News

... latest from Thorney Offroad on Arctic Cat & Yamaha SxS and Quads ...

Welcome to Thorney Offroad, the offroad division of Thorney Motorsport.

At Thorney Offroad we specialise in the Arctic Cat sport and utility side by sides (SxS) and sport / utility quads as well as Yamaha sport / utility quads and utility side by sides.

On this page we plan to include the latest news on the wide range of sport / utility side by sides and utility and sport quads available from both Arctic Cat and Yamaha as well as Company news from Thorney Offroad, Arctic Cat and Yamaha.

All new Wildcat 4 seater is announced
17/12/12

The Wildcat '4' 1000 answers the call for pure-sport ROV enthusiasts who want to carry 2 or more passengers. The Wildcat '4' is purpose built with many of the industry-leading key features found in the Wildcat 1000, but Arctic Cat engineers have gone beyond "industry-leading".

A completely new drive and driven clutch was designed in partnership with the leading clutch authority, Team Industries. The new clutching system answers the call for improved acceleration while putting the massive torque and horsepower of the 1000 engine to the ground where it matters. In addition, a new sway bar has been designed to work harmoniously with the all-new PODIUM FOX SHOX, creating an unrivalled operator and passenger experience.

Available in three painted metallic colour choices: Sunset Orange, Black and Arctic Green the Wildcat '4' will launch here in the UK in April 2013 with a RRP of £14,990 +VAT.

For more details click here or visit the Arctic Cat website. Alternatively contact us directly if you would like more information.

A bit of Karcher Promotion
24/09/12

A good days fun was had at the recent Endurofest event, no race this time but the chance to show off the Wildcat in action round their 7 mile enduro course and try out our new Karcher pressure washer.

The course was interesting, built for MX bikes rather than a UTV. It was narrow but really good fun with drop offs, jumps and some water splashes all thrown in and the Wildcat handled them all with style.

One of the issues with off road racing is that the tracks tend to be remote with no water and no power so if you want to wash the car or bike down afterwards you're pretty much stuck but this time we got to use our new Karcher pressure washer. The one we have is a self contained generator and pressure washer in one unit, small enough to put in the back of a Yamaha Rhino utility sxs or, in our case, the back of the support van. All we did was add a 100 litre water tank and we were good for several washes of the Wildcat. Really is a decent bit of kit, only a foot and half square it makes it easy to just chuck in the back of the van and 100 litres of water was good for 4/5 full Wildcat washes or 30 odd MX bikes. It certainly makes unloading once we were back at the race workshop less of a chore.

For details of the complete Karcher range of pressure washers have a look on www.karcher.co.uk.

Thorney Motorsport team up with Karcher UK
10/08/12

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Karcher UK, suppliers of the worlds finest cleaning and maintenance equipment. The agreement encompasses Thorney Motorsports new Offroad Race Team but also for this weekends British Touring Car Championship round at Snetterton.

John Thorne, owner of Thorney Motorsport confirms:

"Like most good partnerships its a logical tie up, when racing the Arctic Cat Wildcats we get covered in mud (as the photo below shows!) and who better to partner with than the manufacturers of the best cleaning equipment in the world"

The deal means Thorney Motorsport's Arctic Cat Wildcat race UTV's will run in full Karcher livery for the remainder of the 2012 season as well as for 2013 and to set off the partnership the teams Vauxhall Insignia VXR-R will also run in full Karcher livery for the Snetterton race weekend in the British Touring Car Championship.

Thorne continues ...

"The BTCC livery is initially for the Snetterton race weekend only so its a one round deal rather than the rest of the season, but it establishes the long term commitment both parties have so who knows what will happen in the future, certainly the focus is very much on the off road side for the moment but with the Insignia benefiting from a complete re-engineering since the first BTCC race we are confident of an improvement in its running".

Its a weekend of news for the team with the recent announcement that Tony Gilham will be driving the Insignia for the Snetterton race weekend, Thorne explains:

"Another win win deal really, Tony wants to get into an NGTC car as soon as possible for next season and we were looking for wider feedback on the car so we can maximise its development, whilst I'm disappointed I'm not driving this weekend this season was about developing the car to its full potential, having different drivers speeds up the development and allows us to maximise the potential".

The team expects further exciting announcements in the coming months.

Wildcat Declared Winner!- Wildcat 1000 vs. RzR XP 900 - The First Official Media Shootout
09/08/12

Dirt Trax Magazine set the stage for the long-awaited grudge match between the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 and the Polaris RzR XP 900. The Dirt Trax crew challenged themselves to dig deep as they developed their opinions and impressions to answer the raging question: Who has the best Pure-Sport ROV?

After pitting the two against each other and evaluating all aspects of the machines, the conclusion was no surprise; the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 was given the nod in this comparison. The most opinionated editors in the business said the Wildcat brings an extra measure of performance to critical areas buyers will immediately appreciate.

Key talking points from the article-

• The Wildcat nailed the high performance Pure Sport Side x Side equation out of the gate
• Electronic Power Steering (EPS) makes the Wildcat exceptionally easy to drive
• Handling of the Walker Evans shocks with remote reservoirs and staggering 18-inches of suspension travel will make you a better driver
• Plush interior is luxurious with stitched bucket seats and plenty of leg room
• The sensation of covering rough terrain at speed is so profound it is shocking

Click here to read the full article (reproduced courtesy of Dirt Trax Magazine).

Wildcat Racing in the UK - Haresfield race report ...
30/07/12

What a great UK race debut for the Wildcats, every other competitor lapped and race win by a country mile!

Our first Wildcat race in the UK on Sunday 29th July was kindly arranged by the ACU and Quad Events UK, the organisers of the British Quad X- Country Championship. Billed as a demonstration race the course was a one hour enduro event over a 7 miles course as used by the quads so it was rough, muddy and brilliant fun.

Sadly no Polaris XP900's came out to play despite promising to attend but they were more than made up by a strong contingent of Rage buggies and some Rebel entries from Walker Adams and us two Wildcats, one driven by myself and the other by Andrew and Simon from Pro Turf. The Rage entrants encompassed every type, from their single seaters to their new 200bhp monster versions which impressive to just watch ....

Full race report with photos showing just what the Wildcat is capable of >>>

Wildcats cook up a storm on TV ...
23/07/12

John Thorne was a recent contestant on the popular TV show 'Come Dine With Me' and despite being a pretty poor cook did OK, although we think the Wildcats made all the difference!

Click here to check out John's performance and see how the Wildcats made the perfect after dinner experience for the guests.

The Wildcat at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ...
02/07/12

To coincide with the recent UK launch by Thorney of the Arctic Cat Wildcat, Thorney Offroad took the Wildcat to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

With over 100,000 visitors each day over the three day event the GFOS proved to be an ideal venue for the Wildcat to be introduced to the offroad speed junkie. And there were many of them who found their way to the Thorney Offroad stand to check out both the stunning performance and awesome look of the Wildcat 1000i H.O.

Judging by the response of these knowledgeable side by side racers the competitive pricing and comprehensive specification offered on the Wildcat will ensure it's success here in the UK.

Available in the UK now to buy why not check out the Wildcat for yourself by contacting Thorney Offroad today and arrange a test drive over our own off road test track?

A little bit about Arctic Cat ...
26/04/12

Having been awarded full Arctic Cat dealer status here in the UK, here at Thorney Offroad we believe passionately about the quality and level of technology that goes into every Arctic Cat machine. In this news item we want to let our customers get to know Arctic Cat a little better so they too will share our confidence that buying a quad or side by side manufactured by Arctic Cat is the right thing to do.

Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Side by Sides under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. The Company markets its products through a network of independent dealers located throughout the contiguous United States and Canada, and through distributors representing dealers in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile, ATV and Side by Side industry.

As Arctic Cat themselves say -
"Passion. It's in everything we do. Within every turn of a screw. Every hole drilled. Every knuckle bloodied. It's what makes us Arctic Cat. From the assembly line workers to the R&D engineers, we all share a common bond tougher than steel. Forged of sweat and raw determination. It's a commitment to making the best ATVs, Side by Sides and Snowmobiles around."

"Arctic Cat Passion. Three big words no one else can dare claim. It's what separates us from all the rest."

Arctic Cat's 50th marks a major milestone which began in 1961 when Edgar Hetteen founded Polar Manufacturing in Thief River Falls. There he began producing snowmobiles that reflected his dreams. One year later he changed the company name to Arctic Cat, and began a series of innovations that transformed hulking snow "machines" into small, playful snowmobiles.

For more information about Arctic Cat, the Company and it's products visit the main Arctic Cat website.

Arctic Cat have produced an insider's view video of the Arctic Cat's ultimate factory tour. Check it out below >>>

Arctic Cat's Ultimate Factory Tour