Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/511164
SNOWMOBILE Klim and Chris Burandt announced a partnership that will have the backcountry- snowmobiling ace riding, guiding and filming exclusively in KLIM Technical Riding Gear. Burandt, based in Colorado, rides more than 150 days a year in the nearly vertical backcountry of his backyard. His career spans milestones from X Games gold medals to numerous film appearances to owning a suc- cessful touring and adventure company. "I try to align myself with the most elite companies in this industry," Burandt said. "And that's something I've taken pride in since the beginning. It makes me really excited to be with Klim and to be in the best gear on the snow. The ingenuity, engineering and all the features of the Klim gear fit my rid- ing style and my company." Klim's research and development team, based in Idaho, will use Burandt's heavy rid- ing schedule and incredible experience to innovate future generations of riding gear. "Teaming up with the Klim family is going to be good for everyone," Burandt said. "I can't wait to get with the engineers at Klim and provide them my feedback on the gear. The quality and performance is already at such an elite level; I can't wait to see where it can go from here!" "Having Chris and Burandt Backcountry Adventures on our team is a perfect fit," said Sid Huntsman, snow marketing manager for Klim. "His passion for the sport and extensive experience will be a real asset. Chris has a real desire to align himself with the best and so does Klim. This partnership will help us both take technical riding gear to the next level, something that will benefit everyone in the industry. Klim already has the most talented team of sponsored athletes to ever hit the snow. Adding Chris and his team just makes it that much stronger. We can't wait to get this partnership in motion and honestly, I can't wait to do some test riding with Chris and his team!" ARCTIC CAT STACKS UP WINS AT HILLCLIMB EVENTS Team Arctic Hillclimb racers swarmed the final two RMSHA events of the 2015 season, unleashing an unstoppable display of power, speed and handling to capture 15 wins, two King titles and three high point champion- ships aboard Arctic Cat M series snowmo- biles featuring the ProClimb chassis. Nine wins and two King titles came at the April 24-26 event in Grand Targhee, Idaho. Kyle Tapio stamped his authority on the big power classes, taking wins in both 800 and 1000 Improved classes before capping the weekend with the Improved King title. Joining Tapio with multiple class wins were Garth Kaufman, who took victory in 600 Stock and 700 Stock; David McClure, who won both 600 and 700 Improved; and Eben Abshire, who won Semi Pro Stock, Mod and King titles. Todd Tupper nailed the ninth victory for Team Green by winning Masters Improved, making it a Team Arctic sweep of all the Improved classes. It was a similar story two weeks prior, at the penultimate round of the 2015 RMSHA season in Crested Butte, Colo., with Tapio, Tupper and McClure each winning a class and Abshire sweeping all three Semi Pro events. The late season success by Team Green culmi- nated for a combined 27 podium places from Grand Targhee and Crested Butte. Team Arctic's McClure, Tupper and Abshire proved their winning consistency by capturing a RMSHA season high-point cham- pionship title despite an abbreviated race sea- son due to marginal snow conditions. "Our success at the final two RMSHA races is the true measure of our fantastic racers and their HCR and M series snowmobiles," said Al Shimpa, Team Arctic Hillclimb race coordinator. "Ending the season on top and with so many victories will set the foundation for continued success next season. On behalf of everyone at Arctic Cat, we'd like to thank all our racers and crews for their hard work and dedication during the entire race season. We're proud of everyone on the team." CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST SETTLEMENT APPROVED A federal court has accepted the settlement agreement that resolves a lawsuit claiming that the Clearwater National Forest illegally closed recommended wilderness areas (RWA) to motorized use. The agreement, between the Forest Service and lawyers for the Idaho State Snowmobile Association and BlueRib- bon Coalition, requires the agency to conduct a new analysis and issue a new decision to evaluate "motorized and over snow access management" in the areas. The Forest Service "disputes Plaintiffs' claims" but acknowl- edged "that regional issuance of documents described as guidance for forest planning, including planning for RWA management, has led to confusion and misperception regarding the role that such documents serve. ..." The areas in dispute were decades ago rec- ommended for wilderness designation by the Forest Service, but Congress has not acted on these recommendations. The areas have always received motorized use, and more recently mountain bike use, that would be prohibited in formally designated wilderness. Neither the initial ratings nor the present wil- derness suitability have been diminished by these uses, and the "wilderness character" of the areas has remained the same under Forest Service evaluations. The agreement, initially filed in October 2014, contemplated a Forest Service effort to complete the new analysis prior to the start of the 2014-15 snowmobile season. In the absence of a new decision, the agree- ment provided for management to revert to the 1987 Plan, which would allow snow- mobile use. The court did not complete its review of the agreement until the 2014-15 season had largely passed and declined to vacate the challenged plan's prohibition on motorized access. The court "condition- ally approved" the remainder of the agree- ment, and the Forest Service and recreation groups accepted the court's interpretation. The agreement also provides for payment of $30,000 toward legal fees incurred by the recreation groups. "We have learned in decades of litigation that our court system produces imperfect outcomes," said Sandra Mitchell, public lands director of the Idaho State Snowmobile Association, the lead plaintiff. "We would like to eliminate the effects of what we consider an illegal decision, but getting a new decision is a significant step. Ultimate progress must always occur through the agency, and we hope we have sown seeds toward that out- come here." PSB DIGEST 34 • May 25, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Timbersled will remain in Idaho Polaris Industries Inc. announced the acquisi- tion of Timbersled Products, Inc. a privately held Sandpoint, Idaho-based company that is an innovator and market leader in the burgeon- ing snow bike industry. The terms of the trans- action were not disclosed. "We are excited to add the Timbersled brand and team to Polaris' strong snowmobile business. Timbersled has created a compelling product and revolutionized the sport of snow biking, and we are excited to see what they can accomplish with access to Polaris' considerable engineering, manufacturing and distribution capabilities," said Scott Wine, Polaris chair- man and CEO. "Their Mountain Horse is the unequivocal choice of snow bike enthusiasts, emphasizing Timbersled's relentless commit- ment to innovation, performance and quality. Our common culture and shared passion for the powersports industry and consumer will create an exciting platform for continued inno- vation and accelerated growth." Timbersled will continue to operate as a distinct brand and the operations will remain near Sandpoint, Idaho. "Timbersled is excited to be a part of the Polaris family. Our shared com- mitment to deliv- ering exceptional performance to r i d e r s a n d h i s - tory of innovation make this a great fit," said Allen Mangum, president, Timbersled. "Timbersled's success is built on a passion for delivering exciting products. We look forward to working with Polaris to take our product, customer relationships and the sport to the next level." PSB Burandt Backcountry Adventures, Klim form partnership Todd Tupper won the Masters Improved RMSHA event in Grand Targhee, Idaho. Polaris acquires snow bike company Timbersled Timbersled is an industry leader in the snow bike market.