28 • June 2024 • Powersports Business

Polaris is donating more than $ 130,000 to offroad vehicles , ATVs , snowmobile riding clubs and organizations across the U . S . and Canada as part of its Trails Grants program .

The Trails Grants program offers support to organizations and programs that promote safe and responsible riding , facilitate trail preservation , and help protect the environment and natural resources that are a part of the off-road trail systems .

“ Riding builds a connection between friends and family and the outdoors , and the impact these clubs and organizations make locally through their grassroots efforts and ingenuity is significant ,” says Steve Menneto , president of off-road for Polaris . “ Polaris is proud to support their efforts through our bi-annual Trails Grants program , which has donated more than $ 3.5 million since its inception .”

“ Protecting and respecting our planet is essential if we want future generations to enjoy recreation in our mountains , deserts , and on trails . We ’ re grateful to Polaris in supporting our B . O . L . T . ( Building Off-Road Leaders of Tomorrow ) Youth Program ,” says Kristyn Novoa , executive director of Warfighter Madesm . “ Together , we ’ re teaching our youth to not only to be respectful off-road enthusiasts but advocates for the environment and leaders within the recreation community .”

Since the start of the Trails Grants program in 2006 , Polaris has supported more than 405 ATV , off-road and snowmobiling organizations across the U . S . and Canada with more than $ 3.5 million in donations . Photo courtesy of Polaris Inc .

“ Valley Outdoors applied for a TRAILS GRANT to help fund our education program already in development ,” says Michael Lueders , director of Valley Outdoors . “ Valley Outdoors plans on having an educational program to facilitate , promote and enhance safe and sustainable driving practices while teaching ‘ Tread Lightly !’ principles to protect our public resources .”

These 14 organizations were named Spring 2024 Trails Grants recipients and received awards up to $ 10,000 each .

Adirondack Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club Inc . ( Owlshead , NY ): Help repair two bridges so snowmobilers can safely ride to communities , parking areas , restaurants , and lodging .

Advocates for Multi-Use of Public Lands ( Jackson , WY .): Help establish a trail grooming protocol that will decrease potential damage to vehicles and increase rider safety .

Club VTT du Témiscamingue ( Lorrainville , Quebec , Canada ): Help support the replacement of a bridge along the trail to provide safe travel .

International Association of Snowmobile Administrators ( Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada ): Help support snowmobile rider safety programs .

Kingfield Quad Runners ATV Club ( Kingfield , ME ): Help repair trails damaged by recent severe storms to support and maintain a safe riding experience .

Ma & Pa Kettle Days Inc . ( Kettle River , MN ): Help support establishing a watering station for riders to clean invasive species off their vehicles before / after riding to protect the natural environment .

Nevada Outdoor School ( Winnemucca , NV ): Help support the expansion of the organization ’ s Youth Helmet program which focuses on educating both parents and children on how to safely operate offroad vehicles .

Rudolph River Rovers ( Rudolph , Wis .): Help preserve and maintain the trail which connects riders to multiple communities .

St . Lawrence County Snowmobile Association Inc ( Canton , New York ): Help support gravel and delivery services needed to finish a crucial part of the 126−mile trail .

U . S . Dept . of Agriculture ( Duchesne , Utah ): Help provide trail maintenance and updated signage along the Badlands OHV Trail that will enhance rider safety , with support from the government .

Valley Outdoors Club ( Bishop , CA ): Help educate local riders about safe and responsible riding through with their rider safety programs .

Venture Unknown Foundation ( Pendleton , SC ) Help support the annual Sweep up the Southeast event , which focuses on trail clean-up and restoration .

Warfighter Madesm ( Temecula , CA ) Help support the organization ’ s STEM program , B . O . L . T . ( Building Off-Road Leaders of Tomorrow ), which teaches children how to maintain , repair and safely drive off-road vehicles .

Wilderness Wheelers ( Bigfork , MN ) Help support the development of a new 60−mile wilderness trail in the Chippewa National Forest that will provide safe passage for riders while preserving the natural environment .

Since the start of the Trails Grants program in 2006 , Polaris has donated more than $ 3.5 million to more than 405 ATV , off-road , and snowmobiling organizations across the U . S . and Canada .

Awarded twice annually , Trails Grants support the efforts of nonprofit organizations and local riding clubs , which use the grants for trail development , maintenance projects , safety and responsible riding education initiatives and other projects .

Arctic Cat / Textron is requiring owners of select 2024 Catalyst chassis machines to return them to dealerships for service . The company shares that the steering caps that fit over the top of the handlebar within its mount are brittle and crack when tightened .

The official notice filed by Textron through the Consumer Product Safety Commission states , “ The steering caps , which are used to hold the handlebar in place , can crack and cause the handlebars to become unstable , posing a crash hazard .”

Arctic Cat has received reports of 95 instances of the caps cracking while the bolts were being torqued during initial snowmobile setup , the CPSC report said . No injuries have been reported due to related failures .

The recall affects 2,670 model year 2024 ZR , Riot and M snowmobiles that were sold in the United States . 891 were sold in Canada .

The CPSC report states that the affected machines will have an “ R ” as the tenth letter in their VIN number that is stamped on the tunnel .

“ Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Arctic Cat 2024 Catalyst 600 snowmobiles and contact the local authorized Arctic Cat dealer to schedule a free repair of the steering caps ,” the CPSC report states .

The 2024 Polaris ProStar S4 Titan Adventure snowmobile has been recalled . Photo courtesy of Polaris

The recent Polaris snowmobile recall was limited to 240 model year 2024 ProStar S4 Titan Adventure machines that were sold in the U . S . Another 290 of the machines were sold in Canada and will also likely need attention .

“ The snowmobile can leak fuel at the pump flange assembly , posing a fire hazard and risk of serious injury to the rider or passenger ,” the CPSC notice reports . Later it added that Polaris has received three incidents of leaking fuel from the problem . No injuries have been reported .

These owners will have to return their sleds to an authorized dealership . Once there , the sled will received a new pump flange assembly gasket free of charge .