John King
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 16/06) - Snowmobilers are practical when buying a new sled. So what's hot and what's not is really a question of what the sled will be used for.

"There are two basic buyers," said James Day, owner of Westwind Recreation in Inuvik. "Those who use sleds to hunt and those who race."

James Day, who owns Westwind Recreation in Inuvik, works on a Polaris Trail RMK. The Trail RMK makes for a great sled for hunters because it's easy on fuel, light, and operates well in heavy snow, says Day. - John King/NNSL photo

Right now the top brands for either group are Polaris, Bombardier and Arctic Cat, says Day.

"Polaris is our best selling brand with the most popular sled being the Polaris Trail RMK," Day said.

The Trail RMK is light, therefore stays on top of the snow, says Day, and has enough torque to pull a toboggan. "It is a good well-rounded machine for the Delta," Day added.

A light snowmobile seems to be on top of hunters' list of wants when looking for a new sled.

"It has to be something light so if you get stuck it's not hard to pull out," said Inuvik hunter Marvin Simpson.

Lighter machines are also generally easier on fuel, says Day.

Often hunters have lots of ground to cover, so as Inuvik hunter and racer Jimmy Kalinek says, "we need a machine that will go the distance."

The face of racing sleds is changing and has been for the last few years, says Kalinek.

"Polaris used to have the fastest machines until Bombardier came out with a bunch of new machines that kicked up the notch in racing," Kalinek said.

"This made it harder for people with smaller machines to keep up."

Sleds used for racing are much different than the average sled out there, explains Day, because racers need power, speed, and comfort.

"The Polaris Fusion 900 is great for cross-country racing, whereas the Polaris XCSP 800 is the top model for track racing," Day said.

There are a number of adjustments racers need to make to their sleds before putting it on to the track and letting it rip.

"Racers need sleds that are easier to lower," Day said. "Racers also change the gearing and clutching as well add racing exhaust pipes."

In Inuvik, Kalinek is busy arranging a monthly race in conjunction with Muskrat Jamboree organizers.

On Jan. 2, the Muskrat Jamboree partnered with Kalinek to organize a track race with a purse of $1,300 for the winner.

"There were about 150 people watching the race," Kalinek said.

With a track distance of one mile and lots of turns and zig zags ensuring the best driver and not the fastest machine wins, the event was a huge success, said Kalinek. Despite the big money being offered racers these days, for Day hunters remain his best customers.

"Hunters buy way more than racers," he said.