Four times Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans is a hard charger and had his first taste of Side X Side stadium action at the 3rd round of the SXS Australian Championship last month. Simon signed up for a one-off drive for his mate David Brown of Brown Davis, (Australia's foremost 4x4 accessory maker and race car roll-cage manufacturer). With David unable to race due to an overseas commitment, Simon jumped in to take the controls of the Brown Davis Yamaha YXR1000R development vehicle.

"I had an absolute ball at the last round but it was so frustrating to get hosed off the line time and time again by the Polaris RZR Turbos. They really have some stick" said Simon. "One of the Polaris guys walked past me in the pit area and asked if I was having fun. I let him know how much fun it was but also how much I needed a Turbo". That Polaris guy was Simon Gloyne, Polaris Race Team Manager. "He took me seriously we had another chat a few days later".

Evans will now compete in a Polaris at round 4 in Albury on August 20-21 and again at the 6th and final round at Ballarat on October 29-30. Unfortunately the 5th round at Shepparton on September 10-11 clashes with his pursuit of a fifth Australian Rally Championship. He is currently lying in 2nd place with two ARC rounds to go.

Cody Crocker, number one Polaris team driver and winner of the third round, has welcomed Evans entry into the series in a competitive vehicle. "The SXS Championship is on the map. It's great fun for the drivers and the stadium circuits provide exceptional spectating". Himself a three-time Australian Rally Champion and four time Asia-Pacific Champion, Cody added this, "Having my old sparring partner in the series shows the credibility of this new series for racers, for the media, for sponsors and going wheel to wheel (rally being against the stop watch), is really where it is at".

The test will be when these two champions are going into turn one and they are side by side literally. It could get messy.

Come and see the cars in Dean Street between 8.30 and 11am on Saturday August 20 a part of the SPEED promotion, then head out the Causeway MX track (Diamond Park – Albury) for when the racing starts at 12 noon and again at 11am on Sunday August 21. Proceeds from the gate will go towards the Black Dog Ride www.blackdogride.com.au

About Polaris RZR XP Turbo
It's a purpose built off-road recreational vehicle. Here are some of the standout specifications and features.

Chassis

  • Exoskeletal tubular steel chassis with Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS)
  • Long travel suspension. ? Rear: Trailing Arm with Stabilizer Bar, 3.0" FOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks (comp adjust/remote res.), 18" (45.7 cm) Travel.
  • Front: Dual A-Arm with Stabilizer Bar, 2.5" FOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks (comp adjust/res.), 16" (40.6 cm) Travel.
  • Disc brakes on all corners on 14" alloy wheels, Triple piston front, dual piston rear.
  • Weight is 678kg dry.

Engine and Driveline

  • Polaris Prostar 925cc 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder Turbocharged producing 144HP.
  • Transmission is automatic clutch with PVT and High/Low/Reverse options.
  • Drive system is High Performance True On-Demand AWD/2WD.

Modifications to Cody's RZR XP Turbo

About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®, RZR® and POLARIS GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN® and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY® and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, SWITCHBACK® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence in adjacent markets globally with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers.