By Jon Crowley
In February 2018, the Polaris RZR RS1 had barely been unveiled when SDR Motorsports got its hands on one. The Corona, California, shop picked up an early RS1 from Concord Polaris on a Monday, built it in four days, and brought it to Glamis for a Saturday dune ride. I joined the crew to see the build in action and briefly drove it myself.
What SDR Motorsports Changed on the RS1
SDR fitted its custom cage and Hi-Bred +3 long-travel suspension, retaining the stock shocks for this first outing. The quick build also included a Simpson seat and harness, custom aluminum upper door panels, Sandcraft sand tires on OMF Performance beadlock wheels, a Trinity full exhaust system, and Buggy Whips LED whips. It was a substantial transformation completed in just a few days.
View UTV Guide’s Instagram post showing SDR’s four-day RS1 build
From Glamis Flats to Osborne Overlook
We rode out from Glamis Flats toward Osborne Overlook, where the SDR crew put the RS1 through its paces at the jump. From there we shot more photos and crossed the dunes toward Oldsmobile Hill. The single-seat layout and short wheelbase made the RS1 an intriguing machine to watch in the sand.
After lunch, we returned to the smaller dunes near Glamis Flats to get a feel for the RS1 in tighter terrain. Tim handed me the wheel for a short drive.
First Driving Impressions
I had not driven a stock RS1 yet, so this was an early impression of SDR’s modified car, not a back-to-back comparison. The centrally mounted seat immediately felt more focused than a conventional two-seat RZR. The cockpit offered plenty of legroom without wheel wells crowding the driver, and visibility around the compact nose stood out. Its naturally aspirated 110-horsepower engine still delivered plenty of fun in the dunes, even without a turbo.
The RS1’s short wheelbase and centered driving position suggested promise for tight trails and technical terrain. I was also eager to see it in the rocks. Because this first drive was brief and SDR retained the stock shocks, I did not draw conclusions about its whoop performance. Our later RS1 dune review offers a fuller look at the platform in the sand.
At the time, the rear-mounted radiator, compact dimensions, and RZR XP 1000-derived trailing-arm layout also made the RS1 interesting for racing. Some RZR XP 1000 parts, including shocks and trailing arms, could carry over, while the front A-arm mounting points and front differential placement differed. Anyone building one should verify fitment for the exact parts and model year.
2018 Polaris RZR RS1 Background
Polaris had already explored single-seat off-road machines with the ACE 570 and the more capable ACE 900 XC. The RS1 took the idea into RZR territory: a 64-inch-wide chassis, an 83-inch wheelbase, a 110-horsepower ProStar 1000 H.O. twin, trailing-arm rear suspension, and a rear-mounted dual-fan radiator. Its centered cockpit gave solo drivers a different view of the dunes.
Thanks to Tim and SDR Motorsports for bringing the freshly completed RS1 to Glamis and letting me take a turn behind the wheel. For another early take on the machine, see the RS1 unboxing and review.
