blade holds first dealer meeting introduces eight models

43 snowmobile dealers from across North America assembled yesterday in Eveleth, Minnesota to learn more about FAST, Inc's Blade Snowmobile division. What they found was that the company has restructured under the tutelage of new President and CEO Russ Davis.

With over 25 years of snowmobile industry experience under his belt, including many years with Ski-Doo as its Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Davis recognized that FAST would have to make some significant changes to meet its growth goals. The two most significant of these changes was to change the sales channel and to reorganize the company into distinct divisions.

Under the new program, FAST is split into three separate divisions: Blade Snowmobiles, M-Suspension Systems and aftermarket parts and accessories.

Beginning with the 2002 model year, Blade snowmobiles will only be available through Blade dealerships. FAST will no longer sell its sleds direct to the consumer. "We tried to sell directly to our customers and it turned out to be too much," commented David Karpik, the company's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "It took us a while, but we think we have it figured out."

Davis explained that his goal is to sign 50 dealers for this coming season, and grow that number to 75 for next year. "We need to build a solid dealer network and make sure they are successful for us to be successful," he said. "We sent out invitations to all 1,500 North American snowmobile dealers. Of that number, we had about 150 serious responses. 43 of them made the trip out here to see for themselves and sign on with our program.

"We have a good geographical distribution represented with these dealers," Davis continued. "We will be working to fill in the gaps."
 
Introducing the new Blades

With the name Blade being used as the corporate division name, Davis and company restructured the model lineup into easily recognizable market segments. "We had to create individual models so people could understand what they were buying," he said.
 
The Blade 1W-X "Type T" (for trail) will replace the original Blade snowmobile. Its nameplate recalls the early days of modern snocross when Toni Haikonen debuted his high-flying riding style under the Team FAST flag. The 1W-X sports a 121-inch track with .92-inch lugs. The M-10b rear and RAD front suspensions both use Fox shocks as standard equipment. There will be three versions available to consumers for 2002, the 1W 600X, 1W 700X and 1W 800X. All three will use Polaris VES engines with slight modifications, including V-force reeds and FAST exhaust system.
 
The Striker is Blade's entry into the growing hybrid sled class. Like the SKS and Renegade, the Striker features a 136-inch track with 1.25-inch lugs. It is aimed at consumers who ride the trails and also get off trail in fresh snow. Fox shocks are the standard units on the four corners. There will also be three Strikers available for 2002, the Striker 600, Striker 700 and Striker 800. Like the 1W-X, they will all use Polaris' domestic VES engines, C&A Pro plastic skis and have a 43.5-inch stance.
 
The Blade Hylander mountain sled will come with a standard 144-inch track with 2-inch lugs. It will use Simmons dual-runner skis for added flotation and powder handling. The stretched out M-10b is outfitted with a unique track tensioner link, Blade calls it TAG, which is linked to the rear torque arm. It keeps the track from ratcheting without having to keep the track tight, resulting in a better ride. The Hylander will be available in two sizes this season, the Hylander 700 and Hylander 800. Both using Polaris domestic VES engines.
 
All Blade snowmobile models will use aluminum tunnels this year. They will all have dual bulb headlights, Polaris P-85 clutches, Tru-Pitch gearcases, Wilwood hydraulic brakes, larger 12-gallon fuel tanks and flat slide Mikuni carbs. The sleds have also had their exhaust systems quieted down from previous models.

Riders will be more comfortable on Blade sleds this year, thanks to a redesigned seat, modified footwells and recalibrated shocks and springs on the suspensions.