The biggest news from Arctic Cat at Hay Days is the unveiling of a new cross-country race sled powered by the C-TEC2 6000-Series DSI engine with EFI and electronic oil injection.
Built to satisfy the 91 Octane/oil-injected intent of new cross-country rules, the 2015 ZR 6000R XC is aimed directly at the USXC Winnipeg-to-Willmar I-500, as well as other USXC races, USCC East, CorPowersports and other cross-country events.
The new sled bridges the gap between the stock ProCross-chassis ZR 6000 and the full-on ZR 6000R race sleds of recent years. The race sleds featured a carbureted Suzuki 600 twin that was not exactly cross-country race friendly, at least in terms of cold starting, the need for jetting and the propensity for racers to use expensive, high-octane race gas.
Here are key features and what’s new on the ZR 6000R XC:
• Arctic Cat Built C-TEC2 with Electronic Fuel and Oil Injection
• ProCross chassis with added cross-country racing features for improved performance:
– Additional tunnel brace added around lower chaincase for increased strength
– New outer rear suspension brackets for increased strength
– Front bulkhead, front spars, and rear spars use 10mm hardware for increased strength
• 43.5-in. wide (center-to-center) Arctic Race Front Suspension:
– This compares to the 42-in. stance on other ProCross models
– Race-style spindle/ski damper adds pressure to the rear of the ski for improved cornering and handling
– Larger diameter tie rods (the same as 2014 race sleds) for increased strength
– 5-in. Trail Skis (compared to a 6-in. wide skis on other models) enable the snowmobile to maintain the required 48-in overall vehicle width required in certain states and provinces
• Offset Ski spacers for Adjustable Ski Stance:
– Additional ski spacing options for Ice racing applications
• FOX FLOAT EVOL RC ski shocks with wide-range, hand-adjustable compression and rebound adjustments:
– Different length to accept the wider ski stance
– XC race calibration, which is a little stiffer than the current RR package
• Stationary Clutch Guard with Spare Belt mounting:
– New clutch guard design with exhaust pipe mount and spare belt mount
• Race Proven TEAM Secondary Clutch with Race Driven Shaft
– TSS-04 TEAM clutch, same model that has been used on the 2014 (and prior) XC race sleds
– Race driven shaft to mate with the TEAM Secondary clutch
• Revised XC race Drive clutch calibration gives a little more aggressive punch stepping into the throttle
• 2.86-in. Pitch, 8-tooth Track Drivers for Added Ground Clearance:
-Other ProCross models feature 9-tooth 2.86-in. pitch track drivers
• 2.86-in. Pitch 15 x 129 x 1.25-in. Cobra Track
• Torque Overload Sensing (TOS) Bottom chain sprocket for reducting spike loads into the drivetrain:
– Same TOS sprocket as 2014 XC Racer
– 23/40 gearing (changed to accommodate the 8-tooth drive sprockets)
• Race Proven Brake Caliper and Pads for improved wear and increased stopping power:
-Same Brake Caliper as 2014 XC Race Sled
-Larger bridge bolts for increased stiffness
-Low-pressure seals for less resistance when the brake lever is pulled
-Offset friction material on brake pads for more even wear under high pressure
– New brake pad friction material has increased braking power at elevated brake temperatures
• High-Grip Seat Cover Fabric
• New Rear Suspension Geometry for Improved Handling:
– The front torque arm has been lengthened 2-in. compared to other ProCross models, enabling more front-arm travel while maintaining transfer control
– New rail profile to match the front arm travel and 8-tooth driver diameter for optimal track/driver/rail interface
• FOX 1.5 Zero C Front Track Shock with wide-range, hand-adjustable compression:
– XC Race Valve specification which is a little stiffer than the current RR package
• FOX 2.0 Zero RC Rear Track Shock with adjustable Compression and Rebound:
– XC Race Valve specification which is a little stiffer than the current RR package
• 7-Position Rear Coupling for a wide range of transfer control
• New rail cap for improved durability
• Revised rear axle adjustment blocks for improved durability:
– Race proven rear axle and adjustment (4-wheel kits available)
• 11.7 Gallon Clear Fuel Tank (same volume as Production RR)
• Lightweight Torque Control Link (TCL) Engine Mounting System to Maintain Proper Clutch Alignment:
– Lightweight TCL engine mount with 4-bolt driven hub to work with TEAM Driven Clutch
Here are the specifications for the 2015 Arctic Cat ZR 6000R XC
