2018 Arctic Cat snocross sled

[Kev144]

Should this not be 2018 textron snowcross sled? 

[Zambroski]

5 minutes ago, Kev144 said:

Should this not be 2018 textron snowcross sled? 

Ummmm...it is.  Or, were you trying to be clever about something?

Ughhh.....Poo guys.

 

[Zambroski]

Here's a good write up from Arctic Insider about the No Pro Open.  It's hardly a flattering piece about the powers that be and how they came to the decision.

 

 

Say “goodbye” to these stunning and tricked-out Pro Open mod sleds in snocross this coming season.

They’re gone, replaced by Stock sleds with raspier, slightly louder exhaust.

That sound you hear? Sadly, it’s not the howl of 160-hp mod engines and twin tuned pipes. Instead, it’s the proverbial road to hell, being paved with good intentions. 

This past weekend, some of the powers*** who guide snocross racing implemented a new Pro Open class rule for the upcoming season, in which these riders will race essentially stock sleds that are equipped with loud(er) mufflers. No engine mods, no changes to the pipe, no chassis changes, just a louder can.

This will sound familiar if you saw the Pro Lite class this past season, which ran under the same rules. Pro Lite will again race stock-with-loud-mufflers again this upcoming season.

The MAJOR difference between Pro Lite and Pro Open sleds for 2018? Well, the Pro Open sleds are allowed to “obscure” their headlights, but not remove them (don’t ask, it’s a long story for another time).

What this means for racing fans who throw down their entertainment dollars to attend a snocross national (including extra fees to walk the pits), is that the only tricked-out, visually modified snowmobiles parked outside of race trailers or braaaping on the track will be kids’ Champ 120 sleds. Makes sense that the most exotic snowmobiles will be raced by 6-year olds, right?

There are many layers to this onion, and this story isn’t going to peel back every single one. But I would like to tackle a few.

First, why this happened.

From what I’ve gathered, this all started because circuits are concerned about the lack of entries in the Pro Open class where, this past season, there were barely enough racers to have two heat races.

The circuits’ belief is that would-be Pro Open teams/racers are intimidated by ultra-exotic Open sleds that (they believe) are only available to a handful of racers; and the cost of going Pro Open racing is too high.

In their minds, a switch to Stock class sleds in Pro Open solves all these problems: It levels the playing field and reduces costs; therefore, more racers are going to jump into the Pro Open class.

Circuits have this ass-backwards. Here’s why:

First, I call BS on the premise that racers aren’t jumping into the Open class because they believe there’s unequal equipment. Racers aren’t moving up because:

1. There’s a huge difference in talent/experience between the top Pro Open racers and the next tier of Pro Open racers. Likewise, there’s another jump in talent/experience between the second tier Open racers and those in Pro Lite. We’ve watched what happens when most Pro Lite racers make the jump to Open: they get chewed up and spit out the back.

This isn’t a knock on these racers, rather, it’s an acknowledgement of just how talented, experienced and prepared the very top Pro racers are. Changing the rules to Stock sleds isn’t going to reduce the talent, experience and preparedness of the top racers one bit.

2. Some OEMs reward Pro Lite and Sport class racers to win Lite and Sport races and championships. Why would these racers forgo the riches – as well as the television time devoted to them by the race circuits – to move into a higher class and then struggle to qualify for the finals? They won’t.

 

Second, why the new rule changes will do very little to reduce costs and grow participation.

Now that the top Pros will race stock sleds, the cost of those sleds is going to skyrocket for EVERYONE (including Sport, Junior and the proverbial newcomers). That’s because in their quest to win, the OEMs will build production sleds with more exotic, lighter materials and more time spent on the development dyno. In the history of snowmobile racing, when the Pros race true stock sleds, the OEMs produce ever more sophisticated (and costly) stock sleds. It’s always been this way.

That translates into increased costs. Maybe not for the top Pro teams (which, I remind you, consists of about 15 total racers) who get free sleds, but for the hundreds of Junior and Sport riders who actually comprise the foundation of racing. And who pay for their snowmobiles.

So what the circuits just did was to increase the cost of race sleds for ALL snocross racers in order to save a few grand for 15 riders.

I agree with the sentiment that the cost of going snocross racing is too high, but the way to fix the situations isn’t to make rules that will force OEMs to build more expensive stock sleds.

If the national circuits want to reduce the costs of racing, let them start by:

* Eliminating race locations that cost piles of money for teams to get to and that don’t bring in many fans;

* Canceling races if there isn’t adequate snow (or if it’s a mudfest), rather than having a race that ends up destroying engines, tracks, skidframes and more;

* Create production sled rules that require EPA compliancy, which will make it possible for racers to sell their machines at a decent price at the end of the race season;

* Build National race tracks that cater to 120, Junior and Sport class racers, and revise the daily schedule to accommodate it, which might mean scheduling Pro classes on Saturday, then “switching” the track to a 120/Junior/Sport layout and focusing on these classes for Sunday. Watching the feeder class kids pound into monstrous jumps sized and spaced for more powerful sleds lap-after-lap does not look fun. And it isn’t, according to kids I’ve talked to. Make their tracks fun and designed for lower power, and these classes will look far more appealing to would-be racers. Conversely, the “Pro track” could then be made without consideration for the small classes, and thus be more fun/challenging for the racers and more entertaining for the spectators.

 

The last point I’ll make is this: If the race circuits want to grow the sport, I believe they need to invert their thinking (rather than the starts). The best way to grow anything is to focus on the foundation. For a race circuit, that means the Junior and Sport classes, not the Pro Open riders.

Whew!

I’m pretty fired up about this whole deal. In part because I want to see true Pro Open sleds, but mainly because I think the rule change will do the exact opposite of its intention.

I believe the circuits and aftermarket group are trying to do the right thing for the sport, they just have it wrong. 

I fully expect the cream to do what it always does: rise to the top. The Pro Open class will struggle to fill two heats and the same few guys will continue to win.

But everyone else is going to pay for it. And the fans won’t get to see the badass mod sleds oozing custom trickery.

http://www.arcticinsider.com/Article/Inverted-Thinking-Say-Goodbye-to-Mod-Sleds-in-Snocross

 

[Rigid1]

6 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Ummmm...it is.  Or, were you trying to be clever about something?

Ughhh.....Poo guys.

 

[Zambroski]

2 minutes ago, Rigid1 said:

Damn...Hogan has really gone downhill.

 

[Mileage Psycho]

I like this benefit.

Quote

 

Now that the top Pros will race stock sleds, the cost of those sleds is going to skyrocket for EVERYONE (including Sport, Junior and the proverbial newcomers). That’s because in their quest to win, the OEMs will build production sleds with more exotic, lighter materials and more time spent on the development dyno. In the history of snowmobile racing, when the Pros race true stock sleds, the OEMs produce ever more sophisticated (and costly) stock sleds. It’s always been this way.

 

 

[f7ben]

so the new open class is stock sleds with fart cans  how fucking utterly pathetic.

[f7ben]

1 minute ago, Mileage Psycho said:

I like this benefit.

 

How did that new technology packed ctec 600 work out for you  

Edited September 12, 2017 by f7ben

[Zambroski]

1 minute ago, Mileage Psycho said:

I like this benefit.

 

Yeah....It's easy to like.  But the sentence before that makes it less appealing for the sport: 

Quote

Quote

Now that the top Pros will race stock sleds, the cost of those sleds is going to skyrocket for EVERYONE (including Sport, Junior and the proverbial newcomers).  That’s because in their quest to win, the OEMs will build production sleds with more exotic, lighter materials and more time spent on the development dyno. In the history of snowmobile racing, when the Pros race true stock sleds, the OEMs produce ever more sophisticated (and costly) stock sleds. It’s always been this way.

 

1 minute ago, f7ben said:

so the new open class is stock sleds with fart cans  how fucking utterly pathetic.

Yeah...that's pretty much what I get out of it.  Stupid and pathetic.  

[Highmark]

All classes should have their headlights "obscured."   Makes for better viewing by the fans.  When a group of sleds with headlights on are coming at you you can't tell who is who.  

The MAJOR difference between Pro Lite and Pro Open sleds for 2018? Well, the Pro Open sleds are allowed to “obscure” their headlights, but not remove them (don’t ask, it’s a long story for another time).

 

 

[Kev144]

38 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Ummmm...it is.  Or, were you trying to be clever about something?

Ughhh.....Poo guys.

 

Don't take it too hard  

[04nightfire]

1 hour ago, Zambroski said:

Ummmm...it is.  Or, were you trying to be clever about something?

Ughhh.....Poo guys.

 

[Kev144]

Textron rider owned to the maximum!!!!!!!11

[04nightfire]

12 minutes ago, Kev144 said:

Textron rider owned to the maximum!!!!!!!11

of the 14 classes.  There were only two of those that had Textron finishing first

[f7ben]

OMFG zambitcheroni gotfucking OWNED like he was snowrider  

[AKIQPilot]

14 minutes ago, Kev144 said:

Textron rider owned to the maximum!!!!!!!11

Zam should take the day off after that ownage.  Wowza.  

[Rod]

19 hours ago, f7ben said:

sno-x is about the gayest fucking thing you can do with a sled and snow ......almost anything sled related is less gay than sno-x. Fucking A ....newfie and his widetrack solar powered utility sled with skidoo dildos and ACE stickers all over are 1000x less gay than sno-x

You're butt is a snow cross sled

[Kev144]

21 minutes ago, f7ben said:

OMFG zambitcheroni gotfucking OWNED like he was snowrider  

 

20 minutes ago, AKIQPilot said:

Zam should take the day off after that ownage.  Wowza.  

It was pretty savage.  

[Zambroski]

Well MUTHA FUCKA!!!  I'll admit to that good ol' fashioned owning!  I really need new material..it's been a while since I put on a good Poo bashing.  I knew as soon as i posted that what it might lead to...but then thought...Meh...this isn't HCS...few even follow sleds much less racing here.  Ooooops!!!!! So...I tip my hat to you, Sir...well played.

I always liked this one though:

[04nightfire]

12 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Well MUTHA FUCKA!!!  I'll admit to that good ol' fashioned owning!  I really need new material..it's been a while since I put on a good Poo bashing.  I knew as soon as i posted that what it might lead to...but then thought...Meh...this isn't HCS...few even follow sleds much less racing here.  Ooooops!!!!! So...I tip my hat to you, Sir...well played.

I always liked this one though:

[Mileage Psycho]

5 hours ago, f7ben said:

How did that new technology packed ctec 600 work out for you  

I liked it a lot, especially off trail!

If I was not back into doing the Canada saddlebag trips I would have kept it, it's an awesome sled for the midwest.

[f7ben]

10 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said:

I liked it a lot, especially off trail!

If I was not back into doing the Canada saddlebag trips I would have kept it, it's an awesome sled for the midwest.

so sucking more gas and having less power is good? unless I was broke and needed to save 500$ there is absolutely no reason to have an anemic 600  

[Kev144]

3 hours ago, Zambroski said:

Well MUTHA FUCKA!!!  I'll admit to that good ol' fashioned owning!  I really need new material..it's been a while since I put on a good Poo bashing.  I knew as soon as i posted that what it might lead to...but then thought...Meh...this isn't HCS...few even follow sleds much less racing here.  Ooooops!!!!! So...I tip my hat to you, Sir...well played.

I always liked this one though:

At least humble in your ownage Zamboni  

[Woodtick]

Looks like the Madcatters need to have a little meeting and put a strategery plan in place.

[Woodtick]

3 hours ago, f7ben said:

so sucking more gas and having less power is good? unless I was broke and needed to save 500$ there is absolutely no reason to have an anemic 600  

Go fly a kite,probably the only thing your insurance co will let you fly.