2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals: UTV Racing, Mud and Builds

Posted on March 28, 2011
8:22 pm

The 2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals brought five days of mud racing, trail riding, custom UTVs and manufacturer displays to Mud Creek Off-Road Park near Jacksonville, Texas. Held March 23–27, the event attracted ATV and side-by-side enthusiasts from across the United States, Canada and beyond.

UTVGuide.net and UTVUnderground were on site documenting the Polaris Mudda Cross, EPI Endurance Challenge, Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog, Mud Jam Stereo Contest, Sand Pit and vendor area. The machines in attendance provide a snapshot of the UTV market in 2011, led by the then-new Polaris RZR XP 900 and first-generation Can-Am Commander.

2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals event flyer — The 2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals ran March 23–27 at Mud Creek Off-Road Park near Jacksonville, Texas.

Can-Am, Bennche, Yamaha, Arctic Cat and Polaris were among the powersports manufacturers represented at the event. Exhibitors also displayed many of the lifts, axles, tires, snorkels, doors and audio systems that defined the rapidly expanding mud-UTV segment.

Polaris Mudda Cross

The Mudda Cross put modified UTVs head-to-head over a short mud course. Team High Lifter Polaris Racing’s Brian Haughton claimed first place.

Polaris RZR XP vs. Polaris RZR

Polaris RZR racing in the 2011 Mudda Cross

Can-Am Commander 1000 vs. Polaris RZR S

Can-Am Commander 1000 racing a Polaris RZR S

Can-Am Commander 1000 vs. Commander 1000 X

Can-Am Commander racing at Mud Nationals

Can-Am Commander 1000 in the Mudda Cross

Turbo Polaris RZR vs. Can-Am Commander

Turbo Polaris RZR at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Can-Am Commander competing in the Mudda Cross

Turbo Polaris RZR racing a Can-Am Commander

Polaris RZR XP vs. Polaris RZR XP

Can-Am Commander 1000 vs. Can-Am Commander 1000

Two Can-Am Commander UTVs in the Mudda Cross

UTV racing through the Mudda Cross course

Mudda Cross Final

The final round matched a Polaris RZR XP against two Can-Am Commander 1000s.

Polaris RZR XP and Can-Am Commander Mudda Cross finalists

Mark Wise and Brian Haughton

Mark Wise of Team Gorilla Axle Powered by Can-Am

Mark Wise competing in the Polaris Mudda Cross

Mark Wise and Brian Haughton in the Polaris Mudda Cross

Brian Haughton of Team High Lifter Polaris Racing

Brian Haughton racing at the 2011 Mud Nationals

EPI Endurance Challenge

A Polaris RZR took first place in the EPI Endurance Challenge.

Polaris RZR endurance racing through mud

UTV racing in the EPI Endurance Challenge

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog

Brian Taylor of SuperATV won the Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog.

UTV competing in the Mud Nationals mud bog

Mud Bog competitor at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Mud Jam Stereo Contest

The Mud Jam Stereo Contest recognized both the loudest audio system and the most outrageous installation. Coverage was sponsored by SSV Works.

Most outrageous UTV in the Mud Jam Stereo Contest

Custom UTV audio system at Mud Nationals

Custom UTV entered in the Mud Jam contest

UTV sound system at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Spectators at the Mud Jam Stereo Contest

UTVs in the Sand Pit

The Sand Pit was one of the busiest recreational areas at Mud Nationals. The variety included Polaris RZR and RANGER models, first-generation Can-Am Commanders, Kawasaki Teryx machines, Yamaha Rhinos, a Honda Big Red, an Arctic Cat Prowler and even a Bobcat utility vehicle.

Polaris RZR in the Sand Pit at Mud Nationals

Honda Big Red in the Sand Pit at Mud Nationals

UTV playing in the Mud Nationals Sand Pit

Polaris RZR driving through the Sand Pit

Kawasaki Teryx in the Mud Nationals Sand Pit

Side-by-side riding at Mud Creek Off-Road Park

Modified Polaris RZR at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Mud-covered ATV at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Aerial Views of Mud Nationals

These aerial photos show the Sand Pit, manufacturer demo areas and the main vendor area during the event.

Aerial view of the Mud Nationals Sand Pit

Sand Pit at Mud Nationals viewed from the air

Yamaha demo trailer at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Main vendor area at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Vendor Area and Custom UTVs

Displays throughout the vendor area highlighted how quickly UTV customization was developing. Builds ranged from lifted mud machines to a rear-steer Yamaha Rhino and a Polaris RZR XP fitted with custom radius rods.

High Lifter Polaris RANGER at Mud Nationals

Vendor display at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Custom UTV in the Mud Nationals vendor area

Modified side-by-side displayed at Mud Nationals

UTV manufacturer display at Mud Nationals

Custom side-by-side at Mud Creek Off-Road Park

2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals vendor area

UTV displayed at the 2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals

Gorilla Axle Can-Am Commander

This first-generation Can-Am Commander was equipped with a Gorilla Axle lift, mud tires and a snorkel system.

Lifted Can-Am Commander from Gorilla Axle

Can-Am Commander lift, tires and snorkels

Team Gorilla Axle Powered by Can-Am

Can-Am Outlander X mr from Team Gorilla Axle

Team Gorilla Axle at the 2011 Mud Nationals

Show ’N Shine Contest

The Show ’N Shine contest featured some of the event’s most extensively customized ATVs and UTVs.

Custom machine in the Mud Nationals Show ’N Shine

Modified UTV entered in the Show ’N Shine

Customized off-road vehicle at Mud Nationals

2011 High Lifter Mud Nationals custom machine

A Snapshot of the Early UTV Mud Scene

The 2011 Mud Nationals arrived during an important transition in the side-by-side industry. The original Polaris RZR platform was evolving rapidly, the RZR XP 900 had introduced a new level of sport performance, and the first-generation Commander had established Can-Am in the recreational UTV market.

Those machines would eventually lead to factory-built mud editions. See our history of Polaris RZR and RANGER High Lifter Editions and the history of the Can-Am Commander for more context.