arctic cat demonstrates technological advances

In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Arctic Cat President and CEO, Chris Twomey presented the Arctic Cat response to the recent snowmobile ban from 25 national parks and areas.

In particular, Twomey addressed the comment made by Assistant Interior Secretary Donald Barry, who called snowmobiles "noisy, antiquated machines that are no longer welcome in our national parks."

In response, Twomey displayed an Arctic Cat 4-stroke snowmobile which produces significantly less noise and smoke emissions than traditional 2-stroke snowmobile engines. It clearly illustrates the advances that the snowmobile industry has made- the EFI and carburetted four-stroke versions produce 65 percent lower emissions compared to two-stroke engines, with both EFI and carburetted fuel delivery systems.

There will be 4-stroke sleds available for consumer purchase from Arctic Cat in 2001, said Twomey. Arctic Cat's current two-stroke snowmobiles have benefited from emissions-reducing technology such as Electronic Fuel Injection and electronic exhaust valves. Some of those innovations have been incorporated into the four-stroke snowmobile design for even greater reduction in emissions.

When listening to the four-stroke engine come to life via key-start, it sounds just like a car starting. Not an old beater either, a new quiet car. Think Saturn. It idled quietly in the background as Twomey continued discussing the advancements that the industry, not just Arctic Cat, has made in recent years to reduce emissions and noise. A new muffler will be added to the current four-stroke Cat model, which is still being refined, and it will be quieter yet.

As a comparison, the four-stroker was let to idle alongside an idling Yamaha motorcycle and Chevrolet Suburban. None were louder than the other. The example, Twomey stressed, is that none of the vehicles running were antiquated technology, as Mr. Barry of the Department of Interior stated in a press release last week.

The National Park Service used two of Arctic Cat's four-stroke snowmobiles last season; the Yellowstone Special sleds were used by park officials. According to Twomey, the park officials gave good, positive comments about the Yellowstone Special snowmobiles such as that they are quieter and have less fuel consumption than other snowmobiles currently on the market.

Park officials have declared that snowcoaches will be the alternative to snowmobiles in the parks. Twomey responded, "Two percent of people visiting Yellowstone use snowcoaches. Snowcoaches are not a viable alternative to view the parks."

The four-stroke Arctic Cat snowmobile will be on display at the annual International Snowmobile Congress this June in New Hampshire. And the sled will be appearing across the country throughout the remainder of this year.

On a final note, Twomey stated, "as an industry, we're all in this together."

Again, if this access ban disturbs you, please let your Federal Legislators and the Department of the Interior know. To voice your concerns, you should contact your United States House member , your United States Senator and/or Assistant Interior Secretary Donald Barry at Donald_Barry@ios.doi.gov or call him directly at 202/208-5347.