We stumbled across this and thought it looked cool so we’re passing it on:

http://resolution.se/

Here is a shot of the dual laminate tank that comes on the 2010 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 500. As you can see from the awesome, professionally-done photoshopping callouts the outer portion of the tank, or the one that will see sunlight, is black, while the inner is clear.

“Just got invited to Winter X 14″

The AMSOIL Duluth National has been rescheduled. Due to unseasonably warm temperatures and an extended forecast for more of the same, the 18th annual race at Spirit Mountain has been moved to run the weekend of December 11 – 13.

More here: http://www.isocracing.com/

The sledRacer.com crew ran into Russ Ebert at the USCC Race School this past weekend. As so often happens with Russ, we ended up in a technical discussion, this time regarding fuel tanks. One of the emissions compliances OEMs have to make regarding all sleds built is fuel tank permeability. Clear fuel tanks, while the racer’s friend, are especially susceptible to this rule because of UV rays and other stuff we don’t understand affects the clear plastic moreso than black (or certain other colors). This is why race sleds today have what Russ told us are called “dual laminate” tanks. Essentially they have black plastic on the outside and clear on the inside. When the Ski-Doo XP was released Doo racers learned about this and took a torch, heated up part of the tank  on their race sled (dry, of course) and scraped part of the outer black covering off to reveal the clear inner liner (and visible fuel level). A certain USCC racer just tried this on his 2010 Sno Pro 600 and alas, there was no inner liner. Cha-ching! New fuel tank. Bummer.

 Anyway, Russ went on to inform us just how fuel tanks are tested for permeability. First, the tank is weighed empty. Then, it is filled with fuel and put into an oven where it is heated to specific temperature for a specified amount of time. Then it is taken out of the oven, the fuel is dumped out and the tank is weighed again. The weight difference reveals the permeability of the fuel tank. In other words, the plastic absorbs a certain amount of fuel at a certain rate which represents how fast fuel passes through the plastic and into the atmosphere.

 So that, fellow sledRacers, is why we don’t have the convenience of clear fuel tanks on our race sleds anymore.

Here they are, sledRacer.com’s Top 11 snocross riders for the 2009-2010 race season. Why 11? We wanted it to be a nice round number like 10 but we figured hey, why not make this one go to 11? Plus, we’re just not very good with numbers. With a fresh crop of Semi-Pro riders moving into the Pro class and a fair amount of veteran riders switching teams and brands, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top this year. But there are still some sure bets you can stake your money on. Of course, betting is illegal, so we don’t condone that. Anyway, read on and see who we think will come out on top in ’09-’10.

 11. Iain Hayden

No. 93

Home: Espanola, Ontario

Age: 26

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 170

We have to throw Iain Hayden in the mix since he will be the sole Yamaha rider fans will see in the Pro class at ISOC Nationals. Though he won’t run a full schedule, watch for him to be a factor at the events his team chooses to run. With Yamaha’s old Open class sleds and all factory restrictions lifted on what the team can do, Hayden should find success. Some fans might remember Hayden was so close to a win at the ISOC Hayward National last year he could damn near smell it. His sled has the power and he has more than enough ability to win.

10. Cory Davis

No. 160

Home: Soldotna, AK

Age: 21

Height: 6’

Weight: 170lbs

Making the move to the Pro class for this season is Alaska native Cory Davis. Davis is the son of Team Arctic cross-country rider Scott Davis and brings a well-rounded resume with him that includes freeriding and cross-country. He won the Semi-Pro Stock points last season and at many events was blazing fast. Some success was stifled by mechanicals, like when he was leading at Canterbury last year and his chain broke. In many ways a throwback to the old-school racer mindset, Davis brings loads of natural talent, a confident attitude and the ability to win anywhere, anytime.

9. Steve Taylor

No. 2

Home: Prince George, B.C.

Age: 27

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 150lbs

After riding for Yamaha the past two seasons, Steve Taylor is back on Ski-Doo and riding for Warnert Racing. A rider who saw much success behind the bars for Blair Morgan Racing Team, he fought frustration and many ups and downs on the blue team. A hard-working rider who is always fit, Taylor is a factor no matter what he rides. Often a rider of opportunity, watch for him to run at the front at some point this season.

8. Robbie Malinoski

No. 4

Home: Lino Lakes, MN

Age: 28

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 190

Four seasons ago Robbie Malinoski was preparing to head to Duluth and race an Arctic Cat. The next year he rode Yamaha, the last two years he’s ridden Ski-Doo. This year Malinoski is giving Polaris a shot. As the newest rider for Scheuring Speed Sports, Malinoski has some big shoes to fill after long-time rider D.J. Eckstrom was let go. Scheuring also let the ultra-talented Shaun Crapo go, a rider who won the Pro Stock final at the New York race last season. A lot is expected of Malinoski by his team, but with two Pro points titles to his name and as the only rider ever to win a Pro Open National race on a four-stroke, Malinoski brings some big shoes of his own. He will win, it’s a just a question of when and where.

7. Garth Kaufman

No. 48

Home: Alta, WY

Age: 25

Height: 6’

Weight: 180lbs

Garth Kaufman pursues the points titles with single-minded determination. He rides fast, predictable and controlled. Kaufman’s never going to make your jaw drop tripling some downhill, but at the end of the day he’s usually standing somewhere on the podium. His persistence resulted in a fourth place finish in Pro Open points and a second place finish in Pro Stock. In Vegas they’d call Kaufman a safe bet.

6. Ryan Simons

No. 67

Home: Camrose, AB

Age: 27

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 150

The second highest-ranked Arctic Cat rider choice depends on what you rate higher – points finishes or race wins. We go with race wins and that means Ryan Simons gets the nod. Fearless and blazing fast, Simons will set the pace if he gets the chance. As likely to crash as he is to win, Simons attacks the track and tends to ride with his thumb. What he lacks in finesse he makes up for in sheer determination to win.

5. T.J. Gulla

No. 44

Home: South Hero, VT

Age: 28

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 170

The lowest-ranked rider in the group of Polaris racers is veteran T.J. Gulla. To rank someone of his caliber this low is almost an insult, but it’s also indicative of the talent found on the Polaris team. Perhaps one of the most intense riders on the ISOC National circuit, Gulla takes a blue collar approach to the sport. Gulla almost never has an “off” day, but with his veteran status comes wisdom and he knows when to attack and when to back off. He will make the most of everything that comes to him and rarely makes mistakes.

4. Ross Martin

No. 837

Home: Pleasant Prairie, WI

Age: 23

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 175

Ross Martin is coming off his second injury-plagued season. Two years ago he entered the season at Duluth and tweaked an already worn-out shoulder. Last year he came back to Duluth with a surgically-repaired shoulder courtesy of the doctors at the Mayo clinic (yes, that Mayo clinic) which left his wing joint better than what it was when he was born. Mid-way through the season at Winter X he mis-timed a jump and crashed, injuring his hips and pelvis. With a handful of points championships and even more race wins, Martin has proven he can be the man to beat. But is he still?

3. Levi LaVallee

No. 108

Home: Longville, MN

Age: 25

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 155

How do you top a double backflip? And before you say anything, yes, he landed it. Well, landed it enough for us, anyway. Maybe his racing was overshadowed by his performance in the Best Trick comp at Winter X last year, but you can’t look past LaVallee’s Pro Stock points title. He’s always been fast, but he’s also always been a loose cannon. Last year Levi did what everyone had been waiting for him to and raced fast, controlled and with authority. Where once he was a sure bet to crash out of whatever heat he was in, he’s now one of the guys to beat.

2. Brett Bender

No. 19

Home: Boston, NY

Age: 21

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 155

While there are more obvious choices for the No. 2 rider on this list, we’re going with sophomore Pro rider Brett Bender. Bender snuck up on the field last year and nearly took the Pro Open points title, winning three races (Valcourt, Hayward, Geneva) in the process. Bender benefits from having one of the best snowmobile minds in the world, Tim Bender, as his father and crew chief. Bender exhibits a super-smooth riding style and often doesn’t look like he’s going as fast as he is until he’s in front of you. We think he’s just getting started.

Tucker Hibbert

No. 68

Home: Goodridge, MN

Age: 25

Height: 6’

Weight: 165

Unbeaten in almost two years, Tucker Hibbert is hands-down the rider everyone has their sights set on coming into Duluth. Despite not racing a full season last year, don’t think the rest of the riders in the Pro class aren’t paying attention to the 68’s results. Hibbert enters every season in top physical condition and straddles an Arctic Cat that is prepped by his father, Kirk, one of the top snowmobile engineers in the world. Throw a ton of natural ability and a huge desire to win into the formula and it definitely makes Hibbert the top snocross rider in the world and the one to beat.

Winnipeg-based BOSS Racing is pleased to announce the signing of Pro rider Brett Turcotte to represent Ski-Doo/ BOSS Racing for the 2009-2010 race season. Recognized as one of the fastest young pros on the national circuit, Brett Turcotte got his start riding in the mountains of British Columbia, which is evident in his stand-up riding style, his throttle control and his ability to move the sled around difficult terrain.

Turcotte’s career in snow launched with the Blair Morgan race team in 2001. Schooled by the best in the industry, it shows at track. His greatest achievement to date is a Silver Medal at Winter X Games but he’s shooting for Gold this coming season.

With the winter 2009-2010 snowmobile race season set to begin in just three weeks, another legendary crew of Team Arctic racers is poised to pounce upon the podiums available in snocross, cross-country, hill climb, drag racing and more.

“I look at the combined experience of our teams and racers, the improvements we’ve made to our race sleds, the support of our sponsors and the new racers we’ve brought in, and I’m convinced Team Arctic will be as potent in 2010 as it was in 2009,” said Team Arctic Race Manager, Mike Kloety.

While the national-level races remain a high-priority for Team Arctic in 2010, Arctic Cat understands that its regional racers are the back-bone of the program, and their success is equally important for the team.

“Look at our list of racers, and not just the headline-winners,” said Kloety. “Across all disciplines and geographic areas, these racers and teams carry the passion of this company through their dedication, sportsmanship and, ultimately, their success. Their efforts are appreciated by everyone in the Arctic Cat family.”

Snocross: New and Familiar Names

The Team Arctic Snocross program includes the most successful core of racers from last year, but with a few twists that will bolster their overall performance.

Tucker Hibbert – defending X Games champion and undefeated in the four ISOC Nationals that he raced last season – is back on the Monster Energy Arctic Cat, with a six-race schedule focused on the first half of the season.

The Arctic Cat Factory Team will consist of neo-Pro Dan Ebert, who scored multiple Semi-Pro wins last year; Cody Thomsen, who won the Sport Super Stock championship last season and is now in Semi Pro; and new-to-the-team Kyle Pallin (Semi-Pro), whose speed and success will complement the crew that’s headed by crew chief Russ Ebert.

The Christian Bros. Racing (CBR) team returns with an even more potent cadre of racers. New additions to CBR include Ryan Simons (who won in both ISOC and USCC in 2009), Cory Davis (ISOC Semi-Pro Stock Champion and USCC Pro winner) and Zach Pattyn. They join last year’s Pro Open Championship challenger Garth Kauffman; Pro Women’s Champion Carly Davis; Semi-Pro stalwart Logan Christian; and Pro Vet Karl Christian.

Along with the Sportech Racing team (which now hosts Pro racer Paul Bauerly) and the strong contingent of racers and teams listed below, Team Arctic’s snocross program combines strong experience, talent and both National/Regional focus.

National Snocross
Tucker Hibbert
Ryan Simons
Garth Kaufman
Dan Ebert
Cory Davis
Zach Pattyn
Logan Christian
Cody Thomsen
Kyle Pallin
Justin Steck
Dusty Miller
Jacob Muller
Jacob Blanshan
Devin Bertoch
Nathan Moritz
Matt Pichner
Frattalone Racing
Sportech Racing

Canadian Snocross
Shoreline Racing
OTSFF Racing
Robin Deschenes
Kelly Boyd
Jamie Clement
Shaun Demarcke

MWR Snocross
Wes Selby
Taylor Meuwissen
Zach Acord
Willie Elam
Pat McLam
Tuffy McDonald

RMR Snocross
Chris Chico
David Duchnik
Trevor Bouchard
Jacob Phalen
Kyle Becker
KC Anderson

Midwest Snocross
Sticker Dude Racing
Josh Zelenski
Nick Pattyn
Johnathan schwantz
Peer Pressure Racing

Cross-Country: Comprehensive Support at all Levels

As the only factory supporting all classes and areas of cross-country racing, Team Arctic remains the most formidable force in terrain competition throughout North America.

In the USCC circuit, defending Pro Open champion D.J. Ekre and teammate Brian Dick will fly the Christian Bros. Racing banner, aiming for individual race wins and the I-500 in particular.

Joining them will be Team Green racers in the Pro, Semi-Pro, Pro Women and 85-hp classes, the latter of which will prove the effectiveness and competitiveness of the new Sno Pro 500.

In Alaska’s famed Iron Dog cross-country, former champions Scott Davis/Todd Palin,  Brad Helwig/Eric Quam and Andy George/Trey West are focused on returning Team Arctic to the top, where a win would mark 11 victories out of 26 editions of this famed event.

USCC Cross-Country
DJ Ekre
Brian Dick
Chad Lian
Ryan Houston
Dave Dirkman
Josh Carey
Jon Arneson
Josh Glendenning
Phil Storlie
Arne Rantanen JR
Bobby Menne
Cody Kallock
Trevor Fett
Ryan Greening
Cole Nymann
Mike Dirkman
Adam Brandt
Chris Sobeck
Eric Bute
Nathan Moritz
Mark Arneson
Bryce Buchanan
Tom Clement
Chris Klie
Justn Morken
Brad Cierzan
Jim Sobeck
Coltan Vandeputte
Jenna Sobeck
Brent Liggett
Marty Feil
Tim Kallock
Trevor Fett
Jolene Bute
Sasha Cook
April Moritz

IronDog Cross-Country
Scott Davis
Todd Palin
Brad Helwig
Eric Quam
Andy George
Trey West
Micah Huss
Brandon Baxter
Darrick Johnson
Kurt Steiner

Hillclimb: The Kings Remain the Same

With 15 World Championships, 15 King titles and 78 first place finishes in 2009, Team Arctic hillclimb racers approach the 2010 season as the undisputed kings of the mountain.

Names like Tapio, Zollinger, McClure, Tupper, Buckallew, Frisby, Free, Keller and Archibald have dominated the RMSHA mountain circuit aboard M Series snowmobiles, and their return for 2010 will maintain that momentum.

RMSHA Hillclimb
Team Tapio
Todd Tupper
Chance Buckallew
David McClure
Ty Free
Shad Free
Nathan Zollinger
Leslie Keller
Brent Cheeney
Scott Cheeney
Zollinger Racing
Ben Adams
Rob Kincaid
Tony & Jan Ottobre
Robert Tillotson
Jeremy Archibald
Cody Clawson
Russell & Christy Frisby
Derek, KC & Kyler Stone
Jonathan & Dusty Hancy
Rachel Humphery
Chad Smith
Justin Sampson
Braiden Coleman
Cody Swanson
Matt Elliott
Landon Archibald
Lonnie Keller
Sid Archibald

Drag, Oval, Enduro and Watercross

Throughout the history of snowmobile racing, Team Arctic has supported all forms of competition, and its focus for 2010 is to continue its winning tradition.

The drag racing program has proven unbeatable during the grass season thanks to the team’s hard work and dedication, as well as the potent mix of CFR 800, CFR 1000 and F Series snowmobiles.

In oval and enduro competition, Team Arctic comes to the track supporting a mix of teams that blend decades of experience with youthful focus. Names like three-time Eagle River World Champion P.J. Wanderscheid and endure mainstays Team Highland Racing will lead the charge in these legendary race venues.

Drag Racing
Gilland Racing
Glenn Hall
Kelly Shilts
Craig Wyent
Kerry Mcdonald
Matt Lemire
Ice Oval
P.J. Wanderschied
Hoglund Racing

Water Cross
Lindbeck Racing
Enduro Racing
Chris Ryan
Caddarette Racing
Lance Kalbfleisch
Team Highland Racing

Team Arctic’s Dedicated Sponsors

Team Arctic’s success on and off the track is made possible in part because of the strong, loyal support of its sponsors, each of whom shares the same passion as our racers and Arctic Cat.

For 2010, Team Arctic is grateful to announce the return of these great sponsors: Camoplast tracks, APV Synthetic Oil, Fox Racing Shox, Speedwerx, Renton Coil Springs (RCS), Moto Tassinari/VForce3, TEAM, Figgins Transport, Mitsuboshi drive belts, Stud Boy traction, C&A Ultra Pro skis, Smith Optics, Action Graphics and Sportech.

“Just got my official invite to the winter X Games!!!”

Extreme-sports star Darryl Tait is home in B.C., slowly recuperating from the snowmobile backflip gone wrong that seems to have ended his extreme dream.

The Atlin teen was trying to put his home town of 350 on the world map, always pushing the envelope in search of bigger, badder tricks to land a spot in the pinnacle of extreme sports — the X Games.

“I was just trying to make a name for myself,” Tait, 19, said of his preparation at the New Hampshire event that proved his undoing on October 11 when he attempted a backflip on his snowmobile.

Get more here:

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Injured+extreme+snowmobiler+Darryl+Tait+back+home/2200302/story.html