AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
2015 ARCTIC CAT ZR 8000, Jeff Jaquish
IF THERE WAS an award for the newest sled at the Shootout, it may go to Jeff Jaquish of Team Arctic for his 2015 ZR 8000 Sno Pro. The odometer read 0.0. They don’t get much newer than that!
The double zeros on the odometer aren’t the only difference in Jaquish’s machine compared to the others. No, sir! Jeff’s sled is a stock Super Sled, for the most part. The engine components are exactly what any consumer can expect to get in any 2015 ZR 8000 Sno Pro from their local dealer.
So how is it a Super Sled? Well, not all Super Sleds are one-off super-expensive custom builds. Jeff’s sled has slight improvements in clutching, fuel/timing and a modified stock rear suspension. A Power Commander Fuel Controller delivers the right amount of gas at just the right RPMs to get the most out of the stock Suzuki 794cc 2-stroke. The customized rear skid uses a modified FOX rear air shock. The skid, combined with chains tying the A-arms to the skis, keeps the sled engaged with the track from green light to finish line.
Why so few mods? Jaquish raced in the heads-up, single elimination bracket competition. You ‘dial’ in your time with the folks in the tower and then must stay consistent, hitting as close to this ‘dialed in’ ¼-mile time each pass, without breaking-out (going faster). This style of racing faithfully rewards consistency both in sled and racer. Bracket racing is a marathon, not a wonder-sled sprint run.
But that doesn’t mean his sled isn’t fast. Jaquish laid down a pass of
10.40 sec. at 122 mph
Did we mention he’s a multi-time bracket winner at the Super Sled Shootout and a former record holder for the 1/4-mile with a 2009 run of 9.006 sec. at 142 mph on a 2010 mostly stock Cat Z1 Turbo?