Polaris snowmobile racers will enjoy the competitive advantages of the innovative new 2014 Polaris IQ race sled that features a new lightweight crankshaft and new 128-inch rear suspension. These improvements and other updates to the race sled are designed to provide Polaris racers with better holeshot performance, enhanced throttle response, improved traction and greater stability in the rough for terrain domination.
The new 2014 Polaris IQ race sled is the result of integrated collaboration among Polaris snocross and cross country racers, race team personnel and Polaris snowmobile engineers. Together, they developed the new features and validated them through extensive testing that included use in selected races last season.
The Polaris Racing Department has historically led the industry in developing innovative racing technology that "Wins on Sunday, Sells on Monday," including legendary Polaris IFS, powerful 2-stroke engines and more.
"This season's race sled is the refinement of a legendary vehicle, with a focus on holeshot and throttle response improvements," Matt Prusak, Race Program Leader in the Polaris Snowmobile Division, said. "The benefits will be seen by snocross and cross country racers alike."
Polaris Race Manager Tom Rager, Jr., said racers and teams have been impressed with the performance of the new race sled in testing and on-track evaluations.
"The industry's only purpose-built race sled just keeps getting better and better," Rager said. "A lot of the sled's development credit goes to several of our riders, Ross Martin in particular, who tested it and made it so good."
Feature Updates on the 2014 Polaris IQ Race Sled
Re-engineered elements of the 2014 Polaris IQ Race Sled include:
NEW Lightweight Crankshaft
The new lightweight crankshaft features a design that provides the same balance as the previous crankshaft-with a 2.5-pound weight reduction in rotating mass.
This results in a 25 percent reduction in inertia, improved throttle response and increased acceleration. Racers will achieve better holeshots, and the engine will reach its optimal operating rpm faster.
NEW 128-inch Rear Suspension
Polaris racers will benefit from the increased traction of the new 128-inch rear suspension and new 128-inch track. This new setup delivers better holeshots, better stability in whoops sections, and improved cornering.
Similar to the setup that Polaris teams have raced with great success in the Mod class for more than four seasons, this new rear suspension is based on the original IQ race geometry, with new rail beams and tunnel components to package the longer track length. The 2014 Polaris IQ Race Sled utilizes an aggressive new 128-inch Sno-XT track.
"Along with delivering an improved holeshot, the new rear suspension tracks straighter in the whoops sections, and results in less ski lift for enhanced turning," Prusak said. "Our cross country racers in particular will benefit from the improved high-speed stability."
Along with the new 128-inch rear suspension, additional improvements were made to enhance performance and reliability.
Updated Shock Calibration
Polaris engineers, race teams and the technicians at Walker Evans Racing have combined forces to recalibrate the Walker Evans shocks used in the race sled's front and rear suspension. The updates are designed to ensure consistently outstanding performance from green flag to checkered on demanding terrain such as extreme snocross tracks.
NEW Brake Pads
The new Hayes Type 126 brake pads were developed to deliver consistently reliable braking as brake systems heat up during aggressive racing action. Racers will also see an improvement in brake pad life.
NEW MY14 Racing Graphics
While Polaris racing teams will customize their sleds with team graphics, racing numbers and sponsor logos, they'll start with a new look that features a white hood, red belly pan, accents of red, white and blue, and Polaris graphics. The 2014 race sled also has a low white windshield.
Race-Winning Power and Suspension
The 2014 IQ Race Sled is built on the strong, durable and lightweight Polaris-exclusive IQ chassis. Advanced assembly techniques minimize the parts count to keep weight to a minimum while delivering maximum strength and reliability.
The race sled is powered by the Polaris Liberty 600 engine. It delivers class-leading acceleration for outstanding holeshots as well as impressive horsepower across the entire rpm range.
The liquid-cooled Polaris Liberty 600 twin has twin Mikuni Rack TM 40 carburetors, NiCaSil lined cylinders for efficient heat dispersion and the Polaris VES (Variable Exhaust System) for maximum power and instant throttle response. The power delivery is managed by the legendary Polaris P-85 drive clutch and a lightweight Team Roller driven clutch.
Polaris racers can fine-tune their front and rear suspension performance with the Walker Evans 16-click compression-adjustable shocks. The race sled's IFS uses Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16 Position Compression Adjustable Shocks with piggyback reservoirs.
Recreational riders can enjoy the same outstanding IFS as Polaris racers, as the race sled's IFS design is used on Polaris Switchback models and on RUSH models built on the Pro Ride chassis.
In the IQ rear suspension, the front track shock is a Walker Evans Coil Over Shock with 16-position compression adjustability and the rear track shock is a Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16 Position Compression and Rebound Adjustable Large Body Shock.
The new Polaris IQ Race Sled was developed for use by Polaris snocross and cross country racers. The suspension and shock packages described here are intended primarily for snocross racing and the Polaris Racing Department is providing cross country racers with shock tuning information and setup recommendations for terrain racing.
Specifications
2014 600 IQ Racer
DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES
Est. Dry Weight (lbs/kg) N/A
Height (approx., in./cm) 47 / 119.4
Length, incl. skis (in./cm) 117 / 297
Ski Length (in./cm) 39.62 / 100.6
Ski Center Distance (in./cm) 43 / 109
Ski Width (in./cm) 5.5 / 14.0
Width, maximum (in./cm) 48 / 122
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal/l.) 4.0 / 15.14
Coolant Capacity (qts/l.) 5.7 / 5.4
Oil Capacity (qts/l.) N/A - Premix 32:1
MATERIALS
Bulkhead Type Aluminum / Chromoly
Tunnel Aluminum / Chromoly
Hood TPO
Nose Pan TPO
Bumper, Front Chromoly / Steel
Bumper, Rear Aluminum / Chromoly
Seat Racer
ENGINE
Engine Model Number S4776-6044-OR6J
CCs, Cooling, Cylinders 599
Bore & Stroke (mm) 73.8 x 70
Carburetion Mikuni Rack - TM 40
Oil Injection N/A (pre-mix 32:1)
Alternator Output 220 W
Ignition Digital
Cylinder Plating NiCaSil
Exhaust Polaris VES, Single Pipe
Minimum Fuel Octane 92 Non-Oxygenated
CLUTCHING/GEARING
Drive Clutch P-85
Drive Clutch Weight 10-58
Drive Clutch Spring Almond/Red
Center Distance (in./cm) 10.625
Driven Clutch Type Lightweight Team Roller
Driven Clutch Helix (70/44-46) (66/44-46)
Drive Shaft Sprockets 9T Slip Race Design
Gearing/Chain 19.45 76 P
BRAKES
Type Cyclone Master Cylinder/Lever, Liquid-Cooled, "Phantom" Dual Piston Caliper Hayes Type 126 Brakes Brake Pads
TRACK
Pattern Sno -XT
Width/Length/Height (in) 15 x 128 x 1.75
Tunnel Wear Strips Standard Race Coolers
FRONT SUSPENSION
Front Shocks Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16 Position Comp. Adj. w/ Piggyback Res.
Front Springs (lb/in / n/mm) 190 / 33.3
Torsion Bar (in/cm) N/A
Travel (in/cm) 10.3 / 26.1
REAR SUSPENSION
Type IQ
Front Track Shock Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16 Position Comp. Adj. w/ Remote Res.
Rear Track Shock Walker Evans Aluminum IFP 16 Position Comp. & Rebound Adj. Large Body Shock
Rear Spring Type Torsion
Rear Spring Dia. (in/cm) .405 / 1.03, 90 degree
Rear Axle Travel (in/cm) 13.9 / 35.3
FTS Spring Rate (lb/in / n/mm) 160 / 28.0
ELECTRICAL
Headlight Type Halogen (2-60/55)
Hand/Thumb Warmer Standard, Multi-range
FEATURES
Speedometer N/A
Tachometer Standard
Ignition Switch Tether w/ Stop Switch
Fuel Gauge N/A
Electric Start N/A
Reverse N/A
Ski Type Saddle-less Composite
Ski Runner Not Included
Skid Plate Standard
Parking Brake Standard
GRAPHICS/COLORS
Hood Color White
Nose Pan Color Red
Tunnel Color Unpainted
Accent Colors Red, White, Blue