It’s not often we post articles about stock sales and the like, but we found it interesting that Arctic Cat has purchased approximately 6.1 million shares of Arctic Cat Class B common stock from Suzuki Motor Corporation for $79.3 million.

The stock buyback reduces Arctic Cat’s outstanding shares from 18.4 million to 12.3 million, increasing non-Suzuki shareholders’ ownership of outstanding common shares by approximately 33 percent, and leaves Arctic Cat’s public share float unchanged. Arctic Cat funded this purchase with existing cash on its balance sheet. The company expects to end its 2012 fiscal year with more than $60 million in cash and no debt, after deducting cash used for the share purchase from Suzuki.

In honor of his more than two decades of contributions to the sport of snowmobiling and racing, Arctic Cat’s Joey Hallstrom of Thief River Falls, Minn., was named one of four 2012 inductees into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame (SHOF) in St. Germain, Wis. Prior to his current position as Snowmobile Product Manager, Hallstrom was the Team Arctic Race Manager from 1987 – 1999, during which the company achieved outstanding success in all forms of competition.

“By combining a deep passion for the sport with the competitive heart of a racer, Joey Hallstrom built the Team Arctic Racing Program into a winning powerhouse,” says Loren Anderson, founder of the SHOF. “In addition to building a dominant race program for Arctic Cat, Hallstrom also helped grow the sport through key roles in launching the Jeep 500 cross-country race, initiating the first NHRA snowmobile asphalt drag exhibition and spearheading several key snowmobile models.”

Hallstrom will be inducted into the SHOF on Feb. 18, 2012, along with decorated racer Toni Haikonen, race director Marcel Fontaine and Wisconsin snowmobile advocate Larry Bosacki.

Yamaha has added one more sled to its 2012 lineup – the FX Nytro XTX kitted with a Camoplast Backcountry 15x144x1.75-inch track.

“We are excited to bring this special sled to market just in time for the season,” says Yamaha Snowmobile Product Manager Rob Powers. “I had the opportunity to personally put this model through its paces last winter. I thought it was awesome on the trail, with great traction for accelerating but it also had just enough side slip to let the sled corner well. The deeper lugs also give this Nytro XTX better deep snow performance than the original 1.25-inch model. This sled is easily the most versatile model we have in the lineup.”

Arctic Cat, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled about 7,100 snowmobiles due to a faulty headlamp fuse.

According to the recall notice, if the headlamp fuse fails, it can disorient the operator, which poses a crash hazard. Arctic Cat discovered this condition during production testing of these models. There have been no reports of headlamp failures or injuries.

The recall involves the following 2012 F, XF, and M model snowmobiles:

F800 LXR, F1100 LXR, F800 Sno Pro, F1100 Sno Pro/Limited/50th, XF800 LXR, XF1100 LXR, XF800 Sno Pro High Country, XF1100 Limited/50th, M800, M1100, M800 Sno Pro, M1100 Sno Pro/Limited/50th, M800 HCR

BRP’s Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Carl Kuster have joined forces in creating a new riding camp designed to deliver an unparalleled mountain snowmobiling experience. Riders will have the chance to try the latest Ski-Doo technology from BRP, learn from recognized backcountry experts, and hone their riding skills while having a great time in the deep powder snow of British Columbia.

With two locations offering riding that ranges from big meadows of fresh powder to play in to super technical steep-and-deep inclines, and even unique glacier areas, the camp has something for everyone. Classes offered will be one, two or three days long for skill levels from intermediate to expert. Attendees can bring their own sled or rent a state-of-the-art Summit at a special rate.

“Creating a permanent place for our loyal snowmobile customers to experience all the best in mountain riding, while using the newest sleds and clothing from BRP, has been a vision of ours for a while now,” says Robert Lumley, vice president of sales and marketing Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo. “Partnering with Carl Kuster Mountain Park brings it to reality in a stunning way. Everything from the experience and instruction to fantastic riding areas and great hospitality, this is a combination our dealers and customers will truly appreciate.”