Our History
Built on Family. Driven by Performance. Focused on the Future.
Experience. History. Family. These are the values that have defined Straightline Performance since its founding in 1997.
Founded by Jason and Denise Houle, Straightline Performance was built upon a lifetime of passion for snowmobiling and performance. Jason began riding at just two years old, encouraged by his father, Duane, and grandfather, Stu, both accomplished snowmobile racers. With the Houle family’s racing history dating back to the 1960s in cross-country, oval, drag racing, and speed runs—including multiple world records and countless racing achievements—it was evident from an early age that Jason was destined to compete.
Jason continued the family tradition in the late 1980s, focusing on 1,000-foot ice speed runs. In 1992, he became the youngest person, at just 15 years old, to earn a World Speed Record while also being named National Straightline Snowmobile Racing’s (NSSR) Rookie of the Year. Throughout the 1990s, Jason accumulated numerous world records and championships before expanding into nearly every form of snowmobile competition, including asphalt drag racing, grass drags, watercross, hill climbs, snow drags, and speed runs.
Over more than five decades, three generations of the Houle family have helped shape the snowmobile industry through innovation, competition, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
From a Small Shop to a World-Class Manufacturing Facility
When Jason and Denise founded Straightline Performance in 1997, their vision was simple: build the highest-quality performance products available while providing unmatched customer service and technical support.
That vision quickly became reality.
As demand continued to grow, Straightline Performance expanded through four different facilities over the years, each one larger than the last. Today, the company operates from its state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot headquarters in Chisago City, Minnesota. Designed specifically for manufacturing, engineering, product development, warehousing, shipping, receiving, and customer support, the facility serves as the foundation for continued innovation and worldwide growth.
Every product is developed with the same philosophy that built the company from day one—design it correctly, test it relentlessly, and never compromise quality.
Proven Through Competition
There is no better testing ground than competition.
For nearly three decades, Straightline Performance products have been proven in virtually every form of snowmobile racing. From watercross and grass drags to asphalt, ice, hill climbs, snow drags, and top-speed competition, Straightline-equipped machines have stood on podiums across North America, Canada, and Scandinavia.
Whether Jason was behind the handlebars, tuning the winning combination, designing the components, or leading the race team, one goal has always remained the same:
Build products that win.
That racing heritage continues today as every new product is engineered, tested, refined, and validated under real-world conditions before reaching customers around the globe.
Building the World's Most Complete Powersports Product Line
Growth has never been limited to one category.
Beginning in the mid-2000s, Straightline Performance expanded beyond snowmobiles into the rapidly growing ATV and UTV markets. What started as a small expansion has evolved into one of the industry’s most complete powersports product offerings.
Today, Straightline Performance manufactures products for snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, and other powersports applications, serving customers throughout North America and around the world.
A major milestone came with the acquisition of RSI Racing, one of the industry’s most respected controls manufacturers. The addition of RSI expanded Straightline’s engineering capabilities and product offerings, allowing the company to manufacture nearly every major performance category—including handlebars, controls, risers, grips, handguards, clutching systems, exhaust systems, intake systems, chassis components, electronics, and countless performance accessories.
This strategic growth has positioned Straightline Performance as one of the most diverse powersports aftermarket manufacturers in the world.
Looking Ahead
Nearly three decades after opening its doors, Straightline Performance continues to push the limits of innovation.
With worldwide distribution, an ever-expanding dealer network, advanced engineering capabilities, in-house manufacturing, extensive product testing, and a commitment to producing industry-leading performance products, the company remains focused on one goal:
To become the world’s leading performance manufacturer for the powersports industry.
Although the company has grown tremendously since 1997, the mission has never changed.
Build better products.
Support customers better than anyone else.
Continue earning victories—both on the race course and in the marketplace.
From a family passion to a globally recognized manufacturer, Straightline Performance remains committed to delivering the performance, quality, and innovation that riders have trusted for nearly 30 years.
Copyright 2026 © Straightline Performance
