Arctic Cat takes Baja 1000

Arctic Cat Prowlers Sweep Baja 1000


The finish line at the 41st Annual SCORE Baja 1000 was as dramatic as it was historic. Racing a pair of stock Arctic Cat Prowlers, the Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team beat the brutal conditions to finish first and second place in the world’s longest, continuous off-road race. It was the first time in race history a side-by-side UTV vehicle has finished what is widely regarded as the most grueling off-road race in the world.


“We were the first-time finishers and first-time winners in this greatest of all races because of a total team effort,” said Bi-Polar team co-owner and driver Jim Creagan of Yacott, Wash. “From start-to-finish, every person fulfilled their role perfectly and each Prowler performed magnificently.”

Finishing first in the 634-mile race with a time of 27 hours and 57 minutes was a stock 2009 Prowler XTZ 1000 driven by Creagan and co-pilot Tim Wagner for the first 409 miles, followed by driver/co-driver Chris Fallon and Aaron Bahner for the remainder of the course.

Taking second place at 28 hours and 13 minutes was a 2009 Prowler XTX 700 EFI driven by three driver/co-driver combinations: Shane Morgan and Tabor Cresap, Scott Sorenson and Justin Serface, and Casey Squires and Mike Connors.

It was just the second attempt at the Baja 1000 for the Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team. In 2007 they made it to mile-810 before succumbing to a broken suspension bolt. They returned this year, ready to prove the Prowler’s durability and to support their sponsors: Arctic Cat, Wired Energy Drink, Vision X Lighting, GBC Motorsports, TrailReady Beadlock Rims and King Shocks.

“These were stock Prowlers except for the required roll-cage, extra night lights, King shocks and tires,” said Creagan. “Nothing broke on either machine during the race and we had only one flat tire on the 700. Our support crew never even had to put a tool to either machine. It was just gas-and-go at the pit stops, which is a testament to their durability and performance. ”


Most competitors were in agreement that this year’s course was the toughest in race history. In addition to the usual array of car-sized boulders, horrible silt sections and surprise obstacles, the course delivered a 60-mile section of 4-ft. whoop-de-dos that claimed many of the 347 racers. Only 227 vehicles survived to finish the famed event.

“Team Arctic racers delivered a historic performance at the 2008 Baja 1000 and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Arctic Cat ATV Race Manager Ted Bettin. “The Bi-Polar Prowler team worked incredibly hard for two years. To earn the honor and distinction of being the first-ever UTV to finish the Baja 1000, and to finish first and second place, speaks volumes about their dedication and professionalism.

Good for acrtic cat, now if they get their corporate heads out of there and build a decent dealer network they might get somewhere.

I agree with you Gunny. I really like Arctic Cat's but there are no decent dealers in my area.


This does make me want a 2009 Prowler XTZ 1000 ......

I decided not to buy the 1000 based soley on who i had to deal with for my dealer, that or travel near 80 miles every time i needed help. When I bought my prowler I had 6 dealers within 75 miles, now there is one , arctic cat pulled their dealerships for some reason. I was told it was because they wanted main stream powersports dealerships to sell for them and not mom and pop companies. The one left doesnt get in a hurry for anything. Took them 3 weeks to fix a switch on my diff lock.

GunRunner wrote:

Good for acrtic cat, now if they get their corporate heads out of there and build a decent dealer network they might get somewhere.

Hun, I have to agree you with Gunny

I liked the AC but you can only buy them at bass pro shop here. That would feel like I bought my sxs at dicks. Just didn't seem right

Big-R wrote:

GunRunner wrote:

Good for acrtic cat, now if they get their corporate heads out of there and build a decent dealer network they might get somewhere.

Hun, I have to agree you with Gunny

I liked the AC but you can only buy them at bass pro shop here. That would feel like I bought my sxs at dicks. Just didn't seem right

yea, i did not even include bass pro cause all they do is sell them.

So does Gander Mountain here.

so, if you bought one from Bass pro shop and needed repairs who are you supposed to take it to for service??

U p here you take it to Tacker Boats, which Bass Pro sells also.....go figure :(lmao: :(lmao:

Like all manufacturers once a unit is sold, all selling dealers are required to honor the warranty and work on them regardless of where it was bought.