The 2008 model year saw the introduction of the RANGER RZR 800, the first Sport Side-by-Side with razor-sharp performance. With its 50-inch, trail-capable width, fastest acceleration, patented design that put the engine behind the seat for the lowest center of gravity and agile handling, the RANGER RZR 800 changed the entire Side-by-Side category.

For 2009, Polaris introduced the pure-sport RANGER RZR S 800 that offered an 800 H.O. engine for more speed and power, and a premium long-travel suspension for the dunes, desert and wide-open spaces.

Model year 2010 saw the first Robby Gordon Edition RANGER RZR 4 800, the world’s only four-seat sport Side-by-Side that offered Razor Sharp Performance for 4.

“Model Year 2011 continues the undisputed leadership with improvements across the RANGER RZR line,” said Matt Homan, president and general manager of Polaris’ Off-Road division. “Polaris was the first manufacturer to offer Side-by-Sides that offered razor-sharp performance and we will continue to innovate and lead the category.”

For 2011, The RANGER RZR family receives aggressive front-end styling that increases cooling airflow area by 29 percent, with new side protection for easier ingress and egress, a new in-cab accessible glove box, High/Low headlights for increased night visibility, and a new fuel management system coupled with a new tank that offers a 30 percent improvement in range with better slow speed drive-ability. Quality improvements include better clutch/belt cooling, improved front and rear drive durability and sealed dash switches. The units also will feature new easier-to-use side nets.

The RANGER RZR 800 will offer more razor sharp trail performance with six percent more power in 2011 with the addition of an 800 H.O. engine giving the RANGER RZR 800 53hp and quicker acceleration corner-to-corner. Built for the trail, the RANGER RZR 800 also will include new trail-friendly rear rack extenders to make it easier and more convenient to carry more gear. For hunters, Polaris also will offer the vehicle in the new Polaris Pursuit Camouflage pattern.

For 2011, the RANGER RZR S 800 will continue to offer all the razor-sharp performance features off-road enthusiasts have come to love: long-travel suspension, the fastest acceleration with a 63 mph/101.4 kph top speed, superior ergonomics and On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive for ultimate traction. Along with the full-line improvements, the RANGER RZR S 800 also will receive new ITP 900 XCT tires, big bore shocks and will be available in two premium painted editions along with a standard edition, which will receive a new lower price.

The RANGER RZR S 800 is the first vehicle to feature the ITP 900 XCT brand tires as standard equipment. ITP is the No. 1 aftermarket tire and wheel brand that is well-respected in the industry. The new tires were built for high-performance, cross country trail riding, and feature a knobby, aggressive tread pattern for even more impressive cornering ability. They’re perfect for rough, rocky desert terrain where the RANGER RZR S 800 thrives. Coupled with the new Sachs shocks that have a 2-inch bore providing greater cooling capacity and improved fade resistance for a smoother, more agile ride, the 2011 RANGER RZR S 800 will continue to be the choice of performance-minded, off-road enthusiasts.

Introduced last model year, the RANGER RZR 4 800 was the first multi-passenger sport Side-by-Side and the industry’s only four-seat, high performance machine. For 2011, the RANGER RZR 4 800 will be available in two Robby Gordon packages, a painted black and red limited edition and a power steering version that includes Robby Gordon-inspired graphics.

Polaris also will offer the following Limited Editions: RANGER RZR 800 EPS Orange Madness, RANGER RZR 800 Indy Red/White, RANGER RZR 800 Sonic Blue/White, RANGER RZR S 800 Gloss Black Carbon Fiber/Orange Madness and RANGER RZR S 800 Gloss Black Carbon/Indy Red.

Visit RZRForums.net for all your Polaris Ranger RZR discussions: http://www.rzrforums.net/

Polaris officially dropped their new 2011 lineup on us today! Although their aren’t any drastic changes to the performance numbers, they have made some nice cosmetic and ergonomic changes. Checkout the videos below and stay tuned for a complete press release.

It was perhaps the most anticipated and long awaited performance UTV launch in the history of the UTV category. With rumors running rampant for months and in some cases years of a forthcoming performance UTV from Can-am, the Commander is finally reality and the UTV community is salivating and awaiting its arrival in dealerships this fall. Fortunately, if all goes to plan at Holz Racing Products, you won’t have to do the same when it comes to the latest suspension, chassis and performance parts for the Can-am Commander.

Holz Racing Products is now ready to tip their hand too, giving interested early Commander buyers a first look at the Holz Long Travel Suspension Kit for the Can-Am Commander. In addition to the long travel kit, Holz is also developing other Commander performance products such as Half Doors, Rock Sliders, Front and Rear Bumpers, a Skid Plate Kit and more. Working with Team Motoworks, a Can-Am equipped off-road racing effort based out of Vista, California; Mark Holz designed and developed the all-inclusive long travel kit earlier this spring. Since that time, the kit has been exposed to on-going testing by the Motoworks team.

“We designed the long travel kit to be a simple bolt-in solution,” said Mark Holz, owner of Holz Racing Products. “Just like our successful and respected Polaris RZR Long Travel +4 Kit, the Commander Kit will include all necessary hardware in one complete package.”

Like virtually all Holz Racing Products, the Holz Commander Long Travel Suspension kit will feature precision, made in the USA craftsmanship and will undergo rigorous testing both on the track and off to ensure quality is industry leading. To achieve such high standards, the Holz Commander Long Travel Suspension Kit will feature tig-welded, chromoly construction; will include necessary hardware such as tie-rod extensions, longer brake lines and axle shafts; and will be finished in a durable black powder coat.

While final details and pricing are being ironed out at this time, Holz and his crew of precision fabricators are pleased with the results thus far and are on-target to deliver the Commander Long Travel Kit to market in unison with the Can-am Commander arriving in dealerships this fall.

“We are working through the final details now,” said Holz. “The performance of the kit even in its early stages was very good, now we’re working on final calibrations.”

As those calibrations are completed, Holz Racing Products is also busy working on additional Commander products including skid-plates, rock sliders, half doors, bumpers and more. Holz is hoping to have many of those products available as the Commander arrives in dealerships this fall.

For more information on Holz Racing Products or to sign-up for their newsletter to stay abreast of the latest developments visit their website at www.holzracingproducts.com and click on UTV products or you can discuss this kit directly with them at CommanderForums.org!

About Holz Racing Products:
For the past 10 years, Holz Racing Products has engineered and extreme tested the finest quality, most effective performance parts available for UTV, ATV and snowmobile applications. Manufactured in the USA and race tested around the world, HRP leads the field in Polaris, Ski-doo, Can-Am, Kawasaki and Honda accessories and performance products. For more information visit their website at www.holzracingproducts.com or call 360-398-7006.

In this ever changing world, the option to have a utility vehicle to meet a wide array of demands is more appealing than ever. Purchasing a vehicle purely as a toy might fit a few, but imagine a functional machine that also packs enough punch for weekend fun! Kawasaki’s motto for the Teryx has been, “Unleash your inner outlaw” and it will do just that. So, when faced with the ultimate showdown between work and play, the Teryx should be your weapon of choice for this duel! When the dust settles and the fun begins, the Kawasaki Teryx will be your Huckleberry.

So what better place to test the Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport than in the great Southwest! Where there are miles of wide open places, dusty trails, rugged terrain and scattered old ghost towns. Any outlaw should feel at home here and we put the Teryx through the ringer to see if it did just that.

Our test Teryx Sport is considered as the hot rod of the Kawasaki RUV (Recreation Utility Vehicle) family, but don’t let the Sport badge fool you. This workhorse has a tilting cargo bed that has a 500-pound capacity and its reinforced bed frame offers maximum rigidity for excellent durability. Don’t think the bed is just for hard labor, it also makes for a pretty nice table or seat for tailgating while out on the trail or around the campfire. This feature was very popular, especially around other UTV owners in the gang as they were left standing while I had the luxury to kick back and relax. Another big utility oriented feature that comes standard on the Teryx is the full size 2” receiver hitch. This sounds like a no brainer, but there are other UTV’s on the market that come with a puny 1 1/4” receiver. With the Teryx you can quickly connect any 2” sized hitch that you might have laying around from your car or truck and tow up to 1,300 lbs of sweat equity or even your most prized possession. 1,300 lbs is a significant amount, but at the heart of this trusty steed is a 749cc SOHC, liquid-cooled, four-valve-per-cylinder fuel-injected, 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin engine. This air ingesting, gasoline pumping power plant will give you enough giddy-up-and-go to scoot through the country or pull those hefty loads with ease. Pulling might be one thing, but stopping is another! The dual front 200mm disc brakes are clinched by rigid-mount 27mm twin-piston calipers and provide powerful, fade-free braking. The rear brakes are sealed in an oil-bathed multi-disc system that provides worry free braking in almost any condition. Since the rear brakes are sealed to outside contaminants, there is less maintenance and reliable braking while in the dirt, muck or snow.

Whether you’re talking utility or sport, a solid 4wheel drive system is a must. Kawasaki has done a great job of integrating an adjustable and durable 4 wheel drive system into this platform.  There is a conveniently located 4WD switch on the dash for moderate duty.  Also, there is a variable front differential lever next to the gear shifter to distribute torque equally to the front wheels for maximum traction. The rear gear case keeps the rear wheels locked and turning together for maximum forward thrust and performance. All of this combined with lightweight alloy wheels, 26” tall Maxxis tires and multi-adjustable gas-charged shocks, make for a smooth ride across a wide array of rough, off-road terrain. The Teryx also boasts 11.6 inches of ground clearance and a width of 58.5 inches. This wide track provides for a stable ride while cornering on uneven terrain, but is still narrow enough to fit in a standard pickup truck bed, a win-win!

Packed to the gills or parked on a hill? Not to worry, the Teryx also comes equipped with a parking brake.  You will never yank the gear selector and cringe at the sound of grinding cogs! There is also a safety built into the parking brake when it is engaged. This is a feature that keeps the operator in-tune with the vehicle and extends the life of the parking brake.

Another creature comfort that the Teryx excels in is the seating position. The seating position enables you to clearly see all the obstacles in front, on the side and directly behind. It’s ideal for ingress and egress and there is no wasted time by “crawling” into the vehicle. The seats themselves lack a little if you’re sport oriented, but they do the trick for utility minded folks. Same goes for the non-tilting steering wheel. The fixed position isn’t bad for my 6′1 frame, however it could be awkward for others and should be adjustable in the sport model. Storage is another plus. There is a lot of accessible space in it compared to the competition. The glove box on the passenger side is large, seals well and is easy to reach. The slide-away cup holder is a neat feature as it is centrally located, high up on the dash and can be stowed away when not in use.

The digital display is nicely organized and is easy to read. It’s standard on all models and allows you to keep track of the following vitals:

• digital speedometer (mph or kph)
• clock
• dual trip meters
• 2WD/4WD indicator
• water temperature and fuel-injection warning indicators
• digital fuel gauge
• hour meter
• parking brake indicator
• CVT belt warning
• neutral and reverse indicators
• low oil pressure warning lights

Hopefully, one would never have to lift the hood, but in the event that this is needed, the Teryx will accommodate. A hinged, forward-tilting front hood and headlight assembly make accessing the front of the vehicle a breeze! This makes for effortless access to the radiator and front suspension components for maintenance and suspension tuning. The hood and the rest of the exterior bodywork is constructed of Thermoplastic Olefin, which has a high-gloss finish and is more scratch resistant than polyethylene. So it has utility, sport and looks – a triple threat!

With all these great appointments and features, the Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport is well rounded and is worthy of the UTV name that it is synonymous with. It is a true Utility Terrain Vehicle that can be used for work, sport or just plain fun! If all the above features aren’t enough, Kawasaki has an entire lineup of useful accessories that can be purchased on Kawasaki’s website or ordered and installed at your local dealer.

So enough talk, it’s time to see the 2010 Kawasaki Teryx sport in action! Kickback, relax and enjoy the following video in High-Definition clarity:

Have more questions? Please visit us over at TeryxForums.net for all discussions pertaining to the Kawasaki Teryx!

Incredible new styling for 2010 is available in 14” or 15” applications on atvs and utvs. The wheel comes in machined midnight black paint and original army green. The Motogrip Radial is a DOT approved 14” and 15” tire that is sure to please. Like nothing else on the market, MSA and EFX continue to re-invent what you thought wasn’t possible for ATV wheels and tires, by encompassing the highest level of safety, and flawless styling you won’t find ANYWHERE else. MotoSport Alloys and EFX Tires continue to push the envelope of what our enthusiasts are craving.

The Diesel is available in the following sizes:
15×7” with a +10mm
14×7” with a +10mm

FITMENTS:
4×110 | 4×137 | 4×156

EFX Motogrip Radial:

26×9x14R
26×11x14R
26×9x15R
26×11x15R

Run one of the finest built, unique styles in the industry, run MotoSport Alloys and EFX Tires. You have options. Color outside the lines!

The Diesel and the rest of the MSA collection is online at www.motosportalloys.com
The Motogrip and the rest of the EFX collection is online at www.efxtires.com

For the dealer nearest you call toll free (800)734-4890.

Lonestar Racing, the world leader in ATV and UTV off-road racing products, announced today the launch of their “Rent-To-Ride” program.

Lonestar Racing’s “Rent-To-Ride” program is the most flexible transaction process in the marketplace today. It allows consumers with limited cash and/or credit the opportunity to rent-to-own Lonestar Racing products with no obligation to buy, no credit check and manageable payment plans.  All you have to do is complete a simple application process and agree to the terms and conditions of their “Rent-To-Ride” program and your Lonestar Racing products will be shipped right to your door.

Dan Fisher, Vice President, said “In today’s tough economy, the Rent-To-Ride program will afford our customers additional avenues for purchasing Lonestar Racing products.  We feel that this new program will open doors and give customers a great opportunity to build their dream ATV or UTV.”

For program details and an application please contact a Lonestar Racing sales representative today at 800-4LS-RACE (800-457-7223)

About Rent To Own Industry:
The $7-Billion rent-to-own industry or RTO sprang up in the 1970’s in response to growing consumer needs without incurring debt or jeopardizing family credit.  The RTO industry is composed of dealers who rent furniture, electronics, major appliances, computers, wheels and tires and now ATV and UTV products.

About Lonestar Racing:

Lonestar Racing is a production and custom manufacturer of the highest quality racing and recreational products for ATV’s and UTV’s. Having been in the business for almost 20 years, they have been producing race winning chassis and suspension components for all types of racing, ranging from the street to off road. Their 45,000 sq ft facility in Mesa, AZ is home to many dedicated team members that provide life to the 23 CNC machining centers. LSR combines this with CAD software to eliminate errors in all of the tube bending, laser cutting, milling and lathe work,. They also have many TIG welding stations and an in house powdercoating facility. LSR also offers installation and maintenance for your ATV and UTV needs by factory trained master technicians

The Lonestar Racing SR1 Team had a very interesting weekend, packed with highs and lows. They were welcomed into one of the nicest race tracks in the U.S., Miller Motorsports Park. This facility is 1st class, complete with asphalt pits, garages, huge covered grandstands, on site race fuel station, showering facilities, indoor race control complete with timing monitors, and the list goes on. Things were a little disorganized as this was the 1st event LOORRS has put on at this park, so it was to be expected. Once they finally got their pits set up after having to move it twice, LSR team put in a brand new clutch into the car, because it was slipping on the last testing session.

After the first practice session, LSR realized this was going to be a tough weekend. The track was one of the biggest they had been on, but they added a lot of obstacles to keep the speeds down, and the excitement up. With only a few short hours before the next session, Greg decided that some shock changes were in major need, so the crew began to make some pretty major changes to handle the very different track. With about 15 minutes to spare, Greg headed out for 2nd practice. The changes really helped the car perform. Greg was able to power through the rhythm section, and hammer down through the larger whoop section, and get enough speed out of the corners to clear some of the doubles on the front stretch. While looking for some different lines, Greg hit a finger in the S section, and that kicked up the back of the car, and sent it into a violent cartwheel that flipped the car end over end about 4 or 5 times. Amazingly, Greg walked away without a scratch, let alone any soreness thanks to his Simpson Safety gear and Jet Trim seating that kept him locked in place. The car on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky. The front right side of the car took most of the punishment, as it destroyed a wheel, spindle, brake rotor, tie rod end, brake line, uni-ball stud, and ball joint. The front bumper, upper shock mount, and body mounts got bent, along with the back bumper. Overall, the car was in really good shape with all things considered.

Luckily, between LSR and Weller Racing, they had enough spares to get Greg back on the track for Saturday’s qualifying and Main event. Greg qualified in 2nd position for Saturday, so he was able to enjoy another start from the front of the pack. After the green flag, he quickly realized he was getting brake fluid all over his feet, from a leaking reservoir cap. Not knowing how much longer he could go, he kept pushing. In second place with only a few laps to go, Corry Weller spun out in front of him, and he almost plowed straight into her, but luckily, he was able to glance off the side of her and continue into 1st place. Unfortunately, the hit ripped off Corry’s front wheel putting her out of the race. He was able to secure 1st place for Saturday’s main!

Sunday was time to do it all over again. In qualifying, Greg was only able to put in 1 lap before broken motor mount bolts caused him to pull off the track. So it was again time to start at the back of the pack for the main. Starting in last place, he was able to work himself into 4th pretty quickly, and battled with Tyler Herzog for a few laps, getting into 3rd place, and getting knocked sideways and having to fight back to get into 3rd for the competition yellow. The car was running perfect, and was fast through the rough sections where others couldn’t run as hard. Within 2 laps, he passed Doug Mittag for 2nd place, again behind Corry Weller. He was on Corry’s bumper for 2 more laps and went for the pass in the rhythm section. Unfortunately, he had just a little too much speed, and caused him to fly out of control, hit a jump sideways, bounced off a water barrier, and back onto the track loosing some ground. The car was shaking violently from the rear end, and was leaning very hard into corners, so with good communication from his spotters, he was able to keep it in 2nd place for the remainder of the race. After taking a quick look at the car after the race, it suffered from a rear wheel half full of dirt from hitting a jump sideways, and caused a rear sway bar link to break, so damage was minor, but felt a lot worse.

So to conclude the weekend, after thinking our chances were slim with a broken car in the beginning, the LSR race team battled through getting the car back into race form, and got on the podium with a 1st and 2nd place in just the 3rd weekend of the series. Combined with a couple cars that did not show up will drastically help move them up in the points after such a successful weekend.

The LSR team would like to thank all of their sponsors for supplying them with flawless parts that can take the abuse of a super rough track. At the end of the race, Greg said his arms and hands were so tired, he could barely remove his gloves, he was so worn out!

LSR is very confident that they will be getting top finishes for the rest of the season, and hopefully can get up into the battle for the championship!

Next race is at Glen Helen, in Southern California, the weekend of August 6th. Make sure to come out and see all the action!

Here are some links to some of the videos:

This one is from the Lucas Oil Regionals, that LSR got 2nd in as well, at Speedworld in AZ from a couple weekends ago.

Well its official! Doug Siddens, in his 2009 Polaris RZR-S, is the first person ever to drive a UTV at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb!

On June 27th, 2010, Doug was the only UTV in the Powersports Exhibition class. Not only did he finish first in his class, but he also beat out over 40% of the 152 competitors on race day with his time of 14:03.

Just reaching the top of this monumental mountain is a mechanical feat within itself. To do it in the time he did is more than respectable. There were also some other variables on race day that make this run even that much more notable. For one, it was snowing about the last three miles of the climb, and two, Doug has no professional racing experience. Not bad for a small town guy with no factory backing and an entire Powersport resting on his shoulders!

But you don’t have to hop in your RZR and try to visualize what Doug’s historic run was like, as he captured it all thanks to several ContourHD camcorders. So load up the beautiful HD version of the video below, turn the sound up and enjoy a ride up the gnarliest hill climb in the world!

If any of this racing talk has gotten you in the mood then come on over and talk with us at UTVRacing.com!

Also, a big thanks goes out to offroadwire.com for the great action photos!

In the world of Powersports, it seems as though it’s getting harder and harder to perform something new or compete in an event that hasn’t already been done a million times. Whether it is a unique trick, particular racing style or a specific event, chances are someone has already been there and done that. One would think that is would especially hold true when referring to the second oldest race in American history, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Man and machine have been participating in this historic race since 1916 and it is second only in age to the Indianapolis 500. Well after more than 8,700 machines have raced up this monumental peak, we can now say that Doug Siddens in his 2009 Polaris RZR-S have accomplished a new first and can be added to the elite who have conquered the same feat!

Competing in the 88th race to the clouds in the Exhibition Powersport Class June 27th, 2010 will mark the first time a UTV has ever participated in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This is a huge step forward for the UTV platform and further cements this Powersports presence in the world of racing! Don’t worry though, you don’t have to wait until June 27th to see Doug sprint up the hill in his RZR as you can watch a teaser video of his first official practice session below.

For more information about this race and what it took to get there, please visit RZRForums.net or find exclusive racing news at UTVRacing.com.