The 2009 SEMA Show brought a growing number of side-by-sides and UTV aftermarket products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Modified Kawasaki Teryx, Polaris RZR, Yamaha Rhino, Polaris RANGER and Arctic Cat Prowler models demonstrated how quickly the industry had expanded beyond traditional utility vehicles.
The most historically significant group was found in the Side x Side Action Magazine booth. It featured 10 custom Kawasaki Teryx machines created for the magazine’s planned 2009 Battle of the Builders. The magazine ceased publication before its coverage appeared, leaving these photographs as a rare surviving look at a competition that never received its intended feature.
An Unpublished Kawasaki Teryx Battle of the Builders
The 2009 Kawasaki Teryx had only been available for a short time, but builders were already transforming it with long-travel suspension, engine modifications, custom cages, lighting, audio systems, new bodywork and extensively redesigned interiors.
Side x Side Action Magazine assembled 10 custom Kawasaki Teryx builds for its planned 2009 Battle of the Builders. The completed vehicles were displayed together in the magazine’s booth at the 2009 SEMA Show, but the magazine ceased publication before its coverage of the competition appeared.
That makes these photographs a rare surviving record of the unpublished project. The display included Kawasaki Teryx builds from C & G Performance/Funco, DASA Racing, Long Travel Industries, Mafia Industries, PJ’s Performance, Pro Precision, SSV Works, Side x Side Outfitterz, TMW Off-Road and XMF.
This was a separate competition from the 2008 Kawasaki Teryx Battle of the Builders, which UTVGuide.net attended and documented. Although both projects centered on the Kawasaki Teryx, the vehicles pictured here belonged to the planned 2009 edition.
2009 Kawasaki Teryx Battle of the Builders Display
The following 10 builds were photographed together in the Side x Side Action Magazine booth.
C & G Performance/Funco Kawasaki Teryx
DASA Racing Kawasaki Teryx
Long Travel Industries Kawasaki Teryx
Mafia Industries Kawasaki Teryx
PJ’s Performance Kawasaki Teryx
Pro Precision Kawasaki Teryx
SSV Works Kawasaki Teryx
Side x Side Outfitterz Kawasaki Teryx
TMW Off-Road Kawasaki Teryx
XMF Kawasaki Teryx
Other UTVs and Products at the 2009 SEMA Show
The unpublished Battle of the Builders display was only part of the UTV presence at SEMA. UTVGuide.net also photographed side-by-sides and aftermarket products in other booths throughout the convention center. These unrelated displays included vehicles and products from Baja Designs, Cognito Motorsports, GBC Motorsports, HCR Racing, Hi-Lift, Kolpin, MCX USA Turbo, RCD, Rigid Industries, UTV Tech and others.
Baja Designs
Cognito Motorsports
GBC Motorsports
HCR Racing
Hi-Lift
Kolpin
MCX USA Turbo
RCD
Rigid Industries
Rigid Industries represented another important trend visible at SEMA: the rapid adoption of LED lighting by UTV builders. Compact LED lights made it possible to add substantial nighttime illumination without the size and electrical demands of older off-road lighting systems.
UTV Tech
More UTVs from the 2009 SEMA Show
The following photographs capture additional UTVs, custom builds and products found throughout the show.
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Why This 2009 SEMA Display Matters
These photographs capture the UTV industry during an important transitional period. Modern buyers can choose factory-built machines intended specifically for trail riding, dunes, rock crawling, racing, recreation and work. In 2009, owners frequently depended on aftermarket builders to turn relatively basic UTV platforms into specialized vehicles.
The unpublished Battle of the Builders is an especially revealing part of that history. Ten companies took the early Kawasaki Teryx platform in different directions, demonstrating the demand for more suspension travel, increased power, better occupant protection, improved seating, stronger lighting and more personalized styling.
The broader SEMA gallery shows that the movement extended beyond the Teryx. Yamaha Rhino, Polaris RZR, Polaris RANGER and Arctic Cat Prowler builds were appearing throughout the show as UTVs became a meaningful part of the automotive aftermarket.
That growth eventually led SEMA to establish a dedicated powersports area for its 2026 show. Read more about the 2026 SEMA Powersports Pavilion and explore the complete history of the Kawasaki Teryx.
Historical note: The Side x Side Action Magazine display pictured here was created for its planned 2009 Kawasaki Teryx Battle of the Builders. The magazine ceased publication before the corresponding feature appeared. The other photographs on this page document unrelated UTVs and products found elsewhere at the 2009 SEMA Show.
Photos on this page are used with permission of Hot Shot Racing. No images may be reused without permission.
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