The 13th annual Sand Sports Super Show brought the dune and UTV industries to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, September 16–18, 2011. UTVGuide.net was there with a booth, two project vehicles and a camera to document the machines, parts and companies shaping the rapidly growing side-by-side market.
This report is preserved as a historical look at the 2011 show. Product descriptions and specifications reflect what manufacturers and vendors displayed or announced at the event.
UTVGuide.net at the 2011 Sand Sports Super Show
UTVGuide.net displayed two of our project vehicles at the show: our Can-Am Commander 1000 XT and 2011 Kawasaki Teryx project. We also brought our collection of sand samples, which became a surprisingly popular attraction in the booth.
Why the 2011 Show Mattered
The 2011 Sand Sports Super Show arrived during an important transition for the UTV industry. The newly introduced Polaris RZR XP 900 was driving demand for faster sport machines, while the Can-Am Commander and Kawasaki Teryx remained popular foundations for dune and custom builds.
The growing performance market was visible throughout the show. Exhibitors displayed race-safety equipment, long-travel suspension, larger shocks, high-clearance radius rods, LED lighting, doors, exhaust systems and sand-specific wheels and tires. Many of those product categories are now routine parts of the sport UTV aftermarket, but in 2011 they represented a rapidly developing segment.
Our Favorite UTV Products from the 2011 Show
DragonFire Racing RacePace Parts
The Polaris RZR XP 900 was one of the most important vehicles at the show. DragonFire Racing displayed its bolt-on RacePace components, which were intended to help owners add the safety equipment required by many racing organizations.
Beard, Speed Industries and Koronis RZR XP Doors
Beard, Speed Industries and Koronis displayed doors for the Polaris RZR XP featuring molded-plastic outer panels supported by a lightweight frame. Full and partial doors were becoming increasingly popular as owners looked for more protection than the stock side nets provided.
OMF Performance 15-Inch Billet-Center Wheel
OMF Performance showed a 15-inch wheel with a replaceable billet center. The interchangeable center made it possible to change bolt patterns, while the 15-inch diameter opened more light-truck tire options for custom UTV builds.
Rigid Industries SR-Series LED Light Bar
Rigid Industries introduced its low-profile SR-Series LED light bar. At only 1.5 inches tall, the compact housing made it easier to install an LED bar where a taller fixture would interfere with the roofline or cage. Rigid rated the 10-inch version shown in 2011 at more than 3,200 lumens while drawing 35 watts.
DWT Racing Sector Wheel
DWT Racing displayed its one-piece Sector UTV wheel, one of several new wheel designs aimed at the growing sport side-by-side market.
Walker Evans Racing RZR XP Rear Shock
Walker Evans Racing showed a 2.5-inch rear shock for the Polaris RZR XP. The larger shock was aimed at owners pushing the XP harder in dunes, desert terrain and racing applications.
STI Vortex V-Roll Sand Tires
STI introduced its lightweight, four-ply Vortex V-Roll sand tire in 27×11-14 front and 27×14-14 rear sizes. The wide footprint was designed to provide flotation in soft sand, while the 14-inch wheel produced a relatively low-profile sidewall for the period.
Baja Designs Squadron LED Light
Baja Designs displayed its compact Squadron light using four Cree XM-L LEDs. The company rated the version shown at the event at 3,600 lumens—substantial output from a small housing by 2011 standards.
Gibson Exhaust for the Polaris RZR XP
Gibson Exhaust displayed single- and dual-outlet slip-on exhaust options for the Polaris RZR XP 900.
Long Travel Industries High-Clearance Radius Rods
Long Travel Industries showed high-clearance rear radius rods for the Polaris RZR XP. The rods used uniballs at the ends to prevent the assemblies from rotating and were shaped to provide additional ground clearance.
PRP Seats Harnesses
PRP Seats brought its latest off-road harnesses, reflecting the increasing emphasis on occupant safety as more UTV owners entered organized racing and built higher-performance machines.
XMF RZR XP Spare-Tire Carrier
XMF displayed a spare-tire carrier that attached near the RZR XP’s rear radius-rod mounts and to an upper mounting point. The design supported the tire securely behind the vehicle without requiring a complete replacement cage.
Lazer Star LED Light Bars
Lazer Star was among the companies displaying LED light bars as solid-state lighting rapidly replaced traditional HID and halogen auxiliary lights on UTV builds.
Wash 15 Off-Road Whip Mount
Wash 15 Off-Road showed a billet quick-release whip mount designed to let dune riders install or remove a safety flag without tools or trimming the end of the whip.
More Photos from the 2011 Sand Sports Super Show
The complete photo archive below includes displays and vehicles from AIRAID, Axia Alloys, Baja Designs, Benchmark Performance, BuckShot Racing, Can-Am, CST, DragonFire Racing, DWT Racing, Elka Suspension, Fox Racing Shox, Fullerton Sand Sports, Gibson Exhaust, Long Travel Industries, MasterCraft Safety, OMF Performance, Pro Armor, PRP Seats, Rigid Industries, Rugged Radios, SDR Motorsports, STI, TMW Off-Road, Walker Evans Racing, XMF and other exhibitors.
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.
