Originally published following the September 2015 event. This report has been reformatted with full-size feature photography while preserving the original show coverage and photo gallery.
The 17th annual Sand Sports Super Show demonstrated how completely UTVs had become part of the dune and off-road industry. Thousands of visitors packed the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, while organizers reported that vendor space was sold out.
Polaris remained highly visible with the RZR XP 1000 and new RZR XP Turbo, but the recently introduced Yamaha YXZ1000R attracted plenty of attention. Arctic Cat also demonstrated its new Speed Energy Wildcat accessories and suspension on the Stadium Super Trucks track.
UTVGuide.net’s “The Instigator” RZR XP 1000
Our booth featured The Instigator, our long-travel 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000 build. We built the RZR to work in dunes, rocks and fast desert terrain while retaining the responsive character that made the stock XP 1000 so much fun.
TMW Off-Road fabricated the cage, full doors and front bumper. Cognito Motorsports supplied the long-travel suspension, which was paired with FOX internal-bypass shocks. The build also included an SSV Works audio system, Rigid Industries lighting, Triple X seats, Simpson harnesses and a Wolf Designs custom wrap.
UTV Builds That Caught Our Attention
TMW Off-Road and Wolf Designs Werewolf
The show-stopping Werewolf sat front and center in the TMW Off-Road booth and drew one of the show’s biggest crowds. Although powered by an LS2 V8, TMW retained enough of the original body and proportions for the vehicle to remain recognizable as a RZR XP 4.
See the complete TMW Off-Road Werewolf build. Other notable TMW vehicles included Project Eliminator, a Z1-powered XP 4 1000, and Project Punisher, a long-travel RZR XP Turbo.
Rugged Radios Baja RZR
The Rugged Radios booth was enormous again in 2015, occupying a substantial portion of the Parade of Products. Staff members helped visitors select radios, intercoms and installation equipment while answering communications questions.
The centerpiece was the Rugged Radios Baja RZR. Although it looked like a vintage Volkswagen Baja Bug, a Polaris RZR remained underneath its custom bodywork. The unusual combination generated plenty of double takes.
SDR Motorsports TT RZR
SDR Motorsports displayed five custom vehicles in its booth, with several more SDR-built UTVs positioned elsewhere around the show. The TT RZR made the strongest impression with its Trophy Truck-inspired GlazzKraft body.
Cognito Motorsports RZR XP Turbo
Cognito Motorsports moved indoors for 2015 and displayed its race-winning Hell Raiser chassis along with five themed RZR XP Turbo builds. The vehicles emphasized functional performance rather than unnecessary decoration.
Each featured Cognito long-travel suspension, a cage, bumper and doors. Supporting equipment included Rigid Industries lighting, Pro Armor seats and harnesses, Rugged Radios communications, Sparks Racing exhaust, Method wheels, STU sand tires and Cognito-tuned FOX shocks.
Arctic Cat Wildcat Speed Energy Suspension
Arctic Cat teamed with Robby Gordon and Todd Romano to develop a Speed Energy accessory line for the Wildcat. We attended a media event on the Stadium Super Trucks course for a firsthand look at the accessories and updated suspension planned for the 2016 Wildcat.
Long-Travel Yamaha YXZ1000R
Yamaha unveiled the YXZ1000R on September 1, 2015, and one of the first vehicles went directly to Weller Racing for customization. The show build featured Lone Star Racing long-travel suspension, a replacement cage and Raceline wheels and tires.
The YXZ1000R’s high-revving three-cylinder engine and manually shifted transmission made it unlike any other production sport UTV at the time.
SuperATV Depth Finder
The SuperATV Depth Finder was created for the television series Destination Polaris. Although it was not designed specifically for the sand, the unconventional build demonstrated considerable creativity and attracted a steady crowd.
SuperATV also displayed RZR XP 1000 and RZR XP Turbo products, including A-arms, heavy-duty axles and upgraded steering racks.
Our FOX Edition RZR XP 1000
Our FOX Edition RZR XP 1000 spent the show above the crowd on our Alpine Designs Super Rack in the KC HiLiTES booth.
The rack was equipped with a KC LED light bar and Cyclone accent lights. The RZR used KC single and dual LED pods along with additional Cyclone lights.
ProLine Wraps ATOMACHROME
The ATOMACHROME RZR XP Turbo combined HCR Racing long-travel suspension, Assault Industries accessories, Vision X lighting, PRP seats and harnesses, a Racepak gauge and dash, a Desert Works cage, Muzzys dual exhaust and KING shocks with a distinctive ProLine wrap.
Our Polaris ACE 570 in the SSV Works Booth
Our Polaris ACE 570 was displayed in the SSV Works booth. The vehicle had recently appeared in the Polaris Editor’s Cup Viral Video Challenge, which featured our ACE on the Rubicon Trail.
More 2015 Sand Sports Super Show Photos
The following gallery preserves additional products, custom vehicles and exhibitor displays from the show. Select any thumbnail to open the original full-size photograph.
American Sand Association RZR XP Turbo Raffle
The American Sand Association unveiled its 2016 raffle Polaris RZR XP Turbo at the show. The project received support from Polaris, DragonFire Racing, RideNow, GMZ Race Products, Wolf Designs and DunerTunes.
More Sand Sports Super Show Coverage
- 2014 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2013 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2012 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2011 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2010 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2009 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2008 Sand Sports Super Show
- 2007 Sand Sports Super Show
More Sand Sports Super Show Coverage
Explore UTVGuide.net’s complete Sand Sports Super Show coverage archive, with annual recaps, photographs and product highlights documenting the evolution of the UTV industry from 2007 through today.
