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Sure there have been no shortage of individuals who have gotten into the record books via motorized vehicles throughout the years but when it comes to the side-by-side, there are many opportunities yet available.

Take for example Tanner Godfrey who had decided to jump his Arctic Cat Wildcat to a new world record. Godfrey was paralyzed from the sternum down in a 2007 moto accident and had worked long and hard to regain some semblance of mobility.

Godfrey managed to maintain a positive attitude and tenacious spirit through it all. As he once said, “Don’t ever let people tell you what you can or can’t do. Just live life. Don’t let things slow you down. You have to be tough to be successful.”

Not only is he now able to walk short distances with a cane, he has fashioned hand controls for his Wildcat so he can still rip around in the dirt.

Adding to the plot, Godfrey decided to attempt his jump near the site of his life-changing accident in Mesquite, Nevada. It would take place during the Mesquite Off-Road Weekend event at the Eureka Casino Resort, featuring a show by the wild and crazy crew from Nitro Circus.

Not coincidentally, Tanner Godfrey is the nephew of Nitro Circus creator Gregg Godfrey. This jump would also raise funds and awareness for the Wounded Warriors Project.

With about 2,000 revved-up spectators looking on, Tanner climbed into his Edge Powersports-backed, STI-equipped Wildcat (with 30-inch Roctane tires on 14-inch HD Beadlock wheels) and confidently shattered the former distance mark (47 feet).

Godfrey launched 105 feet through the dry night sky to easily claim an officially documented Guinness World Record. Then he turned around and did it again.

UTV enthusiasts have cause for celebration with an announcement coming out of the Arctic Cat camp that promises to offer more options for performance fans looking to carry more than a single passenger.

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 provides 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.

• Industry-leading 5-Link rear suspension, 13-inches of ground clearance, and 18-inches of rear suspension travel!

• Full Perimeter Exoskeleton frame was stretched 29-inches to accommodate four occupants with a best-in-class ride-in comfort and leg room

• Interior has a locking glove box and cup holders, four high-back bucket seats with 3-point seat belts and four tube-frame doors with integrated nets

• V-Twin, SOHC, liquid-cooled, 951cc, Electronic Fuel Injection built for massive torque and improved acceleration

• Automatic transmission has a park-in-gear shifter with Reverse, Neutral, High and Low gears while the 2wd/4wd/Diff Lock switch is easy to locate on the dashboard

• Variable Assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) designed to maintain a light steering input effort with an infinitely adjustable tilt steering wheel

• LED Headlights and Taillights utilize 50% less wattage

• Available in three painted metallic color choices: Sunset Orange, Black and Arctic Green

• MSRP $19,599 US/ $21,999 CAN

The sun is coming out, the weather’s getting warmer, and the call of the open trail is music to our ears. Luckily, there are a whole slew of new products to make your UTV riding experience even better. Read the rest of this entry »