Lucky old me eh? Strapped in beside Polaris NZ-backed racer Ben Thomason I was being treated to a driving master-class.
We were at the now Polaris-backed 4WD Park in Woodhill Forest, north-west of Auckland in late October checking out the latest addition, a dedicated UTV track, and the first 2015 RZR XP 1000 EPS UTV.
Ben and Polaris NZ National Sales Manager Anton Giacon had brought along two RZRs, Ben’s race-winning 2014 model and one of the first 2015 models – which he will race next year. The plan was two-fold; Ben and Anton would get a chance to check out Park proprietor Roger Winslade’s new UTV track, and Ashley Lucas and I from NZ4WD mag would get a first-hand opportunity to see what the fuss about this new wave of race-ready UTVs is all about.
Laid out on an expansive, open block of rough and ready clear fell, the track weaves in and out and up and down like the best natural terrain (in this case, deep sand) motocross track but with some added aerial variety – including a really cool ramped table top - thanks to some creative work by the digger driver.
First up I was buckled into a second seat beside Ben (the RZR is a ‘side-by-side’ after all) and given the opportunity to see the ‘master at work.’
Though it was as new to him as it was me, Ben was in maximum attack mode from lap one, my lasting memory that of the pair of us hitting a kicker at maximum speed and being launched into what felt like cyberspace.
Like their smaller quad (ATV) counterparts UTVs (officially Utility Terrain Vehicle but just as well known as ‘side-by-sides’) started life serving dual roles, recreation (particularly and predominantly at home in the US) and work.
The key difference is that you sit ‘on’ a quad and ‘steer’ it via a set of handlebars like a motorcycle, while you sit ‘in’ a UTV and steer it using a steering wheel.
Originally set up in Medina, Minnesota in 1954 to make snowmobiles, Polaris is now a major US manufacturer of recreation and work vehicles, including the Victory and Indian range of V-twin motorcycles.
Here the company has a nationwide dealer network and a growing presence in all the sectors it is in, from farm with its Hawkeye, Outlaw, Sportsman and Scrambler ATVs (quads), and Ranger (work) and RZR (recreation and racing) UTVs.
Driving both interest and sales in the RZR 1000 XP EPS (the latter standing for ‘electronic power steering) is ex-MX ace Ben Thomasen's giant-killing antics in the Off-Road Association New Zealand (ORANZ) national championship series.
What started as a toe-in-the-water exercise for both parties has blossomed into a headline-making publicity bonus which has seen the unique abilities of a purpose-built UTV show-cased in one of the toughest environments imaginable, and the series showcased in front of an all-new audience.
So what are they like?
The simple answer is ‘addictive.’
As you can no doubt imagine, I’m still buzzing from my ride with Ben and drive in his current competition machine and all I can say to conclude is the RZR is definitely the real deal.
If this sounds like you check an RZR out at a Polaris dealer (go to www.polaris.co.nz for more info and a list).
By Ross MacKay
For the full story see the November issue of NZ4WD
