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By: Robert Janis A Sit Down
With Arctic Cat
 Based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Arctic
Cat has been delivering ATVs since 1996. Today
the company offers 25 models of ATVs. The best
selling model is the 400 4x4.
We recently had an opportunity to talk to
Kale Wainer of Arctic Cat Media Relations to
find out more about the company.
Wainer has been involved in ATV for "quite a
long time." He has been involved in the
advertising side of the trade and has also
served as editor for a magazine. He also rides
and races ATVs. "I have been riding anything
with a motor since I was young," he said. He has
been with Arctic Cat for a little more than two
years.
Prior to Arctic Cat, Wainer has been with
Parts Unlimited, Supertrax Snowmobile Magazine,
and All Terrain Vehicle Magazine. He also owned
his own motorsports marketing company.
When asked what Arctic Cat ATV he would like
to have in his garage, Wainer answered, "That's
really a hard question since I know the exciting
products we have coming out in the future. I
always want those. Currently, I am a big fan of
the Prowler UTV. The Prowler 650H1 motor is
unmatched and the terrain capabilities of this
machine takes driving to a whole new level." ATVSource: When did Arctic Cat first offer an
ATV?
Arctic Cat: Our first model was the Bearcat 454 4x4 in
1996. At that time, it was
the largest CC model available on the market. ATVSource: How many ATV models do you offer
today?
Arctic Cat: 25 models ATVSource: What is the best selling ATV for
Arctic-Cat?
Arctic Cat: Typically the best selling segment is the
400 4x4. It has enough power, ground clearance
and suspension travel to get most any job done
at an affordable price. The big bore segment
(650-700) is quickly growing as well as the UTV
(Prowler) side x side segments. ATVSource: How long does it take for a
concept ATV to make it to
production?
Arctic Cat: Typically it takes three years to complete
durability testing. ATVSource: How many employees does Arctic-Cat
have in the ATV division?
Arctic Cat: Arctic Cat employs 1700+ employees. ATVSource: What do you consider to be the
major issues confronting the ATV business and
sport today?
Arctic Cat: Land access. OEMs fight everyday to keep
riding areas open. Consumers need to practice
safe, responsible riding techniques. If not,
riding privileges are spoiled for everyone. ATVSource: How should the industry and ATV
owners respond to these issues?
Arctic Cat: If you are a first time ATV owner, Arctic
Cat offers incentives for
free safety training through your dealership as
well as $100 voucher to spend on safety
equipment. They must also be conscious about how
they are riding, and where they are riding. ATVSource: Is there any attempt by any state
to limit or restrict the use
of ATVs?
Arctic Cat: Every day limits and restrictions are put on
ATVs. OEMs as well as
state and local ATV clubs battle to keep land
access open. ATVSource: What should the industry and ATV
owners do about these attempts or future
attempts?
Arctic Cat: Join your local club. If you love your
sport, get active in saving it. ATVSource: Should ATV drivers be required to
get a license or permit to
operate an ATV?
Arctic Cat: In certain areas, safety training is
required as well as required age
limits to ride certain machines. ATVSource: What is Arctic-Cat doing to
promote the sport of ATV?
Arctic Cat: We constantly strive to make the sport
better. Whether it is ATV
training or helping keep land access available,
we are out there helping promote the sport
through various channels. ATVSource: What is the worst thing about the
ATV sport?
Arctic Cat: Irresponsible riders/owners. Countless times
we see injuries happening on machines that are
too large for riders, specifically youth.
Responsible youth riding starts with parents. It
is a parents duty to put their youth on a
machine built for them. ATVSource: How is the ATV manufacturers'
involvement in ATV racing
effecting the sport?
Arctic Cat: I think ATV racing is stronger than it has
ever been. Just this year
WPSA started one of the hottest circuits around.
They not only pay racers, they have phenomenal
ESPN2 television coverage. A win-win for
everyone in the Sport and Utility markets. I
believe WPSA is going to change the face of ATV
racing with a wave of new talented professional
riders and sponsors. ATVSource: What are the difficulties in
fielding an ATV racing team?
Arctic Cat: There really are no difficulties other than
finding a budget. ATVSource: How long has Arctic-Cat been a
part of ATV racing?
Arctic Cat: Arctic Cat has been racing snowmobiles for
45 years with phenomenal success. This was the
first year we started racing the WPSA Quad
Terrain Challenge
with our 650H1 4x4s. We placed 4 Arctic Cats in
the top 8 spots and Daryl Rath (#67) took home
the championship for us, beating out Honda,
Kawasaki, Suzuki and Can-Am. An awesome
accomplishment for a first year effort. ATVSource: What are Arctic-Cat's plans for
the 2006 race team?
Arctic Cat: You may see a handful of our 4x4s competing
on the remaining GNCC races as well as the
Maxxis 12 hour race. We will also be entering a
handful of Prowler UTVs in Baja this year. ATVSource: Have you set up any consumer
clubs? If so, how does one join
such a club?
Arctic Cat: We have the Cats Pride club for Arctic Cat
owners. They can get more
information on our website:
www.arcticcat.com. ATVSource: Have you or will you sponsor
special events for ATV owners?
Arctic Cat: We sponsor countless events all over the US
and Canada. We sponsor Tony Stewart in NASCAR.
We participate in farm, hunting and motorsport
shows around the country. We are on a multitude
of hunting shows on ESPN, OLN, MenÕs Channel,
etc. We sponsor charity events like ZippyÕs
Crusade for kids (Tony Stewart is crew chief),
we are a major sponsor of ATV racing, especially
WPSAs race circuit. A handful of race tracks
around the country use our ATVs such as the
Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Institute, El Dora
Speedway, etc. ATVSource: What is being done to develop new
vehicles and accessories?
Arctic Cat: We are in constant development of new
vehicles as well as SpeedRack
accessories. Its our goal to provide consumers
the best accessories on the market for their
ATVs. ATVSource: What future plans does Arctic-Cat
have concerning ATVs?
Arctic Cat: I can't give away any trade secrets, but we
are constantly striving to
give our consumers what they want. The biggest
news at Arctic Cat is that
we are building our own motors. Are most recent
success is the 650H1. You may see other new
motors from us in the future.
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