SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/555623
manufacturers are also hard at work, designing race-proven products to fit the growing UTV race category. For example, at the 47th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500, Jackson Motorsports Group launched the BFGoodrich K02 tire that was specifically de- signed for UTV racers. More and more unique racing products are being made available, which is also allowing for the increased speeds and capabilities. "The sport has evolved tremendously in suspension systems, speed, and the power levels have basi- cally doubled," says Murray. "The manufacturer and aftermarket support, reminds me of the days when you had Toyota, Ford and others involved in off-road rac- ing. It takes a lot to be competi- tive in this class, but we still have to use the stock drivetrain, mo- tor, and frame rail components. But the vehicle it's fully built to take the rigors of Baja. We put a lot of time and energy to strengthen the car to keep it all together." While it sounds like it's easy to take a new vehicle like the Polaris RZR 1000 and turn it into a race car, the fact is there's much more involved to make it truly com- petitive. From the perspective of a race car builder such as Jimco, there's a potential for the costs to get out of hand unless there are additional changes planned in the future that can keep this class at an affordable level. "We took a brand new Polaris, re- moved everything off of it, and SCORE 101 UTVS RUNNING IN CLASS 19 ARE GETTING FASTER AND SCORE OFFICIALS HAVE MOVED THIS CLASS UP IN THE STARTING GRID. " THE POLARIS RZR XP 1000 HAS THE ULTIMATE COMBINATION OF POWER, SUSPENSION AND AGILITY. YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL THREE WORKING IN TANDEM TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL RACE VEHICLE." -- DONNA BEADLE, SR. EXTERNAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST POLARIS INDUSTRIES. 082 SCORE JOURNAL