By Jon Crowley
My #1965 Monster Energy Kawasaki Teryx was one of the most important race vehicles in the early years of UTVGuide.net. What began as a 2008 Kawasaki Teryx evolved into a purpose-built race machine capable of competing in the rocks at King of the Hammers, across long Nevada desert courses and on VORRA’s tight short-course tracks.
This page documents the second stage of the project: the ground-up rebuild centered around a Muzzys Performance 840cc V-twin, custom chassis work, Funco long-travel suspension and FOX shocks. After its 2010 King of the Hammers debut, I drove this same Teryx to multiple Valley Off Road Racing Association victories.
Those wins included the 2010 VORRA Fallon 250, the Hawthorne desert race and another victory when the series returned to Prairie City for short-course racing.
Developing One Teryx for Several Types of Racing
The objective was not to build a machine for only one discipline. The Teryx needed enough suspension and stability for desert racing, the responsiveness required for short-course competition and the durability and low-speed control needed at King of the Hammers.
That versatility became one of the defining qualities of the car. Rather than switching between dedicated desert and short-course vehicles, I raced the same Teryx in both VORRA formats. Changes between events could be as simple as adjusting the setup and installing smaller, lighter tires for the short course.
Returning to Competition in 2012
The Teryx continued to evolve after its successful 2010 VORRA campaign. These photos show later testing at Prairie City SVRA along with appearances in NorCal Rock Racing and VORRA short-course competition during 2012.
Testing at Prairie City SVRA
NorCal Rock Racing
VORRA Short-Course Racing
Building the 840cc Kawasaki Teryx
The project started with the Teryx stripped nearly to its original chassis rails. Roggy Enterprises fabricated a custom chassis and roll cage around a Funco long-travel suspension system and new FOX 2.0 position-sensitive shocks.
Custom Chassis and Suspension
Roggy Enterprises built the frame and roll cage, while the Funco long-travel system widened the stance and increased suspension capability. The FOX shocks used 2-inch bodies and the company’s Bottom Out Cup technology.
Muzzys 840cc V-Twin
The original powertrain was replaced with a fuel-injected 2009 Kawasaki Teryx engine and wiring harness. Muzzys Performance Products transformed the engine into an 840cc V-twin with ported heads, oversized valves, billet throttle bodies and a Pro Pipe exhaust.
The engine was paired with MSD fuel management, a Dalton Industries clutch kit and an aFe air filter. The combination delivered the power needed for starts and open desert terrain while retaining the durability required to finish long races.
Final Fabrication at MFS
Motorsports Fabrication Services in Lincoln, California, handled the detailed aluminum work, wiring and final assembly. The work included the aluminum dashboard and engine cover, cooling system, fuel system, controls, winch mount and other details needed to turn the chassis into a complete race car.
Safety Equipment and Final Assembly
Beard Super T1 seats, Simpson restraints and window nets protected the occupants. The car also carried a Rugged radio and intercom, Rigid Industries lighting, a WARN winch and a Baja Designs Kwik Jak.
Palmer Signs Race Wrap
Palmer Signs in Roseville, California, completed the Monster Energy Kawasaki graphics. The roof, hood, doors and tailgate received the new wrap, with black rear bodywork completing the appearance.
Testing the Completed Teryx
After the engine was installed and dyno-tuned by Muzzys, we tested the completed car at Prairie City SVRA. The finished machine was substantially different from the Teryx that had entered the inaugural King of the Hammers UTV race in 2009.
2010 King of the Hammers
Reid Nordin drove the Teryx in the 2010 King of the Hammers UTV race, with me serving as co-driver and spotter. We moved into second place before a failed coolant line forced us to stop for repairs. We eventually finished eighth.
The result was disappointing, but the race exposed the remaining weaknesses in a newly completed car. With additional development, the same Teryx became a consistent winner in VORRA competition later that year.
Read the complete 2010 King of the Hammers race report and explore the history of the King of the Hammers UTV race.
From New Build to VORRA Winner
The work that went into the Teryx paid off during the 2010 VORRA season. I earned a short-course victory early in the year, won the Fallon 250 night race by more than 40 minutes, followed it with another desert victory at Hawthorne and then won again
