Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/258703
www.PowersportsBusiness.com SNOWMOBILE Powersports Business • February 17, 2014 • 41 SNOWMOBILE 10 percent, including low double-digits percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2013. Sales of snowmobiles outside of North America, increased 9 percent and 18 percent for the fourth quarter and full year 2013, respectively, when compared to the same peri- ods a year ago. PSB Sled retail growth at nearly 20 percent in Q4 40 • February 17, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Melting snow puts freeze on snowmobile season After starting strong with snow blanketing much of the northern U.S. and southern Canada in early December, warmer-than- average temperatures degraded snowmobile conditions in many key riding areas in North America by mid-January. Oregon, California, South Dakota's Black Hills, central Minnesota, eastern Wisconsin, portions of Michigan, New York and many New England states have seen snowmobile trails closing as the local powersports and tourism industries await snowfall that could quickly reignite the snowmobile season in their areas.The lack of snowfall may be most pronounced in New York, which recently launched a winter tourism campaign to pro- mote snowmobile opportunities throughout the Empire State. Although a significant blizzard struck much of the Northeast in early December, warming temperatures and a lack of second- ary snowfall has put the brakes on riding in many rural areas. In Wisconsin, the Kewaunee County Promotions & Recreation Department closed all snowmobile trails in mid-January in Kewaunee County, which is part of the Door Peninsula northeast of Green Bay. The same goes for much of the trails in the southern half of the Badger State. Across the border in Canada, parts of eastern Ontario as well as southern Sas- katchewan and Alberta, have also reported difficulties due to a lack of snowfall in the beginning of 2014. SNOWMOBILING CAMPAIGN STARTS STRONG The Take a Friend Snowmobiling Campaign, which began in 2009, is gaining momentum and many snowmobile associations and their clubs are planning special events to introduce non-snowmobilers to the activity. Reports from associations across North America are showing substantive increases in trail permit sales and in snowmobile registra- tions. In some cases, DMV offices are report- ing a 300 percent increase in the number of snowmobile registration purchases compared to previous years. Dealers are reporting high traffic counts and strong sales for snowmo- biles and related goods and services. The state and province that generates the most organized activity, supporting the Go Snowmobiling effort and reporting it to the ISMA office, will be eligible to win a $5,000 grant for their organization. USXC GETS KIDS INVOLVED The tradition in cross-country snowmobile racing has been to start them off young, and that legacy continues in 2014 at two USXC Racing venues. USXC has added two special race events to the schedule geared directly at kids on 120cc sleds to give them a taste of real-cross country competition. On Feb. 8, during the Seven Clans I-500 race in Thief River Falls, Minn., a "Mini I-500" will be held. The course will be one mile in length and racers will complete five total laps in a test of kid and machine. Winners of the Mini I-500 race will receive a one-night stay at Seven Clans Casino Water Park including six water park passes and a $50 gift from Recre- ational Motorsports. Then, at the year-end Moondance Jam 100 race in Walker, Minn., in March, kids will again be able to test their riding skills in the "Mini I-250." The Walker course will be a quarter mile in length and racers will battle through another five laps in pursuit of the checkers. Four classes will be available for racers at each of the two events. The classes will be made up of two age groups, 6-8 and 9-12 years old. Race entry fees are $37.50. Last year's Yamaha Junior 10-13 class points champ, Ean Voigt cut his racing teeth aboard a 120Z Arctic Cat. Mini racing has long been the start for many cross-country racers, beginning with Arctic Cat's Kitty Kat model in the early 1970s. Thanks to the recent partnership between Arctic Cat and Yamaha, all four brands are now represented in the 120 class with the addition of the Yamaha SRX 120. USXC owner Brian Nelson is excited about the two events. "We wanted to do something for the kids that was really special, not just a novelty sprint race, but something with a real cross-country course," Nelson said. ARCTIC CAT RECALLS SLEDS DUE TO FUEL LEAK, FIRE HAZARD The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Arctic Cat have announced a recall for approximately 265 units of the 2014 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 500 snowmobile due to a fuel leak from the fuel tank that poses a fire hazard. No injuries have been reported in con- nection with the recall. Customers are urged to stop using the snowmobiles immediately and contact an Arctic Cat dealer to schedule a free repair. Arctic Cat is contacting its cus- tomers directly. The snowmobiles included in the recall were sold nationwide from September 2013 to January 2014 for between $7,800 and $9,000. DEALERSHIPS PROMOTES SNOWMOBILE DEALS Two Brothers Powersports in Onalaska, Wis., promoted its Snowmobile Open House in December with several giveaways. The five-day event offered savings of up to $2,150 on Yamaha snowmobiles, with several late model used sleds starting at $4,999. Their specials included a free balaclava with purchase of a snow helmet on Tuesday; 15 percent off all in-stock oils on Wednesday; free socks with purchase of snow boots on Thursday; 20 percent off select snowmobile gear on Friday; and 15 percent off all in-stock T-shirts and hood- ies Saturday. Also, customers could register to win a Castle X snowmobile jacket. PSB DIGEST The USXC cross-country racing circuit will get kids involved in a pair of races featuring 120cc sleds like the Yamaha SRX 120. P40x41-PSB3-Snow.indd 41 2/5/14 11:25 AM