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RAIL

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GETTING IT RIGHT

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2016 TOUR PROGAM

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contents.

SECOND CHANCE

84

TUCKER HIBBERT

66 62 78 FEATURES

BRUSH GOATS

SWEET SOUNDS OF SILENCE-RRR SILENCER MODS

32 50 52

SCENE IT? TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV AND POWERSPORTS SHOW

TIME MACHINES SKI-DOO ELAN

FUTURE TENSE FROM THE MIND OF CHARLES BOMBARDIER

66 78 84

BRUSH GOATS EIGHT NOT-SO-SURE-FIRE CURES FOR STAYING UP

TUCKER HIBBERT INTERVIEW THE QUEST FOR 10

SECOND CHANCE THE PRO-X GETS IT RIGHT

94

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

48

TIME MACHINES

52 32

FUTURE TENSE

Scene It?

COLUMNS 16 DRIFTS

RICHARD KEHOE

46 WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE

102 FLOAT BOWL

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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.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • Billet Wheels • Billet Wheels with replaceable rubber • Snowflap Savers

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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GO FARTHER

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Richard Kehoe

DRIFTS

Finally, it’s just a matter of days!

P

reseason will soon be behind us and I’m ready for the snowfall, are you? The next few weeks always fly by with Christmas and New Year’s, and the Holidays will be over before you know it.

I’m impressed with our Preseason spirit, because this year we’ve made it out to everything snowmobile, from museums to shows, to races and swaps. It’s been one of the best lead ups to winter in a long time. So take advantage of any time off you might

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

get, sneak out to the garage, invite your neighbor or a buddy, track your sled, clean your sled - snowmobiling is in the air and we’re ready!

Around the shop and office, we already have everything raring to go, from the latest gadgets, adding additional storage and saddle…to installing our blow-up Santas on the front lawn. We’ve got it all checked off. Other than labeling a few trail pass permits that have been on my desk waiting, and a change over to winter

sneakers on the big diesel, there’s only one thing left to do, and that’s to wait for the snow to fall.

We were all wondering how the recent ISCO opener would turn out.

With the new qualifying system, it will be interesting to see where someone like Tucker Hibbert looks to qualify.

Qualify first and you get top qualifying points, and as the added bonus, you get assigned the last starting line choice for the final, and that’s where everything matters; the cash, the points and the trophy girls. Tucker won the first race and almost took the second, just behind Kody Camm. I wouldn’t have missed it.

It’ll be interesting to see how the season plays out.

Until our next issue, I hope the snow piles up where you are, and you get a chance to get out and ride. Remember, nothing says, ‘I love you’ during the Holidays like a snowmobile belt, hand guards or a taller windshield “Bourgeois Style”, wrapped up under the tree! J

TUCKER HIBBERT SIGNATURE SERIES

“Having your suspension dialed-in can be the difference between winning and losing. When everything’s right, you’re more comfortable, confident and in control. My signature series will help you ride at your best and keep you ripping all day long.

I worked closely with FOX to develop a trail performance suspension package that will take what you can give it and leave you feeling like a champ.” - Tucker Hibbert

Own the Trail

No stranger to winning, Tucker Hibbert’s competitive nature doesn’t shut off when he’s away from the track. Tucker worked with the FOX development team to develop a setup geared for pure trail performance. The result is an application-specific Hibbert calibration that rails corners, soaks up jumps, and eats up small chop.

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S

NEW

COR POWERSPORTS EXTREME CHALLENGE SERIES The regional cross-country circuit based in Wisconsin has announced their terrain racing series for the upcoming winter, and with it, plans for their Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge (MESC). The three race challenge includes spring races at three ski-resorts, and each race will feature three racing disciplines – hill-cross, hill-climbs and terrain-x, which is similar to snocross, but on a much longer course with expanded lap times. Aside from the triple-crown events, COR will also host four cross-country events, starting with the Lake of the Torches Casino race in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, January 9-10.

You can view the entire schedule and get details on the Triple Crown series by visiting www.corpowersports.com

KNOW SNOW BOUNDARIES Last winter, Mother Nature just didn’t want to cooperate with several events and races slated during the heart of winter, forcing the cancellation of many of these marquee events. Red Bull Snow Boundaries was one such “big race”, but those kids from Red Bull are determined to make this first of its kind race happen this winter. Dubbed Snow Boundaries, the cross-country endurance race will be held Saturday, February 20th at ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota; a growing motorsports facility 30-minutes north from downtown Minneapolis, and a “home base” testing facility for OSM U.S. based editors. Thanks to recent land acquisitions connected to the original 13-acre park, ERX now has access to more than 300 acres of varied terrain, and the ability to make snow throughout much of the facility. The Red Bull Snow Boundaries race will feature a 13-mile closedloop course, and will include a multitude of terrain types including swamps; frozen ponds; vertical climbs; twisting wooded trails; high-speed chutes and snocross. The race will feature two classes – Ditchbanger for amateur racers and Open Racer for those with sanctioned racing experience. Racers will be randomly seeded for start times and will embark on the grueling course in rows of 10, spaced 30-seconds apart.

Ditchbangers will race for 2-hours plus one lap, while the Open Racer class will continue on for a total of 4-hours plus one lap. All told, there is more than $100,000 up for grabs, in what is sure to become one of the most talked about events in the industry for this winter and many to come. Registration is just $125.00, and the event will be free to spectators. You can learn more and sign up now at www.redbull.com/snowboundaries

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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NEW

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Hey, we know you are eagerly awaiting the first rideable snow of the season, and we have an entire winter ahead to get out and enjoy our favorite snowy sport. Still, it never hurts to plan ahead and think about those open-air rides this summer, aboard a motorcycle. For this reason, you need to mark your calendars now to make plans to attend the North American International Motorcycle Super Show at the International Centre in Toronto, January 8-10, 2016. The largest show of its kind anywhere, the Super Show is jammed with all things two-wheels, and this year will feature corporate displays from both Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki, along with hundreds of some of the most bad-ass custom and vintage motorcycles found anywhere. The show also features the Canada Cup Show Bike Championships, where custom builders will compete for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Get your tickets now and save $3 off the gate price. Visit www.motorcyclesupershow.ca to learn more.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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1:16PM The moment your snowmobile ride made you forget everything else.

DISCOVER ONE OF EASTERN CANADA’S BEST SNOWMOBILE DESTINATIONS! Set high on a cliff overlooking the mighty Saint Lawrence River, the luxurious Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is the ideal destination for snowmobile enthusiasts.

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CAIN’S QUEST

It is official ladies and gentlemen: Cain’s Quest has just released the routes for this year’s race as well as a very important date change for the start of the race.

It’s been labelled the world’s toughest endurance race, and this year’s routes will be as rugged as ever. The pro class racers will now depart Labrador West at 6:00 on march 4th (as opposed to the original announced date of March 5th.) and will pass through a total of 19 checkpoints and cover a mind-blowing 3,500 kms. The trail class option is a recreational route that leaves one day later from Lab West and will take racers through a route that will let them experience the thrill of Cain’s Quest racing at a shorter distance of 1200kms. For more information on Cain’s Quest, including how to register or volunteer, visit. Follow them on Twitter @cainsquest, use #cq2016 or join the conversation on our Cain’s Quest Facebook page.

CUSTOM WRAP YOUR POLARIS

Remember when sleds were just one color and looked damn good?

Well, it’s a bold and way more colorful world these days, which is one of the reasons Polaris has further bolstered its relationship with ArcticFX Graphics for the upcoming season.

Already suppliers to Polaris with a large selection of graphic wrap options for both AXYS and Pro-Ride chassis sleds, this season the offering just got a lot more custom, thanks to an online graphic experience. Dubbed the SledWrapR application, Polaris owners can now go online and custom build a graphic wrap for their sled. According to ArticFX Graphics owner Jordan Yankee, the number of wrap options is virtually limitless and the online application is free to use. Once a customer decides on a design and places their order, the wrap is custom produced and shipped direct to their door in just a few days. You can access the SledWrapR application by visiting the Polaris website and clicking on snowmobile accessories.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

WHEN

DOMINATION IN YOUR NATURE, IS

ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT’S

IN YOUR MACHINE. Whether it’s boats or personal watercraft, ATVs or snowmobiles, there’s a Mystik ® lubricant specially formulated for the machine that demands perfomance.

No matter how extreme the conditions, our complete line of engine oils, greases, fluids and gear lubes provide the premium protection the pros need to dominate.

Visit MYSTIK LUBES.COM to discover our whole line of Lubrication Domination ®, or to find a retailer near you.

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S

NEW

POLARIS KEEPS ON WINNING For the eleventh year in a row, the kids from Polaris are giving back to state and provincial snowmobile organizations across North America through their Winning Riders program. Polaris has long been one of the leaders amongst the manufacturers when it comes to recognizing the efforts of volunteer clubs, and the work they put in to create the incredible infrastructure of trails and riding areas, not to mention the dirty, behind the scenes work in such areas as land access, legislation, and permitting. The program is simple – for every new snowmobile sold, Polaris will donate a portion of those sales directly back to the state or provincial association that the sale originated from to help support club activities and trail development.

MUSTONEN KTM CONCEPT

For those of you who spend plenty of time surfing the interweb and getting your daily dose of ridiculous statements from anti-social media, you’ve surely seen a few images of this KTM snowmobile concept bouncing about. We did too, and so we did some deeper digging to make sure we could give the pen behind the sexy image some recognition. Turns out the designer is Anssi Mustonen from Helsinki, Finland; a creator and design partner for Pinto Design.

In addition to the KTM concept, which by the way has Anssi’s signature adorned on the engine case, he has penned several interesting concepts ranging from a sport watch and a camera, to several cars and other transportation concepts. After checking out his site, we grabbed a few more images of a conversion concept dubbed the X2 that converts from an ATV to a snowmobile and back again. Next time you’ve had your fill of online rants, check out some of his work at www.behance.net/anssimustonen

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

GEM insulated GEAR Arctiva is dedicated to providing powersports gear for feminine tastes and shapes. The Gem is a performance outerwear package that keeps the technical features without compromising function or appearance. Gem is engineered for the most demanding of women riders.

AVAILABLE IN LIGHT BLUE & MAGENTA

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S NEW

MYSTIK LUBRICANTS ADDS MOORE TO ATHLETE ROSTER Last season’s defending Winter X Games snowmobile freestyle and speed and style champ Colten Moore has joined the Mystik Lubricants elite roster of athletes as he sets his sights on a repeat gold performance at Aspen in 2016. Moore, who travels across the globe performing and competing in all forms of stunt and freestyle shows, is fresh off a North American fall tour for Nitro Circus.

Moore told us that the Nitro tour is an ideal training grounds for Winter X. Mystik’s general manager Karl Schmidt loves Moores versatility in all forms of motorsports and said, “much like our products, he dominates not just one sport but many.” Additionally, rumors of a forthcoming Great Clips deal where Moore would receive a much needed haircut however appear to be just that at this time.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

Welcome to a land of snow Over 1100 km of perfectly groomed trails One of the longest SNOWmobile seasonS A world of discovery

Plan your trip now!

Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is a tourism region of Quebec

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THE I-500 RETURNS… AGAIN

S

NEW

One of the biggest victims of last winter’s snowless landscape in several parts of the snowbelt was the much anticipated return of the legendary crosscountry race, the International 500. Organized and sanctioned by the United States X-Country (USXC) group, the premiere cross-country racing circuit in North America, the big four day race is back on and is scheduled for February 10-13, 2016. It will embark from Winnipeg, Manitoba and make stops in Thief River Falls, MN, Bemidji, MN and Alexandria, MN before finishing in Willmar, MN. The classic point-to-point, multi-day race will feature 9-classes including 50+, vintage and womens. In total, the race is expected to cover nearly 600 miles of natural, high speed terrain, close to 300 racers, and the winner of the pro class taking home more than $25,000. To learn more, including a complete race route map, fueling stops, hotels and of course, how you can register, visit www.usxcracing.com and click on I-500.

WORD SEARCH

NEED SOME TIME ALONE IN YOUR THINKING ROOM? HAVE A SEAT ON THE THRONE AND GIVE IT A GO. Need some time alone in your thinking room, have a seat on the throne and give it a < < < < < < "The Letter A" <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< N W I A D P A H O M U N I M U L A L A P E X T S L X A I Y D R M R I Aarm A L M J A I M E T P R V B N C E E Abominable Snowma D P Z W L R I X S S L H Y T K D X Alaska C I L I O S M A T L D D I J Y C S Alouette Aarm R N Q H U N I N R Y N V E I A E T Abominable AlpineSnowman K E U B E N S N D G A O P E T Z O Alaska Altimate Boots Alouette J E T P T W K E G R O C B T L I O Alpine Aluminum Boots Y U A I T A S T L F A H A J A S B Altimate Amsoil Aluminum A N C V E N A M A B D T Z O N L E Amsoil Antique R J C G T L U A S S A B K G T W T Antique APEX O S I K X A K S A L A N S E I L A APEXArctic Cat Arctic Cat A N T I Q U E A A R Q F I V C I M Arctiva Arctiva M P C O C S E G M L U H P M H C I ARGO ARGO Aspin R A R R H H U A E R T S K I O M T Assault Aspin A Y A V A L A N C H E A X I S B L AtlanticHost Assault Atlas A W F T T E K M S T A M U H T L A Avalanche AtlanticHost

THE LETTER “A”

Atlas

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

Avalanche

for the price point. There are many color and lens options as well.

Lastly, any company that uses Darth Vader in a goggle ad needs to get mentioned in our buyer’s guide. For more information head over to your local Gamma De aler: www.gammasales.com

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ADD PILOT TS SKIS TO YOUR DOO

The new for 2016, adjustable ski blade design found on Ski-Doo’s Pilot TS skis is perhaps the best innovation for 2016. The simple, dial adjustable carbide runner allows you to increase or decrease the amount of wear bar protrusion beyond the bottom of the ski keel with just a few quick turns of the dial mounted just in front of the spindle.

Now, this adjustable innovation is available to Ski-Doo owners as an accessory. The TS Pilot requires latest RAS 2 front suspension design, but fret not if you’re still sporting As the name may suggest this glove is made for those reallythe cold days. the olderthis front suspension Constructed from Leather and Thinsulate™ Insulation gauntlet stylearchitecture; you can update that as well with the an RAS 2 suspension kit. To learn more, visit your local Ski-Doo dealer, or dial up the interweb and glove from Motorfist is the flagship of their glove lineup. Features include visit www.store.ski-doo.com. einforced thumb gusset, goggle squeegee, adjustable wrist strap, and 200g of extra insulation on the back of the hand. The extra pads on the EWSor as we call them, “Bashing-through-the-sapling Pads.” back of theNglove, No, not really… For complete lineup head over to: www.motorfist.com

SUB ZERO GLOVE

POLARIS AXYS SNOCROSS RACER?

Just before this issue went to get fresh ink put to paper, photos of the latest open snocross racer from some Polaris top racers began to hit the interweb screens. While some called the new racer all-new, the sexy buggy is really an exercise in new plastic on a proven design. No matter, it looks damn good and is a move that is long overdue for the IQ racer. In talking with some racers Nothing says loving like the a shiny pipe under the tree Exhaust is. that have new bodywork in place, the–AXYS lookpipe racerthat feels GGB makes a and ton of silencers for a ton sledsracers that intosome cases boast looks more narrow, andofallows get more forward over 14lbs of weight That is big and think about and offsavings. to the side of the sledweight further,savings, with more ease than the it, if you shave 14lbs from the stock pipe by upgrading to an GGB exhaust it previous “bulbous” IQ design. No doubt this look will be standard kinda nets out fare as anext ‘win-win’ against the extra pounds you put on at race season and will finally bring the Polaris sled family, just keep telling yourself when the second helping Christmas. Youfor both on the track and on that the trail, into a more unified look.of turkey goes by…Available from your local Gamma dealer: www.gammasales.com

MBRP EXHAUST

SUDOKU

Today's Suduko - Medium sudoku

2

                         4    

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 4

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YUP, STILL MORE VINTAGE SLEDS…THIS YEAR’S SHOW HAD THE CLASSIC SLEDS SCATTERED ABOUT AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS, AND MANY WERE RARE MODELS IN STUNNING CONDITION.

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THE BIG SHOW The biggest snowmobile, ATV and Powersports show in North America rocked the International Centre in Toronto once again this past October.

The show continued to grow with more vendors, more displays, and more good times than ever before. If you missed it, here’s a look and mark your calendars now for next year, October 21-13, 2016 for the 29th annual event.

WHO DOESN’T LIKE A LITTLE SMOKED MEAT WITH THEIR POWERSPORTS FIX?

OUR BUDS FROM SPLIT RAIL SKIS WERE ON HAND, TALKING UP THEIR INNOVATIVE SPLIT RAIL SKI DESIGN WITH AVID RIDERS. MORE THAN JUST HYPE… THESE THINGS WORK. EVERY SNOWMOBILE REGION IN ONTARIO HAD A BOOTH AT THE TORONTO SHOW, AND EACH WAS BUSTLING WITH SNOWMOBILERS LOOKING TO PLAN RIDES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

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THERE WAS A SPECIAL SPEED MACHINE DISPLAY AT THIS YEAR’S SHOW, INCLUDING GO-FAST SLEDS FOR THE SMALLEST OF RIDERS.

JUST ONE OF THE BIG IRON SLEDS ON DISPLAY AS PART OF THE NORTH BAY SNOWMOBILE SPEED RUN DISPLAY. WITH SLEDS SURPASSING 150MPH, THE BOOTH HAD PLENTY OF EYEBALLS ON IT ALL WEEKEND LONG.

REMEMBER OUR MOTTO KIDS… HYDRATION IS KING WHEN ATTENDING A SNOWMOBILE SHOW.

ONE OF THE HARDEST WORKING NEWCOMERS TO THE SNOWMOBILE AFTERMARKET WORLD HAS TO BE GLENN WELCH OF BITE HARDER. ALONG WITH HIS CARBIDE AND STUD SHARPENING PRODUCTS, HE WAS TOUTING A NEW SIDE SUPPORT POLE WHICH IS PERFECT FOR SUPPORTING YOUR SLED WHILE TIPPED ON ITS SIDE. WATCH FOR A FUTURE SHOP HUSTLE REVIEW OF THIS NIFTY GADGET.

THE MAN WHO SERVED US UP SOME OF THE BEST LATE NIGHT TREATS WE’VE EVER HAD AT HAYDAYS, WAS AT THE BIG SHOW AS WELL. STRAIGHTLINE PERFORMANCE OWNER AND OPERATOR JASON HOULE WAS SET-UP INSIDE THE SPRAWLING ROYAL DISTRIBUTING RETAIL BOOTH.

ALONG WITH NEW SLEDS AND AFTERMARKET DISPLAYS, THE TORONTO SNOWMOBILE SHOW HAS MORE TOURISM DESTINATIONS UNDER ONE ROOF THAN ANY OTHER SHOW, INDOOR OR OUT IN NORTH AMERICA. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE DESTINATIONS, THE ABITIBI TEMISCAMINGUE REGION WAS ON HAND, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR STUNNING TRAILS AND ACCOMMODATIONS.

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THE VINTAGE SCENE CONTINUES TO GROW IN CANADA, AND SO TOO DO THE VINTAGE DISPLAYS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE, ATV AND POWERSPORTS SHOW. THE ARCTIC CAT BUILT SCORPION SIDEWINDER HAS LONG BEEN A COVETED PIECE, AND CONTINUES TO GAIN VALUE.

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THE CORPORATE ARCTIC CAT BOOTH HAD AN ALL NEW DISPLAY AT THIS YEAR’S SHOW, WITH IMPRESSIVE LIGHTING AND EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE SLEDS AND CROWDS TO GO WITH IT.

OF COURSE, THE SHOW HAS MORE THAN JUST SLEDS, THE CREW FROM CFMOTO HAD A GENEROUS DISPLAY TO SHOWCASE THEIR VALUE PACKED ATVS AND SIDE-BY-SIDES.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, AS IRBIS MOTORS SHOWCASED THEIR DINGO T150 SNOWMOBILE TO THE TORONTO CROWDS. THE MIDSIZE SNOWMOBILE IS DESIGNED TO BE TAKEN APART AND FIT INTO THE TRUNK OF A CAR. POWERED BY A 9-HORSEPOWER ENGINE, THE VEHICLE IS SAID TO REACH SPEEDS OF 25MPH.

EDDY PLOWMAN OF C&A SKIS WAS BACK AT TORONTO, AND LOOKING GOOD SHOWING OFF THE TRX SKIS, JUST ONE OF THE MANY PERFORMANCE SKI OPTIONS FROM C&A.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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THE OFF-ROAD SIDE OF THINGS CONTINUED TO GROW AT THIS YEAR’S SHOW WITH SEVERAL OEMS STEPPING UP THEIR GAME, INCLUDING KAWASAKI, WHO HAD A HUGE DISPLAY OF THEIR LATEST TWOWHEEL AND FOUR-WHEEL VEHICLES ON HAND.

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OH, WE DIDN’T FORGET ABOUT THE SNOWMOBILES; THERE WERE PLENTY OF NEW BUGGIES AT THE SHOW, INCLUDING A STUFFED BOOTH FROM OUR BUDS AT YAMAHA.

OSM EDITOR PAT BOURGEOIS MADE A POINT TO STOP BY AND CHAT WITH THE FOLKS AT ALL OF THE VINTAGE DISPLAYS, INCLUDING THESE RARELY SEEN YAMAHA HYDROSTATIC DRIVE SLEDS.

NEED A HELMET? THE CREW FROM GAMMA SALES HAD VIRTUALLY EVERY BRAND AND STYLE THEY OFFER ON DISPLAY. YOU COULD THEN VENTURE ACROSS THE WAY TO ONE OF SEVERAL DEALERS AND BUY ONE AT A SMOKING DEAL.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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GOING INVERTED VERTICAL DURING A SUNDAY AFTERNOON FREESTYLE SHOW.

MORE OFF-ROAD VEHICLES COULD BE FOUND WITHIN THE HONDA BOOTH, WHICH HAS ONE OF THE NICEST AND BIGGEST CORPORATE DISPLAYS AT THE SHOW.

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THE CREW FROM SUPERATV HAD TWO OVER THE TOP VEHICLES ON DISPLAY, EACH OUTFITTED WITH PLENTY OF THEIR BAD-ASS HARD PARTS.

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE AT THIS YEAR’S SHOW WAS AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWCASE OF MUD AND ROCK CRAWLERS.

PLENTY OF FOLKS WERE JUST “HANGING AROUND” THE KLIM BOOTH, LOOKING TO SET THE BEST TIME IN THE CREATIVE “HANG WITH KLIM” INTERACTIVE DISPLAY.

TRUCK DECK HAULERS ARE STARTING TO BECOME A POPULAR WAY FOR SLEDDERS IN THE MIDWEST AND EASTERN NORTH AMERICA TO HAUL THEIR SNOWMOBILES. THE CREW FROM SUPER CLAMP HAD PLENTY OF INTEREST IN THEIR ARMOR TRUCK DECKS.

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THE BETTER FITTING HELMET

GMAX

GM64

MODULAR SNOW HELMET

Gmax has raised the bar on what a snowmobile helmet is supposed to be!

Gmax is excited to introduce the GM64 Modular Snow Helmet.

Built from the ground up to meet the needs of todays snowmobiler.

• Features a “Perimeter-Frame-Design” that provides unequaled wind and cold protection that today’s new rider forward snowmobile designs subject the riders too. The perimeter frame design allows for one constant sealing surface for the shield and jaw to help keep the snow and cold out. • “Dual Pivot” modular jaw design allows the flip jaw to rotate further back and low on the crown of the helmet. This increases the line of sight when in the raised position and it lessens fatigue by maintaining an even distribution of weight across the helmet. • “Squeeze & Lift” jaw release design is easy to operate with a gloved hand. • Features a metal to metal jaw closure. • Quick detach inner sun shield that is UV400 coated.

• Controls for the inner sun shield are located on the left side and is easily operated by a gloved hand. • Traditional side chin and forehead vents have been removed. Low profile forehead vents are in place that can be opened and closed easily with a gloved hand to allow individual comfort needs. This helps in keeping snow dust and wind from entering the helmet. • State of the Art anti-fog coated, maximum seal double lens shield comes with anti-scratch hard coated outer lens for a longer lasting clear view and is UV400 coated.

• Removable snap in deluxe breath guard is adjustable and stays with the jaw when raised. • Deluxe snow chin curtain helps reduce wind and cold air from coming up into the helmet keeping the rider warm and comfortable. • Removable/washable interior and adjustable cheek pads allow for a comfortable and customizable fit. • Coolmax® comfort liner and cheek pads wick the moisture away from your body and the fabric dries quickly. This added performance keeps you dry and comfortable. • The included interior vent plugs allows the rider to plug off the vent channels located in the styro of the helmet, customizing the air flow for the conditions. • Padded D-Ring chin strap with a retention snap. • Electric shield versions come with and optional cord clip that attaches to the trim ring of the helmet, this helps to keep the cord out of the riders way. • Lightweight D.O.T. approved thermo plastic poly alloy shell. • Helmet bag included.

visit your local dealer or go online to see the complete line of gmax helmets W W W. G M AX H E L M E T . C O M

Distributed in the U.S. by:

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SEVERAL FREESTYLE SHOWS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE THREE-DAY EVENT, AND SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES WERE THERE INCLUDING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT BRODY WILSON, CODY ELKINS AND 10-TIME X GAME MEDALIST HEATH FRISBY.

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THE KING OF GOGGLES 509 ROLLED INTO THE SHOW WITH THEIR BIG WHEELER AND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF GOGGLE STYLES AND DESIGNS.

GATES HAD A BOOTH AT THE SHOW AND THEY TEAMED UP WITH SNOWMOBILE RACING LEGEND AND INVENTOR OF THE M-10 SUSPENSION, GERARD KARPIK. GERARD HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE GATES TEAM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW CVT DRIVE CLUTCH, AND WE SPENT SOME TIME TALKING TO “KING” KARPIK, TO GAIN SOME INSIGHT INTO THE NEW CLUTCH. LOOK FOR A MORE DETAILED REPORT ON THE CLUTCH ONLINE AND IN A FUTURE ISSUE.

THE NORTH BAY SNOWMOBILE SPEED RUN ASSOCIATION HAD GO-FAST SLEDS ON DISPLAY, BOTH OLD AND NEW.

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THE SNOW BIKE MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO EXPAND, AS MADE EVIDENT BY THE NUMBER OF THE VEHICLES AT THE TORONTO SHOW. OF COURSE, TIMBERSLED HAD A VEHICLE ON DISPLAY INSIDE THE SPRAWLING POLARIS BOOTH.

THE BIG SHOW IS SO BIG IT GOES BEYOND THE ACTION INSIDE, AND INTO THE PARKING LOT. LONG TIME ATTENDEE DODGE TRUCKS HAD ACTION INSIDE AND OUT, WHERE YOU COULD TEST DRIVE ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF NEW DODGE VEHICLES.

WHAT WOULD A SNOWMOBILE EVENT BE WITHOUT RACING? THE 120 RACES HAD PLENTY OF ACTION ON THE CUSTOM BUILT WOOD CHIP COURSE, JUST OUTSIDE THE SHOW HALL DOORS.

OF COURSE, YOU COULD PICK UP THE LATEST COPY OF OSM AT THE SHOW, AND GET YOURSELF SIGNED UP FOR A DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTION TO BOOT!

THE TORONTO SHOW IS A RETAIL EVENT AND THINGS WERE SELLING FAST.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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Anchor of the month

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Anchor of the Month Aktiv Grizzly NAME: ________________________________________________________

Black with varied accenting colors COLOR: _______________________________________________________ Sweden BIRTHPLACE:___________________________________________________ 827-pounds WEIGHT:_______________________________________________________

Grizzzz, Heav-Tiv, Cement Mixer NICKNAMES: The ___________________________________________________ Heavy D and The Boys and ABBA’s Dancing Queen FAVORITE BAND:________________________________________________ Ingot or greeter at IKEA IF I WASN’T A SNOWMOBILE I’D BE:______________________________ Sea ice vodka boot runner and personal delivery ORIGINAL DESIGN PURPOSE:______________________________________ vehicle, during Absolut Vodka’s early years. ______________________________________________________________

Anything cooked by the Muppet’s Swedish Chef…Bork, bork, bork!

FAVORITE FOOD:________________________________________________ To ravage and pillage the rest of the snowmobiling world in ASPIRATIONS:____________________________________________________________

the Viking heritage. Skol ______________________________________________________________

Getting stuff done WHAT I’M GOOD FOR:____________________________________________ The shapely and seductive Ski-Doo Alpine…meow!

SECRET CRUSH:_________________________________________________ My other sled has two skis and one track.

OFTEN SEEN BUMPER STICKER:____________________________________ Powered by a Rotax 503 fan and spinning two massive 21” x 151” tracks, it’s safe to say the Aktiv

was named the Grizzly, not because it could outrun one, but because it was as large and as heavy as

one. Manufactured in Sweden from 1979 to 1991, the Aktiv was quite possibly the largest “traditional” in design snowmobile ever produced. The huge tracks and oversized single ski gave the Grizzly tremendous floatation. However, when it came to being nimble, the big Aktiv was far from it. In fact, one Grizzly

owner compared the Aktiv to “an ocean liner with half its rudder missing”. Tagged as the most powerful snowmobile in the world, the marketing hyperbole wasn’t referring to the whopping 38-horsepower

produced by the 497cc Rotax, but rather the Newton force measurement of traction…heady stuff indeed.

Still, the big sled sold okay in the Nether-region, where trails are far and few between, and sleds were viewed more as a tool than a machine of recreation. A few Aktivs made it to North America, but it

wasn’t until Polaris Industries produced the sleds under license in the mid 1980s with their own motor and clutching did a few more pop up in our local radar. Most were sold to clubs for use as small trail grooming machines. Today, there is a handful still rumbling about, pulling up tree stumps and still refusing to turn in the hands of collectors. The rest are likely rusting peacefully along a forgotten tree line.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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SNOWMOBILE SONGS

You know your favorite pastime has reached household name status when songs are written about snowmobiling. While that might not hold true today, back during the early boom years of the sport, such songs were written, and not all were part of a larger marketing campaign from a manufacturer. Here are five classic snowmobile songs that will have you humming along and tapping your feet for the rest of the winter.

SNOWMOBILE SONG

BIG JOHN

With lyrics such as “Listen to the sound when the belts go ‘round”, the “Snowmobile Song” is probably the most iconic snowmobile song ever recorded. Old school country singer/song writer Tom Connors, penned this beauty in his classic and unique, poetic style, complete with his iconic cowboy boot stomp as accompaniment. Hailing from New Brunswick, Tom Connors wrote many songs about Canadian lore and history, including The Hockey Song, which is still played in NHL arenas to this day. Tom penned the “Snowmobile Song” in 1971, and it’s found on the album My Stompin Grounds.

Back in 1974, John Deere was pushing all the marketing buttons in hopes of keeping the big green snowmobile ship afloat, as other manufacturers were quickly falling by the wayside. As part of a big promotion for the 1975 model year sleds, John Deere along with RCA Records produced a full length album titled Big John, featuring 10 country artists including Dottie West, Kenny Price, Eddy Arnold, The Ragtimers and Eddie Bruce, who had the honor of singing the title song, The Legend of Big John which was written specifically about John Deere snowmobiles.

STOMPIN’ TOM CONNORS

EDDIE BRUCE

SNOWMOBILING POLKA ROGER BRIGHT

Who doesn’t love a snowmobiling polka song? With mentions of Scorpions Stingers, Fox Trac, Gilson, Vikings, Sno-Jets and more, Roger Bright caps off this bad boy polka with some top notch yodeling, (a lost art form if you ask us). Roger was born and raised in the heart of snowmobile country, in the community of New Glarus, Wisconsin, and produced 15 of his own albums and appeared on more than 35 others. He also hosted his own radio show every Sunday and was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame in 2000, before his passing in 2001.

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YOOPER SNOW ROCKET

LITTLE SKI-DOO

Hailing from Ishpeming, Michigan, Da Yoopers have been poking fun at, and making music about life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since 1975, and have been recording their comedy/ parody based albums since their first release, Yoopanese in 1986. Their two biggest hits, which still receive airplay in several rural parts of the country include “2nd Week of Deer Camp” and the holiday hit “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. Of course, what band from “da U.P” could complete their catalog without a snowmobile song, and the “Yooper Snow Rocket” fits the bill perfectly. Ya Hey Der!

With a huge storm pummeling Santa and his sleigh, the jolly fat man and his reindeer were forced to make a crash landing near a farmers shed. There he spied a little Ski-Doo, and it was up to the little yellow sled to help Santa get the toys delivered. That was the Christmas story behind this children’s song written by Bert Collins, who lived in Sudbury, Ontario. The song was on a children’s album titled “Imaginary Friends”. Collins passes away on December 1, 2012, but his Little Ski-Doo song is still delivering toys and memories.

DA YOOPERS

BERT COLLINS

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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onsnow Headhsot by Todd Williams • www.toddwilliamsusa.com

osmmag.com

WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE

I GET TO Maverick and I agree… the Red Bull Air Race was awesome!

AS

I went through the photos on my phone, looking for inspiration for this article, I began to think about the power of one’s perspective. This time of the year is always busy for me with the endless work of preparing for the up coming race season, training, prepping sleds, doing any last minute dirt work before the ground freezes, attending the multiple winter snowmobile and trade shows, and many other things that all amount to a very busy schedule. In the past I’ve become a bit overwhelmed by all of this and allowed myself to fall into a less than positive state. As I anticipated the “busy time of the year”, my thoughts were more along the lines of “just make it through it”.

It was as though it was a lake of ice water I had to swim across to get to freedom on the other side. I had made the “busy time of the year” into a distraction, which took away from the things I felt I wanted to do.

The problem was, I was trying to hurry my way through the “distractions”. To get back to “doing the things I wanted to do”.

But the reality of it was, I was hurrying through work, to get back to more work.

Instead of looking at it and thinking, “I get to”, I was thinking of things as “I have to”. “I get to go to the baseball game.” “I get to go on vacation.” “I get to go ride snowmobile in the mountains.” “I get to” is something you want to do, something you like to do, and something you go into with a positive mindset. On the

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other hand, when you’re in the “I have to” mode, you’re thinking “I have to go to school before I can go to the baseball game.” “I have to work before I go on vacation.” “I have to load my sled up and I have to pack all my gear before I get to go ride snowmobile in the mountains.” “I have to” is something you go through in order to “get to” do something.

As I went through the photos on my phone, I realized that I went to Las Vegas for Red Bull Air Race during the day and Supercross that night. I shot boxes and boxes of clay pigeons with the Team to have a fun day off. I saw the amazing collection of parts, sleds, and anything and everything snowmobile related that Mike and Robin Ingle have at Ingle’s performance in Up State New

Milt Reimer from FXR showing me proper corning technique.

Did I mention it has been a busy time of the year?

1954 Oldsmobile F88...you can have this car or 1000 snowmobiles…hmmm.

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York. I experienced a 5 star resort near Grand Junction, Colorado with many other Red Bull athletes for the Red Bull Athlete Summit, which included hiking, laser tag in the woods, archery, and seeing the collection of amazing cars owned by Discovery Channel Founder John Hendrick. His collection includes a “one of a kind” 1954 Oldsmobile F88 concept car that is estimated to be worth over 10 million dollars! I had the chance to go back out to Las Vegas for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) show and hang out with the Mystik Family, while getting to meet and talk with some really great people. I had the opportunity to share racing stories with Milt Reimer (Founder of FXR) in Saskatoon, and hear how FXR has been able to grow so rapidly, without losing their focus on producing the best products year after year. On that same trip to Saskatoon, I had the honor of talking with the legend himself, Blair Morgan... Of course, I couldn’t let him leave without getting his autograph!

All of this sounds awesome right? It was! But believe it or not, a year ago I was getting stressed out with the “busy time of the year” because of my perspective on what it was. It’s sad to think I’ve had a “have to” instead of a “get to” attitude, and it kept me from experiencing everything to the fullest. I was more worried about tomorrow; next week; next month; or next year, instead of living each moment to the fullest. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you have to look to the future to plan, schedule, and be prepared for what’s to come, but think about the things that need to be done with the idea of “I get to”, and be thankful that you get to, because no matter how bad you may think the task is, someone out there would love to be able to do what you’re doing right now.

I’m trying to pay attention to what I “get to do” as it’s happening, and really do it to the fullest... Because life is better when you live it to the fullest! J

The new AXYS inspired race mods are pretty awesome looking to say the least.

Can you imagine what 12 Red Bull athletes, running through the woods playing “war” is like? In a word…

INTENSE!

As I talked to Blair I couldn’t help but think, “you’re talking to a legend!” Such an honor!

I went huge at Ingle’s Performance this year!

Awesome to see the wall poster at Adrenaline Unlimited in Saskatoon.

The orange LaVallee shirts worked awesome ensuring no one was mistaken for a clay pigeon.

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Time Ma ch ines

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Ski-Doo

ELAN

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Welcome to the Sport

F

or many snowmobilers the story is the same - a simple, single-cylinder sled, often considered “mom’s sled” or “the kids’ sled”, served as an introduction to a lifetime of snowmobiling. Overlooked, but never forgotten, these sleds come in many forms and with many brands on the hood, but one that survived longer than any other was the Ski-Doo Elan. The Elan had a quarter-century production run, where it remained virtually unchanged, save for color, graphics and subtle redesigns, from 1971-1996.

A no-frills machine, the Elan featured a leaf spring front end, bogey wheel rear suspension, (except the racy SS which boasted a slide rail skid) and no CDI or oil injection.

But you can’t look at the Elan for what it wasn’t, you have to look at it for what it was - a simple, virtually indestructible snowmobile that ran every time you pulled the cord. And if it didn’t, it was usually cheap and easy to fix.

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Ti me Machines Ski-Doo Elan

Around 1970 Ski-Doo looked into building a children’s sled. What they found was they could build a simple, lightweight, full-sized sled for just about the same cost. Thus, in 1971, the Elan was born. Once built, it weighed in at a feathery 246-pounds - lighter than the “lightweight” Olympique, which tipped the scales at 295. It was cheap too, coming in at around $650.00.

The next year, Ski-Doo made improvements to the steel-chassis Elan, reinforcing certain parts as well as gifting the SS model with the same 292 engine found in the TNT. This engine produced 22-horsepower, nearly double the base Elan, and made the SS a real rocket by single cylinder snowmobile terms.

By 1974 the Elan was firmly on the map - at least as far as Ski-Doo was concerned. It was available with a 250 single and a 250 twin, which produced 19-horsepower. The Elan SS became a serious machine featuring a steel slide rail suspension, hydraulic front shocks

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and a two-roller clutch. It was also the heaviest Elan ever built, weighing in at 330-pounds.

By the mid-1970s, the Elan had found a new market - Europe. By 1978, Sweden featured more Elan models than North America. That extra model? A long track version complete with gear rack on

the back of the tunnel. The Elan Deluxe now came with an aluminum slide rail rear suspension, an improvement over previous steel slide rail versions.

Another benchmark year - 1980, saw the twin cylinder engine disappear, never to return. Ski-Doo also made the switch from Tillotson carburetors to Mikuni, which also meant a separate fuel pump and primer instead of a choke. This year the Elan also got a new seat and new, thinner windshield. Nearly a decade into its run and the Elan still featured the same look it did when it was introduced in 1971.

Fifteen years into its production the Elan had been slotted beside the Alpine as more of a trapper and rancher machine, or as referred to today, a utility sled. Maybe rightly so as snowmobile design was moving into more racy, liquidcooled, independent front suspension designs. By comparison, the Elan was a dinosaur. But it worked, and people kept buying it so Ski-Doo kept building it. One could imagine that their PR department struggled with how to market this unsexy, yet mighty little machine that still boasted rather hefty sal es and product ion numbers when compared to the rest of the lineup. Heck, by 1988 Ski-Doo wasn’t even bothering to update the graphics!

If you walked into a Ski-Doo dealership in 1996 it was quite possible you would see a Mach Z with its liquid-cooled, triple-piped three cylinder engine sitting alongside another brand new 1996 SkiDoo with distinctively different focus and looks - the Elan. The Elan stood in stark contrast to the racy new machines ushered in by the 1990s. Ski-Doo (and

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design than when it was first introduced, yet somehow it managed to hold on to the same “bubble hood” look that makes it so easy to identify. It’s difficult to measure the impact the Elan had on the sport of snowmobiling, but how many people got their feet wet in the sport because of an Elan? We’ll likely never know. The Elan will forever be upstaged by snowmobiles deemed more important or noteworthy than it, but in reality the

sport owes a great debt to the Elan. It signifies what snowmobiling is all about - just getting out on a winter day and having fun in the snow.

The Elan pictured here is a 1974 SS model, featuring the 294cc fan-cooled twin and steel slide rail suspension, and it still bears the original paint and graphics.

MONDAY MORNING!

If you have to be somewhere Monday morning shouldn’t you be thinking about a ...

Ma

n Canada & the U.S de i .A.

.com

everyone else) was being forced to play catch-up with Polaris and its fast-selling fleet of Indy machines. Unfortunately, the Elan just didn’t fit into the strategy to keep up with the market.

Indeed, 1996 marked its last year of production. The Elan had finally outlived its service life. It would be replaced by the Tundra II, an equally capable machine featuring a strut type front suspension which, compared to the Elan’s leaf springs, was cutting-edge technology. Though more modern, the Tundra II carried on the Elan’s spirit a lightweight, simple, easy to ride sled that was as at home on a trail, as it was picking through deep snow in the forest.

By the end of its production run, the Elan featured a totally different hood

705-488-2929 EST since 1996

info@tekrider.com

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The

future is now, at least in the mind and designs coming from Charles Bombardier and his team of designers who put mind to pen and pen to paper, to dream and develop futuristic vehicles and ideas for the snow and beyond. This season we’ve asked Charles if we could share several of his ideas with you.

Charles is the grandson of Joseph-Armand Bombardier, and was previously employed with BRP, where his vision and skills were put to use towards such vehicles as the Can-Am

Traxter, the Ski-Doo Elite and the Can-Am faster, evolve and even become reality.

Spyder. Charles is now deeply involved within In this installment of Future Tense, Charles From thewith mind Charles Bombardier the global design community, and acts as shares us aofcontinuation of a series of and an expert consultant to support inventors, his team ideas of that“dreamers”, pertain specifically future design this to season we take companies, and basically anyone interested ina look considerations Charles at the ‘notforsosnowmobiles. out of thisAs world’ future new applications for mechanical engineering. puts it, he started snowmobiling on a Ski-Doo of snowmobiles.

From the probable to the You can learn more about his endeavors, Elan when he was six, and has ridden every winter sinceimpossible, on dozens of different machines. and the designs and ideas stemming from his seemingly could these ideas community of designers at his website www.

He had a lot of ideas back then to improve end up on a future trail near you? charlesbombardier.com. His open innovation snowmobiles, and now almost 40-years later, forum allows his team to share concepts with he still has new ideas, some of which he the world, so the ideas and designs can grow would like to share with you now.

The Ideas

Extending Bumper Handle: If you snowmobile, eventually you will get stuck, not if. To make getting out a bit easier, we devised a slide-out bumper handle that increases the leverage to lift the sled up and out of your predicament.

This handle could be latched with a clip or rubber strap, and it could be made to slide into the snowmobile’s frame. Of course, you would want this at both the front and rear of the sled.

Integrated Track Stand: One thing we had a problem with back in the early days, and still do today, was the fact that the snow on your sled would melt into water after a ride, and pool underneath the snowmobile. The water would accumulate on the track and freeze overnight. In the morning, you had to break away the ice before you could get going again. Failure to do so would result in a burned belt.

Of course, the icing situation depends on many conditions, (if you store your sled in a covered garage or not, the temperature, etc.) and there are several freestanding track stands on the market that solve the problem. But what if you are in a location where you can’t bring along your track stand, or you are on a point-to-point ride? For those situations I came up with a simple fix. It would consist of a retractable track stand that would pull out from the sled. This stand could also be used to heat up your engine, clutches and belt in the morning.

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About Charles Bombardier

The grandson of Joseph-Armand Bombardier, Charles has a wealth of experience in the design and engineering of vehicles during his time at BRP including the Can-Am Traxter, the second generation Ski-Doo Elite and the Can-Am Spyder Roadster. In 2008 Bombardier founded a private Research and Development Center and developed electric urban transporters and electric ATV prototypes. With a passion for innovation, Charles is deeply involved within the design community and acts as an expert and a consultant to support inventors, companies and basically anyone interested in new applications for mechanical engineering. His website www.charlesbombardier.com promotes open innovation and along with a team of designers they are constantly dreaming, innovating, and creating new concepts and publishing them for all to see. As Charles puts it, “Our mission is to inspire kids, students, inventors and tinkerers to improve existing modes of transportation and imagine what the future holds for us. We share our concepts with the world so they can grow faster, evolve and become a reality one day.”

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Morphing Windshield: I once had a Mach 1 with a small black windshield. It looked really cool, but trust me, when the temperatures dropped I was freezing to death, even with one of those bulky leather suits that were popular in the 1990s. Today’s windshields often come in a variety of heights, but in order to change from one to another, you need to remove the windshield entirely and replace it with another.

What if you designed a windshield that could extend up and to the sides? Similar to some adventure touring motorcycles, the windshield could be raised electronically on the fly like a power window. Would it be possible to use smart plastic to alter the transparency of the windshields, thereby adequately shielding the rider from the wind stream, and extending the riding season into those frigid January days?

Special Thanks Exoskeleton: t’s always a challenge to find the perfect place to latch your snowmobile on your trailer. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some visible anchor points on the sled? It would be cool to see the frame stick out on the front of the snowmobile like an exoskeleton, similar to many cutting edge motorcycle designs. The exposed frame would not only create a new minimalistic design, but the frame could also be used to secure the sled, or as an attachment point for towing or retrieving stuck sleds.

Charles would like to thank Boris Schwarzer who created these concept renderings. Boris is based in Michigan where he went to the College of Creative Studies. Other creations by Schwarzer include the Spike commuting car, the Joust personal transporter and the Urban Link tuk-tuk. To view those and other concepts, visit www.charlesbombardier.com/archives Do you have a vision for a future over the snow vehicle, a new generation snowmobile, an innovation, or maybe just a “what if” idea you’ve been dreaming about? Tell us about it, and Charles and his team of designers and dreamers just might bring your idea to life in future designs and sketches. Drop us a line at editor@ osmmag.com and if your “dreams” are selected, you’ll find them right here in a future issue of OSM.

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T

he paths to this sport are varied, but for many, our early snowmobiling roots can be traced back to those early days, when the machines were much simpler, as too was life.

For Eugene Bradford of Burtts Corner, New Brunswick, his early snowmobile memories go far back to when most snowmobiles were home-built ideas, made in farm shops or small town fabricators, by folks who simply wanted to break the chains of winter. Such was the case for Eugene, who sent us this collection of photos for this installment of “Roots”, and recollects memories of his first snowmobile, which he built himself back in 1963.

According to Eugene, that first sled started a love affair for this sport that continues to burn strong today, and as these pictures give testament to, Eugene and his family have embraced the sport through countless machines and even more importantly, through countless memories.

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

Here’s a photo of my home built snowmobile with my wife at the helm and our two sons enjoying a tow in our backyard. It was a very modern 6-horsepower, 4-cycle powered sled, with the exhaust coming out the back.

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Here we are all loaded up on our 18-horsepower Ski-Doo, heading to camp once again.

Our two boys are standing near the sled and my wife is in the sleigh, holding our new 4-month old son.

Our family heading to camp on the Nashwaak River, using my 15-horsepower Sno-Prince.

Moving up to twin-cylinder power, here I am on my 340 Polaris Colt.

Fast forward a few years, and here I am at our camp with my 340 Polaris Indy Lite GT. The Nashwaak River is in the background.

Finally, here is my latest snowmobile, a 1998 Polaris XLT. This sled is like an old friend to me. Here in New Brunswick it’s registered as a classic, and since I’m nearly 80 years old, I guess you could say I’m a classic as well. Looking forward to another winter!

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SHOP HUSTLE FOX Float EVOL Upgrade

S

hocks…every sled has them, and in today’s world of modern buggies with high-zoot suspensions and top-shelf dampers, maintaining them is without question, one of the most important things you can do to ensure top suspension performance. Whether you’re looking for supreme comfort, precise control or both, shock maintenance is critical…even if you are a casual trail rider or only ride your sled a few times a year, the ravages of time can take their toll on your top dollar shocks.

In this installment of Shop Hustle, we actually left our personal confines and journeyed to Baxter, Minnesota, home to FOX Shocks Midwest

The FLOAT 3 is really little more than a standard nitrogen charged, rebuildable shock, with an air-chamber wrapped around the outside. The airchamber takes the place of a traditional coil spring.

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Service Center and their crazy crew of dedicated service technicians who know there way around the plethora of shocks offered by FOX, better than grandma knows the recipe to her famous chocolate chip cookies.

Our long term Yamaha Viper sled had spun the odometer a good deal last winter, and with some spare time this summer, we figured it was a good idea to get the now year-old gal in tip top shape for the coming season. To do so, we removed the front suspension FLOAT 3 shocks and headed to see our friends in Baxter.

According to the boys and girls at FOX, a nitrogen charged shock should be serviced every year, even if that means you just need to have the shock checked out. Simple things like heat cycles from riding in sub-zero weather to late spring rides can have an impact on your shocks, and a simple service will ensure your seals and ice scrapers are in good shape, are properly greased and your oil is fresh. One of the biggest contaminants in shock oil is water, and since snowmobiles are used in snow which eventually melts, water is everywhere when you ride.

When water contaminates a shock, you end up with a muddy oil stew that looses its capacity to properly control the shock, not to mention the damage the water will do to the metal portions of the shock body through corrosion. While shocks are relatively simple devices, the tools required to properly disassemble and reassemble them are very unique, and failure to use the right tools can easily result in far greater damage to the shock body, the valves, shim stacks, seals and the shock rod itself.

A shock service performed through FOX ranges from just $20 for air sleeve maintenance, to about $145 for the top of the line FOX X EVOL units, not including parts.

What’s nice about having the kids

After unscrewing the end cap from the outer air-chamber sleeve, the shock rod can be exposed. Special shock rod clamps are used to hold the shaft in place without damaging it, while the standard FLOAT 3 end cap is removed.

at FOX do the work for you, aside from the assurance that certified professionals are doing the job right, is they have a wealth of tuning knowledge to go with it. Looking for more comfort from your sled this winter? They can recommend a valving stack to get you there and install it at the time of service.

Or maybe you want improved performance in the big bumps; they can help you out there as well.

What’s more, you can simply fill out an online service form, or call them directly and talk with a real person, who not only knows the ins and outs of the shock, but is a real snowmobiler as well.

In our case, we were looking for some improved performance from our FLOAT 3 front shocks, and to get there we opted to have the EVOL (Extra Volume) upgrade kit installed. At just $350, you not only get the entire EVOL kit installed, but it also includes a complete shock rebuild as well…bonus!

We’ve talked about the benefits of the EVOL chamber in other articles in the past, but here’s a refresher.

The added air volume of the EVOL chamber helps to further control the final portion of shock travel, thereby helping to eliminate harsh bottoming,

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 24-26, 2014 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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FOX Float EVOL Upgrade

The end cap is screwed onto the end of the rod, and once broken loose, can be simply unscrewed from the end of the shaft.

while at the same time, allowing you to have a plusher ride in the initial stages of travel. With more pressure in the EVOL chamber, the spring rate curve of the shock becomes more progressive, giving you greater spring rate as the shock nears full stroke. In short, the addition of the EVOL chamber will give us more adjustability for more varied terrain, rider weight and/or riding styles.

Aside from shock service, the installation of an EVOL chamber is relatively quick and easy, provided you have the right tools. With a price of just $350 bucks and quick turnaround, having the crew at FOX do the work for us was a no brainer.

TUNING

The beauty of air shocks is they are infinitely tunable, unlike a coil spring, but knowing where to start and how much pressure each chamber should have is one of the most often asked questions from owners. Fortunately, the FOX website at www.ridefox. com has a host of tuning and setup recommendations as well as Frequently Asked Questions. You

The heart of the EVOL kit is the new end cap with the extra volume chamber. The end cap has a casting that holds the EVOL chamber to the side of the primary air chamber, once everything is secured back in place.

Of course, before we got to this step of reassembly, the crew at FOX completely disassembled our shocks, checked over all the seals and ice scrapers, changed the oil within the shock, greased the seals and recharged the primary body with nitrogen.

can download manuals, set-up sheets and application guides, print them off and have them at the ready in your trailer, shop or toolbox.

Once you get the base settings in place, it’s a good idea to keep notes on different pressure settings, trail conditions and ride temperatures.

Eventually you’ll have a really good idea of what type of pressure you’d like to run for all conditions, and how much you may want to change it to fine tune the ride.

many of the latest new offerings from several of the manufacturers.

Frankly, we love the range of control of the QS3 compared to shocks with 20-clicks of control. The settings are easy, simple to tune, and each stage can be easily felt from the saddle, even for riders less in tune with how their suspension is reacting to terrain. The FOX website has yet to show the QS3 kit, but simply give them call to learn more at 1-800369-7469 extension 4619. You can also email the Baxter Service Center at psservicemw@ridefox.com

OTHER UPGRADES

Aside from the EVOL kit, FOX also offers a Kashima Upgrade kit that converts your standard finished shocks to the super slippery and tough as nails Kashima coating.

The stuff is incredibly durable, resisting chips and dings, and the slippery surface delivers improved performance through reduced “stiction” (the initial resistance a shock has when making an initial movement from a static state).

Also new for 2016 will be a Quick Switch 3 Upgrade, allowing you to convert your shocks over to the latest, easy to adjust, 3-position compression control found on

Once completed, we were blessed with a new set of FOX FLOAT 3 EVOL shocks and the added adjustability and control of two air chambers, the primary chamber as before, and the now added EVOL chamber to fine tune the final progression of the stroke.

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LAWN ORNAMENTS

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ow, the Lawn Ornament submissions have been pouring into the OSM office this fall at a crazy rate. Seems just about everyone in every corner of the snowbelt, and sometimes beyond, has lurking hunks of aluminum and plastic laying in the weeds. We are happy to say this month’s installation of Lawn Ornaments is entirely reader submitted…nice work gang! Now that snow is here, or soon to be, some of these sleeping beasts just might rumble to life again…others not so much. No matter, keep those photos and notes coming. Send us your “finds”, along with a quick note and look for it in a future issue of OSM.

Congrats to last issue’s winner Erica Stoll. Every issue we select one random Lawn Ornament submission to receive a freshly screened OSM #RUNSONSPRAY t-shirt. Send those pics to editor@osmmag.com.

You neve r it makes can be too pre p but two complete sense ared, which is w t b go…one o uggies lying in o have not just hy the leave f each s one, s a Jeremy P ide of th ayne. e garage. nd ready to Spotted by

odd Faithful reader Travis Barber found this est es…W plac all of in, collection of iron e Virginia. Day-glow Kawasaki, go-fast flam and with job, and luxury Pantera models…

Virginia without windows. The kids in West s. sled r thei mod to sure know how

and Always garaged…ran when parked…come the for ect Perf . flies snow get it before the so it, sell to need t don’ I ing. fish ice kids or no low ball offers.

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A can o f compr e should be all it ssion and some WD-40 takes to fired up a g found th nd back on sno et this pair w. Matt is odd c C and Skio Doo res uple John Deer offman ting in h e backwoo is ds, in w est cent neighbor’s ral Minn esota.

been at has o Ken, h t r e id ording t of a Ra his pic isconsin. Acc s he has t s u t Ken sen near Beloit, W n ornament, a years. r w d strande gy is a true la r the past fou g o u f b eekly this ast it w driven p

k Jag A couple of well preserved, long trac uel Man s Chri by ted spot were iles mob snow ,NL. k Cree last summer, while in Portland ing trip Chris was on an Atlantic salmon fish keeping one es, felin of pair the d when he spie and e, watch over the Gulf of St. Lawrenc . side the other hunkered down shed

A toy collection area near Pleasant Point, Maine…looks like a cheap beer party just waiting to happen. Thanks for Brent Martin for the submission.

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SWEET SOUNDS OF

SILENCERRR H

ere at OSM, we’ve grown to like the hushed tones of today’s modern snowmobiles. The manufacturers have put significant time and resources into making the latest scoots not only nimble, comfortable, powerful and reliable, they’ve also gone to great lengths to make them much quieter than those buggies of yesteryear. This change has been prompted by customer feedback, along with standardized sound requirements. Several states and provinces have noise ordinances in effect, especially in areas where trails travel close to densely populated areas.

While many of today’s riders prefer the quiet tones of modern four-stroke and two-stroke sleds, the exhaust system remains one of the best bang-for-your-buck areas to see performance gains, not only in modest horsepower numbers, but also in weight savings.

From mild to wild, leading aftermarket companies continue to put a great deal of emphasis in developing performance exhaust systems, especially for modified applications such as deep snow sleds or sanctioned racing events where noise is less of a factor.

One of the easiest and most affordable exhaust modifications remains the silencer, where subtle power gains are complimented by significant weight loss numbers, and are melded with a revised exhaust note that can range from a sweet rumble just above stock, to an all-out auditory assault.

Knowing this, the crew at OSM gathered up a smattering of performance silencers from some of the better known snowmobile go-fast shops, for a comparison by the numbers. With most aftermarket companies claiming gains in the 2 to 3 horsepower range, and the ability to “tweak” dyno-numbers by the same range, we passed on the sticky task of attempting to garner true horsepower gains, and instead focused on four key areas: weight, sound, price and installation.

Each silencer was weighed and then installed into a 2015 Polaris AXYS Switchback 800. Weights were recorded using a certified scale from our pals at Intercomp, which is accurate to within 1/10th of a pound. We then took three decibel ratings – at idle, 5,500rpm, and at full shift or approximately 8,000rpm.

HERE Is WHAT WE FOUND

2015 Polaris Switchback Pro-S Weight: 17.5lbs Idle - 69.7db 5500 rpm - 95.2db Max rpm - 102.2db

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A

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MSRP: (black) $249.95 (ceramic coat add $39.99) Horsepower Claim: N/A Weight: 5.5 lbs Idle - 83.7db 5500 rpm- 100.3db Max rpm - 139.7db Fitment: Uses existing mounting locations with a sturdy oversized bracket resting on the front bulkhead casting. Features a large, oversized exit flange for superb sealing against the pan.

B

MSRP: (black) $299.95 (ceramic coat add $50.00) Horsepower Claim: N/A Weight: 9.8 lbs Idle - 73.2db 5500 rpm - 95.6db Max rpm - 115.6db Fitment: While larger in size to the Powder-Lite can, the Velocity mounts in similar fashion with a sturdy oversized lower bracket, and also features an oversized exit flange for super exhaust exit sealing.

C

MSRP: $299.95 Horsepower Claim: 2-horsepower Weight: 7.4 lbs Idle - 79.4db 5500 rpm - 96.9db Max rpm - 110.7db Fitment: Of all the silencers we mounted, the SLP can was the most complex to mount. Instead of using existing mounting tabs and springs, the SLP system requires the removal of a few bolts, and installation of additional spring tabs. Once installed, it produces a snug fit that won’t knock loose in rough terrain, but the lack of an exit flange did leave a gap at the exit hole where snow and debris could enter the compartment.

Both Bikeman cans featured a robust mounting tab at the bottom that fits over the lower casting, similar to stock. The silencers also featured an oversized flange at the bottom exit for an improved seal, and to prohibit snow from entering the underhood area.

D

Unlike other silencers in our test, the SLP silencer required the removal of a chassis bolt and the installation of a secondary lower spring tab.

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SWEET SOUNDS OF

SILENCERRR

MSRP: $399.00 (Polished Stainless Steel) $199.00 Horsepower Claim: 3-horsepower Weight (titanium): 2.8lbs (stainless): 5.4lbs Idle - 83.7db 5500 rpm - 97.1db Max rpm - 113.6db Fitment: The SSI can is small in size and reuses stock mounting springs and locations. A small bracket rests in the same place as stock, and like the Bikeman design, features an exit flange for an excellent seal against the pan.

E

No surprise, the all-new titanium silencer from Speed Shop Inc. took top honors when it came to weight savings, tipping the scale at just 2.8lbs, a whopping 14.7lb savings over stock.

We used a professional sound level meter that was positioned on the exhaust exit side of the sled, at 3-feet off the ground on a tri-pod, and exactly 10feet away from the center of the handlebars. Testing was done on a grass/sand surface, and all sleds were tested on the same day, with as close to identical conditions as possible.

How loud is loud? Decibels are a measurement of sound and it’s important to note that a decibel scale is not a linear scale. For example, if total silence is 0 dB, a sound that is 10 times more powerful is measured at 10 dB, and a sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. This reference chart gives you a perspective on how intense different sounds are. Of course, the distance from the sound and other conditions such as snow pack can dramatically affect the forcefulness of the sound.

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BRUSH GOATS

The appeal of riding off trail has perhaps never been stronger. The variety of deep snow capable sleds from the manufacturers has made trekking places never before thought possible a reality. Of course, some of the kids “out west” will brag about their “epic” powder rides and off-the-charts “boondocking” opportunities, and in the same breath look down their nose at any sledder east of the Rocky Mountains. Of course, thinking we don’t have equally “epic” off-trail riding opportunities in “flatter” parts of the Snowbelt couldn’t be more wrong. Truth is, some

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of the best riding to be had off-trail can be found in places like Michigan, Manitoba, Minnesota and New Brunswick to name just a few. What’s more, unlike a day in the trees, these off-trail locations allow you to stretch your legs and journey from point to point while rarely catching a whiff of a trail, road or gas station.

It’s no secret that both the deep snow and crossover markets have seen tremendous growth from increased popularity, as well as increased focus on new models from the manufacturers. If you combine both categories, the sheer number of

models is daunting. The good news is such model proliferation has created a number of sleds that walk the line between sheer long-tracked western models and the more traditional trailfriendly crossover sled. The kind of sled that loves to beat down the willow brush, skirt across a frozen beaver pond, and explore abandoned logging roads, and still tout a track length that is manageable on the trails.

Given that, we gathered our posse of experienced riders and set them loose for a day of off-trail exploration, to get their personal take on four of the latest brush busters.

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SWARM

SKALLET

TRAVERS

HAMMACK

THE RIDERS When we head west for a weekend or better yet, a week of deep snow riding, we call upon our ace rider Tyler Swarm to lead the charge.

We first met Tyler when he was working as a sled wrangler for Dan Adams at his Next Level Riding Clinics. In need of a rider for a photo shoot, Dan recommend the eager lad and he’s been a part of our team ever since. The kid can flat out ride, and after a few lessons, he’s gotten pretty damn good on the trails too. Last winter we were in need of a few more mountain jockeys, and in came Jacob Travers and Jordan Hammack, two more western born and raised kids who dip, dive and dodge their way around a mountain side with the best of them. To keep these kids on the straight and narrow, we rounded out the crew with our wellseasoned, past professional racing champion, and cross-country racer extraordinaire Dan Skallet. When it comes to going fast, picking lines, and sticking sleds into places most mere mortals wouldn’t even consider, Dan is the man. Add to this his wealth of mechanical knowledge regarding snowmobiles and a savvy suspension and clutching tuning sense few will ever master, and you have the makings of an off-trail testing group that is unmatched.

With that said, here are their thoughts on this collection of off-trail trekkers.

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YAMAHA SRViper MTX 141 SE

BRUSH GOATS

T

here’s plenty of newness going on with the 2016 Yamaha MTX models, and we honed in on the MTX 141 for its combination SRV-M front suspension with its new slimmed and tapered spindle design in a wider 40 to 42-inch stance. While the narrower and longer tracked M-TX models might be ideally suited for true, deep snow backcountry riding, trekking off-trail in other parts of the country often means you’ll be running trails as well, so this combination is ideal. A 141-inch PowerClaw track with 2.25” lugs provides the lift outback, while new Mountain skis with a tapered design that is 7-inches at the tip and then narrows to a still high-flotation 6.5-inch, helps to keep the four-stroker atop the white stuff. The MTX 141 SE is an interesting buggy in that it is unique to the Yamaha squadron; whereas Arctic Cat offers only longer track length models with Yamaha power in these partnership engineered and built models. Of course, we had to pump up the jams with the SRViper by opting for Yamaha’s factory approved turbo kit from Mountain Performance Inc.

TYLER Swarm I don’t think I’ve met anyone that isn’t absolutely impressed with the violent power delivery from a turbo, especially like the one on the Viper MTX. If you don’t have time, or simply don’t like working out those biceps or lats at the gym, throw a leg over the turbocharged MTX and hold on! When the boost kicks in, so does warp speed! While the addition of turbo power makes this sled more capable than ever, it’s not just sheer horsepower that has me impressed with this sled. While some might frown at the added weight of a four-stroke under hood, it’s unreal how this added weight allows for fast and controlled cornering at big digit speeds.

This sled does require more than just a small amount of effort to ride in off-camber terrain, but once you get accustomed to the sled and find the balance points, you can rally this beast on one ski through those nasty tree’d up sections.

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DAN Skallet The fun this sled brings on-trail far outweighs the off-trail attributes for me. Dropping the hammer on this turbo charged 180-plus horsepower sled makes me feel like I’m driving a Corvette ZO6 or the Bugatti Veyron sports car on snow. It will broom and polish any trail corner and virtually chew-up and eliminate any exit corner bumps. The sound this turbo charged motor emits is just plain sweet music to the ears. Just get it through the corner and then let it rip. In the deep, offtrail side hilling snow, this sled had a steeper learning curve for me to get accustomed to; however, I saw this sled do amazing things in the hands of younger, more talented deep powder riders.

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JACOB Travers When you want to be the first one to the play area or first one to the top of the hill, pack an extra pair of underwear and squeeze the throttle of the turbo charged MTX. The Viper 141 really did well on the trails; it absorbed bumps and handled corners with ease. Yet, when it came to technical riding through the trees, the Viper does have a steeper learning curve than most. Not a necessarily a bad thing, you just need to get happy with the sled and it will reward you. Once you do, simply point this buggy up the hill and tail-stand to the top with your butt puckered all the way.

Frankly, this sled surprised me with its ability, and I’d rank it number two in this selection of four brush buggies.

JORDAN Hammack I have never been much of a four-stroke guy, but this sled has given me a whole new level of respect for the “stroker”. Coming stock with Fox Float Evols, and outfitted with the Yamaha approved turbo makes it virtually unnecessary to invest in any additional aftermarket parts,…it’s basically modded out of the box. Handling on the trail was amazing due to the four stroke motor. There is obviously more weight in the front end, keeping those skis on the ground when you are passing that group of rental sleds at eighty, on a decreasing radius turn. The suspension soaks up bumps, jumps, and groomer-neglected trails like your parent’s old waterbed, making for an exceptionally smooth ride. It’s got boost too! There is a surprisingly even transition between 0 mph to almost violent, raw power without sacrificing response, making it enjoyable to throw around in the timber. I would not hesitate to pilot this sleigh off some backcountry booters, but make sure you got some buds along in case you do get stuck on those fresh powder days. Still, with a turbo on tap the Viper is faster than you know what, and I’m pretty sure it’s the reason my manhood finally dropped this past March.

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BRUSH GOATS

ARCTIC CAT M8000 Sno Pro 141

T

he push is on inside the walls at Arctic Cat to dramatically improve their deep snow offerings for 2016. After launching the ProClimb chassis to mixed reviews, engineers knew they needed to start refining the deep snow capabilities of the chassis and shed some much needed weight in the process. With those two challenges in front of them, the 2016 M series has done just that with a dramatically revised suspension with sculpted spindles; revisions and weight savings applied to the FloatAction suspension, and new Pro-Climb 7 skis, to name just a few.

Joining those big ticket items is new drive and driven clutching, developed in coordination with TEAM. The new clutches are a dramatic improvement over the past design, especially when spun by the burly 800cc twin Suzuki motor. While Arctic Cat offers an overabundant number of crossover sleds for 2016, we gravitated towards the much lighter and more advanced design of the M8000 for this comparison.

We knew it would likely result in less than ideal on-trail characteristics, but we were more interested in seeing how the deep snow changes would impact the M sled in the untracked meadows and spruce swamps.

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BRUSH GOATS

ARCTIC CAT M8000 Sno Pro 141 JACOB Travers I knew going in that the M8000 wasn’t to be viewed as a true crossover sled; Arctic Cat has plenty of sleds to fill that need in their XF offerings. That being said, the M is far more happier off-trail than it is on. Where this sled really shined was in technical off-trail riding…dipping in and out of the tress and through ravine bottoms was a breeze with this sled, so much so that I’d rank the M8000 141 as the best sled for technical riding.

TYLER Swarm I was a bit surprised the M8000 wasn’t all that enjoyable to ride on the trail, even though it was an off-trail specific sled.

This could be contributed to calibrations, or the notion that this sled appeared to have lived a very hard life before the OSM crew had a chance to sample it for the day. What the green machine lacked on the trail however, was compensated for and completely erased from my memory banks by its ability to side hill steep terrain. I could choose the most technical line possible through the trees -…a line I’d never consider on the other models. The 141 M was able to perform the tightest, slow speed U-turn when you needed it most, which we all know is very important in gnarly situations. This sled is definitely the technical off-trail king in this grouping.

DAN Skallet This sled really surprised me in the off-trail sections, and while I was expecting the M to come up a bit short during our on-trail runs…it didn’t. The M8000 141 was all Arctic Cat, in that the handling was controlled by super light steering effort, and just a slight hint of inside ski lift as you pushed the sled into high speed twisted trail mode. Calibrations for the day were slightly busy at the pace we were turning on the way back to the compound, but that could likely be easily rectified with a bit of quick, trail-side tuning. The handlebars and grip size are one of my favorites, and the most comfortable bar bend found on any sled. The motor is snappy and just sounds happy as an 800. The new sculpted, tall ski spindles didn’t seem to drag the front end in deep snow as they had in their previous form.

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JORDAN Hammack During the winter months of my younger years, visiting with my great grandparents was something I’d look forward to. Often times the conversations would start by Grandpa Jack asking me, “Have you been out snow cattin?” I would smile and think to myself, “If you only knew old man.” He would tell me about the time he broke trail to the ten mile at Trestle Creek (Sandpoint, Idaho) on his Puma 340, with a foot of fresh powder along with numerous other extreme snowmobiling stories. Grandpa Jack’s snow “cattin” career was epic, but it came to a sudden halt one day when he was going like hell through an open field, unaware of an inconveniently placed irrigation ditch. He had ‘er held wide open, but not getting enough lift out of the first bank naturally led to plowing the front end of the machine into the opposing side which resulted in total destruction of the Puma, and some equally bad destruction to Grandpa Jack’s body. Now Grandpa lived to continue to spin those “cattin” tales, but I like to believe his sacrifice is reason in part for such future innovations including the “front flip”, full-face helmets, and FOX shocks like those found at the front of this bad-ass Arctic Cat. When you pull the trigger on this machine, you can expect an instant reaction, which is essential when you are nosed up to that 40’ cornice drop, or simply need a little lift to get you over that irrigation ditch in a modern, graceful fashion. The nimbleness and maneuverability of the M8000 141 makes every thought an action, turning those hairy situations you are probably used to digging yourself out of, into a thousand hits on YouTube because a tail stander never looked so good. Not everything was rosy however, as some of my riding partners alluded to; on-trail manners are nothing special and the motor had this shake, rattle and roll feel to it that left me feeling it might come into my lap when I least expected it.

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BRUSH GOATS

POLARIS 800 Switchback Assault Terrain Dominator LE

W

ith news of the new AXYS chassis being migrated to the RMK line for 2016, there were plenty with high hopes that the transformation to the lighter, and more nimble chassis would include popular models such as the extreme crossover Assault models. Alas, it did not, and knowing this, Polaris gussied up one of their more popular backcountry thrashers in what they call Terrain Dominator Limited Edition Trim.

Yes, it’s a mouthful as far as names go, and if you can overlook the over-the-top and somewhat cartoonish graphics package, this 2016 model is outfitted with a smattering of accessory extras to make sure it gains plenty of eyeballs in a year that is sure to be one of transition for the Assault line. Built upon the Pro-Ride chassis and powered by the “older” 800 twin, the Switchback Assault still deserves plenty of attention for those looking for a backcountry brush bomber. The combination of wide “trail” stance, top-shelf shocks and a balanced 144” track with 2” paddles, has this sled hitting the sweet spot for off-trail shenanigans.

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POLARIS 800 Switchback Assault Terrain Dominator LE TYLER Swarm I was really hoping Polaris would have released an AXYS Assault Switchback for 2016. No matter, the 2016 Pro-Ride Assault delivered outstanding results on the trails and off.

A determined rider can hold an awkward line through offcamber climbs littered with obstacles with very little effort, even with the wide and stable front end. With the ability to conquer hair pin turns, blast through big G-out bumps, as well as having the maneuverability to attack very challenging big mountain terrain, you won’t find a better all-around, more versatile off-trail sled, direct from the factory.

JACOB Travers No surprise here, the Assault gets my vote for best allaround sled in this mix. This sled impressed me no matter where I was at, from sidehilling and bombing across open creeks, to negotiating tight trees and brush and making time on the trail. The power mixed with the nimble chassis made for a fun ride, picking lines of deep powder in tight confines. That being said, the compliance of the suspension in big bumps and firm square edged holes came up short.

I tried a few different settings with the adjustable Walker Evans shocks, but no matter the setting, the vehicle appeared to be sprung too stiff, making for a ride where I was tossed about more than I would have liked. Still, I give the Assault the nod for the best all-around sled in the group.

JORDAN Hammack DAN Skallet This is probably the one sled in the group that I’m the most familiar with. The on-trail and off-trail capabilities of this sled can change dramatically, based on set up. While my younger riding partners were more than pleased with the off-trail capabilities of the Assault, on this particular day I found the on-trail set-up was considerably off. But you have to remember this is an off-trail sled first and foremost, and once we left the beaten path, the Assault quickly redeemed itself. The firm set up was exactly what was needed in the crusted, over snow conditions. The old style chassis was a great sled in its time, and it’s still a good crossover sled, but there is a new and better chassis and a livelier motor in the Polaris line up that I wish was a replacement for this sled. I still love the Pro Taper handlebars, but hate the slippery, plastic bar hooks.

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Out of the box, this machine comes decked to the nines with everything a rider needs for the ultimate on-trail or off-trail experience. The chassis design and wider ski stance positions the rider’s weight over the skis and allows for smooth, tight, high speed cornering and control through those gnarly whoop sections. There is a slight track and tunnel pitch that gives you the option of throwing your weight back, wicking the throttle, and having a pretty enjoyable dangle session in the trees. The combination of Walker Evans shocks, along with reinforced running boards, makes this machine pretty well bomb-proof.

If you’re holding the title to one of these bad boys, chances are you’re banging more ditches than you can handle. Yet, like many I was really hoping Polaris would build the Assault in the AXYS chassis, but as Editor Pat told us, these things take time and you don’t want to show your entire hand in one season.

So, looks like 2017 will be the year of the AXYS Assault, which means this sled will likely only get better. Even in the Pro-Ride chassis, the sled just feels natural and it’s hard to find too many faults with the overall package. This one gets my vote for best all-around bombing sled in the group.

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BRUSH GOATS

SKI-DOO 800 Renegade Backcountry

W

hile we could have easily chosen a short track Summit model for our Ski-Doo entry in this off-trail romp, we gave the nod to the Renegade Backcountry, largely in part due to Ski-Doo’s move to position this sled further into the off-trail, backcountry world of sleds. To get there, they outfitted the Renegade Backcountry with their deep snow focused tMotion 146” rear suspension and Cobra FlexEdge track, with a more trail friendly 1.6” lugs. We knew going in that the Renegade would likely shine on the trails and have some ground to make up once we hit the backcountry, especially when compared to the more deep snow focused M8000 and Assault. The reasons for this can be found quickly, once you start to analyze the specs. Aside from the track and rear suspension, the vast majority of the Backcountry is pure on-trail Renegade equipment, including the Pilot DS 2 skis, wide stance suspension, and Rev XP sit-down seat.

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JACOB Travers If you’re looking to rail corners with extreme comfort and style, and occasionally hop off trail and carve some nasty power turns when you’re feeling adventurous, then the Renegade Backcountry is the sled for you. Compared to others in the group, this sled felt like the ultimate on-trail Cadillac. Given that, I thought there was no way this sled would have much merit off-trail, but when we came to our play area my thoughts instantly changed, as I was able to dangle this sled up through the trees with relative ease. For certain it was the best sled ontrail, and it did more than hold its own off-trail, despite being stacked against some stout competition.

SKI-DOO 800 Renegade Backcountry

JORDAN Hammack Saddle-sore, no more. Prepare yourself for the most comfortable, off-trail focused sled you’ll ever throw a leg over.

I’m talking the type of Cadillac-smooth your grandmother would enjoy. I’d have no reservations putting my grandma on this stallion of a snow machine. When she decides to put the spurs to the Renegade Backcountry, she’s in for one buckin’ good time!

The Ski-Doo Renegade is surely geared more towards the trail riding aspect of snowmobiling. Predictable power from bottom to top, great corner handling, all around comfort, and faster than hell. Though this buggy felt more at home on the trail, I had the pleasure of leading her into my comfort zone which was the side hills and tight tree creek bottoms of the backcountry.

In short…I was thoroughly impressed. The Renegade had the throttle response, power, and nimbleness required out of a mountain sled for those wide creek gaps, and negotiating between those stubborn pine trees. Here’s the thing, you can transform this sled towards your end goal with just a few accessories. For example, add a set of mirrors, automatic social media updates and a framed portrait of Justin Bieber, and you suddenly have a buggy for your 14-year-old daughter. Or, as it relates to our mission here, raise the handlebars, swap out the seat for a firmer, more mountain oriented design, and if you really want to go into the powder, upgrade the track to a taller lug. Still, in its out of the box factory tune, this sled was the best on-trail by a mile, and impressive off-trail.

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TYLER Swarm This strong running machine will leave you wanting more. Not only will you be impressed with the high speed handling on rough trails and corners, wait until you experience what it has to offer up on the slope! With the T-motion suspension, you’re able to really slow things down on thick, heavily tree infested technical side hills, while maintaining complete control, providing the confidence you need to choose the best lines for what lies ahead. The narrow control arms (compared to a true on-trail sled) were surprisingly stable while powering through rough corners. On the flipside, minimal effort is required offtrail, to perform one ski maneuvers.

DAN Skallet This is one fine on-trail sled; lower handlebars and rider forward give this sled great trail handling over the others in this group. Plush suspension settings and lower handlebar position hindered the side-hilling in the tree infested off-trail riding area, as too did the shallower lug-height. Outfit this sled with a track with lugs closer to the 2” mark and raise up the handlebars, and you would have a viable contender in the offtrail category as well.

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TUCKER HIBBERT

THE

QUEST FOR 10 Story: Pat Bourgeois Photos: John Hanson and Pat Bourgeois

is regarded as the most talented and successful snocross racer in the history of the sport. Tucker Hibbert’s list of accomplishments are nothing short of amazing with 13 X Games medals- 9 of which are gold, 108 National Pro snocross wins, and 9 national Pro snocross championships to his credit.

His accomplishments would likely be even more impressive if not for a seven-year stretch where he focused on national motocross and supercross, and raced snocross part-time. Yet, despite his off-the-charts accomplishments, he remains a very private individual, intently focused while at the track and dedicated to family and friends off it. For most professional snocross racers Tucker’s age, (he turned 31 this past June) many would have him considered “past his prime”, but Tucker isn’t any other racer, and he remains the most dominant rider and odds on favorite to win it all again.

Another season, another championship...

It was an impressive season to say the least, another X Games gold, your 100th professional win…what stood out for you personally from last season?

Well, like you mentioned, getting that 100th win was really big…it was a milestone for us, not necessarily a goal, I mean my goal is to win. It got a little more exciting than I had planned when I didn’t win for a couple weeks in a row and was stuck at 99 for a while, so that made it a little more exciting when it finally happened. It turned out to mean more for me that I thought it would…it was cool to hang out with everyone after the race and talk about the good old days and all the fun we’ve had racing over the years. The friends, family and those memories, that’s what makes this (racing) so fun for us.

It’s a remarkable achievement, are there any races or moments from all those wins that really stick out for you or are special?

There have been a lot of races that were pretty exciting for me…races where I’ve won from the back row, or even the race to get to 100 was special. I think racing against my dad in the 2000 Winter X Games and winning my first (X Games) gold medal is probably one of my most memorable. Just having him and my family there, and how the entire weekend unfolded made it pretty special.

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In other sports such as baseball, some players can remember every pitch and every nuance of the game, from what the count was to what kind of pitch was thrown. Do you have that sort of recollection from certain races?

No, unfortunately I don’t…I wish I had a better memory but I usually don’t remember much about a race when it comes to specifics. Most of the time when I come back into the trailer after a race and we will be talking, someone will say that was a really cool line in that one section…but I don’t remember it. Sometimes the next day it will come back to me, but I guess I’ve got too much going on in my head and trying to stay so focused that I don’t remember those details.

tive as he was. Of course we were also good friends off the track, so it was a lot of fun to race against him. Today I’d have to say Ross (Martin) is the most consistent challenger…I have to stay focused to stay ahead of him. He’s consistent… he’s solid…I know his team works super hard, and he’s fun to race against. I don’t have a real relationship with him (Ross)…not like Blair and I had, but I do respect Ross a lot, and the fact that he is a clean racer, he doesn’t give up, and you can count on him being there all the time. Aside from him there really isn’t anyone that’s super consistent and challenging race in and race out.

You’ve raced against a lot of big names over your career with obviously Blair Morgan being one of them. Who was your favorite person to race against, and who right now is the one racer you know is going to be a challenge when you come to the line?

Blair would be my number one pick, in terms of being a competitive challenge; there hasn’t been anyone as competi-

You bring up Ross being a clean racer; obviously there are other racers that are not as clean. I don’t like to use the words dirty racer, but do you have to get into a different mindset if you know you’re going to battle a racer who might not be as clean?

It definitely plays into the race and it varies depending upon what part of the race you’re approaching…the beginning, the middle or the end. I’ll take different approaches to different guys for sure. It’s not always that they are clean or dirty riders…but you just have to aware of where you are on the track all of the time, especially when it comes to racers that are new or you haven’t raced against much. But there are definitely riders out there that you have to aware of because

Tucker’s first X Games win was especially sweet, and one of his fondest racing memories was racing against his father and capturing the gold before he was old enough to drive a car.

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TUCKER HIBBERT

THE

QUEST FOR 10

of their habits on the track, or you know they are racing at 110% versus within their limits. But then there are racers who you just know are not going to do anything crazy or surprising, but the mix of those riders is just part of racing. You just have to be aware of your surroundings and adjust accordingly.

I think that is something that I have a pretty good handle on, and is an advantage for me since I’ve raced against most of them for so long. I’ve also raced in a lot of different situations, which allows me to predict what might happen, but there are some new guys that still surprise me every now and then.

Duluth National is just a little over a month away, (at the time of this interview) obviously, you’re a competitor at heart, but does it get harder to gear up for another championship run, season after season?

You know, it’s different every season. It’s not like I’ve had a steady change season after season where I’m less motivated. Every year is different and unique for different reasons.

Right now I’m in kind of in a medium space, if that makes sense…I’m not going bananas trying to get ready for everything, but I’m still really focused and still hungry and motivated. This year the weather has been so nice that I’ve been riding a lot of motocross, and my brain hasn’t totally switched over yet…but it will.

It’s hard to say who was happier when Tucker earned his first Winter X Gold, as Kirk gives his son a bear hug celebration, just as the race completed.

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Clearly your family has been instrumental in your success. Is it still just as fun or exciting to go to the races every weekend with your dad as it was when you were younger?

Actually, I think it’s more fun now. As a kid you’re involved in sports or whatever, and that father - son relationship can be challenging…you have that tension between having fun during the race, but then if you do something wrong, there’s dad to point it out after the race. When you’re younger, like your late teens, you think your dad is just a dork and you don’t want to listen to him and that was no different for me and my dad… we went through those things. We never fought or anything like that, but we had that same dynamic that anyone else would have.

But now I’m having more fun racing with him than I’ve ever had; that’s probably what has been the best part about the last two to three seasons, is having him there and having everyone on our team together. Obviously, winning and having success is fun, but overall, we (the team) have found a good

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groove and we just have fun together… being at the track and stuff. That’s what I get more excited about every season; we make so many great memories together.

Yeah…, it’s said parents and their kids drift apart for a while, and then as you get older you grow closer and you realize that your parent’s weren’t really such dorks.

Oh, they’re still pretty dorky, (laughter) but you just learn that everyone is dorky (more laughter). It’s just a lot of fun right now, and that’s what I’ll miss the most whenever I do decide to quit racing. It’s that relationship with my dad…my wife Mandi…with Rob, (Tucker’s Race Manager) and everyone on the team. That will be the hardest part I’m still excited about racing and it’s still fun. I still get nervous and all that same stuff before a race, but at the same time, you race so much. But as a team…all those different situations that we encounter as a group…those are the memories that we all remember and that I’ll miss the most.

I know that racing professional motocross was a dream for you…you even retired from snocross to pursue that dream. Do you ever wish you pursued that dream earlier instead of snocross?

The only thing that I wish I would have done differently, and I think everyone does this to some extent, is when I was taking it (racing motocross) more seriously and doing it full time, I wish I knew what I know now. I wish I had this experience you know…it wasn’t for lack of effort or focus or anything like that…I was all in when I was racing motocross and supercross, but I just didn’t have the experience that I have now. So no, I don’t wish I would’ve done things differently, you just wish you could do things better. But I’m still having fun with it (motocross)…I love racing motocross, it’s something I’ve done my entire life and I just can’t get myself to quit. Some days I’ll be in the trailer after a race, be it motocross or snocross or whatever, and you wonder why the heck you’re still doing this to yourself. You work so hard at it, and at the end of a race you’re just spent and you wonder why you do it…but the next day you just fire up and do it again because you love it!

Hindsight is 20/20…looking back on your career thus far, do you have any regrets?

No, not at all, nothing huge that jumps out. I think we all have regrets, almost very day there are small things that happen where you’re like, oh I messed that up, but there’s nothing that I’m super bummed about, where I made a bad choice or did something wrong or missed out on something. I’m really happy so far where racing has taken me…it’s pretty much shaped my whole life and who I am.

Your success has developed a fan base that seems to either love you or hate you (due to your success). Do you pick up on that, and does it influence you in any way?

Yeah, I definitely pick up on it and I know that people don’t like that I win as much

as I do, but I don’t get mad about it. But yeah, it bums me out sometimes because I feel like what I’m doing and what I’ve accomplished, and some people don’t give you respect for it, but I don’t let it bother me that much. I really love being around the fans, especially the kids, and I’ve spent a lot of time these last three or four years interacting more with the fans, and that’s been a lot of fun. It’s pretty crazy because you’ll get a five-year-old kid and his dad who is maybe 30 or 40 and they’re both huge fans. Or you’ll get an 18-year old kid and his 75- year old grandfather…it’s just such a wide variety and so cool to see all the different people who are at the races. To see a four, five or six year old wearing a shirt with my picture on it and they are so excited to be at the races and meet you…that’s cool and very rewarding.

Family has always been, and remains a very important element in Tucker’s career.

Here, a young Tucker and his father Kirk spend a few minutes together before the 2000 Winter X Games.

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TUCKER HIBBERT

THE

QUEST FOR 10

I think you knew this conversation wasn’t going to end until I brought up the rule changes in ISOC, specifically qualifying and the inversion rule, better known amongst your fans as the Tucker Hibbert Rule…your take?

(Editor’s Note: This season the International Series of Champions (ISOC) the governing body of the AMSOIL Snocross Series has implemented a rule where the number one qualifier will get last pick on the starting line.)

Well, I think you probably know how I feel about it…I’m not mad or feel like everyone is against me, and you’re not going to hear me complain about it either. When it comes to racing, there’s no reason whatsoever that you should ever try to change the outcome of race by trying to level the playing field… that’s not racing. Racing is won and lost by those who work hard and deserve to win or don’t deserve to win. I think it’s pretty lame for people to try to mix that up, whether it’s trying to keep me from winning, or just trying to make the racing more exciting.

Racing needs to be racing…not something that is altered even before it starts. But at the same time it doesn’t matter…we’re going to do everything we can to win no matter what…it just makes things a little different.

At the end of the day, I don’t think it’s going to change things much.

Does it put a chip on your shoulder at all?

No, but it will make us go out and work harder in certain areas. It’s no different than any other rule that we’ve had to overcome.

I think at the end of the weekend, the guy who is supposed to win, is going to win.

By snocross standards, you’re nearing the point in your career where we’ve seen other racers slow down or lose that competitive edge. Obviously, you’re still performing at a championship level, but you alluded to it earlier about retirement.

How long do you see yourself still competing at this level?

Yeah, I definitely have been thinking about it more in the last year or two. I don’t have any answer, other than I don’t think I’ll be

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racing for more than five years. So it’s going to be something between one to five years, and I’m just waiting for that time when it feels right to be done. I don’t want to wait until I’m too old and slow…I don’t want to do that. It all depends on what happens each year. The biggest thing is my team and everyone that is part of our program…we all have work so hard and sacrifice so much to make this possible, and it’s getting more and more difficult each year to keep everyone fired up. We’re all getting older…everyone has families…and my dad likes to take naps (laughter). It will get to a point where I know I won’t want to force the issue, when it won’t feel natural to go racing with all the guys. I’m not interested in going racing without my dad…I’m not interest in racing without Rob and everyone else on our team. I’m not going to keep racing after they’re ready to be done, and that time is getting somewhat close for all of us.

When you are done do you have any idea what you’re going to do next?

No, not really. I’ve thought about it a lot over the years and I go through phases where I’m like, I got to figure out what I’m going to do when I’m done racing, but other times I don’t want to worry about it. I don’t have any desire to continue racing with my own team or anything like that; not that it won’t happen, but it’s not something I’m really fired up about, so I don’t really know…it will happen when it happens.

Thanks for the time… good luck this season and we’ll see you at Duluth.

Yeah, I appreciate it.

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SECOND CHANCE This Time the Pro-X Gets it Right

W

hen the Polaris AXYS chassis made its debut in model year 2014, we found most of the offerings in the new chassis made us downright smitten. The new chassis was lighter; the new styling was more complete; the revised suspension design and subsequent castings offered improved ride and handling, and looked better too; and the new 800 motor with its lightweight crank was a real ripper.

The short track Rush came in two varieties – the Pro-S, which was tuned for supreme on-trail handling, and the Pro-X, which touted greater front suspension travel; a more aggressive track ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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with taller lugs; and an overall state of tune that was more appropriate for bombing road approaches and tackling insane terrain. It made sense on paper, but after riding both versions back-to-back, most came to the consensus that the Pro-S was simply the better sled for the masses…and it was and still is.

Conversely, we felt the Pro-X could have been better. For certain it was a big crater buggy, thanks in large part to its 1.5” taller front shocks and what was described to us as a sway bar that served up reduced torsional rigidity, allowing the front suspension to work more independently.

Yet, the 2014 Pro-X lacked the cornering prowess of the lower slung Pro-S, as well as the ability to soak-up more “normal” trail bumps and square-edged chop.

Still, we wanted to give the Pro-X another chance. After all, the “X” insignia alone had most hardcore trail jockeys drooling, and our egos had a hard time accepting that the biggest, baddest short tracker in the Polaris stable wasn’t for us.

We raised our concerns with Polaris this past spring during the new model evaluations and photo rodeo, known within the industry as Snow Shoot. Turns out our opinions weren’t that far removed from some Polaris ride technicians and engineers, and in fact, the Pro-X went back in for some additional ride calibration work prior to final production in model-year 2014…shame on us for not asking sooner.

Thus we needed to get back in the saddle of the Pro-X, and we’re glad we did. For certain there remains a distinct difference between the two ride iterations. Clearly, the ride height of the Pro-X is taller. This distinction, coupled to the more aggressive 1.75” lug track which also serves up greater side-bite, has a distinct affect on the cornering capabilities of the Pro-X. The big X does require a more active rider to make the sled hone corners as well as the Pro-S, and that should be expected. But where the revised calibrations really made our eyes open up was in how it handled more traditional trail junk.

The Rush Pro-X is at home in big terrain, where standing-up and hitting off-camber holes is the norm versus the exception.

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The recalibrated Pro-X in 2015 trim was just as compliant as the Pro-S in most situations, and for riders who like to push the envelope, the X was actually better than the Pro-S. We could charge hard into corners and enter oversized braking bumps with confidence. Of course the taller, more aggressive track also delivers greater braking confidence, allowing you to come in hotter and exit quicker…and who doesn’t like that?!

The rest of the Pro-X is virtually identical to the Pro-S, including the Polaris Interactive Digital Display, complete with interactive GPS and Bluetooth connectivity. We’ve said it before, this gauge is the future and we expect not only all Polaris premium models to flaunt this technology in the very near future, but the entire industry will need to adopt similar technologies if they want to keep pace…yes it’s that good.

We admit it…we misjudged the Pro-X in 2014, so much so that we put the big trail bump machine on our long term loaner list for this winter.

After experiencing a sled that sacrifices little on the trail and allows us to hit the local snocross track for open track days, or make blind bombing runs down rutted out ditchlines, we couldn’t help ourselves.

ABOVE AND BELOW: These two photos showing the 2014 Pro-S and Pro-X front suspensions side-by-side shows the additional 1.5-inches of front shock travel, shown above the coil-over spring.

ABOVE: The other key difference of the Pro-X is the more aggressive, snocross inspired Backcountry X 1.75” lug track. This track shreds the snow pack and offers superior traction in both acceleration and deceleration, compared to the 1.25” Ripsaw II found on the Pro-S model.

LEFT: After a season on the snow and several thousand miles, the new 800 mill is a winner. While we experienced some initial teething issues with our particular unit, the motor by season’s end was a stallion.

Thanks in part to the lightweight crank, which shed 2.5lbs compared to the old Polaris 800. Frankly, nothing revs quicker.

Plus, the big digit speeds we attained while honing the wide open trails of New Brunswick last winter is testament to the “legs” this engine has as well.

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WHEEL MAN WITH GOODWOOD AND BEERSTEIN

A

ny good snowmobiler knows quality windshield time is part of the big picture snowmobile experience, or as me and Beerstein like to call it, ‘road trippin’. Now, that may seem like a pretty common term to use for drivin’ to your favorite ridin’ spot, but it actually comes from this one time when Beerstein got some funky-colored pills from a greazy trucker at one of those big rig, 24-hour fuel stops in North Dakota. Guy told him those things would make him as alert as a Jackalope in rut.

Old Beer, he wasn’t himself after taking those blue buggers, he kept humming old Grateful Dead tunes, which he hates by the way, and talking about the northern lights. Funny thing was, it was cloudy out if I remembers right. Anyway, that’s where road trippin’ started, for us anyways. The other day that big brown UPS truck pulled up to Beer’s shop, I figured it was probably those new fangled carburetors he’d been spouting off about finally showing up, but turns out it was a box of road goodies the young kids at the big OSM office had sent our way to try out on our next road run to the ice drags near the “big lake”. That got us to thinkin’ about a few other times we had some road treassures and such, so here goes…

BEERSTEIN

90

As my pal Goodwood likes to tell ya, I like my beer… preferably cold and open.

Now I’m a bit seasoned, so I know road trippin’ after, or while tipping back a cold one is a bad idea. But after a long pull on the road, I like to wash away the road scum with some nectar of the pilsner gods.

Now this Wailing Wench brew they sent us you see, reminded me of my ex wife…the packaging had me a thinking ya know, but once I opened her up she was a bitter pill to swallow.

These damn young beer snobs probably have never tasted a good old-fashioned beer like Hamms…if they had they wouldn’t be making stuff like this.

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GOODWOOD

Let me tell you about gas station deli sandwiches.

Here’s a tip: Stay away from any sandwich with “salad” in the name.

Chances are this thing’s got mayo in it and you don’t want to mess with bad mayo. Get some bad mayo and you’ll be spendin’ some quality time in the crapper at the next stop down the road.

Best thing to do is stick with the basics - ham and cheese, turkey and Swiss - you know, down home stuff. And always remember, these things are tastier warm, so crank up the defrosters and toss ‘em on the dash for about 10 miles. Come out steamin’ hot, just like Mom used to make.

GOODWOOD

Now, any good snowmobiler worth his salt knows that chasin’ snow can bring you to some God-forsaken places. Places where eatin’ out means something you wish you never witnessed. And sometimes you go to check into a “hotel” and find out you’re really just sleepin’ in some bed someone set up in gramma’s old room. But hey, when there’s a couple feet of fresh white stuff covering the trails, where you sleep falls pretty far down on the priority list. Me and Beerstein, if we got one thing in common, it’s we get pretty focused when we’re headin’ for a destination. Heck, sometimes we forget we left the last place with any decent food a half hour behind us and it’s gettin’ way past closin’ time. Well, one of these times, uh, let’s just say the local gas stop put their priority on stockin’ shelves with stuff to keep your rig goin’ and not the guy drivin’ it. But this one guy, well, he had himself a little side business and said he’d hook us up with some vittles no problem. Beerstein and me went to bed awful hungry that night - just couldn’t bring ourselves to see what the heck was actually in this can. And that guy runnin’ the gas station? Well, he swore they were gonna be the next big thing. “Bigger’n them ess-car-gots they sell in those fancy French places in the big city,” he boasted.

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WHEEL MAN WITH GOODWOOD AND BEERSTEIN

BEERSTEIN

As you pretty much might figure, me and “Wood”, well we know people…and well.

More importantly, people know us and all. Now I keep telling Goodwood it has to be that rack of drag trophies I gots in the shop from that big methane Moto-Ski rig I was running that one winter it was so damn cold. Thing ran like a skunk in a perfume store…I mean she was purrty fast. Anyways, when you are a kind of a big deal, you gotta be prepared. So we keep a couple of these classy shirts in the bottom drawer of the trailer tool crib. You can pretty much show up any of those local pretty boys at the honky tonk with one and it’s way more comfortable than one of those rental shop jobs…heck cheaper too. We picked up our latest “dress” threads at some fancy all-night truck stop in northern Manitoba last winter and my little buddy Goodwood wore his to his high school reunion…reckon he was the best dressed sledder in the room.

BEERSTEIN

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If there’s one thing me and Goodwood likes just as nearly as much as sledding, is staring down a hole in the lake. You see, round our parts fishing’s more than just a past time, it’s what some call one of those religious experiences. Now I’m here to tell you…most fellers who fish in the winter, they don’t give a damn about catching any. Nope, most are just out there to get away from the other half, tip back some cold ones, and talk about how fast they were. Now as Goodwood will tell you, when it comes to sleds we’re pretty fast - got a sled with like 600 chisels in it to prove it.

So this fishing thing you see, sooner or later someone’s gonna ask to see your catch. We got a case of these fish backsides from an old Inuit woman near Resolute on Cornwallis Island, that one time the diaphragm fuel pump went out on the Alpine. So you see, if you hide the can and gets these little buggers piping hot on the barrel stove, the whole damn ice shanty smells like one of those fancy fish shops with the bed sheets on the tables and such. Goes damn fine on some of those salty crackers, and it’s perfect for serving to that one guy who ONwon’t SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6hell • ISSUE 3 shut the up.

GOODWOOD

We been sharin’ stories with you OSM readers for a few years now, so I figure we’re on pretty good terms. I’m gonna let you all in on a little secret - we didn’t used to be Goodwood and Beerstein.

Nope, we used to be Goodwood, Beerstein and McDougal. Sounds like one of those divorce commercials they run with the soaps during the day, huh?

Anyway, yeah, this McDougal character, he wasn’t no beer drinker like us, in fact he ain’t no drinker at all now, not after that one time. We took our annual Jackpine Savage ride into our ‘ol buddy Shooter’s cabin. Now, this place is off the grid, as those crazies on those preppin’ reality shows say. ‘Ol McDougal, he don’t get away much and his wife, well, let’s just say she ain’t gonna win no Miss Congeniality award. Well, McDougal brought hisself some of this blueberry-flavored moonshine stuff, and let me tell you that stuff went down smooth. The end of that weekend, we dumped McDougal out at the end of the driveway, pushed his sled off the trailer and hightailed it outta there. That’s how me and Beerstein became a pair. You don’t want that kinda trouble.

GOODWOOD

Back in our younger days, me and Beerstein used to do pretty well with the ladies. Didn’t take much, little talk about the buggies we had at the time, maybe a trophy next to us on the bar, and they just came a-flockin’. Heck, we didn’t know what we had until years later, of course. Now, this one time, well, Beerstein latched hisself onto this saucy little number from just outside Sprite Lake. You might notice ‘ol Beerstein’s been wearin’ the same ‘ol bomber hat since before we started runnin’ those fancy new power valves in our engines. That there’s a special hat. See, like Beerstein’s story before this one, we like to do some ice fishin’ once in a while. This new number, she comes out with us on Sprite Lake right after Beerstein first met her at the Legion meat raffle. We had the old wood stove just chuggin’ along in the ice shack that weekend and our shack’s pretty nice – got carpet and all that. Beerstein told her the walleyes were hittin’ minnows and she comes out to the fish shack. Well this girl she musta been one ‘o them nudist free spirits or somethin’ cuz all she wore all weekend was that same ‘ol bomber hat Beerstein wears all the time. After that weekend we never saw that ‘lil number again, but ‘ol Beerstein he keeps hopin’.

BEERSTEIN

In the shop we get people over, ya know, lookie loos tryin to figure out how our snow buggies are so damn fast. Well me and Goodwood, we know how to put on a purty good poker face, GW calls it starting fluid in the nostrils look… ya that stuff burns like hell but that’s another story. Anyhoo, being sort of go-fast celebrities, we gets these fellars over to the shop when the snow starts to fly, and I mean we’re friendly guys for the most part…I mean, I aint never seen a beer I never liked, and pretty much the same goes for other sledders - cept for that one kid at the swap who tried to low-ball my asking price on set of hand fabricated 22-inch bar risers. Damn punk didn’t know who he was dealing with. But like I said, we get all these folks milling around our shop, so I tells Goodwood we need to make sure we have some sort of hospital-tea area ya see. So we gets our local butcher near Cloudy Lake to can up some good meats that we find on our way to get firewood for the shop, he even drew up some labels for the can that Goodwood came up with. Just pop the top, peal the label off so no one knows about our secret blend of herbs, and open the damper on the barrel stove. We even had some of those suit and tie fellers over from one of the big OEMs one winter, asking questions about how Goodwood tuned one of their problem child, new models. Old Good just smiled and offered them some stew…funny, them fancy pants kids ain’t been back since.

Engine Ice IS an Antifreeze with Protection to -26°F (-32°C).

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Avid Technical Neoshell >>>>>> Jacket

Guys be a hero this Christmas and give your gal a jacket that is breathable waterproof and answers the age old problem of overheating and sweating (Sorry we should say perspiring) during aggressive riding. The new Avid Technical Neoshell Jacket has a unique ability to offer instant breathability, which draws moisture away from the inside while maintaining it’s waterproof and windproof features. This eliminates the need to shed layers during physical activity. Now go return that vacuum you bought her and head over to www.divassnowgear.com to find out where you can get one of these suits.

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+

Bikeman Performance Kit >>>>>> Calling all new Axys owners; this is a gift that you should be asking Santa for regardless on how good you were during the year. The performance guru’s over at Bikeman Performance have put together an AXYS 800 HO Bolt-On Performance kit that adds serious ponies to iether the Rush, Switchback or RMK models.

Depending on how good you were, the kit comes in three different stages that claim a 13, 17 or 22 increase horsepower as you go up the stages. (Obviously the higher the stage the more Santa is going to have to shell out for this gift.) Each kit comes with a Bikeman Single Ceramic Coated Pipe, a Bikeman programmed Bully Dog GT and a Stage 2 Clutch Kit and then some extra features like Billet Head and Durability Kit to get you up to the third stage. So if horsepower is your thing then www.bikemanperformance.com is where you need to go.

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>>>>>>

GIFT GUIDE

HOLIDAY

1

THE SEASON OF GIVING IS UPON US, AND WE AT OSM, KNOW JUST HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND THAT PERFECT GIFT FOR THE SLEDDER IN YOUR LIFE. BUT DON’T FEAR, THE OSM PRODUCT TEAM SCOURED HUNDREDS OF ITEMS THAT WILL BRING A SMILE TO ANY SNOWMOBILER ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, AND WE WILL SEE YOU OUT ON TRAILS.

2

Elevation Lite Core Boot FXR has really thought about the abuse a snowmobile boot takes during a typical season and what a sledder needs to be comfortable all day long. The Elevation Lite Core has improved durability due to the fact that the FXR designers minimized seams in areas that come into contact with the sled and also increased the use of 2mm rubber reinforcements in high impact zones. In the comfort area FXR designers added a molded inner heel-flex insert that improves backward flex without that annoying that annoying pressure point that you get when your heel crumples. Also the Elevation Lite features a single lace system with molded lace slider eyeholes that make tying up a breeze. Visit www.fxrracing.com for complete details.

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Dayco Belts

4

We could not, in good conscience, put together a gift guide and not include an item that snowmobilers needs to have on their wish-list to Santa. You think a belt maybe a very impersonal gift, but if you really think about it, receiving a Dayco belt is as important as Clark Griswold getting his bonus check over the Jam of The Month Club membership.

Having a spare belt on a sled makes a bad day into a really good day should you blow a belt. To check what belt is best for you check out www.daycoproducts.com

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Brand new to Canada this Christmas season is the SNX Pro Jacket from Fly Racing and if you are thinking about wrapping up a new suit for the sledder in your life, then you should take a serious look at this bad boy. Constructed with a breathable material that is fully waterproof along with strategically placed rugged material panels, the SNX Pro will stand-up to whatever abuse you find out on the trails. Some other cool features; the intake and exhaust vents when things heat up, and fully insulated liner that can be zipped in when the temps drop. The pants are constructed from the same material as the jacket and are available in either an insulated or lite shell version. Check your local Gamma Powersports dealer for complete details. www.flyracing.com

>>

6

Fly SNX Pro Jacket and Pant >>>

>>>

+

Sportviz Prescription Goggles

We know the struggles that riders who wear glasses go through when you are blasting down the trail. Either you are trying to jam your existing glasses under your goggles, which is not ideal, or you simply don’t wear your glasses and lets be honest that’s really not ideal. Sportviz goggles answers both those problems and the concept is simple. Pick your “core” goggle (they offer both snow and dirt style goggles) then send along your glasses prescription with your order. When your goggles arrive, there is an insert that snaps into the goggle frame that matches your exact prescription. So you could order a snow, dirt and even water goggles, and then order one prescription insert, and you now have three different goggles that are tailored exactly to what you need to see better out on the trail. We have ordered a set for Muff of Month celebrity rider Fluffy, who is our resident glass-wearing rider, and we will let you know how they perform in an upcoming issue. Pretty cool gift item. To check it out head over to www.sportviz.com and see what they have to offer.

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OVER 100 CLUBS, RIDES & RALLIES THE BEST SHOPPING BARGAINS HOW TO GET INTO MOTORCYCLING ON-SITE USED BIKE MARKET PURCHASE YOUR BIKE RIGHT AT THE SHOW

CALL TODAY FOR ADVANCED TICKETS, TO REGISTER A BIKE, OR TO HAVE A DISPLAY!

onsnow osmmag.com

Hillclimb Brace Kit

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Here is an item from IceAge Performance that you may want to throw onto the ol’ list to Santa. The Hillclimb Brace Kit is carved from 6000 series aluminum and adds serious strength and badass style to your stock rails.

The Hillclimb Brace has proven itself on the toughest of racecourses and is available in polished aluminum or an array of high quality powder coated colors. This kit will fit on Polaris AXYS, Pro RMK and Assault in 155” & 163” lengths and Arctic Cat Pro-climb in 153’ & 163” lengths, and also comes with all the rivets and drill bits needed for a seamless install. Rumor has it that even St. Nick has already installed a set on his sleigh! www.iceageperformance.com

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Lead-Dog Helmet Light

We are pretty confident that even Santa uses this product. The Lead-Dog helmet light is a gift that anyone who rides sleds at night would appreciate receiving. The light hooks directly into your existing wiring on your sled and has a quick release system (like that of a heated visor wire) that allows you to click plug and unplug the light with ease. One of the main benefits we see of having a light mounted to your helmet is the fact that you’re shining light where you are looking. That helps immensely when you are ripping through those tight trails at night because you are going to light up the corner before you get there. The Lead-Dog light is also constructed of red plastic material that glows red to help the guys behind you see you better. The brake light feature is activated when you apply your brakes. So get out there and be the Lead-Dog with confidence. For complete details head over to www.helmetlight.com

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Tricked Toys Pull Cord Handle

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For the sledder that likes to open shiny items at Christmas look no further than Tricked Toys. From the makers off all things custom and shiny, Tricked Toys, have a complete line-up of Pull Cord handles that take the look of a stock sled to the next level. Ladies this is one of those gift items that will show him how much you really care .You know what it is like to get bling at Christmas, make him feel the same way.

To check out all the sizes and colours available head over to www.tricked-toys.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

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’s r Carbide Boot >>TRIPLE 9 SWITCH e y buguide GOGGLES

HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

DAY I L HO

Anyone who has ever had to snowmobile with cold feet can contest just how Ladies for an inexpensive gift that is sure to make your fast a day can go from epic to miserable. The new Carbide boot looking from Motorfist favorite sledder happy this Holiday season? The new Switch will keep you smiling well into the later part of your epic day. The boot is built goggle from Triple 9 is going to set you back around $80.00, but with 1200 grams of insulation and has come pretty crazy durable outer shell he’ll think you blew the budget on them. With standard features materials. The Carbide also features a eVent® waterproof boot liner that like new and improved foam (which allows the goggles to breath is both breathable and waterproof at the same time. Check outnot yourletting local in too much air or snow dust), a large nose beak while Motorfist details to see the complete lineup: www.motorfist.com and larger lens to help with peripheral vision, you are getting a lot

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for the price point. There are many color and lens options as well.

Lastly, any company that uses Darth Vader in a goggle ad needs to get mentioned in our buyer’s guide. For more information head over to your local Gamma De aler: www.gammasales.com

Adrenaline Jacket SUB ZERO GLOVE

The Farmers Almanac is calling for a seriously cold winter this year. It might be time to

As the name may suggest this glove is made for those really cold days. updatethis one gauntlet of the most important pieces of your sled gear - The Jacket and Pant. If your Constructed from Leather and Thinsulate™ Insulation style adventures take you out all day, crossing lakes, and well into the night you need a glove from Motorfist is the flagship of their glove sled lineup.

Features include jacket that willstrap, keep up. reinforced thumb gusset, goggle squeegee, adjustable wrist andThe Adrenaline Jacket from FXR offers sub-freezing breathability with lifesaving assistance (F.A.S.T™). It is constructed with a durable 600D 200g of extra insulation on the back of the hand.along The extra pads onfloatation the back of the glove, or as we call them, “Bashing-through-the-sapling Pads.” polyester shell and a fully removable insulated liner. FXR didn’t stop there, is also threw in a www.motorfist.com No, not really… For complete lineup head over to: magnetic snap front closure, an insulated fleece-lined chest pocket, a rear storage zippered

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pocket and a zippered inside lining pocket with goggle wipe. The Adrenaline Jacket literally has all the bells and whistles.To check out all the details head over to www.fxrracing.com

MBRP >>EXHAUST Bite Harder Gift Pack

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Nothing says loving like a shiny pipe under the tree – Exhaust pipe that is.

GGB makes a ton of silencers for a ton of sleds that in some cases boast We have featured these items in previous issues this year from Bite Harder, but we wanted to give over 14lbs of weight savings. That is big weight savings, and think about it, you a great idea for the perfect gift under the tree. The Bite ifHarder Gift Pack would include a carbide you shave 14lbs from the stock pipe by upgrading to an GGB exhaust it grinding tool, a stud sharpener, a side support tool and the all new nets 12v Grinding Tool.

Give this gift kinda out as a ‘win-win’ against the extra pounds you put on at pack to the sledder in your life and he/she be able to corner Christmas. better, get faster the hard You hole just shots keepon telling yourself that when the second helping of your local Gamma dealer: pack and all that can all be accomplished right on the side ofturkey the trailgoes or in by…Available the hotel parkingfrom lot. Now www.gammasales.com that is a gift that just keeps on giving. Check out www.biteharder.com for details.

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✪ ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 4 ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

OnSnow 4.75 x 2.25 • Tracks USA 2016 Extension ad

p

Terrain Merino Hoodie >> Get your sledder clothing he actual wants this year. The Terrain hoodie from FXR is a mid-weight hoodie (So it fits really well under a snowmobile jacket) that has a 50% content of Merino Wool. This wool has natural antibacterial properties and dries faster than Rudolf’s nose on Christmas Eve (what you think Rudolf is immune to frost bite and dry cracked skin?) So take back that oxford dress shirt you think will make you sledder look good, and get him this hoodie instead. Here’s a hint: It is also on sale right now. Check out www.fxrracing.com for complete details.

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Clutch Jacket Here is a jacket that is surely going to get you noticed on the trail this year. The new Clutch Jacket from Motorfist is part of their Frost Series and was built for trailing riding first and foremost. Made from a durable waterproof fabric with 500D rugged panels strategically placed this jacket will stand up to whatever the trail may throw your way.

The Clutch Jacket also features eVent® Direct Venting technology that breaths to let the sweat out but still maintains a waterproof shield. Other cool standard options are 360° degree reflective prints, tether D-Ring at waist, a waterproof powder skirt and adjustable cuffs with thumbholes at the wrist. Check out your local Motorfist details to see the complete lineup: www.motorfist.com

15

Woman’s Gem Gloves >>

Nothing can end a day on the trails faster than frozen fingers.

Guys why not get a gift that your sledder gal will really appreciate. New from Arctiva is the Woman’s Gem Glove that offers up some crazy protection from the elements. Constructed with waterproof and breathable Hipora™ liner and 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation is the first line of protection from the cold, then throw in a Claino palm that is both waterproof and durable and you have got yourself a top notch glove. The Gem also has fully adjustable wrist and cuffs and sports an integrated vent and heat pack on the back of the long gauntlet-style wrist. So if you are looking for a gift that really shows her you care, take back the Starbucks Gift card, and get her a pair of Gem Gloves. For complete details head to your local Parts Unlimited Dealer: www.parts-unlimited.com

FOX SHOCK SALE! FLOAT 2 STARTING AT $395 FLOAT EVOL R STARTING AT $649 FOX ZERO PRO SHOCKS STARTING AT $99 (SUPPLIES LIMITED)

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HOLIDAY

>>>>>>

GIFT GUIDE

Scott Bikes

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Hey guys, this may not seem like a snowmobile related item to add to a sledder’s wish list, however sometimes you got to think outside the box when you are drafting your list to Santa.

First off, who does not want a shiny new bike for X-Mas? Second, everyone knows, cardio in the summer means better trail times in the winter. Scott Sports has a complete line up of serious bikes for the serious rider. Whether you are into road riding or Mountain Bikes, you should seriously check out the bike lineup from Scott Sports. They are serious about bikes. So remember the guy who trains in the summer is always the guy out front in the winter, and we all know if you’re not first, your last! www.scottsports.com

El Macho Tunnel Pak With all the storage option out there, the question is, “Why wouldn’t you want a bag called the El Macho?” The name says it all. New from Skinz, the El Macho, is a tub style tunnel pack that was created for the rider who needs to haul serious amounts of gear. Inside the pack, is a formed plastic tub, which creates a waterproof barrier between your gear and outside elements. The Zippered top also has a durable plastic insert sewn inside that provides extra protection on the top of the pack. The El Macho dimensions are 16Wx21Lx12H (So Crossover or Long Track is what it will fit) and incudes a universal mounting kit that is easily removable once you get to your destination. So guys if you need serious carrying space this winter, simply write El Macho on your wish list and Santa will know exactly what you need. …We hear he has one strapped on his sled. For complete fitment and colours head over to www.skinzprotectivegear.com

>>>>>>

THE REASON WE ARE NAMED DYNOPORT IS:

Dyno = Dynamometer and Port = Porting Mad Scientist Rich Daly

Pipes were an offshoot of our porting, and the pipe business became Giant

Mad Scientist Rich knows pipes and porting - so why would you let anyone else grind your cylinder?

- Pipes - Y’s - Big Core Barker - Trail Silencers - Clutch Kits

Photo: Kayla Donley - Dead Center Photography

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 3

315-252-2113

CAT POLARIS SKI-DOO

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INTERNATIONAL JANUARY 8-10, 2016 CENTRE • TORONTO

motorcyclesupershow.ca • 1-888-661-SHOW (7469)

GMAX GM11

INSIDE

We have shown this helmet before, however, when new styles are available (on an item that is a perfect gift), we feel it is our duty to let you know about it. If you have not heard about the GM11; it is a full dual sport helmet that allows a sledder to ride open face with goggles and a balaclava, then, when things get too cold, or you are about to blast down a frozen lake, the visor is able to close down over the goggles for extra protection. If you want to see the helmet in action, we at OSM have a full video review of the GM11 on osmmag.com, and it shows the helmet on the trail. Trust us, it works!

To check out all the new styles available head to your local GMAX dealer: www.gmaxhelmet.com

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Pat Bourgeois

FLOAT BOWL

EMBRACE WINTER

Photo courtesy of Mark Robinson

The

announcement over the arena’s public address system echoed that magical four letter word…snow. It perked up my ears as I was sipping on suds between periods, while attending my favorite National Hockey League team’s early season game.

Snow was in the forecast and it was early November, and things were looking up for winter’s arrival. But as soon as those thoughts were secured within my grey matter, and visions of drifted ditches and wind swept frozen lakes brought a smile to my face, the winter dreamscape was interrupted by a chorus of “boos” throughout the arena.

“What the hell?” I muttered under my breath.

Last time I checked, I live in Minnesota, often times referred to as “Minne-snow-tah” on souvenir t-shirts down at the big mall by the airport. I took a quick check around the arena to ensure I was sitting amongst fellow Minnesota Wild fans, and then shook my head in disgust.

The way I see it, I live in a state with four seasons, my favorite of which is winter, because like any good snowmobiler, I love winter. I like a good snow storm and the swirling snow that accompanies it. I like the crunch of frozen snow underfoot, and plowing a foot of the white stuff from the drive. Heck, I even welcome a week of subzero temperatures, knowing it will result in good ice, and soon I’ll be trekking across frozen lakes on my sled, or perhaps staring down a hole in the ice, hoping to pull up a few Walleyes.

The crowd’s discord over the eminent arrival of winter reminded me of an article I had stumbled across a few weeks prior while traveling. The story recounted

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research done by Kari Leibowitz, a student at Stanford University who had spent nearly a year in a small, northern town in Norway called Tromso. In this community, the sun never climbs above the horizon from late November to late January, seemingly making the long and often cold winter even more difficult to endure.

She went there to study the residents overall mental health, because here the seasonal depression rates were much lower than one would expect. The very notion of seasonal depression is real, according to several studies. The combination of reduced daylight and colder weather does in fact have a negative impact on many individuals.

However, in this small community, seasonal depression was nearly impossible to find.

Looking for answers, Leibowitz started asking people the question, “Why weren’t more of them depressed?”, and if there were lessons to be learned. However, it didn’t take Kari long to realize she was asking the wrong question. When she did ask people why they didn’t have seasonal depression, the answer

Photo courtesy of Fredrik Frantzen

was often the same, “Why would we?”

What the people of this small community in Norway discovered, was that winter was going to be a part of their lives, and they couldn’t change that hard and cold fact. Instead of dreading the dark and cold months, the residents of Tromso viewed winter as something to cherish and enjoy.

That simple state of mind, according to Leibowitz’s final research paper, makes all the difference in the world.

As snowmobilers, we too embrace winter, and I’m not telling you something you don’t already know. For us, winter is that magical time of the year when we can experience a vehicle that is like no other on earth. Snow by its very nature is a unique substance, and no other motorized activity can come close to replicating the feeling of riding a snowmobile.

Of course, we’re not alone in embracing winter – skiers; skaters; winter campers; hunters; anglers; snowboarders; fat tire mountain bikers; dog sledders; and many other outdoor recreationalists embrace the dark and snowy winter months, just as we do.

According to Leibowitz, the people of Tromso are simply enamored with the beauty of the season - from the soft light the sun casts from just above the horizon, to the stunning northern lights that streak across the sky at night. In Norway, people celebrate the things they can only do in winter. In fact, they have a saying that is often heard during the winter months: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

With that, I say bring on winter…the sooner the better, and for those who dread its impending arrival, the message is simple…cherish it. You just might discover a new found appreciation for one of nature’s most majestic times of year. J

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Work days start early at USXC events.

Bill had waited his entire life to ask the words, “Fill ‘er up?”

It helps to have an extra set of eyes when you’re looking at results times.

A few generations of Herfindahls here.

8

At least when they’re on sleds size doesn’t matter.

Women racers practicing “the look.”

Updating your status can be tough with only one bar.

Did that guy go through tech?

9

Jeff regretted giving his rear track shock that extra click on the rebound knob.

After much personal debate Nick decided that yes, he would prefer to ride with the seat on his snowmobile.

Thanks, but I wanted her autograph.

Lookinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fast sittinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; still.

10

“So what you’re saying is, ‘Who smelt it dealt it?’”

Shortly after his interview Re Wadena dropped the mic and walked off.

Cross-country master Zach Herfindahl secret to winning is he rarely combs his hair.

Semi-Pros on the line.

Is this what they mean when they say, “I lost my brakes?”

Scott is really good at holding flags.

11

> WELCOME

As

we enter our 4th season of racing, I’d like to thank the participants, our sponsors, our crew members and families for all of your support. Even last year with marginal snow at best, our membership grew and we were able to run 6 great events.

I am constantly amazed at how hard some of the competitors work and prepare, as one might expect, they are usually the ones at the front of the pack. Some see every challenge as an opportunity and they learn from every race and always strive to get better. Everyone races for a different reason; some like the social aspect, then there’s the few who are there to win…they prepare, they work hard, they have a schedule and they stick

TO THE USXC

to it. Whatever your motive or passion is to race, we appreciate each of you and we will continue to work hard to provide a racing format everyone can enjoy and be competitive in.

I want to thank our sponsor for their support, without them there wouldn’t be a circuit. Even in challenging times for the industry a number of businesses stepped up and put their hard earned money towards our sport. Make sure and let them know you appreciate it; buy their products and tell them you’re an USXC member.

USXC is lucky to have a dedicated support crew; some have been on the circuit for more than 10 years. They’re in the trailer at 6:00am on race days and sometimes are still working at midnight.

We could never pay them enough for what their contribution is really worth! They do it for the love of the sport. When you seem them at the races this year, please give each one a thank you, we couldn’t run events without them.

For 2016 we have 8 events again and hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will be racing at every one of them. Two new events this year include Devils Lake, ND and Naytahwaush, MN. Keep in mind,

USXC doesn’t just who up at a new town and say, “we’re going to have a race here”.

It takes a sponsor/promoter relationship at each location to make it happen. Each community invests thousands of dollars to host a USXC race, not to mention the hundreds of volunteer work hours. Make sure you thank those volunteers in each community you visit this winter.

The International-500 is set to go (again), we are currently working on final permitting requirements and getting all of the clubs aligned for the race. It takes more than 70 permits and approximately 400 volunteers to make this race happen.

You can sign-up online now risk free. If the race is cancelled, all entries will be refunded, just as they were last year.

As a former professional racer, I have a deep appreciation for the participants, their crews and support staff. I know what you’re going through and admire your dedication and loyalty to the sport of snowmobile racing. Thanks for making USXC the number one cross-country circuit in the country!

Best regards, Brian Nelson USXC Owner

> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>

SPONSORS

12

>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>

TM

> FEATURE

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 Wilma 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.

Country Cat Country Cat was founded in 1991 by Dave and Mark Wanderscheid. Just 16 and 20-years-old at the time, the brothers built the dealership into what it is today - the largest Arctic Cat dealership in the nation. From new machines to its vast selection of parts and accessories to its online store, Country Cat is a full-service dealer. www.countrycat.com Nelson International Nelson International is a family of international truck dealerships based in Minnesota and North Dakota. Nelson International features a large inventory of trucks and strives to ensure 14

the customer leaves satisfied. Nelson International offers new and used trucks as well as leasing and rental options. www. nelsonleasing.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, Woodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Traction has been at the forefront of snowmobile traction and snowmobile racing since the 1960s.

A loyal supporter of USXC cross-country racing, Woodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

C-TEC2 Synthetic Oil Formulated with the highest-quality synthetic base stocks, C-TEC2 Synthetic Oil is specifically-formulated to work in Arctic Cat snowmobiles equipped with C-TEC2 engines. Developed in conjunction with the C-TEC2 engine, C-TEC2 Synthetic Oil provides superior engine lubrication and is the best cold-starting oil on the market.

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.

Polaris Engineered VES Synthetic Polaris Engineered VES Synthetic oil is engineered to provide top-level lubrication for Polaris engines equipped with exhaust valves. Engineered in parallel with the engines in which it is designed to work, Polaris Engineered VES Synthetic keeps exhaust valves clean and functioning while offering easy cold starting and cold flow properties. Polaris Engineered VES Synthetic is the first, best choice for Polaris snowmobiles.

Polaris 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.

Ski-Doo

C&A Pro Skis 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.

XPS 2-Stroke Synthetic Oil Ski-Doo’s E-TEC engine technology is one of the most sophisticated 2-stroke engine management systems on the planet.

When developing the E-TEC engine with it’s “dry” crankcase design where fuel is injected directly in the cylinder, Ski-Doo found “regular” 2-stroke engine oils weren’t up to the task of lubricating the engine so they developed a new oil, XPS 2-Stroke Synthetic. XPS 2-Stroke Synthetic oil was proven to work by Ski-Doo engineers who spent millions of dollars and thousands of man hours in the process.

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 bet 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.

Yamaha One of the world’s largest and most innovative recreational vehicle companies, Yamaha is known for its industry-leading engine development and ground-breaking product lines. The only manufacturer dedicated to building 4-stroke snowmobiles, Yamaha’s lineup offers fuel-efficient, 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.

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> THE

VENUES

Featuring a challenging mix of racing venues as well as a variety of one-, two- and three-day events, the 2015-2016 USXC schedule is set to begin December 19-21 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 19-20, 2015 Gonvick, Minnesota

For decades racers have geared up to race Pine Lake, the traditional opener on the cross-country racing circuit. Named for Gerald Dyrdahl, former racer and father of five-time I-500 winner Bryan Dyrdahl, the Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial Pine Lake is where new sleds get shaken down and bragging rights come from the MPH numbers on the radar gun. Racers will compete on a challenging ice lemans course that rewards speed and machine setup. A win here can set the tone for the entire season.

DEVILS LAKE 250 JANUARY 2-3, 2016 Devils Lake, North Dakota

Cross-country will return to Devils Lake, North Dakota, this winter with the USXC Devils Lake 250. Racers will need their ice setups here as the event is set to take place on the lake. Like Pine Lake, riders will negotiate a tough ice lemans course with a variety of turns mixed in with fast straightaways. Ice racing rewards experience, setup and speed, and racers will need all three to get a win here.

PARK RAPIDS 106 JANUARY 16-17, 2016 Park Rapids, Minnesota

Entering its third year on the USXC schedule, the Park Rapids 106 is quickly becoming a favorite on the cross-country calendar. Featuring a mix of woods, ditch and ice, the race will be the first terrain event the riders see after two events on ice.

SEVEN CLANS TRF 300

JANUARY 23-24, 2016 Thief River Falls, Minnesota

The Seven Clans TRF 300 will feature much of terrain riders have become familiar with racing the I-500 over the past decade. A mix of ditch, river and woods, this event is classic cross-country and a win here is a definite feather in the cap of any crosscountry rider.

16

GRAFTON 100

JANUARY 30, 2016 Grafton, North Dakota

A perennial favorite amongst USXC cross-country riders, the Grafton 100 is typically seen as the warm-up for the I-500 since it’s terrain mimics what riders see in that event. A challenging mix of river, woods, ditch and field, it is as much fun as it is a test of machine and rider ability.

SEVEN CLANS WINNIPEG TO WILLMAR 500

FEBRUARY 10-13, 2016 Winnipeg to Willmar

The last time riders lined up in Winnipeg the year was 1997. Not since then has “The Winnipeg” been on any race schedule. USXC is set to bring the event back with the Winnipeg to Willmar 500. The granddaddy of all cross-country races, this will be one for the history books. The course will be a mix of ditch, river and trail and will bring riders on a four-day journey south from Winnipeg to the finish line in Willmar, Minnesota. Whoever wins this race will go down in the history books alongside names like Howe, Hayes, Nelson and Simonsen.

SEVEN CLANS WARROAD 200

FEBRUARY 27-28, 2016 Warroad, Minnesota

For nearly a decade the Seven Clans Warroad 200 has been the final stop on the crosscountry schedule. In 2016 it is the penultimate stop, bumping ahead in the schedule to the end of February. In Warroad riders face a mix of ice and terrain, making sled setup a challenge. A combination of speed and rider skill result in a win here.

NAYTAHWAUSH 200 MARCH 5-6, 2016 Naytahwaush, Minnesota

Like Devils Lake, Naytahwaush is a new stop on the USXC schedule. Located just east of Mahnomen on the White Earth indian reservation, Naytahwaush will feature a mix of ditch and natural terrain. The course here will get rough and suspension setup will be the key to success.

17

> RACE SLEDS

L

ast season, pump gas rules changed the landscape in cross-country snowmobile racing. Manufacturers were challenged to bring production snowmobiles to the starting line, placing a direct link between the sleds USXC riders pilot and what the average consumer rides. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the manufacturers will bring to competition for 2016.

SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS

T

he Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS is based on the REV-XS RS chassis, the evolution of the groundbreaking REV chassis. This season the sled will come equipped with a 129-inch track, which has proven to be the sweet spot in track length for cross-country racing. The rMotion rear suspension boasts a rising rate, progressive motion ration design suited to rough terrain. The RAS 2 front suspension helps make the Ski-Doo the best handling trail sled on the market, but that sharp handling has yet to translate to cross-country racing. The 600R E-TEC engine features direct injection and has the advantage of being the most fuel-efficient in the field.

Official

18

Skis of

USXC, I

SOC, EC

S, CSRA

& IWA

> RACE SLEDS

YAMAHA SRVIPER R-TX LE

T

he Yamaha race entry shares a chassis with the Arctic Cat (named the SRV chassis by Yamaha) as well as the same front suspension design (called SRV

by Yamaha). The Dual Shock SR 129 rear suspension uses a 129-inch track and

Yamaha suspension calibration. Power is where the Yamaha sets itself apart from its competitors. Yamaha is the only manufacturer using a 4-stroke engine. The Genesis 1049cc engine is the best in the industry and pumps out 130+ horsepower. It features four valves

per cylinder and a sophisticated closed-loop fuel injection system. It is perhaps the best in the field when it comes to fuel economy and bulletproof when it comes to durability, two factors that give it an edge on the competition in longer races.

19

> RACE SLEDS

POLARIS 600 RUSH

P

olaris had spent time racing its RUSH before the 2015 season, but the IQ race sled had proven faster and more durable. Not anymore. The lightweight RUSH laid down fast times right out of the box at Pine Lake last season, setting the

tone for the season as the sled to beat.

The AXYS chassis features a carbon fiber overstructure and unique “rider balancing” positioning. The PRO-XC front suspension features Active Pitch Control which controls pitch through geometry instead of spring

rate. The PRO-XC rear suspension features the unique external shock absorber with lightweight aluminum structure. The 600 Cleanfire engine surprised the field with its power and durability.

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> RACE SLEDS

ARCTIC CAT ZR 6000 R XC

P

erhaps the most race-oriented machine on the USXC circuit, the Arctic Cat ZR 6000 R XC is closely related to the all-out race sled Arctic Cat fields in snocross racing. One of the weak points for Cat last year was its ECM, and this season the sled

will come equipped with a re-mapped control unit which will offer improved durability and performance. Power will run through a TEAM Rapid Response drive clutch and revised driven clutch. Borg Warner drive chain will have less stretch, lower friction and increased

strength. New pistons are more durable than last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and a new lightweight exhaust system is 7-pounds lighter. Other changes are a new temp sensor, revised brake pad material and additional mounting holes for the front arm aimed at ice racing.

21

INTERVIEW

Zach herfindahl TWICE AS NICE

T

wo seasons ago, Zach Herfindahl won the Pro Stock points championship and finished a close second in Pro Open. That season he battled through a broken thumb, getting a cast tailor-made to fit around his handlebars so he could keep racing. Last season was much kinder to Herfindahl - a Pro points championship sweep and much smoother sailing along the way. In a sport that rewards experience, Herfindahl is an anomaly. Barely out of his teens, he rides with the speed and experience of a grizzled veteran. We caught up with him to find out how his season went and how he got so darn good.

22

OSM: You’re the Pro Stock and Pro Open points champion, how does that feel?

Herfindahl: That was our number one goal going into the season…it’s always nice to meet those goals. My team (Christian Brothers Racing) worked really hard and winning the championships was a great reward.

OSM: Two years ago you battled a broken thumb for half the season. Did you have any issues last season?

Herfindahl: No, fortunately I made it through last year pretty much unscathed.

OSM: New rules mandated a production snowmobile in the Pro classes. Did that present challenges for you or your team?

Herfindahl: It’s a consumer-based sled and it started out kind of slow with us having to figure out a lot of things. There was

definitely a learning curve, but I would say by mid season we had it working pretty well.

OSM: Are you involved with the development of the snowmobile?

Herfindahl: Yes, we go out west in the spring to do testing. Arctic Cat values everyone’s opinion, from the younger guys all the way up to the top riders, and they try to build the sled based off everyone’s feedback.

OSM: How does it feel to be working on the same level with legendary racers and engineers to help develop a snowmobile?

Herfindahl: It’s pretty much a dream come true when it comes to being involved in the snowmobile world. All those guys value everyone’s opinion a lot. They’re easy to work with, they ask us questions

INTERVIEW Zach herfindahl

and everyone has the same goal to make the sled work for everyone involved. It’s a good time too.

Obviously you want to come out on top.

OSM: You have a bunch of cousins who race.

Herfindahl: Yes, I have two younger cousins in the Junior class.

They’re working their way up and hopefully they stick with it so they can become some of the top guys too.

OSM: What was your best event from last year?

Herfindahl: Warroad for sure. I went into Warroad and I didn’t want to lose. We had a few tough races last season and I went in there with a mindset that no one was going to beat me. I had a lot of fun and was smiling the whole time.

OSM: You get a lot of support from your family, can you tell us about that?

Herfindahl: When I was growing up our family was on sleds 24-7 during the winter. We rode every weekend together. Once I turned 14 I went to races with my mom and sister. It was really fun and I just got hooked on it. Everyone tries to make the races every weekend and support what I do. On off weekends I will go up north with my dad and a bunch of guys from town and ride mountain sleds. It’s always a good time.

OSM: Cross-country is a sport that rewards experience. You’re young, but you ride like a veteran. What do you attribute that to?

Herfindahl: I grew up riding every weekend and sometimes during the week. All we did was ride sleds. A lot of these young kids they go to the track and they race the weekend, but they don’t practice or ride around for fun. All they do is ride on the track and they never really learn how to ride a snowmobile. The biggest thing for me was just going out riding and having fun.

OSM: You still ride some old iron too?

Hefindahl: We have a couple Enticers and El Tigres we like to race around the cabin up in Michigan. Those old sleds are just as fun to ride as the new ones.

OSM: Your team races a Soo mod at some of the lake races.

Herfindahl: We race an older mod. It’s fun and it sounds cool, it makes for a good show for the crowd. But the idea behind it is to measure durability and see how they handle before the Soo.

OSM: Are you looking forward to the I-500?

Herfindahl: I’m really excited, I hope Mother Nature cooperates this year. If the point-to-point race gets pulled off it will be great.

I’ve never won the 500. I came in second one year, broke down the other year, but if I can get through the point-to-point race I think it will be a great experience no matter what happens.

OSM: What are your goals for 2016?

Herfindahl: Have fun, stay healthy and have fun as a team. If Ryan Simons rides with me hopefully we can win the Soo, and if the I-500 goes down hopefully we can win that. That would make for one heck of a year.

24

Generation Menne THREE BOB’S IN A ROW CONTINUE TO GO

F

or three generations the name Menne has appeared on racer entry lists in the cross-country snowmobile racing world. These days, the Menne on the registration form is Bobby Menne, a top Pro on the USXC circuit and third generation Menne racer. Before him it was his grandfather Bob Menne II, and his father, Bob Menne III. The family’s passion for snowmobiles drove them to competition and led to a track record of success rarely seen in one family.

Bobby’s grandfather Bob hailed from Forest Lake, Minnesota, but relocated to 26

Bozeman, Montana, where he became a Moto Ski dealer.

“Back in the day, the other racers called him ‘Montana Bob’ and they called my grandma “Buzzin’ Betty because she raced too,’” said Bobby.

Montana Bob raced at places like West Yellowstone when it was regarded as one of the must attend events of the season. He also raced the I-500 11 times, on both a Moto Ski and John Deere snowmobiles.

Fast forward to 1989 and Bob Menne III enters the I-500 as an unknown privateer. On the last day riding from Duluth to White Bear Lake, Menne III found himself in an all-out battle with then Polaris racer Jeremy Fyle. Menne was in the lead before a busted suspension bolt near Stacy ended his race, just miles from the finish line. Journalist and, at the time, I-500 promoter, C.J. Ramstad told Menne he’d “never seen anything like” the battle

between Menne and Fyle. The epic final day tug of war cemented a tenacious racing reputation for Bob Menne III. Bobby’s father only rode one way – fast. When young Bobby came along he would ride on the tank in front of his dad.

Bobby got used to processing fast speeds on a snowmobile at a young age, so when he finally got his own he would beat the adults to the trail stops. He was 12.

“I guess my dad saw the potential, so we went to a couple snocross races then we went to Munising when I was 13 and I did OK,” Bobby said.

They went to a few more races, getting the feel for competition. Then, in 2008, Bobby raced a full cross-country schedule and swept the Junior 14-17 class, winning every race. From there, he skipped the amateur classes and went straight to Semi-Pro, where he spent two years battling standout racer Ryan Greening.

“Those years it was pretty much the

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Generation Menne

TRIPLE 9 SWITCH GOGGLES

Ladies looking for an inexpensive giftsnocross. that is sure to make your National connections there.

Plus we learned a lot favorite sledder happy this Holiday season?

Thehard, newbut Switch from Gabe, so it was a great move for us.”

“I didn’t even land I must goggle from Triple 9 is going to set you back around $80.00, but It’s still early in Bobby’s racing career, have landed just right to break my foot,” you blew the budget on them. yet he’s foundhe’ll a lotthink of success to this Bobby said. With standard features point. Still there’s plentyand of room to growfoam (which Last season was back his like new improved allows Bobby the goggles towith breath program a new sled. nose And hebeak was and hopefullywhile improve his in racer notupon letting tooluck. much own air or snow and dust), a large “I have the worst luck,”lens saidto Bobby fast - the fastest racer a long shot at and larger help with peripheral vision, youbyare getting a lot with a hint offor disgust.

“Something always the opener in Pine Lake.

He was the price point. There are many color and lens optionsleading as well. seems to get me, and it’s totally random the Pro 600 final when bad luck bit him Lastly, any company that uses Darth Vader in a goggle ad needs stuff like frozen goggles, a broken chain again. to get mentioned in our buyer’s “We’ve guide. done For more information head a million fuel stops, but and all kinds of other stuff.” over to your local Gamma De aler: www.gammasales.com Two years ago that random thing was this time I just stepped up on the running a broken foot sustained at the Duluth board a few feet too early and got a penalty,” said Bobby.

The penalty was enough to drop him back off the podium. But that doesn’t change the fact that his team, one run on a fraction of the budget of some of the teams he’s up against, was the team to beat that weekend, setting the tone for he name may suggest this glove is made for those really cold days. the season. structed from Leather and Thinsulate™ Insulation this gauntlet style “Being the guy to beat puts pressure e from Motorfist is the flagship of their glove lineup. Features include on you,” said Bobby. orced thumb gusset, goggle squeegee, adjustable wrist strap, and But, at this level, pressure comes g of extra insulation on the back of the hand. The extra pads on the with the territory. Bobby met it head-on of the glove, or as we call them, “Bashing-through-the-sapling Pads.” and finished third in Pro Stock points, not really… For complete lineup head over to: www.motorfist.com the highest-finishing Polaris racer on the circuit.

With a strong finish, Bobby and company are looking to improve this season, but the challenges of “small team” racing are many including finding the ideal balance between a full-time work schedule and still finding the time to train and prepare in the shop.

“I don’t have a mechanic right now and I work 5-6 days a week,” said Bobby.

Nothing says loving like a shiny pipe under the leave tree –much Exhaust pipe that is.

“It doesn’t time for working GGB makes a ton of silencers for a ton of sleds that in some cases boast on sleds or training. But we have great over 14lbs of weight savings. That is big weightsosavings, sponsors that helpsand a lot.think They about make it, if you shave 14lbs from the stock pipesure by upgrading to an GGB exhaust it I get what I need.”

No matter the challenge, youat can bet kinda nets out as a ‘win-win’ against the extra pounds you put on withthat the when Mennethe track history,helping Bobby will Christmas. You just keep telling yourself second of be ready when dealer: the flag drops at Pine Lake turkey goes by…Available from your local Gamma this December. www.gammasales.com Bobby and Ryan show in Semi-Pro,” said Bobby. “We pushed each other and that made us better.”

Good enough to where he bumped himself up to Pro at the last race in Warroad and he did well enough to catch the eye of Polaris racer Gabe Bunke, who had plans to build a team.

“We were able to get on Gabe’s program and that got us back with Polaris, which is what we really wanted,” said Bobby. “My dad raced Polaris and at one time worked for them, so we had a lot of

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INTERVIEW

alex hetteen COMING FULL CIRCLE

T

he Hetteen name is an iconic one in the snowmobiling world. Edgar and his brother Allen Hetteen helped found Polaris and later Edgar founded Arctic Cat. The Hetteen name lives on in the ranks of USXC snowmobiling in the form of Alex Hetteen, Allen’s grandson, Polaris employee and current Semi-Pro cross-country racer. We sat down with Alex to see what it’s like living with the Hetteen name.

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OSM: What do you do at Polaris?

Alex Hetteen: I’m a Powertrain Development Engineer for Ranger and RZR twin cylinders. I’m responsible for all the development activities of the engines.

There’s a lot of dyno testing, hardware testing and choosing parts. The last project I was working on was a new RZR turbo.

OSM: Can you tell us about being a Hetteen?

Hetteen: I’m Allen’s grandson, so Edgar is my great uncle. My grandpa died in 1973 and my dad was only 11 at the time, so obviously I was never able to meet him. I think if he hadn’t died we would have been a lot more involved with the

company. When he died my grandma sold and got married again, so my dad wasn’t involved with Polaris very much. Later on he was hired at Polaris as a test driver and calibrator for watercraft. He learned a lot about engines and taught me about 2-strokes while I was growing up.

OSM: You attended Michigan Tech?

Hetteen: Yes, I got a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I was part of a SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge team while I was there, it was a fun time. We got a lot of stuff donated to us by Polaris. The whole purpose of the competition is to be clean and quiet, so it’s primarily an engines competition. You want to get them quiet, run them lean and then we always had

some sort of wacky fuel like E85 or a Butanol mix, then develop the engine so it would compensate for different fuels. We worked with a Polaris 4-stroke turbo while we were there. Towards the end we started working on an electric snowmobile in a RUSH chassis and we drove it off the rear axle.

OSM: What are your goals for 2016?

Hetteen: Have more races like Grafton! I want to get more seat time. Last year I blew three tracks and DNF’d, so my main goal is to not have any DNFs. In Park Rapids I think I was leading Semi-Pro Improved and then blew a track, so that was really frustrating.

OSM: You said you’ve been riding since 1989, how young were you?

Hetteen: I was born in April of 1989 and in November my mom was giving me rides around the yard on a snowmobile. My grandma was pretty upset, she thought I was too young to be out in the cold like that. I’ve been riding every winter since.

OSM: Why cross-country?

Hetteen: My parents wouldn’t let me race in high school and then I was busy in college. I did some local hillclimbs in college and ended up qualifying for Jackson Hole. I went out there in 2012 and raced Semi-Pro. That winter I was hanging out with the Bunke Racing crew, just helping out in my free time and the next fall I bought a used sled and decided to give it a try.

OSM: Last season you won both Semi-Pro classes at Grafton, how did that feel?

Hetteen: We rode a lot before that race. Everything was ice before that so we had to convert from that setup to a ditch setup.

We made the conversion really fast and spent a lot of time just riding a tweaking getting ready. Plus it’s a different game than the ice so you have to get your mind switched over and that takes a little time.

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INTERVIEW

hunter houle ON THE FAST TRACK

I

n the world of snowmobile racing the name Houle is synonymous with success. From racing to building racewinning snowmobiles, Steve and Mike Houle are been there, done that guys.

These days there’s a new Houle winning races, Steve’s son Hunter is a two-time Jr. 14-17 championship winner and this season has his sights set on the Expert 85 classes. We caught up with 17-yearold Hunter to get his thoughts on crosscountry and living up to lofty expectations.

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OSM: How does it feel to be the Jr. 14-17 points champion?

Hunter Houle: This is the second one in a row. With the first one I just proved to myself that I could get the championship and I could live up to the last name.

Getting the second one to me showed it wasn’t just beginner’s luck.

OSM: Most kids want to go snocross racing, why did you pick cross-country?

Houle: We discussed it as a family and decided the longer races would be more fun and it’s a better way to get your feet when than going for the big venue where only so many kids qualify. With crosscountry you’re guaranteed to race.

OSM: You also race Expert 85, is there a difference in competition that you see?

Houle: I feel comfortable in both classes. I like Expert 85 though, because you do get the guys who used to be Pro running that class and you can see how you stack up against them and learn from them.

OSM: You have a dream job, you get to work at the family business, Speedwerx.

What do you do in the shop?

Houle: Right now I do a lot of clutch weight work. Otherwise I just fill in doing here and there type things.

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INTERVIEW

hunter houle

OSM: Does working in the shop help you in racing?

Houle: With guys who have their sleds in the shop I’m able to see what kind of setups they’re running. Then being a part of Christian Brothers Racing I’m able to see what they do as well. I have full support of the shop and all their expertise.

OSM: How does it feel to be a part of the Christian Brothers Racing team this season?

Houle: For me that’s a big accomplishment. It’s something I’ve always wanted and I appreciate the chance to be fully backed by them. I’m excited for the season and to have guys like Hector Olson and Corey Berberich behind me. I know my setup will be 100-percent with those guys working on my sled.

OSM: You have some good tutors in your family. What is your strategy to win championships, do you focus on race wins or long-term points?

Houle: I take each race one at a time, like that race decides the championship, and go 100-percent. When you start

holding back that’s when you start making mistakes. My goal is to win every race.

I like knowing that what you’re doing for someone is helping them live better.

OSM: You’re still in school, any plans for after you graduate?

Houle: I want to go to school to be a chiropractor. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor a lot and I like what they do. I like getting to know people personally and

OSM: What are your goals for 2016?

Houle: First off, win both championships.

Anything less than that I feel like I’m not meeting the goals I set for myself. I want to have a safe, complete season with minimal wrecks and no injuries.

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INTERVIEW

rob Powers YAMAHA RACING KINGPIN

Y

amaha has a history of picking its battles when it comes to snowmobile racing. And wherever it picks those battles it typically finds success. Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current focus is cross-country, and the man who makes the decision to go terrain racing is Rob Powers. By day, Powers is Yamaha Snowmobile Product Manager. The good thing is heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a die-hard cross-country fan. We sat down with Powers to see why Yamaha has chosen to go cross-country racing and what it means for the brand and the snowmobile world.

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OSM: Yamaha has been concentrating on cross-country for over a decade. Can you talk about that?

Powers: Cross-country is the perfect format to test and build new product for our consumers. The customer wins when we put this much time and energy into cross-country racing. Look at the modern snowmobile, you can do more, break less, and have more fun due to this development program.

OSM: Have the new Pro Stock rules mandating production snowmobiles helped you?

Powers: I think it ultimately helps the consumer the most. Yes, it helped our racing program; it leveled the playing field.

We have always raced EPA-compliant snowmobiles and now our competition has to as well. Look at how close the racing was last year, Re Wadena was only two points from a third place year-end

finish and he had a mechanical and missed a race. The consumer wins from all the knowledge the manufacturers gain by racing models that a guy can buy at his local dealership.

OSM: Yamaha riders had some really good finishes in 2015, what are takeaways from last season?

Powers: Re Wadena has established himself as a very strong competitor on the ice. It was fun to watch him battle it out with (Arctic Cat riders) Wes Selby and Zac Herfindahl at every corner. Re did a great job at the Soo last year until he was hit by another racer and he was black flagged.

Look for Re this year, he will prove to be a very strong contender.

Matt Piche switched from Snocross and his wheelhouse is rough terrain. He worked his way to the front last year and finished a race in second place. Matt has

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INTERVIEW

rob Powers

for the Winnipeg to Willmar race and really hope Mother Nature lets us race this race.

Robby raced one USXC race last year and took a 4th. That is rare for such a young kid in a new circuit to do that well. He will be in the front all season.

So…the goal is to see a lot of BLUE this season.

Re Wadena

made the adjustment to the high speeds that cross-country sleds have and he will be stronger this year than last.

Our new up and comer is Robby Resch. At 16, he won everything he entered in COR and this year he will compete in Semi Pro on the USXC circuit. Robby comes from an ice racing family and competition is simply in his genes. He is young, hungry, energetic and a blast to have on the team.

Mitch Sebastian is also on the team this year and we’re looking forward to working with him and helping him develop.

OSM: What are some improvements the team is looking to make this season?

Powers: No DNFs. I stated before that Re had a mechanical last year. We can’t have mechanicals and expect to win. We worked on clutching and suspension settings to let the guys drive out of the corner. We expect our top speeds to improve. Our terrain racing will also benefit from the shock developments we’ve made with our sponsor, Elka Suspension. The Elka Stage 5 racing shocks we are running have brought our race program forward many years. We owe a lot to their team of engineers.

OSM: Where do you see cross-country headed?

Powers: Brian Nelson and USXC has worked very hard with this series and has great plans for the future. He wanted sleds that any consumer can purchase and race…that makes for great racing.

If we can get more media coverage and more support from snowmobile-friendly towns we will start to grow the following.

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OSM: What are some changes you’d like to see?

Powers: The next step we encourage would be better viewing for the race itself. Not live on the snow, but live on the internet. You can watch the Paris Dakar or Baja 1000 on the internet, we should be able to watch cross-country on the internet. Look for technology to help this become a reality.

OSM: What are the team’s goals for 2016?

Powers: Is it too cliché to say…win? Look for Yamaha to be at the front at Pine Lake. He is really fast on the ice and he isn’t afraid to swap paint to get the next position. At a lot of the ice races last year Re ran in the top 3, if not first place.

When we get into the terrain races look for Matt to be in the front. Also, we are ready

Matt Piche

Robby Resch

> USXC

RIDERS

The Pro class is the goal of every young cross-country rider. A successful Pro cross-country rider doesn’t just a ride a snowmobile, he has to exhibit a combination of fitness, speed, mechanical ability and a keen mind in order to win. Here are some of the Pros fans will see racing USXC events in 2016.

GABE BUNKE

No. 74 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota Sled: Polaris Known as the “Iron Man” of modern crosscountry, Gabe Bunke is the most experienced rider in the Pro class today. Bunke finished fifth in 2015 season points and likely would have finished higher but two DNFs cut into his points total. Bunke will be looking to add an I-500 win to his career accomplishments this season.

AARON CHRISTENSEN No. 10 Home: Metiskow, Alberta Sled: Polaris An experienced, veteran snowmobile racer, Aaron Christensen combines mechanical skill with precise riding ability.

His schedule was limited last season, but when Christensen shows up to a USXC event he is definitely a threat to win.

LOGAN CHRISTIAN

No. 43 Home: Fertile, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat Primarily a snocross racer, Logan Christian typically tacks on a few cross-country races to his season schedule. With a growing cross-country resume and massive team resources backing him, Christian is a rider to watch when he shows up to a USXC event.

DILLAN DOHRN

No. 5 Home: Elgin, Minnesota Sled: Ski-Doo Dillan Dohrn made the switch to SkiDoo last season and, despite a sharp learning curve on the new machine, put in some solid results. A tenacious racer,

Dohrn continues to gain experience and improving his results. With a season on the new machine under his belt, watch for him to be a factor in 2016.

ROSS ERDMAN

No. 311 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota Sled: Ski-Doo A former I-500 winner, Ross Erdman is one of the most experienced riders on the USXC circuit. An injury ended his 2015 season early so he will be looking to make up for a disappointing year. Look for Erdman to be a factor in the Pro class in 2016.

RYAN FAUST

No. 537 Home: Rubicon, Wisconsin Sled: Polaris A win at Pine Lake combined with two third place finishes in 2015 landed Ryan Faust a sixth place finish in Pro Stock season points.

Faust is an expert on the ice as well as an experienced terrain rider. Watch for Faust to be a factor in 2016.

TRAVIS FAUST

No. 473 Home: Rubicon, Wisconsin Sled: Polaris New to the Pro class, Travis Faust benefits from his brother combination setup skills. If Faust can use his experience on ice and combine it with some strong finishes in the terrain races he could position himself as a definite upand-comer in the USXC Pro class.

ZACH HERFINDAHL

No. 312 Home: Eagle River, Wisconsin Sled: Arctic Cat The two-time reigning points champion in the USXC Pro Stock class, Zach Herfindahl is

hands-down the rider to beat on the USXC circuit. A naturally gifted terrain racer, Herfindahl seemingly has no weaknesses in his game. This, combined with the endless support of Christian Brothers Racing means anyone looking to unthrone him has a monumental task in front of them.

SPENCER KADLEC

No. 57 Home: Brookston, Minnesota Sled: Polaris A perennial top racer on the USXC circuit, Spencer Kadlec brings not only terrain experience but significant motocross experience with him. Smart and fast, Kadlec’s experience means he’ll be in the hunt every weekend.

CODY KALLOCK

No. 39 Home: Oslo, Minnesota Sled: Arctic Cat Cody Kallock grew up racing the terrain that makes up much of the USXC schedule. With one third place finish last season, Kallock continues to knock on the door of the elite rider club in cross-country racing. So far a Pro win has eluded him, so Kallock will be looking to add one to his resume in 2016.

BOBBY MENNE

No. 131 Home: Virginia, Minnesota Sled: Polaris Bobby Menne finished third in Pro Stock points, the highestfinishing Polaris racer on the USXC circuit.

He did this with only one podium finish and a new machine that brought a lot of unknowns to the team. With a season under his belt on the Polaris AXYS, Menne will be looking to position himself as the top rider on the USXC circuit.

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MATT PICHE

No. 51 Home: Grand Rapids, Minnesota Sled: Yamaha With a second place overall finish at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thief River Falls race, Matt Piche solidified himself as a contender on the USXC circuit. Although his experience in crosscountry is limited, Piche brings years of snocross experience including time in the Pro National class. With a taste of success, Piche will be looking for more in 2016.

WES SELBY

No. 15 Home: Grand Lake, Colorado Sled: Arctic Cat Working full-time as an engineer at Arctic Cat certainly benefits Wes Selby on the USXC circuit. Selby finished just 11 points behind the Pro Stock points champion and won two events in 2015. If anyone poses a serious challenge to Zach Herfindahl it is Selby.

JUSTIN TATE

No. 28 Home: Scandia, Minnesota Sled: Polaris Perhaps no one on the USXC circuit can boast as diverse a snowmobile racing resume as Justin Tate. An X Games gold medalist, multi-time Pro National snocross winner and enduro racer, Tateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience, ability and technical knowledge make him a formidable competitor. Though he has found limited success in cross-country, he can win any time he lines up at a USXC event.

RE WADENA

No. 52 Home: Moorhead, Minnesota In 2015 Re Wadena was a regular at the top of the USXC Pro class time sheets. Though he took some time off after an injury in 2006, Wadena has lost none of the speed that earned him second place in the I-500 that same year. With a few years under his belt on the Yamaha machine, Wadena will be looking to challenge for the championship in 2016.

> USXC

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 cross-country snowmobile racing circuit in the world.

Brian Nelson: Owner Teri Sokulski: Registration, Bookkeeper, Advertising, Sponsorship Scott Schuster: Tech Inspection, Setup and Staging Steve Ray: Course Sweeper, Course Setup and Tear Down Chad Bjorneby: Staging, Fuel, Setup and EMT Phil Zimpel: Announcer, I-500 Course Setup Kyrsten Zimpel: Registration and Scoring Terry Sizemore: Tech Inspection, Setup and Staging Lonnie Thompson: Scoring and Timing Draper Lundquist: Staging, Setup and Pre-Tech Joe Steffen: Course Layout, Setup and Staging Erick Thompson: Support, Timing, Staging Brian Olson: Course Sweeper, Course Marking and Tear Down Andy Mack: Staging, Setup, Course Marking Gene Ward: Webmaster 40

2015 usxc class chaMPions

Winning a points championship on the USXC circuit requires a rider not only to last the entire season, but meet challenges brought on by different course layouts, machine setups and mother nature herself. Here are the elite who took on all comers and won in 2015.

JUNIOR 10-13: KEATON BLACK

GIRLS 14-17: SAVANNAH LANDRUS

JUNIOR 14-17: HUNTER HOULE SPORT 600: ROBERT LOIRE SPORT 600 OPEN: ROBERT LOIRE MASTERS 40: MIKE DIRKMAN

TRAIL: EAN VOIGT

VINTAGE: JESSE WATLAND

CLASSIC IFS: STEVE MARTINSON

VINTAGE 50+: GERRY MATTISON

SPORT 85: BRANDON WOLTER

MASTERS 50: JIM SOBECK 41

2015 usxc class chaMPions

WOMEN: JILL TANGEN

EXPERT 85: JEREMY GROVE

EXPERT 85 IMPROVED: JEREMY GROVE

I-500 CLASS: CALE ANSEEUW

SEMI-PRO IMPROVED: TIMMY KALLOCK

SEMI-PRO: LANCE EFTELAND

PRO OPEN: ZACH HERFINDAHL

PRO STOCK: ZACH HERFINDAHL

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: NICK JAHNKE

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Newest style plastic boots have high sides, lock-on nose and wide easy off straps for great holding power.

Thicker, more durable UHMW plastic than others. n Black, n Blue, n Yellow, n Red and n Green from $149

More Tracks USA products Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

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n Largest stocking Camso/ Camoplast track dealer in USA n Rail and tunnel extensions.

Package prices n Fly Race Apparel

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/// YAMAHA-SNOWMOBILES.COM © 2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Prototype model shown.

Final specifications may vary. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing.

Always ride within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Know the conditions. Observe all state and local laws. Don’t drink and ride.