PROJECT UTV: KATIE V’S WORCS RZR

Built for a man’s world By the staff of Dirt Wheels

 

A Bikeman Performance exhaust system, Stage 2 clutch kit, Sparks intake system, K&N air filter and a full engine build help this RZR put out a lot more power than stock.
A Bikeman Performance exhaust system, Stage 2 clutch kit, Sparks intake system, K&N air filter and a full engine build help this RZR put out a lot more power than stock.

 

In all types of off-road racing, male competitors are the majority. Katie Vernola knew that fact, and it just made her hungrier to compete. She started off racing in the Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series, battled in the women’s class of Terracross and is now racing in WORCS. Katie V needed a machine that could handle racing in the Pro class just as well as the cars of the other top racers, and that is exactly what her new car is designed to do.

 

The whole stock dash was removed from Katie’s RZR, and the steering system was rerouted to be in the center.
The whole stock dash was removed from Katie’s RZR, and the steering system was rerouted to be in the center.

 

LIGHTEN UP

Katie V’s WORCS Racing Polaris RZR XP 1000 is anything but stock. Fifty percent of the roll cage of her UTV is stock, while the rest has been custom-built for strength and safety by Pete Corwin at Got Sand Performance. Pete is Vernola’s mechanic, and he makes sure that her car is ready to perform in the harsh desert-style GP terrain of the WORCS Racing series. After building the frame and roll cage that provides a center-seated design, Pete added frame gussets, a custom front and rear bumper, and nerf bars.

 

Just like the whole roll cage, a custom front bumper with a sway bar system was incorporated on Vernola’s RZR from Got Sand Performance.
Just like the whole roll cage, a custom front bumper with a sway bar system was incorporated on Vernola’s RZR from Got Sand Performance.

 

The frame setup allowed for major weight reduction for her RZR. The whole bed was removed to erase a lot of weight while also allowing easy access to the engine. Custom body panels replaced the doors and the extra weight associated with them. To add personal touches, an offset dash was built and added.

 

Katie uses two KC Hilites amber lights on her RZR, so her pit crew will know when she is coming through the course.
Katie uses two KC Hilites amber lights on her RZR, so her pit crew will know when she is coming through the course.

 

POWER DOWN

Engine modifications are a must when it comes to racing against other pro-level racers. A full engine build was done by Bikeman Performance. The engine included CP pistons and Carrillo rods, a Bikeman Performance Stage 2 clutch kit, and full exhaust system that provides more power and adds a nice, throaty exhaust note.

 

The King shocks on this machine outperform the stock setup. They have more travel and are smoother yet retain the ability to handle hard landings and big chop and whoops.
The King shocks on this machine outperform the stock setup. They have more travel and are smoother yet retain the ability to handle hard landings and big chop and whoops.

 

A Sparks Racing airbox was installed on this RZR, along with a K&N air filter to allow high airflow into the engine. A Bully Dog tuner with a custom Bikeman Performance tune was installed to adjust the fuel-injection system’s mapping to the correct air-to-fuel ratio for optimum power output.

 

Super ATV boxed A-arms add strength to the suspension system, while King internal bypass shocks give the RZR a great ride.
Super ATV boxed A-arms add strength to the suspension system, while King internal bypass shocks give the RZR a great ride.

 

ALL THE SUSPENSE

In the off-road racing scene, power is very important, but not as important as having great suspension, handling and braking systems. In the cockpit of Katie’s RZR is an NRG fiberglass seat with a Super ATV five-point harness to keep her in place. On the steering side of things, a Super ATV Rack Boss HD steering rack was installed and paired with a Hess Motorsports quick-steer system. Katie has a Joe’s lightweight aluminum steering wheel that is removable with a quick-disconnect system.

 

Katie V uses a fiberglass NRG seat that is centrally mounted in her RZR with a PRP harness system to keep her securely in place.
Katie V uses a fiberglass NRG seat that is centrally mounted in her RZR with a PRP harness system to keep her securely in place.

 

One of the most impressive upgrades to this racing RZR would have to be the King shocks. The fronts are 2.5 internal bypass shocks, while the rears are 3.0 internal bypass shocks. They are longer than stock, which allows for more wheel travel. In the front, Super ATV boxed A-arms with heavy-duty tie-rods help suspend the Polaris and are stronger parts than stock.

To help stop Vernola’s RZR XP 1000, she went with Streamline’s oversized 270mm vented rotors with Performance brake lines. Super ATV provided brake pads for the build.

 

The radiator on this machine was relocated to the rear, behind the driver seat, to help keep it from packing up with mud.
The radiator on this machine was relocated to the rear, behind the driver seat, to help keep it from packing up with mud.

 

TESTING

From the instant our tester clipped the Crow nets back onto the roll cage and buckled in to the center-mounted seat of Katie V’s Polaris RZR, his first comment was, “Whoa, the brake pedal is on the wrong side, and I don’t know how to feel about sitting in the center of this thing!” As soon as he took off and got accustomed to using one foot for the gas and one for the brake, our tester picked up speed.

The King shocks helped the RZR handle like a dream. The machine felt more stable in corners, it gobbled up whoops and chop with ease, and soaked up hard landings off jumps. Improving the steering with the new rack and quick steer box made turning the RZR a lot easier at lower and higher speeds. The bigger brake rotors improved the braking over stock and decreased fade. Katie uses Fuel Offroad beadlock wheels and tires for her build. Each tire has 8 pounds of tread rubber shaved off, which made the steering feel better, but they didn’t grip soft dirt and sand as well as they would unshaved.

When it comes to power, the loss of 400 pounds of excess weight made the Polaris feel like it gained an additional 25 horsepower. Once you add on the engine performance parts, you are piloting a machine that is as fast, if not quicker, than a stock Polaris RZR XP Turbo.

 

Katie’s Polaris RZR XP 1000 is designed to race in WORCS, which is Grand Prix racing. Her UTV has to handle big jumps, rough desert terrain, asphalt and more.
Katie’s Polaris RZR XP 1000 is designed to race in WORCS, which is Grand Prix racing. Her UTV has to handle big jumps, rough desert terrain, asphalt and more.

 

IN THE END

Katie Vernola has been racing UTVs for the past three years and has been steadily improving. Before this RZR was built, she would have bolt-on performance parts that helped her be more competitive but not be able to fully push the limits against racers in the Pro class at WORCS. Now, her car is a powerful machine that is light and handles like a race car. To follow Katie Vernola and her racing career, go to www.katievracing.com. 

 

KATIE_12

 

PRODUCT LIST

Cage/fabrication: Built by Pete Corwin at Got Sand Performance (GSP) Designed by Katie’s Speed Shop

Antigravity lightweight battery: $389.99

Bikeman Performance full exhaust system: $899.95

Bikeman Performance motor build: $4,440

Bikeman Performance Stage 2 clutch kit: $399.95

Black Rhino Performance front differential Sprague: $180

Black Rhino Performance handheld race radios: $399

Bully Dog Tuner with Bikeman Performance custom tune: $699.95

Carrillo rods: $599.95

CP pistons: $460

Crow Enterprise window nets: $110

Fuel Off-Road tires: $135 each

Fuel Off-Road wheels: $215 each

GSP frame gusset: $250

GSP front: $450

GSP grille and light covers: $115

GSP nerf bars: $300

GSP rear: $375

GSP turnkey TIG-welded race-legal center-seat cage: $7100

Hess Motorsports 300m wheel studs: $216

Hess Motorsports quick steer: $650

Joe’s lightweight aluminum steering wheel: $79.95

K&N filter: $74.95

KC Hilites Flex LED: $239

King Shocks 2.5 internal bypass front/3.0 internal bypass rear shocks: $4999

LoneStar Racing rear sway bar: $399

NRG fiberglass seat: $300

Quick-release fire extinguisher: $150

Sparks Racing airbox: $299.95

Streamlines oversized 270mm rotors: $289.99

Super ATV 5-point seat belts: $129.95

Super ATV boxed A-arms: $649.95

Super ATV brake pads: $29.95

Super ATV front sway bar: $299

Super ATV heavy-duty tie-rods: $149.95

Super ATV Rack Boss HD steering rack: $299.95

Super ATV radiator: $399

Super ATV Rhino axles: $799.80

Super ATV transmission gear reduction: $499.95

CONTACTS

Antigravity: www.antigravitybatteries.com, (310) 527-2330

Bikeman Performance: www.bikemanperformance.com, (715) 483-3003

Black Rhino Performance: www.blackrhinoperformance.com, (619) 561-5000

Bully Dog: www.bullydog.com, (940) 783-9914

CP Carillo: www.cp-carrillo.com, (949) 567-9000

Crow Enterprizes: www.crowenterprizes.com, (888) 869-2769

Fuel Off-Road: www.fueloffroad.com

Got Sand Performance: www.gotsand.com, (702) 419-4312

Hess Motorsports: www.hess-motorsports.com, (940) 759-4597

Joes Racing Products: www.joesracing.com, (425) 267-9199

K&N: www.knfilters.com, (800) 858-3333

KC Hilites: www.kchilites.com, (928) 635-2607

King Shocks: www.kingshocks.com, (714) 530-8701

Lonestar Racing: www.lsracing.com, (480) 834-2990

NRG: www.getnrg.com

Sparks Racing: www.sparksracing.com, 661-872-4343

Streamline Brakes: www.streamlinebrakes.com, (909) 987-4213

Super ATV: www.superatv.com, (812) 574-7777

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