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As far as we can tell, there are two types of people in the world: UTV racing addicts and those who haven’t tried it yet. There is just something about the combination of open-air competition reminiscent of ATV racing coupled to the interior security associated with auto racing that makes taking a side-by-side to the track absolutely infectious.

We wanted to assemble a little guide to make your first UTV race the start of something very special. The trouble is UTVs come from the factory in many shapes, sizes and styles and lately you can add “many different states of tune” to that list as well. In other words, while our guide offers some generalized modifications you may wish to target to maximize your UTV’s performance potential, realize that some editions of popular models actually come stock with more than what you would need to get underway. Use your own judgment on which, if any, mods apply to you.

1) Exhaust

We almost always begin with exhaust when looking for performance gains. Why? Well a few reasons. First of all most factory stuff is restricted to meet stringent sound requirements. A choked up exhaust robs an engine of performance by restricting its ability to breathe. Additionally OEMs have to try to meet a price point when selecting materials with which to build components. You can often save precious pounds by simply switching to an aluminum or carbon exhaust. It is not uncommon to gain an additional 5-horsepower and a speed advantage of 4mph just by going with a slip-on system.

2) Intake

Just like with the exhaust side of things, gains that can be made by simply allowing an engine to breathe more effectively are not to be taken lightly. If you can swing it, aftermarket intake/ airboxes are literally designed to flow more air. However, even in keeping a tight budget, simply tossing the stock air filter in favor for an aftermarket unit from the likes of K&N or Twin Air (to mention a few) can often yield healthy power gains while cutting down on servicing in the process. Combine this mod with an aftermarket exhaust for maximum performance potential.

3) Shock Treatment

Fortunately these days more and more UTVs are wisely coming from the dealer with quality suspension from the likes of Fox and Ohlins. However, this wasn’t always the case and there are many that still use generic coil-overs. Performance riding/ track use can find the limitations of such shocks real quick! Fortunately the aftermarket UTV suspension scene is alive and well. Fully adjustable units from companies like Elka allow you to dial in the performance you seek for the individual track conditions in question.

4) Clutching

Getting off the line is a very important factor in all racing and in the case of an automatic UTV, a clutch kit can be invaluable. It can also be crucial in keeping your engine from staying buried in the rev limiter especially after having made other modifications.

5) Gearing

Unless you’re doing some wide-open desert racing, you may find it very beneficial to gear down your UTV. Just how does one gear down an automatic CVT transmission? The easiest way is to run slightly smaller tires believe it or not. However, since some tracks require more ground clearance than others, you may want to mount smaller tires on a spare set of rims so that swapping to meet race-conditions is a possibility.

6) Beadlocks

If you’re considering doing any sort of tire/ wheel modification, beadlocks are a good place to start. Not only are they better able to withstand harsher impacts, they offer protection against pinch-flatting while allowing you to run tire pressures way lower than normal.

7) Safety Bits

This one has all to do with the requirements of the sanctioning body in question and how your machine came set up from the dealer but fire extinguishers, 5-point harnesses, reinforced roll cages: check out your race organization’s requirements for participation.

Sure there have been no shortage of individuals who have gotten into the record books via motorized vehicles throughout the years but when it comes to the side-by-side, there are many opportunities yet available.

Take for example Tanner Godfrey who had decided to jump his Arctic Cat Wildcat to a new world record. Godfrey was paralyzed from the sternum down in a 2007 moto accident and had worked long and hard to regain some semblance of mobility.

Godfrey managed to maintain a positive attitude and tenacious spirit through it all. As he once said, “Don’t ever let people tell you what you can or can’t do. Just live life. Don’t let things slow you down. You have to be tough to be successful.”

Not only is he now able to walk short distances with a cane, he has fashioned hand controls for his Wildcat so he can still rip around in the dirt.

Adding to the plot, Godfrey decided to attempt his jump near the site of his life-changing accident in Mesquite, Nevada. It would take place during the Mesquite Off-Road Weekend event at the Eureka Casino Resort, featuring a show by the wild and crazy crew from Nitro Circus.

Not coincidentally, Tanner Godfrey is the nephew of Nitro Circus creator Gregg Godfrey. This jump would also raise funds and awareness for the Wounded Warriors Project.

With about 2,000 revved-up spectators looking on, Tanner climbed into his Edge Powersports-backed, STI-equipped Wildcat (with 30-inch Roctane tires on 14-inch HD Beadlock wheels) and confidently shattered the former distance mark (47 feet).

Godfrey launched 105 feet through the dry night sky to easily claim an officially documented Guinness World Record. Then he turned around and did it again.

Every year in February, hoards of industry insiders flock to Indianapolis for the annual Dealer Expo. The Expo promises the latest and greatest aftermarket wares for the ATV & UTV industry, from tire manufacturers to snow plows and everything in-between. This was the first time ATVESCAPE headed to Indy for the Dealer Show, and it didn’t fail to give us plenty of items to drool over!  The weather was cold with blowing snow and highs in the mid 20′s and 30′s, but that did not deter people from descending upon Indy for the event.

Most of the ATV and UTV tire manufacturers showed up with custom builds, and the latest tires they have released. ITP, STI, CST, Maxxis, Sedona, Kenda, and GBC all had a presence at the show with displays of all of their tires. Clearly the market is demanding more tire offerings specifically designed for the UTV market, and all of the tire manufacturers we saw are releasing more tires that fit the bill. More and more 8-ply rated tires are being created to fill the needs of a reliable UTV/SxS tire offering the performance owners are asking for.  There is no shortage of aftermarket wheels either, with wheel manufactures offering more patterns and styles than ever in more finishes than ever.  The bottom line is, if you want to accent your machine, or want better more reliable tires for your rig, then you have PLENTY to choose from.

Next would be the aftermarket companies offering anything and everything you could need for your ATV or UTV. WARN, KFI, and Superwinch had booths showing off not only their winches, but also their snow plows, skid plates, cab enclosures, lights, and more. They also provided several custom ATVs and UTVs with their products strapped to them. WARN had two custom rigs including a Kawasaki Teryx4 and a Can-Am Maverick. KFI had a Polaris Ranger and RZR and Yamaha Grizzzly, and Kolpin offered up a Polaris Ranger with their new cab enclosures in tow. Kolpin had all sorts of accessories including the cab enclosures, luggage, gun boots, plows, roofs, and more. High Lifter brought some lift kits, Outlaw tires, and hi-clearance A-arms. Our friends at Tiger Tail showed off a bolt on tow hitch for their recently released adjustable Tiger Tail mount. As you can see, there was no shortage of things to stare at.

Finally, to wrap things, Bad Boy mowers was there showing off their brand new Intimidator UTV. You can read more about it here Bad Boy Mowers Introduce The New Intimidator UTV The huge inflatable bull dog could be seen from across the room beckoning the masses to take a look at their booth. We are going to have the opportunity to test the Intimidator in three weeks at the High Lifter Mud Nationals, and will then report back as to what we think. A long term test will hopefully be close to follow.

In summary, the Indy Dealer Expo is everything we had heard, offering a little bit of everything from the ATV and UTV industry. There is no shortage of things to see, and the show offers a glimpse at where the industry is going.

It’s snowing out there, it’s blowing but your ATV Connection editors aren’t going to let a little thing like 9-months of winter slow us when it comes to hunting down good deals on previously-loved ATVs.

In fact, when it comes to ugly conditions, that’s when the deals get really good. Each we browse around SprocketList in the hopes of finding a tight deal on a good used quad and this week’s entry takes us to a place called Joplin, MO.

According to the listing, this is a 2008 Arctic Cat 400 4×4 Automatic with Independent Rear Suspension (IRS).

The seller states this atv is like new, hardly ridden, new battery. He’s looking for $3500.

UTV enthusiasts have cause for celebration with an announcement coming out of the Arctic Cat camp that promises to offer more options for performance fans looking to carry more than a single passenger.

The Wildcat 4 1000 answers the call for pure-sport ROV enthusiasts who want to carry 2 or more passengers. The Wildcat 4 is purpose built with many of the industry-leading key features found in the Wildcat 1000, but Arctic Cat engineers have gone beyond “industry-leading”.

A completely new drive and driven clutch was designed in partnership with the leading clutch authority, Team Industries. The new clutching system provides improved acceleration while putting the massive torque and horsepower of the 1000 engine to the ground where it matters. In addition, a new sway bar has been designed to work harmoniously with the all-new PODIUM FOX SHOX, creating an unrivalled operator and passenger experience.

• Industry-leading 5-Link rear suspension, 13-inches of ground clearance, and 18-inches of rear suspension travel!

• Full Perimeter Exoskeleton frame was stretched 29-inches to accommodate four occupants with a best-in-class ride-in comfort and leg room

• Interior has a locking glove box and cup holders, four high-back bucket seats with 3-point seat belts and four tube-frame doors with integrated nets

• V-Twin, SOHC, liquid-cooled, 951cc, Electronic Fuel Injection built for massive torque and improved acceleration

• Automatic transmission has a park-in-gear shifter with Reverse, Neutral, High and Low gears while the 2wd/4wd/Diff Lock switch is easy to locate on the dashboard

• Variable Assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) designed to maintain a light steering input effort with an infinitely adjustable tilt steering wheel

• LED Headlights and Taillights utilize 50% less wattage

• Available in three painted metallic color choices: Sunset Orange, Black and Arctic Green

• MSRP $19,599 US/ $21,999 CAN