Polaris 440 IQ™ Race Sled Is Refined For 2007 With A Focus On Enhanced Durability
MEDINA, MN (September 9, 2006) – Polaris has refined its 440 IQ™ race sled – a proven winner on the world’s most demanding Snocross race circuits – with an emphasis on improving the powerful sled’s strength and durability without compromising its exceptional speed and handling. Built on the innovative Polaris IQ™ chassis – which is also used on the majority of Polaris production sleds recreational riders can enjoy all winter – the 2007 IQ 440 race sled has fueled the optimism of Polaris Snocross racers and race team management.
“The guys in Roseau who develop our race sleds did a great job for 2007,” said Polaris Racing Manager Tom Rager, Sr. “Our main objective from last year was to address little nagging stuff. We wanted to have the most durable sled on the track and the Roseau team has definitely improved chassis durability.”
This is the third season that the team’s race sled has been built on the innovative IQ Chassis, and the results to date have been impressive. Two seasons ago Polaris racers won four of the top six WPSA points titles, and last season Polaris racers earned more podium positions than racers of any other single brand.
This coming season, Polaris racers want to hog the podium positions and win multiple WPSA points titles, and the 2007 race sled makes them hopeful of attaining those goals.
FOCUS ON DURABILITY
The process of improving the race sled for 2007 has been led by a team of Polaris chassis and powertrain engineers at the company’s Roseau, Minnesota, engineering facility. They worked with Polaris racers and race team management to identify areas where the sled could be improved, then made changes that have proven highly successful in rigorous pre-season testing.
Steps that the development team took to improve the sled’s durability include:
• Improving overall chassis durability by reinforcing the front clip and rear close off.
• Use of a new, stronger, more durable belt.
• Installation of a new, lower chaincase bearing and slip gear to minimize stress on the chaincase.
• Development of a new seat hold-down for improved durability
They also made slight but significant adjustments to the IFS geometry and shock setup to improve the ride and handling.
“They widened the control arms and lowered the spindle to make it turn even better,” said Rager.
The sled also uses lighter, more durable torsion springs for 2007.
Like last season’s race sled, the 2007 440 IQ™ race sled will be equipped with aluminum Walker Evans shocks, front and rear. The IFS shocks have 16-position compression adjustability and the rear track shock has 12-position adjustability, allowing Polaris racers to tune their suspensions to suit their riding styles and the various types of tracks on which they’ll race.
These shocks help the 440 IQ achieve 11.5” of front suspension travel and 13.9” of rear travel.
IMPRESSIVE LIBERTY POWER
The 2007 IQ 440 race sled will be powered by the liquid-cooled Polaris Liberty™ 440 twin that has provided Polaris racers with excellent holeshot acceleration and corner-to-corner speed in recent seasons.
The engine has been continually improved through modest tuning changes, but was already a proven winner, so it hasn’t been changed dramatically for 2007. The engine has NiCaSil-lined cylinders, uses dual TMX 34 carburetors and has the Polaris VES – Variable Exhaust System – to provide racers with a broad powerband.
The race sled engine also has oversized intakes, high-flow V-Force reeds, a high-performance stator and the patented Polaris Dragon ignition, a unique ignition system first developed by Polaris and now imitated by the competition.
About Polaris
With annual 2005 sales of $1.9 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory Motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory Motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
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ISOC Lake Geneva National Sno-Cross
LaVallee Wins Pro Stock and Season Championship At Lake Geneva, Bender Wins Pro Open At Lake Geneva. Gulla Wins Season Championship in Pro Open With Bender Taking 2nd and LaVallee 3rd Sweeping The Podium In The Pro Open Points Chase.
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