- Kryptek Joins Team As Title Sponsor of UTV Program
- Trevor On The Fly Racing RideX365 Podcast
- Leighton Motorsport To Liquidate Team At Season’s End
- Race Recap – Iowa
- Race Recap – Michigan
- Race Recap – New York
- Race Recap – Deadwood National
- Race Recap – Shakopee, Minnesota
- Video Rewind – Colorado National
- Race Recap – Winter Park, CO
2016 Racer Unveiled
- Updated: November 20, 2015
Repost from SnoX365.com
Since the introduction of the revamped Polaris IQ R Pro Open mod sled just a few days ago, there has been mixed reaction on social media. Most love the new look and feel the red team has finally taken the first step in bridging the 10 year gap between their race sled and what can be found in the dealerships. Others feel it is nothing more that a fresh coat of paint and have voiced their frustration in the lack of a complete overhaul.
It’s an interesting debate for a couple of reasons. First, the IQ R platform has a winning lineage throughout its 10 plus year history and second, the sled has seen numerous modifications and improvement over the years, although nowhere near as visual or transformative as what Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo have done, multiple times, during that same period.
Those who say the new plastic is nothing more than window dressing just might be judging a little too quickly. Every Polaris Pro Open rider we’ve talked to has expressed enthusiasm for the upgrade, not so much for its look, but for what the revamped cockpit and slimmer midsection will do for their ability to lean forward and into corners, placing a whole new premium on the sled’s cornering ability.
For race fans who really need something more than bold new graphics, or in this case plastic, Leighton Motorsports has taken their sleds to the next level. Leighton teamed with Skinz Protective Gear over the summer and went to work hand-fitting and building sleds from the ground up with the idea of creating something unique from, and hopefully better than, what comes out of the factory program headed up by Tim Bender and Hentges Racing. In fact, Leighton crew chief Josh Swieton spends a good part of his summer working at Bender’s shop in Colden, New York and was both inspired and encouraged by Bender to think outside the box and not be afraid to try new things as one of a wave of budding young crew chiefs on the ISOC snocross tour wanting to make his own mark in the sport.
The project was spear-headed by Leighton team manager Robbie Malinoski, a former championship-winning racer whose talent on a sled was supplemented throughout his career by his mechanical prowess. After testing a number of Skinz products out west late last spring, the team set out to create a 2016 racer that was custom fit to their riders Corin Todd and Trevor Leighton, while also shedding pounds and improving the ease of maintenance of their machine. The end goal was to elevate the ol’ stand bye IQ R platform while also creating race-inspired bolt-on items that consumers could purchase through the Western Power Sports dealer network. WPS also happens to be the leading distributor of Skinz products and a primary sponsor of the team with whom they share a Boise, Idaho area code.
The front end is the trademark of the project with a unique a-arm configuration and billet aluminum spindles that are narrower, lighter and way more trick than the stock units.
Skinz Airframe running boards have a great reputation with mountain riders. In addition to saving pounds, they prevent snow buildup which can reduce a rider’s ability to maneuver on the sled.
The rear of the tunnel was completely removed in favor of this custom modular piece that allows the rear bumper to be replaced in just minutes with six bolts and a couple rivets. Twisted and kinked tunnels are not uncommon but extremely difficult to repair during the tight schedule of a Pro night program.
This new hand guard is the first product that will be available for consumer purchase and features a really sweet ball-socket interface at the guard side of the mount that can be rotated in almost any direction to fit any bar bend or rider preference.
Skinz is well known for their weather-proof storage components and designed this custom data pack pouch which fits under the tube frame seat for easy access to the data collection unit.
This rear view shows the narrowed cross-section of the new AXYS-styled bodywork, along with the sleek lines of the custom seat structure, Airframe running boards and modular rear end.
Nothing puts a smile on a rider’s face like a fresh new horse with the promise to raise their game. Corin Todd is holding himself to higher standards in his second year in the premier division, while Trevor Leighton is looking for big things in his rookie season with the sport’s elite.
