Minneapolis – The field for the Best in the Desert Silver State was impressive, with more than 20 side-by-sides staging to challenge this 300-mile, single loop race.  Matt Parks drew a very good fifth starting position with Brandon Schueler starting just behind in the eighth spot.  Bill Schueler and Craig Scanlon lined their nearly-stock, 1991 RZR XP 4 sportsman entry at the very back of the field.

This year’s course was very fast with lots of smooth sections where top speed was a true advantage. There were plenty of rocky sections to keep every driver on their toes. Schueler, in the 1919, was able to get off to a good start and make his way to the front of the pack early where he would lead for a good part of the race. Parks also was in the hunt and running near the front but had a mechanical issue which cost some valuable time. In the end, Mark Holz in the Coastal/HRP RZR XP 900 would take checkered flag and Schueler would take a much-needed second place. Parks and the 1932 finished in mid-pack in ninth position.

Mitch Guthrie – 1st Overall at 2012 UTV King of The Hammers

Mitch Guthrie, #555 took the overall win at 2012 UTV King of the Hammers in his Polaris RZR XP.  Guthrie ran a flawless race, keeping a fast pace that gained momentum with each race mile.  Todd Stephenson in the #1944 Artic Cat Wildcat took 2nd, making it an impressive first run for the Artic Cat Wildcat.

Minneapolis, February 2, 2012 –Polaris comes into the 2012 race season with teams competing in the Grand National Cross Country series (GNCC), World Off-Road Championship series (WORCS), Best in the Desert (BITD) and Mud racing. Polaris also will continue to offer their ATV racing contingency program and has added a Side-by-Side contingency for the BITD series.

“Polaris is excited for another year of ATV and Side-by-Side Racing,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris’ Off-Road Division. “We had a great 2011 winning several championships and we expect 2012 to be another successful year.”

National Guard/Polaris/Coastal Racing
Polaris will continue to support National Guard/Polaris/Coastal racing for 2012. William Yokley took the GNCC and WORCS championships in his National Guard RANGER RZR XP 900 and will look to four-peat in the GNCC series this year. Yokley’s teammate, Scott Kiger finished third in the GNCC “Open Modified” class in his RZR XP and is back for 2012.

Rath Racing
Rath Racing is back for a third year to race the RZR XP in GNCC. Daryl Rath continues to dial in his RZR XP and will race the “Open Modified” Side-by-Side class.

Team Hendershot
Polaris has added Team Hendershot to their GNCC race team for 2012. Team Hendershot finished second overall in their RZR XP in the GNCC “Open Modified” class behind William Yokley. They will race the RZR XP for 2012.

Jagged X
Jagged X is back for 2012 for a run at the Best in the Desert championship, racing the familiar No.1919, with a newly built RZR XP 4.  Brandon Schueler, Chad Riccio, Blake Van de Loo and Mike West look to recapture the championship for 2012. Jagged X also has signed 2011 BITD Champion, Matt Parks to run with the team this year in a second RZR XP 4. Both new RZR’s will be revealed at the Mint 400, in March. Parks started the 2012 BITD series out on a high note winning the “Pro UTV class,” at the Parker 250, in January.

Walker Evans
RJ Anderson will switch gears this year and race the WORCS series with his new Walker Evans RZR XP. Anderson raced a few WORC races in 2011 and ended up winning the final race of the season in the “SxS 1” class. He looks to capture the championship for 2012.

High Lifter
Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing will be muddin’ on Polaris’ once again for 2012. Racers include Brian Haughton, Josh Monroe and Adam Schumaker and will race the Sportsman XP 850, Sportsman 550, RANGER XPs and RANGER RZRs.

Polaris Contingency
Polaris also will continue to offer an ATV race contingency program, in three ATV racing series, GNCC, WORCS and the Heartland Challenge, and has added a side-by-side contingency in the Best in the Desert Series. The total purse is more than $85,000. Racers must race 2008 or newer Sportsman XP 850 or Sportsman 550 ATVs for the ATV contingency and must run the Pro 1 class in a RANGER RZR product in Best in the Desert. More information and complete rules about Polaris’ racing contingencies can be found at www.polarisfactoryracing.com.

This past January, Polaris introduced a whole new class of side-by-side with the RZR XP 900. Building off of the launch, Polaris has introduced another extreme performance side-by-side to the family, the RZR XP 4 900. This launch will bring Xtreme performance for four while delivering the ultimate combination of power, suspension and agility found in the entire RZR family.

The RZR XP 4 900 is the most-capable, highest-powered, multi-passenger side-by-side with the longest wheelbase making it the ultimate performance vehicle in the market place. The vehicle has many of the same attributes as the RZR XP 900; the proven 88 horsepower, ProStar™ 900 Twin engine, 3-Link Trailing Arm Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) with 12.5 in/31.8 cm of ground clearance and 14 in/35.6 cm of travel, On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive and low center of gravity for unmatched cornering; with a class-leading 107 in/271.8 cm of wheelbase to not only accommodate two more passengers, but also provide the smoothest ride available on a high-performance side-by-side.

Anaheim, CA - Known for their line of performance suspension seats, Twisted Stitch has raised the bar once again.  With the popularity of the Polaris RZR line of vehicles and the demand for safety Twisted Stitch has released a line of RZR doors that bolt right in and compliment the style of the RZR.

The RZR doors from Twisted Stitch feature a .090 steel tube frame that utilizes grade 8 mounting hardware. The door skins fit seamlessly to the edge of the door bars, leaving no gap between the panels and bars.  They also use stainless steel button head bolts to mount the panels to the door frames adding that extra touch of style and durability.  Out of the box, the door assemblies come fully assembled to make installation simple and easy.

The doors feature a front opening to maximize the amount of room and allow for easy entry and exit of your RZR.  Each set of doors also comes standard with a slam latch to make opening and closing the door a breeze when your in a hurry to get out and ride.

The doors semi gloss black powder coating is standard on all door frames. The skins are available in a variety of powder coat options including black, white, orange, and red.

Twisted Stitch RZR doors are available directly from Twisted Stitch or any of their authorized dealers.  They are designed to fit all 2008 and newer Polaris RZR, RZR S, and the RZR XP.  The RZR doors have an MSRP of $649.00.

About Twisted Stitch Inc.
Twisted Stitch prides themselves on delivering quality aftermarket parts at a reasonable price.  From their line of suspension seats for UTVs to reclining seats for Jeeps the quality and design of their seats set them apart from their competition.  To find out more about Twisted Stitch and their line of products you can visit them at www.twistedstitchinc.com or call 714-773-0233.

Minneapolis–The Henderson 250 was the last race of the six-race Best in the Desert series, and the Pro UTV title was on the line. Four-time championship winner Jagged X led the series by a few points with Matt Parks right on their tail. The Transwest Ford Henderson 250 would be the deciding factor.

The race started before dawn with freezing temperatures and howling winds in Jean, Nevada.  The Jagged X crew was confident with the No. 1919, but in racing, nothing is ever a sure thing. By mile 14, they realized how something as small as a clogged fuel injector could change an entire season. Brandon Schueler managed to limp the No. 1919 into the second pit and after some diagnosis and a quick repair, the car was back on the course at 100 percent. Even a few minutes lost in a short race like this is detrimental. Schueler was able to make up some time but in the end, was short of the finish they had hoped for. When the dust cleared the Jagged X No. 1919 team ended the incredibly great season in the second overall position.

Parks was having some trouble of his own with extreme helmet fogging, making it difficult for him to see. He worked his way up to first place after the end of the first lap, and decided he needed to raise the ride height of his RANGER RZR 4 800 to keep from dragging on the heavily-crowned, rocky course. The adjustment made for a lengthy pit stop half way through the race. Knowing he was quite a way ahead of Jagged X, Parks had the team completely check the RZR 4 over, add more pre-load to the shocks and he worked on the helmet fogging issue.  While he was in the pits another UTV got by, but Parks knew that second place would be good enough to win the title. Back on the course, he gained a little on the leaders on the final lap, but didn’t push too hard because he didn’t need to win the race in order to win the title. Parks cruised to the finish line in second place and took the championship.

“We would like to congratulate Matt Parks on his first Best in the Desert championship,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris. “Both Parks and Jagged X’s dedication to racing Polaris products is apparent and they’ve made it a fun and exciting season.”

Parks is sponsored by Maxxis Tires, Walker Evans Wheels and Shocks, Kroyer Racing Engines, Holz Racing Products, OMF, Muzzy Exhaust, Desert West Off Road race prep, Tire Balls, Utendorfer Graphics, Bill Abshier, UTV Underground, Pure Polaris Lubricants.

Jagged X is sponsored by Polaris Industries, BF Goodrich Tires, CR Designs- Custom Painting and design, Cutting Edge Manufacturing- laser cutting and CAD design, OMF Performance- Custom beadlock wheels, Elka Suspension- Shocks, Simpson- Harnesses & safety products, Total Auto Pros- equipment for support trucks, Affordable powder coating- durable high quality coatings, Summers Brothers- Axle shafts, Walker Evans-Wheels, Pure Polaris Lubricants, Vision X- Off road lighting

MINNEAPOLIS, (December 2, 2011)—Polaris has chosen Progressive® Insurance as its preferred ATV, Side x Side, snowmobile and neighborhood vehicle insurer. By joining forces, Progressive—one of the country’s leading insurance providers—and Polaris—a leader in the power sports industry—are making it easier for riders to get coverage that protects them and their vehicles, both on and off their property.

“We’re working together so it’s not only easier for Polaris owners to buy affordable insurance, but to really understand what they’re buying,” said Progressive Product Manager, Charlotte Elek. “We’re available anytime by phone; and our website is filled with information to help Polaris owners make even smarter choices about coverage that protects them and their vehicle.”

“We are very excited to partner with Progressive,” said Polaris Financial Services Manager Kelly Clawson. “They will be able to serve our riders with years of power sports knowledge and experience.”

In addition to making it easy to understand and buy coverage, Progressive helps Polaris owners save and manage their money through a variety of features:

A variety of discounts—Customers save if they own a home, have a clean driving record, complete a safety course, pay in full—and more.

Disappearing deductibles—Customers reward themselves with a 25 percent reduction in their deductible for each claim-free renewal period. After four claim-free renewals, the deductible disappears altogether. Progressive offers this currently in 24 states, and will roll it out to all states in coming months.

Easy payment options—Customers can choose to pay in full; or pay in installments by electronic funds transfer, mail, online or over the phone.

To learn more and get a quote with Progressive, Polaris’ preferred insurer, visit http://www.progressive.com/polaris, or call 1-800-895-2880.

Lynden, Washington – With only two more Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series event s remaining, RJ Anderson rolled into Las Vegas with his Holz Racing-built RZR XP 900 and the Walker Evans Racing team ready to defend his Unlimited UTV points lead. Anderson has shown impressive consistency during the 2011 season, winning five rounds and making the podium 10 more times. He had earned 252 points entering Rounds 13 &14, 18 points ahead of the second place racer.

Though Anderson was unable to score another Unlimited UTV win over the weekend, he did place second in both Saturday’s Round 13 and Sunday’s Round 14, claiming another 46 points and clutching a narrow 15 point advantage over second place for the series title. Looking ahead, RJ will compete at the LOORRS final event at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on December 10-11 with both eyes focused on the championship!

ABOUT HOLZ RACING PRODUCTS
For 16 years, Holz Racing Products has been building the highest quality, best performing suspensions and chassis components available. Everyone says “race-proven.” We Live it. From WORCS, desert to short-course, Holz Racing Products are developed and proven in the most grueling applications. What we learn out there is built into our 2011 UTV product line. Exacting tolerances, OEM-like fit, durability and performance engineered right into every part. It all stems from our overly simple design philosophy — build the best performing, most durable products in the industry. We’ve earned our reputation one year and one win at a time. We strive to keep all our parts in stock and ship everything as quick as possible to keep you riding, not waiting for the delivery man. Visit our website to see our full line of Can-Am Commander and Polaris RZR parts. Holz Racing Products… Engineered to Win.

Photo credit: Joey DiGiovanni, UTV Underground

MINNEAPOLIS (October 26, 2011) — Polaris Industries Inc. today announced a minority investment in Brammo, an Ashland, Ore.-based maker of electric vehicle technology and two-wheel electric vehicles.  By investing in Brammo, Polaris obtains access to their proprietary electric vehicle powertrain technology, as well as exposure to the rapidly growing electric motorcycle market.

“We are excited to advance our electric vehicle capability by establishing Polaris as a business partner and part owner of Brammo, one of the most innovative and aggressive companies we have found in the electric motorcycle space,” said Scott Wine, Polaris CEO.  “Our companies share a passion for performance, and we look forward to exploiting the numerous opportunities created by pairing Brammo’s industry-leading electric powertrain technology with Polaris’ vast array of market-leading powersports products.  This is a small, but important, investment for Polaris in an electric vehicle market that we feel is poised for significant growth.”

National Guard Polaris Coastal DragonFire Yokley Racing Team driver William Yokley finished 1st Overall and 1st in the Side by Side Open Modified Class. National Guard Polaris Coastal Yokley Racing Team driver Scott Kiger finished 31st Overall and 17th in the same class after being involved in a mishap. There were 45 total entries with 22 Open Modified teams in the race today. William’s guest passenger was Steve Gieble, and Scott’s passenger was Joe Waligora.

National Guard Coastal Yokley Racing Pro ATV Team rider Jarrod McClure finished 6th Overall and 5th in the XC1 Pro ATV class. There were 145 total entries with 14 XC1 Pro riders.

Summary – Side by Sides
Powerline Park is always a popular venue with both riders and spectators. The course offers fast open field sections, tight, technical trails with lots of natural elevation changes. Rain during the week made the course a little slick, but the competitors agreed that it was a blast to race on.

The National Guard Polaris Team started on the first row, and as they headed into the woods, Yokley was in 3rd and Kiger a few positions further back. There was a brief bottleneck when one racer got crossed up in a tight section allowing all the others to close in bumper to bumper. Yokley finished lap 1 in 3rd and Kiger was 7th. By lap 3, William was in the lead with Scott in 3rd, and the team was looking good for podium finishes.

On lap 4, Scott Kiger clipped a tree in a high speed, narrow part of the course. The impact directed him straight into another tree, resulting in a huge hit, and instant stop. The front wheel and A-arm received the brunt of the force, and were strung out along the trail. It was a tough way to end the day, but fortunately no one was hurt. Meanwhile, Yokley was cruising along in the lead, and other than getting caught up behind lappers in tight sections, he had a trouble free race. The win put William back in the hunt for the GNCC season championship and Scott a close 3rd with just one race remaining.

The team will now prepare for the last GNCC race at the Crawfordsville Indiana Ironman in 2 weeks. They hope to finish the season on a positive note!

Summary – XC1 Pro ATV
National Guard Coastal Yokley Racing Team rider Jarrod McClure was happy to

be racing in another GNCC for the second time in 2 weeks, and not traveling back and forth across the US as he has been this year racing in 2 national series. He was looking for a good finish and was ready to go. The ATV course included a brutal mudhole section which made for quite a challenge.

Jarrod got a good start and was running in 2nd for most of lap 1. He got stuck in the previously mentioned mudhole on lap 2, and several riders got by him as he tried to get out. Some ambitious fans tossed him a rope, and proceeded to help pull him out. He may still have been there if not for the help! Once out, he still had some problems from being partially submerged and covered in mud. His muddy goggles, gloves, pants and boots were making it difficult to hang on and get back up to racing speed.

Fortunately, Jarrod was able to hang on for 5th in the XC1 Pro class at the finish. He now is preparing for the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville Indiana in 2 weeks. Jarrod is currently in 7th in GNCC season points and will try to move up at the next race. See you there!