UTVGuide.net transformed this 2008 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 LE into a purpose-built race UTV for rock crawling, short-course competition and desert racing. I drove the Teryx in its first race at the 2009 King of the Hammers UTV race and later competed with it in the Valley Off Road Racing Association (VORRA) series.
This was part of the first generation of Kawasaki Teryx race builds, when competitors and aftermarket companies were still learning how to adapt production side-by-sides for demanding events. The finished car combined a reinforced chassis and safety equipment with long-travel suspension, drivetrain upgrades, communications equipment and additional protection.
For a closer look at how the vehicle was constructed, see the complete Kawasaki Teryx race build.
2009 King of the Hammers UTV Race
The Teryx made its competition debut at the inaugural 2009 King of the Hammers UTV race in Johnson Valley, California. The race was organized by Side X Side Super Jam and sent early UTV race cars across terrain that combined high-speed desert sections with the area’s notoriously difficult rock trails.
This was long before today’s factory-engineered rock-racing UTVs. Preparing a first-generation Teryx for Johnson Valley required substantial fabrication, underbody protection, suspension work and careful attention to durability.
Read the complete event story in our 2009 King of the Hammers trip report.
VORRA Short-Course Racing
After King of the Hammers, we began racing the Teryx in VORRA short-course events. The tighter course placed different demands on the car, including repeated acceleration, hard braking, jumps and close competition with other early race-prepared UTVs.
The Funco long-travel suspension and King shocks gave the Teryx additional wheel travel and stability, while its OMF beadlock wheels, ITP tires and chassis protection helped it survive contact and changing track conditions. The Teryx later became a successful part of our VORRA racing program and earned multiple race victories.
VORRA Race Videos
April 2009: First Moto
April 2009: Second Moto
Kawasaki Teryx Race Build Components
Safety and Chassis
- Seats: TeryxGiant.com
- Seat bases: SDR Motorsports
- Harnesses, window nets and fire suits: Simpson Racing
- Roll cage, doors and front bumper: Roggy Enterprises
- Fire-extinguisher mounts: Motorsports2
- Steering wheel and quick disconnect: Hart’s Rhino Motorsports
- Rearview panoramic mirror: Axia Alloys
- UHMW skid plate and rock skids: Roggy Enterprises
Suspension, Wheels and Tires
- Long-travel suspension: Funco
- Long-travel shocks: King Shocks
- Beadlock wheels: OMF Performance
- Tires: ITP
Engine and Drivetrain
- CDI: Dynatek
- Exhaust system: Muzzys
- Carburetor jetting: Hart’s Rhino Motorsports
- Air filter: K&N
- Clutch kit and clutch cover: Dalton Industries
- Clutch installation: Hart’s Rhino Motorsports
Navigation, Communications and Electrical
- Lowrance 540C GPS: Side x Side Outfitterz
- Roll-bar GPS mount: Side x Side Outfitterz
- Two-seat mobile radio and intercom: Rugged Radios
- Radio and intercom mount: Side x Side Outfitterz
- Parker Pumper mount: OMF Performance
- Vehicle wiring: Autotrend
A Snapshot of Early UTV Racing
This Teryx represents an important stage in UTV racing history. Production sport side-by-sides were still relatively new, and racers relied heavily on fabricators and aftermarket companies to develop the cages, suspension, protection and drivetrain components needed for competition.
The project also helped establish UTVGuide.net’s hands-on approach to testing. Rather than simply displaying parts, we installed them, raced the vehicle and learned what survived in rocks, short-course competition and desert terrain.
