The new Polaris RZR RS1 made an immediate statement in February 2018 when Ronnie Anderson drove the single-seat sport UTV to victories in both the SxS Pro and SxS Pro Stock classes at the WORCS season opener in Las Vegas.
The two wins came just days after Polaris introduced the unusual center-seat RZR. Although this event was originally covered as a current race report, it has since become an important chapter in the history of the Polaris RZR.
Ronnie Anderson Sweeps Two WORCS Classes
The RZR RS1 made its competitive debut on February 3, 2018, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Polaris Factory Racing driver Ronnie Anderson entered the new machine in the WORCS SxS Pro and SxS Pro Stock classes and won both races.
According to Polaris, Anderson’s RS1 remained close to stock specification and was modified primarily to comply with racing safety requirements. Despite its naturally aspirated engine, the RS1 also finished ahead of turbocharged machines competing at the event.
“The RZR RS1 did everything I asked of it today—incredible performance, unbelievably nimble, smooth and with tons of power,” Anderson said after the races. “The Polaris design team has delivered the goods yet again. This is one serious racing machine.”
Why the RZR RS1 Worked as a Race UTV
Polaris built the RS1 around a single central seating position rather than the conventional two-seat layout. That placed the driver near the center of the chassis and provided clear sightlines over both front tires—an advantage when approaching corners, jumps and technical obstacles.
The 64-inch-wide RS1 combined a compact 83-inch wheelbase with a 110-horsepower ProStar 1000 H.O. twin-cylinder engine. It also incorporated trailing-arm rear suspension derived from the RZR XP 1000, an upgraded drivetrain and a rear-mounted dual-fan radiator.
- 110-horsepower ProStar 1000 H.O. engine
- Single central seating position
- 64-inch vehicle width
- 83-inch wheelbase
- RZR XP 1000-style trailing-arm rear suspension
- Rear-mounted dual-fan radiator
- Race-focused drivetrain components
The combination gave the RS1 a favorable power-to-weight ratio and a more direct driving experience than a conventional two-seat UTV. Those qualities were also evident when UTVGuide.net evaluated the machine in our Polaris RZR RS1 review with Shock Therapy and later tested an RS1 in the rocks at Sand Hollow.
The RS1’s Planned Global Rallycross Class
When Polaris announced the RS1, the company also planned to make it the exclusive vehicle in a new Polaris class within Red Bull Global Rallycross. Competition was originally scheduled to begin during the 2018 season.
That class never reached the starting line. Red Bull Global Rallycross ceased operations before its 2018 season began, canceling the proposed RS1 championship. The WORCS event in Las Vegas therefore became the machine’s first—and far more consequential—demonstration as a competitive racing platform.
The RS1 Continued Winning in 2018
The Las Vegas sweep was not an isolated result. Anderson returned to the top of the podium in the RS1 at the 2018 WORCS SXS World Finals, while Jessy Nelson earned additional stock-class victories in another RS1. Polaris ended the season with 50 race wins across its broader factory and supported racing program.
The RS1 also influenced racing rules. Its one-seat configuration initially prevented it from entering some series whose UTV rules assumed every vehicle would have both a driver and passenger seat. Ultra4 subsequently revised its rules to make the RZR RS1 eligible for King of the Hammers competition beginning in 2019.
A Distinctive Chapter in Polaris RZR History
The RZR RS1 never displaced conventional two- and four-seat RZRs. Its inability to carry a passenger made it less practical for recreational owners who wanted to share the experience with family or friends.
As a driver-focused sport and racing platform, however, the RS1 proved its purpose immediately. Sweeping two classes during its first race weekend showed that the center-seat concept was more than a novelty and helped establish the RS1 as one of the most distinctive machines in Polaris RZR history.
Originally published February 9, 2018. Updated with additional historical context.
Explore more Polaris UTV news, reviews and history on UTVGuide.net.
