The Godfather of Arctic Cat Snowmobile Engineering

Motorhead Mark Lester gets the opportunity to sit down with the Godfather of Arctic Cat engineering - Roger Skime to take a look back over his 50 year career in the snowmobile industry.

[josephrodwell]

Roger is the man . WAY too humble about his achievements

[camarogreen]

What a wonderful man. Roger. Cheers! A pioneer for sure. My Dad bought his first AC Panther 440 in 1974 and me and my family have owned Cats ever since because of the innovation in the early days. Still riding on Cats today in 2022!!

[Firejob]

I met Rodger at the 1996 race school. I was looking around and bumped into him. He asked me if I race and I said no we were just there as big AC fans and loved trail riding. We carried on a conversation as if we known each other for years. He really really bleeds green and loves what he does.

[brentvalentine]

I remember the El Tigre, it was the first snowmobile I'd seen that pulled the skis off the snow when accelerating. I was amazed.

[fasterdura]

Thanks Roger for years. And thank you for the very FIRST slide rail suspension and independent front suspension. Your welcome BOMBARDIER &POLARIS 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.

[IowaBudgetRCBashers]

The problem is with the small amounts of snow we now get in the Midwest, and the economy, the new snowmobile is out of the price range of most families. I’ll forever be a vintage sled person because of that. Just got a mint condition 90 Arctic Cat Prowler 440, although there’s no snow to ride on

[I.PittyTheFool]

I'm feeling rather proud of my Uncle Roger after viewing this. Thank you for being an inspiration.

[janeking]

Roger please do a repeat of the early 1980s and offer an employee and diehard rider, owner buy out stock plan to get TEXTRON out of ARCTIC CAT. And put ARCTIC CAT back on top where the company belongs. It is our feelings that TEXTRON just has ARCTIC CAT as a division to provide a tax deduction. ARCTIC CAT has always been a tight group and they need to go back to that.

[TheOriginalRaster]

Awesome interview and awesome presentation of this history! You guys are great. Please keep up the great work. Good luck!
Cheers!

[grammaphilly]

After working at Arctic Cat for 25 years I have learned how special Rover really is. A great all around man!

[Rapture-now]

And now it looks like the 3 big are having issues. Sleds are just too darn expensive. I’ve been a Cat man since 1974. Dad and I drag raced from 1975 to 81. All on a Arcticcat.

[clarknawrocki]

The only reason I live in Minnesota is so I can ride my snowmobile

[seandan]

Old Rog.... I worked with his son Troy @ AC. Miss those dayz

[davefitzpatrick]

My dream career is to work at. Arctic cat.

[mikeskidmore]

I really know nothing about Artic Cats.. I have been watching videos and reading articles recently about Snowmobiles. I was thinking that Snowmobiles were about as crude in the 1960's as cars were in the 1920's.. Then again there were some very advanced cars that were very expensive..
As far as the Good ole days the 1970's were Great in South West MI because we actually had snow to ride.. I enjoyed my Fathers 1976 Yamaha Exciter a few times then I went off to be a Ski Bum.. I bought a used Polaris Indy 500 about 2003 then bought a New Yamaha Attack in 2006.. Then I started reading the Snowmobile magazines and started getting some basic knowledge about present Snowmobiles..
Since I was around sleds some in the 1970's I was aware of Mercury and Snow Jet John Deere ect..
Looking at the Dealerships it often looked Like Artic Cats were not as well built as say Yamaha .. It looks like they have finally caught up. I have ridden a Few Polaris sleds and they usually steer and handle Well..
I have frozen fingers before working outdoors so thanks to Rodger for heated grips..

I also have read articles by Olav Aaen so I am aware of some of his Contributions.. Too. I think he would be great to Interview too..

[markp]

great product for americans by americans