summer test riding

So, what do American Snowmobiler editors do in the summertime?
On a recent trip to Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, American Snowmobiler editor/publisher Jerry Bassett took full advantage of a great day and an invitation from Cat folks to join Arctic Cat's field test crew for a few "hot laps."
Those hot laps were aboard a specially equipped ZR600 snowmobile. You'll note the dual radiators and associated plumbing hanging off the ZR's front bumper. View the special asphalt ski wear, complete with multiple rubber wheels. You'll find bogie sets inside the rear suspension to keep the track clips from contacting the hyfax. A few additional instruments, a tankful of gas and the field test crew staffer "Jason" is ready for an eight-hour day of circling the asphalt test course at the Thief River Falls proving grounds.
 
After a few words of caution from the professionals, Bassett got his chance to fly around the mile-long test strip. Except for the turns, which require a safe maximum speed under 50 mph, the track was wide open. For the professional test crew, that's wide-open throttle. For Bassett it was closing in on triple digits in well under a quarter mile of pavement, tap on the brake, coast through the turn at 40 mph and grab another thumb full of throttle to the next turn. Did he mention that he was having way too much fun?

Bassett claims he was working, but these photos taken by a Cat spy would suggest otherwise.
 
"You have no idea how fast these sleds are until you actually try something like this," said the veteran editor. "The sled is incredibly sensitive to steering inputs. A slight twitch of the handlebar means instant direction shift. And I was surprised at how noticeable the added weight of the radiators was on the sled's balance."
If the ZR600 APV was quick and fast on the test track, imagine the thrill of field-testing a Thundercat! That'll really make the Thief River Falls countryside a blur!
Oh, yes, that's what American Snowmobiler editors do in the summertime.