POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC/MN
S-8, 1996-06-07
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<PAGE>

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 1996
                                                  Registration No. 33-__________

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                              ____________________

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              ____________________

                             POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            MINNESOTA                                       41-1790959
  (state or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                       Identification Number)

                              ____________________

                             1225 Highway 169 North
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441
                                 (612) 542-0500

                          (Address, including zip code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)

                              ____________________

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
                           1996 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

                            (Full title of the plan)
                              ____________________

                       John H. Grunewald, Vice President,
                Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
                             Polaris Industries Inc.
                             1225 Highway 169 North
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55441
                                 (612) 542-0500

           (Name and address, including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                              ____________________

                                   COPIES TO:

                                James C. Melville
                        Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
                  5500 Norwest Center, 90 South Seventh Street
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402
                                 (612) 375-1138 

<PAGE>


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Proposed         Proposed
 Title of                         Maximum          Maximum
Securities       Amount           Offering         Aggregate        Amount of
  to be           to be            Price           Offering        Registration
Registered     Registered(1)     per Share(2)       Price               Fee
- ----------     -------------     ------------    --------------    ------------
Common Stock      500,000          $34.875       $17,437,500.00      $6,012.93
 Par Value 
 $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1)  500,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 
Amended and Restated Polaris Industries Inc. (the "Company") 1996 Restricted 
Stock Plan (the "Plan"). The number of shares of Common Stock stated above 
may be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the Plan in the event 
that, during the period the Plan is in effect, there is effected any increase 
or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a 
subdivision or consolidation of shares or the payment of a stock dividend or 
any other increase or decrease in the number of shares effected without 
receipt of consideration by the Company.  Accordingly, this Registration 
Statement covers, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock stated 
above, an indeterminate number of shares which by reason of any such events 
may be issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

     (2)  Estimated by the registrant solely for the purpose of calculating 
the amount of registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h).  The price per share 
is the average of the high and low prices of the Company's Common Stock as 
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 4, 1996.


                                       2

<PAGE>


                                     PART I

ITEM 1.   PLAN INFORMATION.

          Not required to be filed with the Commission.

ITEM 2.   REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.

          Not required to be filed with the Commission.

                                     PART II

ITEM 3.   INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

          The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Company, are hereby 
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

          (a)  The Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Commission, pursuant to the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

          (b)  All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered 
by the Company's Annual Report referred to in (a) above.

          (c)  A description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the 
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-55769 filed 
with the Commission on September 30, 1994, including Amendment No. 1 filed on 
November 10, 1994 and Amendment No. 2 filed on November 21, 1994.

          All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a 
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby 
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, 
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration 
Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

          Not applicable.


                                       3

<PAGE>


ITEM 5.   INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

          The validity of the shares offered will be passed upon for the 
Company by Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A., Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Andris 
A. Baltins, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, is also a 
member of the law firm Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.  Members of such 
firm beneficially own an aggregate of 69,200 shares of the Company's Common 
Stock. This represents less than 1% of the currently outstanding voting 
shares. 

ITEM 6.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          As permitted by Minnesota law, the Company's Articles of 
Incorporation provide that directors of the Company shall not be personally 
liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of 
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the 
director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii) for acts 
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a 
knowing violation of law, (iii) relating to prohibited dividends or 
distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock, or (iv) for any 
transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

          The Company is required by Minnesota law to indemnify all officers 
and directors of the Company for expenses and liabilities (including 
attorneys' fees) incurred as the result of proceedings against them in 
connection with their capacities as officers or directors.  In order to be 
entitled to indemnification with respect to a purported act or omission, an 
officer or director must (i) have acted in good faith, (ii) have received no 
improper personal benefit, (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, have 
had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct to be unlawful, and (iv) have 
reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best interests of the Company.

ITEM 7.   EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

          Not applicable.

ITEM 8.   EXHIBITS. 

          4.1       Amended and Restated Polaris Industries Inc. 1996 Restricted
                    Stock Plan 

          4.2       Form of Performance Restricted Share Award Agreement

          5         Opinion of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.

          23.1      Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP


                                       4

<PAGE>


          23.2      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

          23.3      Consent of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
                    (included in Exhibit 5)

          24        Powers of Attorney 

ITEM 9.   UNDERTAKINGS

          (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
                    being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
                    Statement:

                    (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
                          of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act");

                    (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                          arising after the effective date of this Registration
                          Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                          thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
                          represent a fundamental change in the information set
                          forth in this Registration Statement;

                    (iii) To include any material information with respect to 
                          the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in 
                          this Registration Statement or any material change to 
                          such information in this Registration Statement;

               provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
               not apply to information required to be included in a post-
               effective amendment by those paragraphs which are contained in
               periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
               or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
               reference in this Registration Statement.

               (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
                    Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
                    be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities
                    offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
                    time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
                    thereof.


                                       5

<PAGE>


               (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
                    amendment any of the securities being registered which
                    remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

          (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
               of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the
               registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
               the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
               employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d)
               of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
               Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration
               Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
               offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
               the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act
               may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
               of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
               otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
               the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
               expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the
               event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
               (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
               paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
               registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
               proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
               person in connection with the securities being registered, the
               registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
               has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
               appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
               indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
               the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
               issue. 


                                       6

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe 
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly 
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of 
Minnesota, on June 5, 1996.

                              POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.


                              By:   /s/ W. Hall Wendel, Jr.
                                 -------------------------------------
                                      W. Hall Wendel, Jr.
                                      Chief Executive Officer

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons 
in the capacities and on the date indicated.

        Signature                      Title                    Date
        ---------                      -----                    ----

  /s/ W. Hall Wendel, Jr.       Principal Executive         June 5, 1996
- ----------------------------    Officer and Director
    W. Hall Wendel, Jr.

  /s/ John H. Grunewald         Principal Financial         June 5, 1996
- ----------------------------    and Accounting Officer
    John H. Grunewald 

             *   
- ----------------------------    Director
     Beverly F. Dolan 


             *   
- ----------------------------    Director
       Robert S. Moe  


             *    
- ----------------------------    Director
      Kenneth D. Larson 


             *     
- ----------------------------    Director
      Stephen G. Shank  


             *     
- ----------------------------    Director
     Gregory R. Palen  


                                       7

<PAGE>


             *     
- ----------------------------  Director
     Andris A. Baltins 


*By     /s/ W. Hall Wendel, Jr.                             June 5, 1996
     ----------------------------
        W. Hall Wendel, Jr.
        Attorney-in-Fact

W. Hall Wendel, Jr., on his own behalf and pursuant to Powers of Attorney, 
dated prior to the date hereof, attested by the directors listed above and 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, by signing his name hereto 
does hereby sign and execute this Registration Statement of Polaris 
Industries, Inc., or amendment thereto, on behalf of each of the directors 
named above.


                                       8

<PAGE>


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                   Sequentially
                                                                     Numbered
                                                                        Page
                                                                    -----------

4.1       Amended and Restated Polaris Industries Inc. 
          1996 Restricted Stock Plan.

4.2       Form of Performance Restricted Stock Award Agreement

5         Opinion of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.

23.1      Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

23.2      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

23.3      Consent of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
          (included in Exhibit 5)

24        Powers of Attorney 



                                       9


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.1
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
                           1996 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

ARTICLE I.  PURPOSE AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN

     1.01  PURPOSE.  The purpose of the Polaris Industries Inc. 1996 
Restricted Stock Plan is to assist the Corporation and its subsidiaries in 
attracting, retaining and motivating selected key management employees who 
will contribute to the Corporation's success.  The Plan is intended to link 
the remunerative benefits paid to eligible employees who have substantial 
responsibility for the successful operation, administration and management of 
the Corporation with the enhancement of shareholder value and to provide 
eligible employees with an opportunity to acquire a greater proprietary 
interest in the Corporation through the grant of restricted shares of Stock 
which, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below, will vest 
only if the employees meet the vesting criteria established by the Committee. 
Awards under the Plan will act as an incentive to participating employees to 
achieve long-term objectives which will inure to the benefit of all 
shareholders of the Corporation.  The Plan authorizes awards intended to 
qualify as "performance-based" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as well as awards that may not so qualify.

     1.02  ADOPTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.  The Plan is effective as of January 
25, 1996, the date of its approval by the Board, subject to the approval of 
the Corporation's shareholders which shareholder approval was obtained as of 
May 9, 1996 at the 1996 annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.

ARTICLE II.  DEFINITIONS

     For purposes of this Plan, the capitalized terms set forth below shall 
have the following meanings:

     2.01  AWARD AGREEMENT means a written agreement between the Corporation 
and a Participant specifically setting forth the terms and conditions of an 
award of Restricted Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Article V of 
the Plan.

     2.02  BOARD means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

     2.03  BUSINESS DAY means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange 
shall be open for trading.

     2.04  CAUSE means a determination by the Committee that a Participant 
has engaged in conduct that is dishonest or illegal, involves moral turpitude 
or jeopardizes the Corporation's right to operate its business in the manner 
in which it is now operated.

<PAGE>


     2.05  CHANGE IN CONTROL means any of the events set forth below:

          (a)  Any election has occurred of persons to the Board that causes at
     least one-half of the Board to consist of persons other than (x) persons
     who were members of the Board on January 1, 1996 and (y) persons who were
     nominated for election by the Board as members of the Board at a time when
     more than one-half of the members of the Board consisted of persons who
     were members of the Board on January 1, 1996; provided, however, that any
     person nominated for election by the Board at a time when at least one-half
     of the members of the Board were persons described in clauses (x) and/or
     (y) or by persons who were themselves nominated by such Board shall, for
     this purpose, be deemed to have been nominated by a Board composed of
     persons described in clause (x) (persons described or deemed described in
     clauses (x) and/or (y) are referred to herein as "Incumbent Directors"); or

          (b)  The acquisition in one or more transactions, other than from the
     Corporation, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
     Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership
     (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of a
     number of Corporation Voting Securities equal to or greater than 35% of the
     Corporation Voting Securities unless such acquisition has been approved by
     the Incumbent Directors as an acquisition not constituting a Change in
     Control for purposes hereof; or 

          (c)  Any of the following:  (x) a liquidation or dissolution of the
     Corporation; (y) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
     Corporation unless, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
     (A) the Corporation is the surviving entity resulting from such
     reorganization, merger or consolidation or (B) at least one-half of the
     Board of the entity resulting from such reorganization, merger or
     consolidation consists of Incumbent Directors; or (z) a sale or other
     disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation
     unless, following such sale or disposition, at least one-half of the Board
     of the transferee consists of Incumbent Directors.

     2.06  COMMITTEE means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such 
other committee of the Board as the Board may designate.

     2.07  CORPORATION means Polaris Industries Inc., a Minnesota 
corporation, and its successors.

     2.08  CORPORATION VOTING SECURITIES means the combined voting power of 
all outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote 
generally in the election of the Board.

     2.09  DATE OF GRANT means the date as of which an award of Restricted 
Stock is granted in accordance with Article V.  


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


     2.10  DISABILITY means any physical or mental injury or disease of a 
permanent nature which renders a Participant incapable of meeting the 
requirements of the employment performed by such Participant immediately 
prior to the commencement of such disability.  The determination of whether a 
Participant is disabled shall be made by the Committee in its sole and 
absolute discretion.

     2.11  EFFECTIVE DATE means January 25, 1996.

     2.12  EXCHANGE ACT means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     2.13  FAIR MARKET VALUE means, as of any given date, (i) if the Stock is 
listed on a national securities exchange or is authorized for quotation on 
the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.'s NASDAQ National Market 
System ("NASDAQ/NMS"), the closing price, regular way, of the Stock on such 
exchange or NASDAQ/NMS, as the case may be, or if no such reported sale of 
the Stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next preceding date on 
which there was such a reported sale; or (ii) if the Stock is not listed for 
trading on a national securities exchange or authorized for quotation on 
NASDAQ/NMS, the closing bid price as reported by the National Association of 
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), or if no such 
prices shall have been so reported for such date, on the next preceding date 
for which such prices were so reported; or (iii) if the Stock is not listed 
for trading on a national securities exchange or authorized for quotation on 
NASDAQ, the last reported bid price published in the "pink sheets" or 
displayed on the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, as the case may be; or (iv) 
if the Stock is not listed for trading on a national securities exchange, or 
is not authorized for quotation on NASDAQ/NMS or NASDAQ, or is not published 
in the "pink sheets" or displayed on the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, the 
Fair Market Value of the Stock as determined in good faith by the Committee.

     2.14  OUTSTANDING STOCK means, at any time, the issued and outstanding 
Stock.

     2.15  PARTICIPANT means any person selected by the Committee, pursuant 
to Section 3.02, to participate under the Plan.

     2.16  PLAN means the Polaris Industries Inc. 1996 Restricted Stock Plan, 
as the same may be amended from time to time.

     2.17  RESTRICTED STOCK means shares of Stock awarded to a Participant 
subject to restrictions as described in Article V.

     2.18  STOCK means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the 
Corporation.

ARTICLE III.  ADMINISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION

     3.01 ADMINISTRATION.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee 
which shall have exclusive and final authority and discretion in each 
determination, interpretation or other action affecting the Plan and its 
Participants.  The Committee 


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


shall have the sole and absolute authority and discretion to interpret the 
Plan, to establish and modify administrative rules for the Plan, to select, 
in accordance with Section 3.02, the persons who will be Participants 
hereunder, to impose, in accordance with Section 5.01, such conditions and 
restrictions as it determines appropriate and to take such other actions and 
makes such other determinations in connection with the Plan as it may deem 
necessary or advisable.

     3.02  DESIGNATION OF PARTICIPANTS.  Participants in the Plan shall be 
such employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as the Committee, in 
its sole discretion, may designate.  The Committee's designation of a 
Participant with respect to any calendar year shall not require the Committee 
to designate such person as a Participant with respect to any other calendar 
year.  The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems pertinent in 
selecting Participants.

ARTICLE IV.  STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN

     4.01  NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK ISSUABLE.  Subject to adjustments as 
provided in Section 6.03, the maximum number of shares of Stock available for 
issuance under the Plan shall be 500,000.  The Stock to be offered under the 
Plan shall be authorized and unissued Stock, or Stock which shall have been 
reacquired by the Corporation and held in its treasury.  In any calendar 
year, no Participant shall receive awards in excess of 250,000 shares of 
Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 6.03.

     4.02  SHARES SUBJECT TO TERMINATED AWARDS.  Shares of Stock forfeited as 
provided in Section 5.02 may again be issued under the Plan.

ARTICLE V.  RESTRICTED STOCK

     5.01  RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.  The Committee may grant to any 
Participant an award of Restricted Stock in respect of such number of shares 
of Stock, and subject to such terms and conditions relating to forfeitability 
and restrictions on delivery and transfer (whether based on performance 
standards, periods of service or otherwise), as the Committee shall determine 
in its sole discretion. The terms of all such Restricted Stock awards shall 
be set forth in an Award Agreement between the Corporation and the 
Participant which shall contain such provisions, not inconsistent with this 
Plan, as shall be determined by the Committee.

          (a)  ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED STOCK.  As soon as practicable after the
     Date of Grant of Restricted Stock, the Corporation shall cause to be
     transferred on the books of the Corporation shares of Stock, registered on
     behalf of the Participant, evidencing such Restricted Stock, but subject to
     forfeiture to the Corporation retroactive to the Date of Grant if an Award
     Agreement delivered to the Participant by the Corporation with respect to
     the Restricted Stock is not duly executed by the Participant and timely
     returned to the Corporation.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise,
     until the lapse or release of all restrictions applicable to an award of
     Restricted Stock (i) the stock certificates representing such Restricted
     Stock shall be held in custody by the Corporation or its designee, 


                                      -4-

<PAGE>


     (ii) such certificates shall be deemed not delivered to the Participant and
     (iii) no Participant shall have any interest with respect to such
     Restricted Stock except as expressly provided herein or in the applicable
     Award Agreement.  

          (b)  SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.  Beginning on the Date of Grant of the
     Restricted Stock and subject to execution of the Award Agreement as
     provided in Section 5.01(a), the Participant shall become a shareholder of
     the Corporation with respect to all Stock subject to the Award Agreement
     and shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including, but not
     limited to, the right to vote such Stock and, unless the Committee provides
     otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, the right to receive dividends
     and other distributions paid with respect to such Stock; provided, however,
     that, if the Committee provides in the applicable Award Agreement that the
     Participant shall be entitled to receive any Stock distributed as a
     dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock as to which the
     restrictions have not yet lapsed, such Stock shall be subject to the same
     restrictions as such Restricted Stock and shall be held as prescribed in
     Section 5.01(a).

          (c)  RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERABILITY.  None of the Restricted Stock may
     be assigned, transferred (other than by will or the laws of descent and
     distribution), pledged, sold or otherwise disposed of prior to lapse or
     release of the restrictions applicable thereto.

          (d)  DELIVERY OF STOCK UPON RELEASE OF RESTRICTIONS. Upon expiration
     or earlier termination of the forfeiture period without a forfeiture, and
     the satisfaction of or release from any other conditions prescribed by the
     Committee, the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock shall 
     lapse. As promptly as administratively feasible thereafter, subject to the
     requirements of Section 6.02, the Corporation shall deliver to the
     Participant or, in case of the Participant's death, to the Participant's
     legal representatives, one or more stock certificates for the appropriate
     number of shares of Stock, free of all such restrictions, except for any
     restrictions that may be imposed by law.

     5.02  TERMS OF RESTRICTED STOCK.

          (a)  FORFEITURE OF RESTRICTED STOCK.  Subject to Section 5.02(b) and
     the last sentence of this Section 5.02(a), all Restricted Stock shall be
     forfeited and returned to the Corporation and all rights of the Participant
     with respect to such Restricted Stock shall cease and terminate in their
     entirety if during the forfeiture period the employment of the Participant
     with the Corporation and its affiliates terminates for any reason.  The
     Committee, in its sole discretion, shall establish the forfeiture period
     for each grant of Restricted Stock, and may provide for the forfeiture
     period to lapse in installments.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the
     Committee provides otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, in the
     event of the discharge by the Corporation or an affiliate of a Participant
     without Cause or termination of a Participant's employment by reason of
     death, Disability or retirement pursuant to the retirement policy of the
     Corporation or an affiliate, 


                                      -5-

<PAGE>


     all forfeiture restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock shall immediately 
     and fully lapse.  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all 
     forfeiture restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock shall immediately 
     and fully lapse.

          (b)  WAIVER OF FORFEITURE PERIOD.  Notwithstanding anything contained
     in this Article V to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole
     discretion, waive the forfeiture conditions set forth in any Award
     Agreement under appropriate circumstances and subject to such terms and
     conditions (including forfeiture of a proportionate number of the shares of
     Restricted Stock) as the Committee may deem appropriate, provided that the
     Participant shall at that time have completed at least one year of
     employment after the Date of Grant.

ARTICLE VI.  MISCELLANEOUS  

     6.01  LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER.  The rights and interest of a Participant 
under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred other than by will or the 
laws of descent and distribution.  During the lifetime of a Participant, only 
the Participant personally may exercise rights under the Plan.

     6.02  TAXES.  The Corporation shall be entitled to withhold (or secure 
payment from the Participant in lieu of withholding) the amount of any 
withholding or other tax required by law to be withheld or paid by the 
Corporation with respect to any Stock issuable under this Plan, or with 
respect to any income recognized upon the lapse of restrictions applicable to 
Restricted Stock, and the Corporation may defer issuance of Stock hereunder 
until and unless indemnified to its satisfaction against any liability for 
any such tax. The amount of such withholding or tax payment shall be 
determined by the Committee or its delegate and shall be payable by the 
Participant at such time as the Committee determines. The Committee shall 
prescribe in each Award Agreement one or more methods by which the 
Participant will be permitted to satisfy his or her tax withholding 
obligation, which methods may include, without limitation, the payment of 
cash by the Participant to the Corporation and the tendering of previously 
acquired shares of Stock of the Participant, or the withholding, at the 
appropriate time, of shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant, 
in a number sufficient, based upon the Fair Market Value of such Stock, to 
satisfy such tax withholding requirements. The Committee shall be authorized, 
in its sole discretion, to establish such rules and procedures relating to 
any such withholding methods as it deems necessary or appropriate, including, 
without limitation, rules and procedures relating to elections by 
Participants who are subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange 
Act to tender Stock or to have Stock withheld to meet such tax withholding 
obligations.

     6.03  ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CAPITAL CHANGES.  The amount and kind of 
Stock available for issuance under the Plan and the limit on the number of 
shares of Stock in respect of which awards may be made to any Participant in 
any calendar year shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock 
dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, 
consolidation or other change in capitalization with a similar substantive 
effect upon the Plan.  The Committee shall have the power and sole 


                                      -6-

<PAGE>


discretion to determine the nature and amount of the adjustment, if any, to 
be made pursuant to this Section 6.03.

     6.04  NO RIGHT TO AWARD; NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT.  No employee or other 
person shall have any claim of right to be permitted to participate or be 
granted an award under this Plan.  Neither the Plan nor any action taken 
hereunder shall be construed as giving any employee any right to be retained 
in the employ of the Corporation.

     6.05  AWARDS NOT INCLUDABLE FOR BENEFIT PURPOSES.  Income recognized by 
a Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall not be included in 
the determination of benefits under any employee pension benefit plan (as 
such term is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974, as amended) or group insurance or other benefit plans 
applicable to the Participant which are maintained by the Corporation, except 
as may be provided under the terms of such plans or determined by resolution 
of the Board.

     6.06  GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan and all determinations made and actions 
taken pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of 
Minnesota other than the conflict of laws provisions of such laws, and shall 
be construed in accordance therewith.

     6.07  NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION.  No rule of strict construction shall be 
implied against the Corporation, the Committee, or any other person in the 
interpretation of any of the terms of the Plan, any award granted under the 
Plan or any rule or procedure established by the Committee.

     6.08  CAPTIONS.  The captions (i.e., all Section and subsection 
headings) used in the Plan are for convenience only, do not constitute a part 
of the Plan, and shall not be deemed to limit, characterize or affect in any 
way any provisions of the Plan, and all provisions of the Plan shall be 
construed as if no captions had been used in the Plan.

     6.09  SEVERABILITY.  Whenever possible, each provision in the Plan and 
every Award Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective 
and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of the Plan or any Award 
Agreement shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, 
then (a) such provision shall be deemed amended to accomplish the objectives 
of the provision as originally written to the fullest extent permitted by law 
and (b) all other provisions of the Plan and every Award Agreement shall 
remain in full force and effect.

     6.10  LEGENDS.  All certificates for Stock delivered under the Plan 
shall be subject to such transfer restrictions set forth in the Plan and such 
other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, 
regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 
any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed and any applicable 
federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or 
legends to be endorsed on any such certificates making appropriate references 
to such restrictions.


                                      -7-

<PAGE>


     6.11  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.

          (a)  AMENDMENT.  The Board shall have complete power and authority to
     amend the Plan at any time it is deemed necessary or appropriate.  No
     termination or amendment of the Plan may, without the consent of the
     Participant to whom any award shall theretofore have been granted under the
     Plan, adversely affect the right of such individual under such award;
     provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, make
     such provision in the Award Agreement for amendments which, in its sole
     discretion, it deems appropriate.

          (b)  TERMINATION.  The Board shall have the right and the power to
     terminate the Plan at any time.  Unless sooner terminated by action of the
     Board, the Plan shall automatically terminate, without further action of
     the Board or the Corporation's shareholders, on the tenth anniversary of
     the Effective Date.  No award shall be granted under the Plan after the
     termination of the Plan, but the termination of the Plan shall not have any
     other effect and any award outstanding at the time of the termination of
     the Plan shall continue in effect in accordance with its terms as if the
     Plan has not terminated. 


                                      -8-


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.2

                   PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT

                                 As of May 8, 1996


          The parties to this Performance Restricted Share Award Agreement 
(this "Agreement") are Polaris Industries Inc., a Minnesota corporation 
("Polaris"), and _______________, an individual employee of Polaris or a 
subsidiary of Polaris (the "Employee").

          Polaris adopted and maintains the Polaris Industries Inc. Amended 
and Restated 1996 Restricted Stock Plan (the "Plan"), under which restricted 
shares of the common stock, par value $0.01, of Polaris ("Common Stock"), may 
be awarded to employees of Polaris and its subsidiaries by action of the 
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of Polaris's Board of Directors (the 
"Board").  The parties hereto desire to set forth in this Agreement their 
respective rights and obligations with respect to an award to the Employee of 
restricted shares of Common Stock approved by the Committee as of the date 
hereof.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement, unless otherwise 
defined herein, have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Plan. 

          In consideration of the covenants set forth in this Agreement, and 
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   AWARD OF RESTRICTED SHARES.

               (a)  Polaris hereby confirms the grant to the Employee, as of 
the date first above written (the "Award Date"), of _________ shares of 
Common Stock (the "Restricted Shares"), subject to the restrictions and other 
terms and conditions set forth herein.

               (b)  As soon as practicable after the Award Date, Polaris 
shall cause one or more stock certificates representing the Restricted Shares 
to be registered in the name of the Employee.  Such stock certificate or 
certificates shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other 
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, 
regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed and any 
applicable federal or state securities law, and may cause a legend or legends 
to be placed on such certificate or certificates to make appropriate 
reference to such restrictions.  In addition, each certificate representing 
the Restricted Shares shall bear the following legend (the "Agreement 
Legend"):

               The transferability of this certificate and the shares
               represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions
               (including forfeiture) of a Performance Restricted Share Award
               Agreement entered into 

<PAGE>


               between the registered owner and Polaris Industries Inc.  
               Copies of such Agreement are on file in the offices of Polaris 
               Industries Inc., 1225 Highway 169 North, Minneapolis, 
               Minnesota 55441.

               Until the Restricted Period (as hereinafter defined in 
Paragraph 3) with respect to the Restricted Shares shall have lapsed (i) the 
certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Shares shall be held 
in custody by the Secretary of Polaris, (ii) such certificates shall be 
deemed not delivered to the Employee and (iii) the Employee shall have no 
interest with respect to the Restricted Shares except as expressly provided 
herein and in the Plan. Simultaneously, with the execution and delivery of 
this Agreement, the Employee shall deliver to Polaris one or more stock 
powers endorsed in blank relating to the Restricted Shares.  Upon expiration 
of the restrictions applicable to all or any portion of the Restricted 
Shares, subject to Paragraph 5, Polaris shall deliver or cause to be 
delivered to the Employee a certificate or certificates without the Agreement 
Legend for those shares to which the restrictions shall have expired.  Upon 
forfeiture, in accordance with Paragraph 4, of all or any portion of the 
Restricted Shares, the certificate or certificates representing the forfeited 
Restricted Shares shall be canceled.

          2.   RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO RESTRICTED SHARES.

               (a)  Beginning on the Award Date, the Employee shall have all 
rights and privileges of a stockholder of Polaris with respect to the 
Restricted Shares except as follows:

                    (i)  dividends and other distributions paid with
          respect to the Restricted Shares during the Restricted
          Period shall be disposed of in accordance with Paragraph
          2(c); and

                    (ii)  none of the Restricted Shares may be sold,
          transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of
          during the Restricted Period other than by will or the laws of descent
          and distribution; and

                    (iii)  all or a portion of the Restricted Shares
          may be forfeited in accordance with Paragraph 4.

               (b)  Any attempt to dispose of Restricted Shares in a manner 
contrary to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement shall be null, void 
and ineffective.  If and when the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 2 
lapse in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as to the Restricted 
Shares, such shares shall no longer be considered Restricted Shares for 
purposes of this Agreement.


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


               (c)  The Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally 
assigns to Polaris any and all cash and non-cash dividends and other 
distributions paid with respect to the Restricted Shares during the 
Restricted Period; provided, however, that any Common Stock distributed as a 
dividend or otherwise with respect to the Restricted Shares during the 
Restricted Period shall not be subject to such assignment, shall be subject 
to the same restrictions as the Restricted Shares and shall be held as 
prescribed in Paragraph 1(b).

          3.   RESTRICTED PERIOD.

               (a)  The restrictions set forth in Paragraph 2 shall apply for 
a period (the "Restricted Period") from the Award Date until such Restricted 
Period lapses as follows:

                    (i)  the Restricted Period shall lapse as to all
          of the Restricted Shares as of the third anniversary of the
          Award Date provided that the sum of the Earnings Per Share
          for fiscal years 1996, 1997 and 1998 equals or exceeds
          $8.28, which represents a 12% compound annual growth rate
          for such three fiscal years in Earnings Per Share over
          Earnings Per Share of $2.19 for fiscal year 1995; and

                    (ii)  if the Restricted Period does not lapse as
          of the third anniversary of the Award Date pursuant to
          clause (i), the Restricted Period shall lapse as to all of
          the Restricted Shares as of the fourth anniversary of the
          Award Date provided that the sum of the Earnings Per Share
          for fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 equals or exceeds
          $11.73, which represents a 12% compound annual growth rate
          for such four fiscal years in Earnings Per Share over
          Earnings Per Share over Earnings Per Share of $2.19 for
          fiscal year 1995

For purposes of this Agreement, "Earnings Per Share" shall mean the primary 
earnings per share of Polaris and its subsidiaries for a fiscal year as 
reported in Polaris's audited financial statement for such fiscal year.

               (b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Period 
shall lapse as to all Restricted Shares upon the occurrence of a Change in 
Control (as defined in the Plan).

          4.   FORFEITURE.  All rights of the Employee to the Restricted 
Shares as to which the Restricted Period shall not have lapsed shall 
terminate and be forfeited 


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


effective as of the earlier of (i) the day after the fourth anniversary of 
the Award Date or (ii) the date the Employee's employment with Polaris 
terminates for any reason.

          5.   TAX WITHHOLDING.  Polaris shall be entitled to withhold from 
any cash payments due to the Employee from Polaris (or secure payment from 
the Employee in lieu of withholding) the amount of any withholding or other 
tax required by law to be withheld or paid by Polaris with respect to any 
income recognized by the Employee with respect to the Restricted Shares, and 
Polaris may defer issuance of any and all shares of Common Stock otherwise 
issuable to the Employee under the Plan until and unless indemnified to its 
satisfaction against any liability for any such tax.  The amount of such 
withholding or tax payment shall be determined by the Committee or its 
delegate and shall be payable by the Employee at such time as the Committee 
determines.  The Employee may elect to satisfy all or any portion of his or 
her tax withholding obligation by the withholding, at the appropriate time, 
of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Employee in a number 
sufficient, based upon the fair market value of such shares, to satisfy such 
tax withholding requirements.  The Committee shall be authorized, in its sole 
discretion, to establish such rules and procedures relating to such 
withholding of shares of Common Stock as it deems necessary or appropriate.

          6.   ASSIGNMENT; NATURE OF CORPORATION'S OBLIGATIONS.  This 
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and 
representatives of the Employee and the assigns and successors of Polaris, 
but neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable or 
otherwise subject to transfer or pledge by the Employee.

          7.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement constitutes the 
entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and 
shall supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, 
between the parties with respect thereto.  This Agreement may be amended at 
any time by written agreement of the parties hereto.

          8.   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement and its validity, 
interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by the laws of 
the State of Minnesota other than the conflict of laws provisions of such 
laws.

          9.   SEVERABILITY.  If, for any reason, any provision of this 
Agreement is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other 
provision of this Agreement not so held invalid, and each such other 
provision shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force 
and effect.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid in 
part, such invalidity shall in no way affect the rest of such provision not 
held so invalid, and the rest of such provision, together with all other 
provisions of this Agreement, shall to the full extent consistent with law 
continue in full force and effect.


                                      -4-

<PAGE>


          10.  CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.  This Agreement shall not confer upon 
the Employee any right with respect to continuance of employment by Polaris.

          11.  CERTAIN REFERENCES.  References to the Employee in any 
provision of this Agreement under circumstances where the provision should 
logically be construed to apply to the Employee's executors or the 
administrators, or the person or persons to whom all or any portion of the 
Restricted Shares may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and 
distribution, such references to the Employee shall be deemed to include such 
person or persons.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Polaris has caused this Agreement to be duly 
executed and the Employee has hereunto set his hand effective as of the day 
and year first above written.

                              POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.


                              By:  _________________________________

                              Title: ________________________________


                              EMPLOYEE

                              ______________________________________ 


<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 5

                                  [LETTERHEAD]


                                  June 5, 1996


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 - 5th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

     RE:  POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.
          REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is furnished in connection with the Registration Statement 
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission by Polaris Industries Inc. (the "Company") covering 
500,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 of the Company (the "Common 
Stock"), reserved for issuance under the Amended and Restated Polaris 
Industries Inc. 1996 Restricted Stock Plan (the "Plan").

     We have acted as counsel to the Company and, as such, have examined the 
Company's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and such other corporate records 
and documents as we have considered relevant and necessary for the purpose of 
this opinion.  We have participated in the preparation and filing of the 
Registration Statement.  We are familiar with the proceedings taken by the 
Company with respect to the authorization and proposed issuance of shares of 
Common Stock pursuant to the Plan as contemplated by the Registration 
Statement.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and 
in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

     2.   The Company has corporate authority to issue the shares of Common 
Stock covered by the Registration Statement.

<PAGE>


Securities and Exchange Commission
June 5, 1996
Page 2


     3.   The 500,000 shares of Common Stock proposed to be issued under the 
Plan as described in the Registration Statement will, when issued pursuant to 
the terms of the Plan, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and 
non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration 
Statement.

                              Sincerely,

                              KAPLAN, STRANGIS AND KAPLAN, P.A.


                              By:     /s/ James C. Melville
                                 ---------------------------------
                                        James C. Melville


<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 of our reports, dated February 2, 1995, on the 
financial statements and Schedule II of Polaris Industries Inc. for the year 
ended December 31, 1994, which reports were included in the Polaris 
Industries Inc. 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                         /s/  McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 5, 1996


<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we consent to the incorporation by 
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated January 31, 
1996, included in Polaris Industries Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1995 and to all references to our firm included in this 
Registration Statement.

                                         /s/  Arthur Andersen LLP
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 5, 1996


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC., a 
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and each of the undersigned directors 
of the Company, hereby constitutes and appoints W. Hall Wendel, Jr. and John 
H. Grunewald and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) 
its/his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for it/him/her and on 
it/his/her behalf and in its/his/her name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities to sign, execute, affix its/his/her seal thereto and file a 
Registration Statement on Form S-8 or any other applicable form under the 
Securities Act of 1933 and amendments thereto, including pre-effective and 
post-effective amendments, with all exhibits and any and all documents 
required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory authority, 
relating to the proposed registration of up to 500,000 shares of the 
Company's Common Stock, par value $.01, issuable under the Company's 1996 
Restricted Stock Plan.

     There is hereby granted to said attorneys, and each of them, full power 
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and 
necessary to be done in respect of the foregoing as fully as it/he/she or 
itself/himself/herself might or could do if personally present, hereby 
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any 
of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney may be executed in any number of counterparts, 
each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall 
constitute one and the same instrument and any of the undersigned directors 
may execute this Power of Attorney by signing any such counterpart.

     POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC. has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed 
in its name by its Chief Executive Officer on the 25th day of January 1996.

                              POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.



                              By      /s/ Hall Wendel
                                 ----------------------------
                                     W. Hall Wendel, Jr.
                                     Chief Executive Officer 

<PAGE>


     The undersigned, directors of POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC., have hereunto set
their hands as of the 25th day of January 1996. 


      /s/ Hall Wendel                   /s/ Stephen G. Shank
- ------------------------------      ------------------------------
     W. Hall Wendel, Jr.                   Stephen G. Shank


   /s/  Beverly F. Dolan                /s/ Gregory R. Palen
- ------------------------------      ------------------------------
      Beverly F. Dolan                     Gregory R. Palen


      /s/ Robert S. Moe                 /s/ Andris A. Baltins
- ------------------------------      ------------------------------
        Robert S. Moe                      Andris A. Baltins


   /s/ Kenneth D. Larson
- ------------------------------
     Kenneth D. Larson


                                D I R E C T O R S


                                       2



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