most other vintage shows, is they have a class for literally every sled imaginable. From unrestored pre-1966 rear engine sleds and vintage racers, to the newly added 1986-1995 classic class and the fan favorite, jalopy and homebuilt category.
Plenty of attention...that’s what you get when you perfectly mate a Harley-Davidson V-twin with a classic Scorpion TK. 108
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Snowmobilers, like most motorheads, have always been tinkerers...at first out of necessity, and later out of passion. Our desire to make something better...to make something unique, is inherently part of this sport. Where else would you see a brand new, modern $13,000 snowmobile stripped to its core and reassembled before a single mile was logged, only in an effort to make it faster, lighter, or merely “cooler”. This year, that “tinkerer” was on full display at Waconia as fans stopped to stare at rat rods, race rods, and hot rods. No matter the build, there always was a sense of wonder from those who stared and checked over the details of the “creation”, along with a deep sense of pride from their proud owners who finally had a chance to show off the fruits of their labor of love. As a tribute to those hours of searching, sweating, and sometimes swearing, and in keeping with this issue’s “photo-spectacular” theme, I wanted to share just a small sampling of those snow rods. From ugly and raw, to pure and polished, each has a story to tell and undoubtedly sparks the imagination and tinkerer inside each of us. I’d love to see more of these creative snowmobiles, and in fact, OSM is hoping to showcase more of these types of sleds…from new to old in the pages of future issues. Drop me a line (editor@osmmag.com) and share with me the details of your latest “rod”, and include a few photos; I’d love to share your labor of love with the OSM family. Tinker on!
This entirely custom, hand-built 1975 GPX, owned by Ryan and Ed Ensol of Sheridan, Illinois had me drooling over the attention to detail.
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LAST GASP
John Summers Klim Technical Riding Gear There’s no denying the goodness of Klim outerwear. The company was built the old fashioned way…through hard work, sweat, and a tough as nails product that really works. Today, Klim has become a tour-de-force in the powersports industry, offering up ballistic and warm technical riding gear for snowmobilers, off-roaders, and motorcyclists across North America and beyond. Klim Marketing Director, John Summers has been along for the incredible ride for more than 16-years and in his words, “Has loved every minute of it.” With that, we decided to catch up with John to get his Last Gasp responses on his last 16 years with Klim.
LAST SNOWMOBILE YOU OWNED? 2014 Polaris RMK PRO 155 with a Boondockers Turbo.
LAST WORDS YOUR MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD YOU? Always wear clean underwear.
LAST SNOWMOBILE YOU VOWED YOU WOULD NEVER OWN AGAIN? I can honestly say I have liked every sled I’ve owned. There has always been little things here and there that I would have liked to change, but for the most part I have always enjoyed all of the sleds I have owned.
LAST TIME YOU TRAVELED OVERSEAS? The fall of 2013 I went to England, Germany, and Switzerland for work.
LAST TIME YOU PULLED AN ALLNIGHTER? It seems like every year just before the snow flies there are a few all-nighters getting sleds ready to ride.
LAST AMAZING SNOWMOBILE RIDE YOU HAD? I would have to say it was my last trip to Togwotee Mountain Lodge. We had epic snow conditions, a great group of guys, and we all made it back safe and sound
LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? Unbroken LAST SONG YOU PLAYED ON YOUR I-POD OR RADIO? Led Zeppelin, Black Dog LAST GREAT IDEA YOU HAD THAT MADE YOU THINK...HELL YEAH? To put a Boondockers Turbo on my new 2015 snowmobile…hell yeah! 110
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 4
LAST TIME YOU WENT OVER 100MPH? It was in an airplane heading back from Denver, I know…I wasn’t driving but it was well over a hundred!
LAST ROCK STAR YOU MET? I am pretty fortunate in that I work with a rock star, Sid Huntsman. The guy can flat-out ride. Check him out in Thunderstruck 13…he’s a rock star. LAST THING YOU RACED? My road bike…I provided the horsepower. LAST TIME YOU WERE INJURED? I wrecked on day two of a ten-day motorcycle trip in August. I ended up breaking both bones in my lower left leg. The great thing was that I got to ride in a helicopter. LAST PERSON YOU HUGGED? My daughter
LAST TIME YOU THREW UP? In 2013 I had appendicitis. Needless to say, I threw up more than once.
LAST THING YOU HOPE YOU’LL BE REMEMBERED FOR? My mad nunchuck skills…ha ha!
LASTING SNOWMOBILE MEMORY? My ride last weekend…because of an injury this summer, I haven’t been able to ride anything. Last week was my first ride in five months. It was great to get back on a motorized vehicle.
LAST WORDS OF ADVICE? A smart man learns from his own mistakes. A wise man learns from someone else’s mistakes.
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CLICKED - PHOTOS FROM THE USXC WELCOME TO THE USXC USXC SPONSORS FEATURE SPONSORS THE VENUES 2015 RACE SLEDS CALE ANSEEUW ZACH HERFINDAHL I-500 • SNOWMOBILING'S GREATEST RACE USXC RIDERS
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What Belt are you? Download the app to find out!
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One of the most difficult moments in cross-country racing is finding a way around the guy in front of you.
These dual runner wear bars sure aren’t what the dealer said they would be.
You don’t need a lot of money or even a new sled to have fun racing cross-country.
See that busted ski spring? More proof that only real men race vintage.
Fixing sleds out in the open? One reason you need a good mechanic for the 500.
Cross-country scenes often hold their own stark beauty. 8
The big trophies are the good ones.
Right turns are his weak point.
Nothing faster on the ice than lowered Indy.
That moment when you realize you pulled a really bad starting pin.
Who’s chasing who? Ice can be a great equalizer.
Busted starter rope = bad day. Racer chasers out in full force. 9
THE USXC
As
the USXC enters its third season, I would like to thank all our participants, their sponsors, crew members, families and all the people who follow cross-country snowmobile racing. Without them there wouldn’t be a circuit. I watched last year as racers dealt with extreme
temperatures, harsh conditions and the worst weather mother nature could throw at them. It takes a dedicated individual to strap on a helmet and run 180 miles of ditch in those conditions and then get off the sled and say it was fun! I also want to thank our circuit sponsors. Without them we couldn’t survive. Please let them know you appreciate their support and next time you shop for snowmobile parts, accessories or clothing choose their products first. Be sure to tell them you’re a USXC member the next time you shop for their products. The USXC is fortunate to have a crew of dedicated, hard-working people. They are out at the trailers at 6a.m. and in many cases are still working long after dark, and this isn’t just on race days. These people are dedicating loads of time and effort throughout the season to make USXC events happen. You couldn’t pay them what their contribution is really worth because in many ways its priceless. They do it for the love of the sport. Next time you see one of these people please let them know you appreciate what they do. We have been listening to our racers and have been making changes to the USXC rules and format as we go. Perhaps
the biggest change for this season is ISR has secured a new insurance carrier and that means this year the racers excess medical coverage will go from $3,000 in coverage to $50,000. This will reduce our event insurance cost and in turn we have therefore lowered the insurance cost to the drivers. We have seven events on the 20142015 calendar and all but the last one have a two-week interval between them. The Winnipeg to Willmar race has kept me extremely busy all summer. Things are coming together but there is still a lot to cover. I am amazed at all the support, interest and help that is stepping forward to make this event work. The total permits needed for this race is close to 70 where on a normal weekend the USXC needs to get one or maybe two. On top of that, there will be upwards of 400 race workers, most are volunteer. Please thank them! I appreciate you, the racer, as well as all of our fans and sponsors and assure you USXC will do its best to provide you with the No. 1 cross-country snowmobile racing circuit in the country. Best regards, Brian Nelson
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SPONSORS
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SPONSORS Racing survives because of competitors, fans, and most importantly, sponsors. USXC has a family of sponsors dedicated to furthering the sport of cross-country snowmobile racing. It is because of the support of the companies listed on these pages that we have a venue in which to participate, spectate and work in the world of cross-country snowmobile racing. Next time you shop, be sure to check out these companies first.
SEVEN CLANS CASINOS For over a decade Seven Clans Casinos has been a major sponsor of cross-country snowmobile racing, most importantly host to the I-500. In recent years Seven Clans has expanded from two casinos (Thief River Falls and Warroad) to three with its new facility in Red Lake. For 2014-2015, Seven Clans will support three major USXC events - the Seven Clans Warroad 100, Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup in Thief River Falls and of course the Winnipeg to Wilmar I-500. Not only does Seven Clans support cross-country snowmobile racing, their casinos offer great family getaways year-round. Hotel, dining, family fun activities and of course some of the best gambling in the state are found at Seven Clans Casinos. Find out more at www.sevenclanscasino.com.
ARCTIC CAT A loyal supporter of cross-country snowmobile racing, Arctic Cat has played a key role in growing the sport over the past decade. The brand has set aside a significant chunk of its race and engineering budget to focus on racing this particular genre and is a big supporter of USXC racing. Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Side by Sides under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. The Company markets its products through a network of independent dealers located throughout the contiguous United States and Canada, and through distributors representing dealers in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile, ATV and Side by Side industry. See the lineup at www.arcticcat.com.
AMSOIL: THE OFFICIAL OIL OF THE USXC Founded by former jet fighter squadron commander Al Amatuzio, AMSOIL produced its first can of synthetic oil in 1972. It kick-started an entire industry of new, premium synthetic oils with AMSOIL spearheading the movement. During his Air Force years Amatuzio had witnessed firsthand the benefits of synthetic lubricants and this inspired him to bring the technology to the masses with his own brand of lubricants. As a result, AMSOIL synthetic lubricants have expanded the boundaries of lubrication science and redefined the performance possibilities of modern machinery and engines.
12
Based in Superior, Wisconsin, AMSOIL is also a leader in the world of racing and sponsors numerous forms including GNCC off-road, TORC truck racing series, powerboats, motocross as well as the racing you see here, USXC cross-country snowmobile racing. USXC provides a unique challenge for a lubricant extreme temperatures, extended periods of open throttle and varied terrain mean an oil has to protect across the board. AMSOIL is the choice of USXC and is the official lubricant of the USXC racing circuit. www.amsoil.com
DRIFT RACING Inspired by the passion to win, DRIFT Racing offers highperformance outerwear and gear for snowmobile enthusiasts. The DRIFT lineup includes everything from the uninsulated Drift Racing Suit to the Intimidator Jacket, Diesel Coat and the rest of the lineup. DRIFT also has matching bibs and pants for all its gear. For women, the Diva line offers stylish comfort and unmatched functionality. The Speeder line is aimed at the younger riders and its styling is reminiscent of the adult DRIFT gear. DRIFT also offers a full line of casual wear, gloves and headwear. DRIFT Racing is proud to be the official clothing outfitter of USXC. See the entire DRIFT apparel lineup at www.driftracing.com.
WOODYS Based in Hope, Michigan, Woody’s Traction has been at the forefront of snowmobile traction and snowmobile racing since the 1960s. A loyal supporter of USXC cross-country racing, Woody’s has stepped up as a significant sponsor of the Winnipeg to Wilma I-500 race in addition to offering their normal sponsorship support. Woody's is the trademarked name of IEM's private label traction devices and is the choice worldwide of motorsports accessory distributors, snowmobile and track manufacturers, offroad vehicles, racing champions, sportsmen and snowmobilers who want the very best in traction performance and safety. Find out more at www.woodystraction.com.
WEST CENTRAL For the past 40 years West Central has been dedicated to helping agribusiness succeed. Based in Willmar, Minnesota, West Central offers services to local farms at a wholesale level including crop protection sales, crop nutrient sales and logistics. West Central believes that in agribusiness, people do business with people, not companies. They know the only way to have trusting relationships with customers is to compete on their behalf. Learn more at www.westcentralinc.com.
C&A PRO SKIS
POLARIS
The choice of racers and trail riders worldwide, C&A Pro Skis have been proven to work better than any other ski on the market. With a full lineup of skis that match any riding style, C&A Pro is the best choice for whatever riding you have planned. They are the No. 1 ski choice among USXC racers. Find out more at www.caproskis.net.
With a racing tradition steeped in cross-country, Polaris is a big supporter of USXC racing. Polaris employees are not only building and designing machines, they are also enthusiastic riders and you’ll regularly find them competing on the USXC circuit. This gives Polaris a competitive edge as they work to make their customers’ riding experience better. Learn more at www.polaris.com.
YAMAHA One of the world’s largest and most innovative recreational vehicle companies, Yamaha is known for its industry-leading engine development and groundbreaking product lines. The only manufacturer dedicated to building 4-stroke snowmobiles, Yamaha’s lineup offers fuelefficient, powerful snowmobiles that go the distance. Yamaha’s goal is to satisfy its customers and exceed their expectations with products and services of superior quality, unmatched performance, and extraordinary value. Learn more at www.yamaha-motor.com.
SKI-DOO Founded in Valcourt, Quebec, in 1942, it wasn’t long after that when J. Armand Bombardier took to the snow with the first versions of Ski-Doo snowmobiles. Since then, Ski-Doo has been dedicated to making its machines the best on snow and cross-country racing has played a big role in achieving that goal. Today, in the Americas, Europe and AsiaPacific, more than 6,500 people are keeping the spirit alive in all of BRP’s recreational vehicles and products. Find out more at www.skidoo.com.
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VENUES Featuring a challenging mix of racing venues as well as a variety of one-, two- and three-day events, the 2014-2015 USXC schedule is set to begin December 20-21 and run through March. The goal of the USXC schedule is to make racing fun, affordable and challenging for USXC racers while also helping bring business into local communities during a time when they might not see much consumer traffic. The result are events that provide top-level racing and competition, fan entertainment and commerce for local communities. USXC events also serve to promote the sport of snowmobiling and snowmobile racing.
GERALD DYRDAHL PINE LAKE
DECEMBER 20-21, 2014 Gonvick, Minnesota Once the traditional start of the cross-country racing season, over the decades Pine Lake has seen some of the best racing cross-country has to offer. USXC is returning to Pine Lake to kick off its season with a two-day event that will feature a 10-mile lake lemans course and heads-up racing. Pine Lake will also be the first round of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown. Where? Pine Lake, Minnesota, five miles North of Hwy 2. Places to Stay: Bagley, Fosston, Clearbrook and Seven Clans Casino.
J&K MARINE BEACH BAR 200 JANUARY 3, 2015 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Featuring a challenging, 10-mile ice lemans course, the J&K Marine Beach Bar 200 will be held on Big Detroit Lake just off Highway 10. Right in the heart of Detroit Lakes, it is a perfect event for fans to get out and see some of cross-country’s best racers. All USXC classes will run and races will be simulcast at the Beach Bar inside the Holiday Inn for fans who want to grab a cold one. Where? Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; 3.5-hours Northeast of Minneapolis; 1-hour East of Fargo/Moorhead. Places to Stay: Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes: 877-251-9348
GRAFTON 100
JANUARY 17, 2015 Grafton, North Dakota The Grafton 100 has traditionally featured a grueling mix of terrain in its course makeup. Riders will face river, field, ditch and woods around the town of Grafton, North Dakota. This race used to be a warm-up for the I-500, so expect the same sort of mix that race will bring. Where? Grafton, North Dakota, two hours north of Fargo/Moorhead just off I-29. Places to Stay: AmericInn, Grafton: 701-352-2788
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PARK RAPIDS 106 JAN 31 – FEB 1, 2015 Park Rapids, Minnesota The two-day Park Rapids event was a huge hit last season. The course provided a challenging mix of terrain for racers and made for intense competition. Park Rapids is located in the pristine wooded areas of Northwestern Minnesota, an area that has a storied tradition of cross-country racing. In fact, many of the Winnipeg to St. Paul races ran through this area. Park Rapids will be the second stop of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown. Where? One and a half hours East of Fargo, North Dakota; Three and a half hours North of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Places to Stay: Park Rapids has many great hotels including an AmericInn, Super 8, Cmon Inn and Cedar Shores Resort.
SEVEN CLANS I-500 FEBRUARY 11-14, 2015 Winnipeg to Willmar The return of the “The Winnipeg” as it has become affectionately known amongst nearly rabid cross-country racers and fans, is the talk of the snowmobile industry for the coming season. From dedicated racers to go fast trail riders, and nearly everyone in-between, the allure of racing or simply following the return of this legendary race has everyone buzzing. Departing from the very spot the original Winnipeg to St. Paul race did back in 1966, the four day race will cover every type of natural terrain possible including ditches, wooded trails, and winding rivers before a winner is crowned in Willmar, Minnesota. If you plan to race or watch just one race this winter…the I-500 is it. Where? Located seven hours north of Minneapolis St. Paul in Winnipeg, Manitoba and concluding in Willmar, Minnesota, located approximately 2 hours west of the Twin Cities. Places to Stay: There are several hotels and motels located at each host city. Headquarter hotels at each stop include: Four Points Sheraton, Winnipeg South; Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls; The Hampton Inn; Bemidji; Arrowood Resort, Alexandria; Awards Banquet at Kandi Entertainment Center, Willmar
SEVEN CLANS 300 CHALLENGE CUP
FEB 28 – MARCH 1, 2015 Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls, Minnesota The two-day Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup will be held at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Run on the terrain that has made up the I-500 for the past decade, racers should be intimately familiar with what they find ahead of them at this event. The Seven Clans 300 Challenge Cup will be the third and final stop for the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown. Where? Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls, Minnesota Places to Stay: Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls, Minnesota 15
VENUES SEVEN CLANS WARROAD 100 MARCH 7, 2015 Seven Clans Casino Warroad, Minnesota Taking place on the banks of Lake of the Woods, the one-day Seven Clans Warroad 100 event will feature a combined ice lemans, cross-country and swamp course. Typically the final event on the cross-country racing calendar, the Warroad event is where championships are won. This race typically sees warm weather and plenty of snow and makes for great racing. Where? Warroad, Minnesota, three hours South of Winnipeg, Manitoba; seven hours North of Minneapolis, Minnesota Places to Stay: Seven Clans Casino, Warroad, Minnesota: 800-815-8293
USXC AND BRIGGS & STRATTON ANNOUNCE BRIGGS & STRATTON 206 TRIPLE CROWN CEMENTING THE FUTURE OF USXC CROSS-COUNTRY USXC and Briggs & Stratton have teamed up to create an entry point for future crosscountry racers and their families. The Briggs & Stratton Triple Crown is a three-race series for riders 6-12 years old where they compete in real cross-country scenarios on real cross-country racing courses. The catalyst for the Triple Crown was the Mini I-500 that took place last season in conjunction with the USXC I-500 at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The first round of the Briggs & Stratton 206 Triple Crown is scheduled for Pine Lake, December 21. Round 2 brings riders to Park Rapids on February 1 and the final round takes place at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls February 28. There will be three classes, two of them require Briggs & Stratton 206 race engines: Improved Stock, Pro 206 and Champ 206. Improved Stock and Pro 206 get divided in 6-8 and 9-12 year old classes while Champ 206 is 6-12 year old. Briggs & Stratton will be giving away $3,000 in prizes at each race to random competitors and their families. For information and updates visit www.usxcracing.com. Schedule 12/20 Sat 12/21 Sun 1/31 Sat 2/1 Sun 2/28 Sat
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Pine Lake, Mn (test and tune day) Pine Lake, Mn (race day) Park Rapids, Mn (test and tune day) Park Rapids, Mn (race day) Thief River Falls, Mn - 7 Clans Casino 300 (race day)
Classes Improved stock: 6-8 tear olds / 9-12 year olds Pro 206 (Briggs sponsored class): 6-8 year olds / 9-12 year olds Champ 206 (Briggs sponsored class): 6-12 year olds
TUCKER HIBBERT SIGNATURE SERIES
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> 2015 RACE SLEDS
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ith pump gas rules in the book for the 2015 season, manufacturers have scrambled to get their production sleds ready for USXC crosscountry competition. Today’s top performance sleds are more than up to the challenge of terrain racing, but with race sleds ruling the lineup for the past seven seasons its anyone’s guess whose sled will rise to the top in 2015. Here are the challengers fans will see racing the Pro Stock class this coming season.
SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS 600 B uilt on the proven REV-XS RS platform, this is the same chassis Ski-Doo has been racing for over half a decade. Powered by the Rotax 600 H.O. E-TEC engine, it features direct injection, electronic oil injection and is perhaps the most fuel-
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efficient engine entering competition. The rMotion rear suspension is a rising rate design that should work well in cross-country competition. The MX Z X-RS features KYB adjustable shocks all around and comes with a 120x1.25-inch RipSaw
track. Ski-Doo has struggled with brakes overheating in some cross-country venues, particularly ice racing where it gets worked the hardest, so the Brembo caliper should get a test.
> 2015 RACE SLEDS
YAMAHA RTX SE Y amaha’s top terrain sled is the R-TX SE. The Arctic Cat-designed chassis is fitted the Yamaha Genesis 130FI, three-cylinder 4-stroke engine that pumps out 130HP in stock form. FOX FLOAT shocks
up front and FOX Zero Pros in the rear handle the bumps and the sled uses the same 129inch track setup as the Arctic Cat. For the past few seasons Yamaha has chosen to race a modified version of its Nytro, competing
mostly in the Open and Improved classes. With arguably the best 4-stroke engine on snow and the proven Arctic Cat chassis, Yamaha could make the biggest gains in cross-country’s stock classes in 2015.
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> 2015 RACE SLEDS
POLARIS 600 RUSH PRO-S P erhaps the biggest wildcard when it comes to 2015 machines is the Polaris 600 RUSH Pro-S. An evolution of the RUSH chassis which saw some crosscountry action in 2011, the AXYS chassis is all new for 2015. Thirty-pounds lighter than
its predecessor, it features carbon fiber spars and an aluminum rear crank and pivot in the unique PRO-XC rear suspension. The new chassis places the rider about 4.5-inches forward of the previous sled’s rider position. Powered by the Liberty
600 Cleanfire engine, it is perhaps the simplest and most proven of the engines of all the manufacturers. Suspension features Walker Evans clocker shocks and a 120x1.25-inch Ripsaw II track.
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Scan to go online
> 2015 RACE SLEDS
ARCTIC CAT ZR6000R XC T he only manufacturer to bring a sled specifically-built for USXC competition to the line in 2015, the Arctic Cat ZR6000R XC is the culmination of nearly a decade of direct factory participation by Arctic Cat. The sled is power by the same C-TEC2 6000-series fuel-injected engine found in production snowmobiles. Designed to run
on 91-octane fuel mandated by the circuit starting this year, the engine also features electronic oil injection. The ProCross chassis has added features to help it survive crosscountry racing such as an additional tunnel brace under the chaincase, new outer rear suspension brackets and larger 10mm hardware in the bulkhead and front and rear
spars. A 43.5-inch wide ski stance makes the sled ISR legal and larger diameter tie rods are stronger than production. The sled comes stock with FOX FLOAT EVOL RC front shocks, FOX 1.5 Zero C center shock and FOX 2.0 rear shock. A longer front torque arm allows for more front arm travel and a 1.25-inch Cobra track puts power to the snow.
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INTERVIEW
ANSEEUW
CROSS-COUNTRY IN HIS BLOOD
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hile Cale Anseeuw started off his racing career in snocross, he eventually gravitated to crosscountry. A few runs down the ditch and he was hooked. It’s no surprise since his dad Danny and uncles Jamie and Willie are all former Pro cross-country racers. In a few short years Cale has risen to the top of the USXC Semi-Pro pack. This year he’s switching from Ski-Doo to Yamaha and we caught up with him to see what might be in store for him in 2015.
like my program was going to go that way. But it wasn’t until the second week in November we finalized the deal. I’m excited to be hopping on a new sled. I’ve only rode Ski-Doo so I’m little bit nervous, but I think it will be a good change.
OSM: There were only a few guys racing Ski-doo last year, how did it go for you? Cale Anseeuw: Last year we did a lot of work to get the sled working good. I really liked the sled and I felt pretty fast on it.
OSM: Why cross-country? Anseeuw: I started off in snocross and I liked it, but I had an opportunity to race a cross-country race with Cory Grant and after that I just fell in love with the sport. My dad backed me and it was a lot of fun so we stuck with it.
OSM: What’s the plan for 2015? Anseeuw: This year I’m planning to ride a Yamaha. OSM: How did you get hooked up with Yamaha? Anseeuw: We talked with them throughout the summer and it seemed 22
OSM: What do you do when you’re not racing? Anseeuw: I go to college and I’m in my second year going for an agriculture diploma.
OSM: Your dad and uncles raced crosscountry so your family has some history there. Anseeuw: Yeah. I always wanted to do snocross because that’s what I was brought into. My dad worked with Blair
Morgan Racing Team, so he was always at the snocross races while I was growing up. OSM: Any expectations for the Winnipeg to Willmar race? Anseeuw: My goal is to finish that race. I think it will be fun to bring it back and I think it will help get a lot of people involved. It will be nice for me, I will have a hometown start. The starting line is about four miles from my house. OSM: New sled, any expectations or goals for the season? Anseeuw: I want to pick up where I left off last season. I want to keep progressing. A lot of it is just getting used to cross-country racing, it’s a whole different game. It’s pretty hard to wrap your mind around going wide open down a ditch for miles at a time. My goal for the season is to finish Top 3 or at least Top 5 the entire season. Getting used to the new sled will be key to that, but once I get used to it I think I can be one of the top riders in Semi-Pro.
INTERVIEW
HERFINDAHL 2014 PRO STOCK CHAMPION.THE FUTURE IS NOW
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raditionally, cross-country has been a genre that rewards experience. It is rare that a young rider comes along and finds success. At just 18, Zach Herfindahl has blown that perception out of the water. The 2014 USXC Pro Stock points champion, Herfindahl rides with the smoothness and maturity of a crosscountry veteran. The surprising thing is he’s entering his fourth season since he first started racing cross-country in the Junior class. We caught up with him to find out what he thinks of his success and where he’s headed with his career.
OSM: You won the Pro Stock points championship last season, how did that feel? Herfindahl: It feels really good. It was definitely always a goal of mine, it just came faster than I thought it would. OSM: You entered your first cross-country race three seasons ago. Did you ever think you’d find success so fast? Herfindahl: No. I started in the Junior class and jumped up through the ranks really fast, pretty soon I was racing against the guys I had always watched. It was definitely a surprise to go through the ranks so fast. OSM: What was it like to enter the Pro class so fast? Herfindahl: It was interesting. The first race in Pro I was battling with guys I had always looked up to. It was really an eye opener and at the same time it was a really cool experience.
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OSM: You race out of the Christian Brothers Racing trailer, how has it been working with guys like Hector Olson, Corey Berberich, Ryan Simons, D.J. Ekre and Brian Dick? Herfindahl: Hector and Berbs are always there making sure the sled is perfect. If the three of us don’t know something we can ask Ryan. D.J. helped me with setups too. If I can’t figure something out those guys are always there to help. It’s nice having people with so much knowledge and experience behind you making sure everything is perfect. OSM: You had some problems at the Seven Clans I-500 last season. What happened? Herfindahl: The first day i blew a belt right before the finish. The second day I had fast time of the day and then 100 miles before the finish line my clutch seized up and I lost probably five minutes in that ordeal. It was an interesting 500 for sure. OSM: Then you broke your thumb at Park Rapids but you kept racing the rest of the season. Herfindahl: When I got my cast on we took handlebars with us to the doctor and had the cast molded to it so it would fit
in my hand. Then we made a glove that would fit over the cast. I was still able to use a brake finger and hang on with my fingertips, but turning wasn’t the funnest thing. It worked out though. OSM: What did the doctor say when you brought handlebars in with you? Herfindahl: My doctor is cool, he rode dirt bikes when he was young. He understood, he said,”If you break the cast we’ll just put a new one on.” OSM: What was your best weekend last season? Herfindahl: Probably Pine Lake because it was the Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial race. It was nice getting my name on the same trophy as Brad Pake and Kirk Hibbert. That was cool. OSM: What’s in store for 2015? Herfindahl: I’m looking forward to being on Christian Brothers Racing again this season and hopefully putting something together so we can get the same results we got last year. I want to win the 500 too. I think the Winnipeg to Wilmar is going to be a cool deal. It will be a big step for the sport if they can pull it off. I’m really looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be a fun week.
THE I-500
The roots of the I-500 go back over 100 years. The first written account of a sled dog race from Winnipeg to St. Paul dates back to the 1850s, a race that came as a result of a friendly challenge between travelers. In 1886 the St. Paul Winter Carnival officially began holding sled dog races and ski competitions to highlight the winter attractions Minnesota had to offer. Another event said to inspire the first running of the Winnipeg to St. Paul race was Ralph Plaisted’s point-to-point snowmobile ride from Ely to St. Paul in 1965. It was a distance ride many in the sport took note of and this, combined with the idea of holding a “modern day� version of the sled dog races from Winnipeg to St. Paul, was enough to make the St. Paul Winter Carnival decide to hold the first Winnipeg to St. Paul snowmobile race.
The Winnipeg Race: 1966-1980 In 1965 the sport of snowmobiling was still in its infancy. Riding a snowmobile just 50 miles was an undertaking, so when the 26
St. Paul Winter Carnival announced that it would hold a 500-mile race starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and ending in St.Paul, Minnesota for the 80th Anniversary of the Winter Carnival, no one took it very seriously. In January of 1966 a few brave racers, 57 to be exact (though some accounts say 58), gathered in Winnipeg for the start of the Great Race and a chance to win a chunk of the $700 purse. It was -42 Fahrenheit when the riders left the starting line and,
four days later, 28 riders crossed the finish line with Herb Howe at the front of the pack on a Polaris Colt. The media loved it. The media attention the 1966 race received opened the eyes of snowmobile manufacturers and sponsors who saw an opportunity to get huge exposure for their products. Engineers saw it as a perfect proving ground for their ideas and racers saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain a little fame and fortune. As a result, the
1967 race saw a lot more riders and was rife with cheating and controversy. Race organizers weren’t prepared for the increased participation and the increased desire by those involved to win the race. The Winnipeg to St. Paul race had collected all the ingredients that would make it one of the greatest races in snowmobiling – huge media coverage, intense factory involvement, an almost insurmountable route and a core of racers so rabid for success they would do just about anything to win. For the next 14 years, until the last time the race was run in conjunction with the Winter Carnival in 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul race would be one of the biggest, richest and most prestigious races in snowmobiling. And, at some times, the most controversial. Peaking in 1975 with a total of 375 riders, television, magazines, newspapers and radio along the entire length of the course would cover the race from start to finish every year. Hometown papers would cover local heroes; kids in towns along the route were let out of school to watch the riders come through. It became more than a race, it was a spectacle. And then, in 1980, after three years of low snow, it all went away.
both, whether consciously knowing or not, realized the importance of the race in the world of snowmobiling. The pair started an organization called “Friends of the 500” to try and bring the race back. They knew they’d need money for things like a newsletter to keep members informed and to make things happen, so they started taking $15 donations and depositing them into an account at Northern States Bank in Thief River Falls. While the money came slow, attention came fast. Word had gotten out there was an effort to bring the race back. A defense attorney from Forest Lake, Minn. named Dick Sands soon got involved and the three set up a meeting. Sands had an interest in the I-500 as well. He was the attorney for the St. Paul Winter Carnival and he had been involved with the original race as its legal counsel. While the Winter Carnival had no interest
in the race anymore, Sands and the group that staged the original race for the Winter Carnival wanted to bring it back just as bad as Hallstrom and Ramstad did. Sands had a connection in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and his group had the idea to bring the race south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul along the North Shore Trail. The North Shore Trail was almost guaranteed to have snow since it was so close to Lake Superior and its lake effect coverage. The three groups got together (the Winter Carnival, Friends of the 500 and Thunder Bay) and settled on a plan to run the race so it rotated – one year it would run south from Thunder Bay to St. Paul, the next year it would run north from St. Paul to Thunder Bay and so on. It wasn’t the Winnipeg route, but Hallstrom, Ramstad and Sands’ people thought it sounded pretty good nonetheless. The meeting was a success. The group went into action with Hallstrom serving as
The Jeep 500 1987-1994 From 1966 to 1980, the Winnipeg to St. Paul I-500 had woven itself into the fabric of snowmobiling. Snowmobiling hit a downturn at the beginning of the 1980s and as a result of a bad economy and consecutive years of low (or no) snow, many manufacturers went out of business, restructured or were absorbed by bigger manufacturers. Racing was the least of many worries. But people missed the I-500 and some endeavored to bring it back. It all started when a young Arctic Cat employee and a veteran snowmobile journalist got together in 1984. Joel Hallstrom had raced the Winnipeg to St. Paul twice in 1979 and 1980 and C.J. Ramstad had worked in advertising and, among other things, founded Snow Week Magazine. Both had a love for crosscountry racing and a love for the I-500 and 27
THE I-500 ran all the way to Duluth, but was cut short in Two Harbors due to fading light. That’s 365-miles in one day! With so many sleds and so much snow the course became incredibly rough and to this day riders tell of negotiating the massive whoops that developed on the North Shore Trail. With no dominant cross-country race circuit the Jeep 500 ran as its own race until 1994. Though it wasn’t the “Winnipeg Race,” it held all the excitement, challenges and prestige of the original race and in many ways was better for its use of the magnificent North Shore Trail. The Jeep 500 put “The 500” back on the snowmobile racing map in a huge way.
ISOC 500 1995-1997 liaison to the manufacturers, Sands and the Winter Carnival group handling the logistics, legal aspects and permits and Ramstad handling media and promotion. Ramstad soon landed Jeep as a sponsor of the first race and provider of the grand prize to the winner, a new Jeep vehicle. George Rettner, former race director for the Winnipeg race in its waning years, was brought on along with Herb Howe, the first winner of the race in 1966 and one of the key people in staging
the race every year after. The group got the OK to cross the border and the OK for the proposed route which took riders south out of Thunder Bay, across the border then along the length of the North Shore Trail to Duluth, then south until they basically ran out of snow. With the chance to race a new, re-born I-500 and a new Jeep as a grand prize, a strong group of 143 riders showed up for the race. It is interesting that the proposed first leg
In the Spring of 1992 a bunch of race sanctioning bodies got together along with a racer and trucking company owner named John Daniels, who had an idea to encompass all of the independent races into one series which he proposed would be called ISOC. There would be a points championship, a common set of rules and, with everything under one banner with one central sanctioning body it would make it easier for the manufacturers and racers to commit time and money to racing crosscountry. ISOC would also run its version of the I-500, the Grand 500. ISOC made the decision to once again run the race from Winnipeg and go south. ISOC’s first running of the 500 was in 1995 when it was called the Gould Brothers Chevrolet Grand 500. Riders left Winnipeg and went until the snow got thin and then the field trailered to Mille Lacs Lake where the race concluded under the watchful eye of its sponsor Grand Casino Mille Lacs. It’s interesting to note that the winner that year, Brad Pake, won a new Chevy Blazer and was also awarded $23,000 in prize money. Not bad for a weekend of racing! Low snow would plague the ISOCsanctioned events. In 1996 ISOC finished the race in Roseau, Minnesota and in 1997 it finished in Bemidji, Minn, both short of the proposed final destination. In June of 1996 ISOC was sold to racing promoter Clay Cich. Cich calculated the cost to the run the I-500 in 1997 at $300 per mile. Those calculations put the total cost of the race at $150,000 - an expensive race to sanction.
Warroad 500 1998-2001 In 1998 cost became a big enough factor in the I-500 that it would change its structure for the foreseeable future. 28
THE I-500
Also, the race was left without a circuit to sanction it, prompting the manufacturers to approach Jerry Erickson and Paul English to see if they would be interested in staging a 500-mile cross-country race. English had gained experience with the 500 while organizing the race for ISOC. Because of cost, they decided to run the 500-mile race in the area surrounding Warroad, Minn., adopting a loop format. The plan kept the 500 alive, but it could no longer boast an “international” format. However, the format didn’t take anything away from the excitement and challenges of the race would bring to those involved. With varied terrain that mimicked the Winnipeg races of old including drifted ditches and brutal, high-speed lake runs, the Warroad race was as much a spectacle as 500s of years past. And the Warroad version of the race became historically significant for at least one manufacturer. With just one 500 win coming in 1972, Ski-Doo rider Todd Wolff won the first two Warroad races in 1998 and 1999, breaking the Arctic Cat and Polaris stranglehold on the race. The cross-country circuit Erickson ran that sanctioned the Warroad 500 was called First American North Star, or FANS. In 2001 he sold the motocross side of the circuit and folded the snowmobile side citing family, a new baby and lack of time as reasons. Once again, the 500 was left without an organization to sanction it and there would be no race in 2002.
Skydancer 500 2003 Founded in 2002, the United States Cross-Country Snowmobile Racing Association (USCC) was the brainchild of a veteran Pro cross-country racer named Pat Mach. Most of the manufacturers’ support for snowmobile racing had shifted from cross-country to snocross and it left Mach and a lot of other cross-country racers without a place to race. Falling back 30
on his degree in Marketing, Mach wrote up a survey and sent it out to every racer he knew. It basically asked, if there was a cross-country racing circuit would you come out and compete? The majority of the people he surveyed said yes. Mach put together a schedule including a 500-mile race. One of the people on Mach’s USCC crew was Brady Grant, a member of the tribal council of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians. Grant, Mach and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa put together a 500-mile race run out of the Skydancer Casino in Belcourt, North Dakota. Dubbed the Skydancer 500, it was a three-day, 500mile race that could be called the I-500 because it crossed in and out of tribal land, making it “international.” Forty-three riders showed up to compete in the rekindled I-500 in 2003. Admittedly a shadow if its former Winnipeg and Jeep 500 days, Mach’s crew learned a lot from the first event and committed themselves to make future USCC versions of the I-500 a race worthy of its heritage. While not a point-topoint event like the original, it would hold all the challenges for racers the original races had and sometimes more.
Red Lake 500 2004-2014 To try and bring it back to some of its former glory, Mach hoped to bring the 500 back to the areas it historically ran. He got
in touch with Jeff Jasperson at Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls, Minn. Jasperson was a huge fan of snowmobile racing and Seven Clans was already sponsoring some snowmobile racers. Mach began talks with Seven Clans about sponsoring an event and Jasperson made it clear if they were going to sponsor a race they wanted the biggest and best. Soon the two had worked out a deal where Seven Clans would play host to the I-500 and serve as its presenting sponsor. They also agreed to pay out $10,000 in cash to the winner. In one move the race had gained a historic venue, a huge payout and a new home. Early routes took riders onto reservation land but in 2008 the route brought riders right into Thief River Falls, with a fuel stop on the river in the middle of town. Recent routes bring riders through many of the small towns surrounding Thief River Falls and the race has once again become a spectacle for fans to watch from the roads and bridge crossings. Like the Warroad race, the Red Lake I-500 boasts a historic note that involves Ski-Doo – in 2009 SkiDoo rider Bryan Dyrdahl became the only person to win the race five times - four of his wins coming on Ski-Doo.
The Future: USXC Winnipeg to Willmar No other race has woven itself so tightly into the fabric of snowmobile racing history. Generations have grown up hearing the stories, seeing the old photos and grainy films, some have been lucky enough to stand near the course as the riders come through. A lucky few have actually raced it. Enter Brian Nelson, two-time winner of the original I-500, and the USXC. Nelson re-entered the world of cross-country as a circuit owner in 2012. From the start he talked of bringing back the point-to-point version of the 500 and he and his crew have demonstrated that, with a little hard work, it is totally possible. In fact, the USXC is set to race from Winnipeg to Willmar this season. Thanks to Nelson and the USXC crew the 500 has come full circle.
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31
RIDERS
Cross-country riders are a special breed. A successful cross-country racer has excellent vision, a quick mind, self-discipline and superb riding skills. He is a master of sled setup and a competent mechanic. A cross-country rider is not just racing against other riders, he’s also racing against the clock. Keen of mind and boasting well-rounded sled skills, the cross-country racer is the ultimate snowmobiler. Here are some of the riders you may see this season on the USXC Cross-country circuit.
ZACH HERFINDAHL No. 312 Home: Eagle River, Wisconsin Age: 18 Sled: Arctic Cat Cross-Country is a genre that typically rewards experience, but Zach Herfindahl proves that’s not always the case. Young and gifted with natural terrain racing instincts, Herfindahl is the future of cross-country snowmobile racing. His season looked in jeopardy after he broke his throttle thumb midway through the season, but some cast trimming and a lot determination kept him in the game and he was able to lock down the Pro Stock points. All that’s left for Herfindahl to put on his resume is an I-500 win.
put himself at the top of the time charts, it’s also earned him a job at Arctic Cat. After years of racing Pro snocross, Selby found his calling in cross-country. He is a threat to win any time he is on the course.
fearless, Erdman is gaining consistency as he ages which should keep his program moving forward in 2015.
GABE BUNKE
No. 537 Home: Rubicon, Wisconsin Age: 26 Sled: Polaris Last season was a breakout one for Ryan Faust. He won his first Pro Stock race and finished third overall in the points. An experienced ice lemans racer, Faust is smooth and fast and knows how to set up his sled. As he gains experience he is slowly creeping up the time charts, so watch for him to sneak some wins this season.
No. 74 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota Age: 38 Sled: Polaris One of the most experienced riders on the USXC circuit, Gabe Bunke has earned the reputation as the “iron man” of modern crosscountry. While much of his recent success has come with three straight wins at the Soo I-500 enduro, he was had one of his best cross-country seasons ever in 2014 logging three Pro Open wins. Bunke has yet to win an I-500 and will be looking to add that to his resume this season.
CHAD LIAN
BOBBY MENNE
No. 6 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 39 Sled: Arctic Cat Plagued by sled problems two seasons ago, from the outside it looked like Chad Lian had lost it. But last year he returned with much better luck and proved he is still a top-level cross-country racer, finishing in the Top 5 in Pro Stock points and Top 10 in the I-500.
No. 131 Home: Virginia, Minnesota Age: 23 Sled: Polaris With a new program, Bobby Menne looked set to have a breakout season last year, but a broken heel suffered at the Duluth National snocross cut his crosscountry season short before it ever started. He was able to come back and nab a 4th place finish in Pro Open at the last event in Walker, but his focus was more on rehabbing for 2015. Menne has only gotten faster every season, so watch for him to pick up where he left off in 2015.
RYAN FAUST
AARON CHRISTENSEN No. 10 Home: Metiskow, Alberta Age: 33 Sled: Polaris Arguable Polaris’ top cross-country racer, Aaron Christensen brings experience, mechanical skill and a calm demeanor to the track. A veteran snocross, enduro and, of course, cross-country racer, Christensen relied on sled setup, patience and consistent speed to win six races and the Pro Open points championship last season. An I-500 win still eludes him, but he is one of the favorites to win it all in 2015.
WES SELBY No. 15 Home: Grand Lake, Colorado Age: 30 Sled: Arctic Cat Following in the footsteps of western Arctic Cat terrain racers such as Kirk and Rex Hibbert, Wes Selby has used his skill and knowledge not only to 32
ROSS ERDMAN No. 311 Home: Rochester, Minnesota Age: 33 Sled: Yamaha With one I-500 win under his belt (2007), so far another one has eluded Erdman. He has managed to stay at the top of the time charts while bouncing between Ski-Doo and Yamaha as well as going back and forth between cross-country and enduro racing. Fast and
BRIAN DICK No. 23 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Age: 36 Sled: Arctic Cat Arguably the best racer in cross-country today, Brian Dick nabbed his second I-500 win in 2014. Dick works at
Arctic Cat and is the program leader for the race sled. No one knows more about the snowmobile they are riding than he does, and he can rattle off every part number for every part on the sled. Combine that with vast setup knowledge and huge riding skill and a certain level of fearlessness and you have a package that’s nearly unbeatable.
ALEX HETTEEN No. 154 Home: Roseau, Minnesota Sled: Polaris An experienced rider and racer, Alex Hetten works as a power train engineer at Polaris, so he knows his machine. He narrowly missed winning the Semi-Pro Stock points last season.
JUSTIN TATE No. 28 Home: Scandia, Minnesota Age: 38 Sled: Polaris Justin Tate spent the first part of his career racing pro snocross and logged a couple handfuls of wins racing against the likes of Blair Morgan and Tucker Hibbert. Turns out he’s a pretty darn good cross-country racer too. Plagued by bad luck last season, he still managed to finish 7th in Pro Stock and 6th in Pro Open points on the USXC circuit and brought home a handful of podiums in the process.
COLE NYMANN No. 404 Home: Plummer, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat A promising up-and-comer on the USXC circuit, Cole Nymann already has a handful of wins to his credit. He will be a force in Semi-Pro in 2015.
DILLAN DOHRN No. 5 Home: Elgin, Minnesota Sled: Polaris A tough, fearless racer, Dillan Dohrn has worked his way up the cross-country ranks to the top levels of the Semi-Pro class. Watch for him to make a push for the championship this season.
SPENCER KADLEC No. 57 Home: Cloquet, Minnesota Age: 24 Sled: Polaris Part of the Bunke Racing team, Spencer Kadlec has risen from the Semi-Pro ranks to become a top Pro rider. Kadlec only started racing five years ago but brings a ton of racing experience through motocross where he was a top District 23 rider. As he gains experience and learns about his sleds he only gets faster, so watch for top results in 2015.
CODY KALLOCK No. 39 Home: Oslo, Minnesota Age: 25 Sled: Arctic Cat A former ice racer, Cody Kallock grew up riding the terrain where most USXC events take place and that gives him an advantage over much of the USXC field. Smart and fast, Kallock has pocketed top results for the past five years, but so far wins have eluded him. He’ll be looking to tally his first in 2015.
CALE ANSEEUW No. 931 Home: Oak Bluff, Manitoba Sled: Ski-Doo Young and talented, Cale Anseeuw won the USXC Semi-Pro Stock points championship last season. With a father and two uncles who were top cross-country racers, he comes from good bloodlines. He will be tough to beat in 2015.
LANCE EFTELAND No. 622 Home: Thief River Falls, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat Lance Efteland is one of the more wellrounded riders in the semi-pro class. His strength lies in the ice races and the longer events such as the I-500. He’s got veteran talent and should be a frontrunner in 2015.
CASEY PRIES No. 65 Home: Townsend, Wisconsin Sled: Arctic Cat One of 2014’s big surprises, Casey Pries took the USXC semi-pro class by storm last season. He won five races and finished at the front in stock and improved in season points. With experience under his belt, watch for him to win more races in 2015. 33
RIDERS
JIM SOBECK No. 44 Sled: Ski-Doo Home: Winona, Minnesota
JOLENE BUTE No. 22 Home: Alden, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
JON ARNESON No. 190 Home: Maple Plain, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
RYAN TROUT No. 105 Home: Browerville, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
CHASE NORDSTROM No. 418 Home: Minneapolis, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
JOHN LANGAAS No. 777 Home: Greenbush, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
AUSTIN REINERTSON No. 114 Sled: Polaris
HUNTER HOULE No. 202 Home: Forest Lake, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat
KELSEY PLADSON No. 496 Home: Hatton, North Dakota Sled: Arctic Cat
CREW It takes a special kind of person to run a cross-country race. Work typically consists of hours of standing in the cold and wind directing riders and making sure courses are marked accurately. Not to mention the days of course scouting and marking that go into setting up and tearing down each race course. The USXC crew works hard to make sure the USXC is the best crosscountry snowmobile racing circuit in the world. Announcer: Phil Zimpel Registration: Kyrsten Zimpel Scoring and Timing: Lonnie Thompson Scoring: Erick Thompson Sweeper/Course Setup: Steve Ray, Jim Nestande Staging, Fuel, Setup, Flagman: Chad Bjorneby Tech Inspector/Setup/Staging: Terry Sizemore
Tech Inspector/Setup/Staging: Scott Schuster Webmaster: Gene Ward Staging/Setup/Pre-tech: Draper Lundquist Administrative Secretary/Bookkeeper: Vickie Radel Human Resources: Karen Nestande Owner: Brian Nelson
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THANK YOU! The Yamaha Factory Racing Team would like to thank our fans and sponsors for joining us on another season of fierce competition over the lakes and through the ditches. Stay up to date on our Facebook page, Yamaha Snowmobiles USA and catch the recap on the Yamaha Racing Show on YouTube!
®
*Professional rider depicted on a closed course on a modified machine. This document contains many of Yamaha’s valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any reference to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement. © 2014 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
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