Original Article from Snowsports.org – http://www.snowsports.org/blog/2011/09/23/la-nina-is-back-20112012-weather-outlook/

La Niña has returned! La Niña is the weather condition that brought us an epic winter last season resulting in record sales and participation. On September 8th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that La Niña conditions were back after a four month hiatus and were expected to strengthen throughout the 2011/2012 winter. The coming winter may not be a carbon copy of last season, which brought in almost 30% higher than average snowfall and had enough snow on the 4th of July to gain 50,000 skier/rider visits, but it is excellent news for most regions. Generally speaking, a La Niña winter brings an active northern Pacific storm track with a less active southern Pacific storm track. But persistent storminess in the Northwest and Northern Rockies could result in the threat of flooding in lower elevations and enough mountain snow, when combined with temperature fluctuations, to result in a deep and unstable snow pack.

La Niña by Region:

Rocky Mountains/Colorado – During La Niña winters the central and northern Colorado Mountains tend to receive normal to near normal moisture. But the southern part of the state and the desert Southwest tend to get less than average moisture during the winter. Overall, La Niña should bring average snow levels and temperatures to the Rockies but, the mountains may have some extreme cold snaps and wind will be a persistent issue this winter. Bora wind from the Yukon will bring cold and dry wind to the Rockies and the Chinook winds will bring warm and damp winds from the south this winter. Some of the coldest weather on record in the Rockies has been recorded during La Niña years and 2012 could have some record setting cold days. The Wasatch Range in Utah, generally considered the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountain Range can expect another excellent season with above average snowfall.

Southwest – La Niña brings dry winters to the Southwest, and there are no exceptions to this over the past 65 years. This is not good news for the drought ravaged region. La Niña brings much more consistent consequences in the Southwest. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Southern Colorado and Southern Utah will have moisture challenged and warmer than average winters this year.

Pacific Northwest – Lower than average temperatures and higher than average precipitation again this winter. This region will get a wealth of snow this winter as La Niña drives colder temperatures and moisture off of the Pacific resulting in higher than average snowfall.

Northern California/Nevada – The Sierras – La Niña tends to be tricky in this region due to a phenomenon known as the Pineapple Express. The Pineapple Express, a relatively common weather pattern that brings southwest winds to the Pacific Northwest or California along with warm, moist air is likely this winter. The name comes from the source of the moisture: The tropical Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, where pineapples are grown. The Pineapple Express sometimes produces days of heavy rain, which can cause extensive floods. The warm air also can melt snow in the mountains, further aggravating flooding. During the colder parts of the year, the warm air can be cooled enough to produce heavy, upslope snow as it rises into the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada or Cascades.

Southern California – Expect drier than average conditions and higher than average temperatures in Southern California this winter. Keep in mind that the Pineapple Express could bring heavy upslope snow to California resorts like Heavenly, June Mountain and Mammoth that will drive consumers into snow sports retail this winter despite warmer and drier local conditions. Resorts located further south including Mountain High and Bear Mountain will have plenty of snow for their parks but may experience warmer and drier than average conditions during the 2011/2012 season.

Midwest – Colder than normal temperatures and heavy lake effect snow for northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan, Northern Indiana, Northern Ohio and other areas in the mid-west (and northeast) normally effected by lake effect snowfall.

Northeast – NOAA’s forecast for the Northeast is more of a non-forecast with equal chances for above or below average snowfall. Look for a winter that is much like last winter with colder temperatures and the potential for severe ice storms. There are exceptions to this forecast for regions of Pennsylvania and New York that enjoy lake effect snowfall.

Mid-Atlantic – The mid-Atlantic region including Southern PA, MD, VA, and NC will be defined by unsettled winter weather including warmer than average temperatures and mixed precipitation events that could bring ice, snow, sleet, and rain in a single storm. Mid-winter warm ups, and general variability in the temperature will be the norm for this region on the cusp of the La Niña temperature gradient.

“New product innovation is always the driving force for Polaris. We continue to build game-changing products based on consumer need, even in a tough external environment,” said Scott Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries Inc. “Polaris is thriving because of our innovative products, enabling us to be a powersports leader while delivering first-of-its-kind Terrain Dominating Control in our 2010 lineup, all of which will continue to fuel growth and gains in all market categories.”

TERRAIN DOMINATING CONTROL
Every model in the 2010 Polaris lineup provides riders with Terrain Dominating Control, including the following:

• Polaris-exclusive IQ® front and rear suspensions provide a smooth, comfortable ride and easy, responsive handling.
• The lightweight RAW RMK Chassis was developed to meet the specialized needs of Deep Snow riders and delivers outstanding performance in the steep and deep.
• The 136 Coupled Rear Suspension on Crossover models provides a smooth ride on the trail and excellent off-trail flotation.
• The lineup also features several specially equipped Dragon® models with premium shock packages to give demanding riders the most consistently outstanding ride and handling in snowmobiling.

ALL-NEW 600 RUSH
The PRO-RIDE™ Chassis of the 600 RUSH™ looks like nothing snowmobilers have seen before – and it provides ride and handling superior to other products on the market. The PRO-RIDE progressive-rate rear suspension transfers the load generated by rough terrain to the extremely rigid PRO-RIDE chassis, while the rider remains isolated from the terrain’s harsh effects. Bottoming is virtually eliminated, and the stiff chassis and new swaybar setup keep the sled flat through turns for enhanced handling. The 600 RUSH rider experiences “Rider Active” control that feels intuitive and natural.

“The new Polaris 600 RUSH truly marks a turning point for the snowmobile industry,” said Scott Swenson, Vice President, Snowmobile Division, Polaris Industries Inc. “The progressive-rate rear suspension has been proven in Motocross; Polaris has now become the first company to bring it to snowmobiles. This innovative PRO-RIDE suspension combined with the new super-rigid PRO-RIDE chassis provides riders with an unprecedented level of rider-active control including improvements in acceleration and cornering.”

“Polaris has really nailed it with this sled,” said LaVallee. “Riding the 600 RUSH felt like nothing I have ever experienced. I was in the ideal riding position to transfer my weight for launch, and to set the front end for cornering. It has wicked control and a suspension that refuses to give up.”

2010 MODEL SEGMENTS
The following is an overview of all Polaris model segments for 2010:

PERFORMANCE: THE SPORT’S FINEST POWER, RIDE & HANDLING
Along with the new 600 RUSH, the Performance segment features six IQ models that deliver snowmobiling’s best ride and handling and incredible acceleration and power. Five of these models are powered by the smooth, efficient Liberty® 600 and 800 HO Cleanfire® engines. The segment includes two Dragon® IQ models that have premium Walker Evans® shock packages and special equipment that enhances a rider’s snowmobiling experience. Plus, the 550 IQ Shift is snowmobiling’s best value with its IQ Chassis, Polaris 550 fan-cooled twin and basic black bodywork that’s ripe for customizing.

CROSSOVER: THE BEST IN ON- & OFF-TRAIL PERFORMANCE
Riders who regard trails as avenues to their off-trail playgrounds view the Polaris Crossover models as the best of all worlds. The 136 Coupled rear suspension bridges bumps for a smooth ride on the trail, and it provides excellent off-trail flotation. The Liberty® 600 and 800 HO engines with Cleanfire Injection® provide tremendous corner-to-corner acceleration and great power for off-trail boondocking. The new 600 LX and Turbo LX complement their smooth ride and strong power with special features such as electric start, 12V Accessory outlet, a higher windshield, storage bags, mirrors and distinctive LX graphics.

DEEP SNOW: RAW, LIGHTWEIGHT & POWERFUL
With a performance heritage of hillclimb victories and powder domination, the 2010 Deep Snow models are again the must-have sleds for riders who thrive on the steep and deep. Lightweight yet extremely powerful, the IQ RMK® models provide outstanding flotation and smooth, responsive handling a rider will enjoy all day. Five models are powered by the mighty Liberty 800 HO Cleanfire engine, including the 800 Assault® RMK, the sport’s first sled created specifically for freestyle and backcountry riders.

TOURING & UTILITY: IDEAL FOR BIG TRIPS OR BIG JOBS
The 2010 Touring and Utility models are versatile long-track sleds with features that meet the needs of long-distance trail riders and those who use snowmobiles on the job. Two of the three Touring models are built on the IQ Chassis and have the smooth-riding IQ 136″ Comfort rear suspension. Features like 2-up pillow seating, adjustable backrests, electric start and heated passenger handgrips make tour riding a pleasure on these models. The three-model Utility lineup includes the new 600 WideTrak IQ, which has the powerful and efficient Liberty 600 HO Cleanfire2 engine and numerous Utility features hard-working riders need.

YOUTH: ‘LITTLE DRAGON’ DELIVERS BIG FUN
For young riders, the 120 Dragon provides the fun and excitement of snowmobiling in a safe manner adults appreciate. This is a proven, premium-quality Youth model that delivers reliable starting and dependable performance every time out. The 120 Dragon has a key ignition and safeguard systems that stop the engine if the rider walks away from the sled or the hood is opened. It also looks just like a “grown-up” Dragon with its independent front suspension and sharp-looking Dragon graphics.

PURE POLARIS PRODUCTS & ACCESSORIES
New 2010 snow apparel includes Ripper and Diva jackets with an iPod Controller option; men’s and women’s eVent® jackets that are waterproof and breathable; and AF 1.5 and Cyclone helmets with PureSeal™ technology. New snow accessories include power items for RUSH and IQ such as e-start and a variety of windshield and storage options, covers, and color/graphic options for simple customization. Pure Polaris also offers deep snow safety equipment and all the apparel and gear a rider needs to stay warm, protected and comfortable.

For more information and detailed specs for all 2010 products, go to www.polarisindustries.com.

About Polaris
With annual 2008 sales of $1.9 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER®, snowmobiles and Victory Motorcycles® for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry, and one of the largest manufacturers of ORVs in the world. Victory Motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris® apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories, is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Original Article
MEDINA, MN (Jan. 17, 2011) – Seasoned veteran racers and up-and-comers used Polaris terrain domination to win six races at the United States Cross Country Snowmobile Racing Assn. (USCC) Grand Cities 100 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on January 15.

Corey Davidson, who has been a winning Polaris racer in multiple race disciplines for over a decade, won the highly competitive Pro 600 race at Grand Forks, as well as the Vet 30+ and Masters 40+ classes. It was Davidson’s second-straight Pro 600 win this season, as he also won the non-points season opener at Grafton, N.D., in early January.

Bobby Menne IV (Bunke Racing), a Semi-Pro class rookie this season, won the Semi-Pro Improved race on a Polaris 600 RUSH Pro-R, and he finished fourth in Semi-Pro 600, a class he won in the season’s first race.

“The Polaris 600 RUSH Pro-R was really working well,” said Menne. “The bumps and angled drifts you see at the beginning of these races can be tough, but the sled stays straight and has a lot of speed, which is what you need.”

Other Polaris racers who won their classes at Grand Forks were Torrey Erickson in the Trail class, and Rick Kerner, who won the Masters 50+ race.

Because Grand Forks was the first points race of the USCC season, each racer’s finishing spot represents his current place in the points standings for that class.

PRO Classes: Davidson Takes Early Points Lead
Corey Davidson’s early season performance makes him a top contender for the Pro 600 points title. He has won twice on a Polaris IQ® Race Sled and has the points lead in a class where he finished 11th in points last season.

Polaris racer Aaron Christensen finished fourth in Pro 600 at Grand Forks and Gabe Bunke (Bunke Racing) finished seventh.

In Pro Open, Christensen finished second, just 10 seconds behind the winner, Justin Tate finished third to earn a podium spot, and Bunke was ninth.

SEMI-PRO Classes: Two Podiums for Polaris Racers
While Bobby Menne IV won the Semi-Pro Improved class to take the early class points lead, Polaris racer Travis Faust also earned a podium spot with a third-place finish, and Dillan Dohrn was fourth.

Menne finished fourth in Semi-Pro 600 and Ken Christensen was fifth.

In the Vet 30+ race, defending points champion Davidson earned the victory, while fellow Polaris racer Jesse Thelen was third, Karl Jacobson was fifth and Jeff Klein was seventh.

In Masters 40+, Davidson won the race and Ken Christensen was second.

The next USCC race is the three-day USCC Red Lake I-500, which will be run January 21-23 from Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Racers will run a loop each day, starting and finishing near Thief River Falls, with the overall winners determined by three-day cumulative times.

About Polaris
With annual 2009 sales of $1.6 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER™, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use and has recently introduced a new on-road electric powered neighborhood vehicle. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ORVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive inroads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P MidCap 400 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

IQ® Chassis & Liberty Engine are a Proven Winning Combo
Original Article

Among members of the Polaris snowmobile engineering staff, there’s no such thing as resting on your laurels.

So even though Polaris snocross racers dominated their racing discipline last season, Polaris engineers spent the off-season immersed in developing the best-handling, quickest and most-durable snocross racing sled possible.

The result is the new 2008 Polaris 600 IQ® Race Sled, a super-strong, easy handling rocket with an improved steering system, all-new Liberty® 600 engine and the most durable chassis ever developed for Polaris racers.

“Our goal is to provide Polaris racers with the most durable sled on the track,” said Polaris Race Development Manager Mike Bedard. “You can’t win if you can’t finish the race, and we are trying to give our guys the strongest sled possible. We felt it was the most durable sled out there last year, and we’ve focused on some areas where we felt we could improve.”

The 2008 600 IQ Race Sled has already impressed several top Polaris snocross racers and Polaris Snowmobile Racing Manager Tom Rager, Sr.

“When we validated the sled in early July, the mandate was that our racers had to ride it 300 laps so we could find out what’s going to break before we went into production,” Rager said. “Well, we put over 400 laps on two sleds and we never broke one part. Not one! That tells you how strong a sled the guys in Roseau developed for our racers.”

Rules changes have triggered two significant changes from last season. Pros racing in the sport’s premier circuit, the WPSA, will run 600-class engines in their Pro Stock sleds this season, an increase from the 440 engines used in the past. Plus, longer finals – 25 minutes instead of 18 – resulted in an increase in fuel tank capacity. The 2008 tank will hold 4 gallons of fuel, up from 3.2 gallons in the 2007 racer.

THE FOCUS REMAINS ON DURABILITY
Among the steps Polaris engineers took to enhance the durability of the 2008 600 IQ® Race Sled are:

• The driveshaft is now a slip shaft, which will reduce stress on the chaincase. This is of premium importance considering the tremendous impact transmitted through the drive system when snocross sleds land after long, high jumps.
• The lower spindle has been strengthened.
• The rear torque arm link is stronger.
• The coupler blocks in the rear suspension are stronger and more durable.

ALL-NEW LIBERTY 600 ENGINE
Polaris engineers are tight-lipped about the new Liberty 600 engine that will power the 2008 race sled. They prefer to let the engine speak for itself on the race track, where they are optimistic that it will carry Polaris racers to another season of excellent results.

The engine is all-new. It is not a derivation of the Liberty 600 H.O. engine used in several Polaris production models, nor is it a bored or stroked version of the previous 440 race engine.

The engine is new from the cases on up and it was developed to provide Polaris snocross racers with exceptional acceleration.

Plus, in keeping with the team’s approach to 2007-2008, the new engine has proven to be extremely durable during long-term testing.

NEW COOLING AND STEERING SYSTEMS
The 2008 race sled also has a redesigned cooling system that has coolant following new flow patterns for consistently optimized cooling without the addition of any extra weight to the sled.

The new race sled also has an EZ Steer steering system that provides racers with multiple benefits. The new system requires less steering effort so Polaris racers will enjoy quicker, lighter steering and less fatigue. The new system also significantly reduces the energy transmitted to the driver when the sled impacts the ground after a jump.

The 2008 race sled will ride on a new track with a track pattern designed specifically to enhance holeshot performance.

THE WINNING IQ® CHASSIS
This is the fourth season the Polaris snocross race sled is being built on the innovative Polaris IQ Chassis, and the results to date have been impressive. In each of those years, the Polaris race team has earned numerous race wins and points titles.

As in the past two seasons, the 2008 600 IQ Race Sled will be equipped with aluminum Walker Evans shocks in the front and rear. These shocks’ 16-position compression adjustability lets Polaris racers tune their suspensions to suit their individual riding styles and the specific track conditions they’ll encounter from race to race.

These shocks use remote reservoirs to optimize oil cooling and deliver consistently outstanding performance in all conditions. They help the 600 IQ achieve 11.5″ of front suspension travel and 13.9″ of rear travel.

About Polaris
With annual 2006 sales of $1.7 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. The Victory Motorcycles division, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new Americanmade motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, is rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

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