Ryan Piplic’s Cognito Motorsports-built Polaris RZR XP 900 captured an important moment in early UTV racing. The April 2013 UTV of the Month combined a lightweight race chassis, upgraded suspension and mostly stock engine with the platform that helped redefine the performance side-by-side market.
Piplic began racing ATVs in 2000 and competed in the WORCS series through 2011. Midway through the 2011 season, he transitioned to UTV competition in a Polaris RZR XP 900 and finished fifth despite running only the second half of the season.
From Privateer to WORCS Champion
In 2012, Piplic campaigned the full WORCS season and won the championship as a privateer in a nearly stock RZR XP 900. That result demonstrated how competitive the original Polaris RZR XP 900 could be with careful preparation rather than extensive engine development.
For the 2013 season, Piplic partnered with Cognito Motorsports to build a more purpose-focused race machine. Cognito fabricated a chromoly chassis and roll cage to improve strength while controlling weight. The company also installed its front A-arms, sway bar and trailing-arm gusset kit.
Cognito Suspension and FOX 2.5 Shocks
The suspension package paired Cognito components with FOX 2.5-inch PODIUM-X shocks featuring bottom-out control and Kashima-coated bodies. The larger shocks provided additional damping capacity for the jumps, holes and repeated impacts encountered in WORCS racing.
Maxxis Vipr tires were mounted on DWT Racing Ultimate wheels, while Tire Blocks provided additional protection against punctures. The staggered 26-inch tire package used 26×9-12 tires in front and 26×11-12 tires at the rear.
Inside the car, Corbeau Baja seats and five-point harnesses helped secure the occupants. A DragonFire Racing steering wheel with a quick-release hub completed the competition-oriented cockpit.
Mostly Stock Power in the Dunes
The RZR retained its stock 875cc ProStar engine internally. A Curtis Sparks exhaust, intake and fuel controller supported the engine, but the build relied primarily on the XP 900’s original power and the chassis setup rather than extensive engine modifications.
UTVGuide.net photographed Piplic and Cognito Motorsports founder Justin Lambert during the 2013 Glamis Industry Ride. Piplic repeatedly launched the XP 900 off the dunes despite running conventional Maxxis tires instead of sand paddles.
Ryan Piplic’s 2013 Polaris RZR XP 900 Build Specifications
- 2013 Polaris RZR XP 900
- Cognito Motorsports chromoly chassis and roll cage
- Cognito Motorsports front A-arms
- Cognito Motorsports sway bar
- Cognito Motorsports trailing-arm gusset kit
- FOX 2.5-inch PODIUM-X shocks with bottom-out control and Kashima coating
- Maxxis Vipr 26×9-12 front tires
- Maxxis Vipr 26×11-12 rear tires
- DWT Racing Ultimate wheels
- Tire Blocks
- Curtis Sparks exhaust and intake
- Fuel controller
- Corbeau Baja seats
- Five-point harnesses
- DragonFire Racing steering wheel and quick-release hub
- DragonFire Racing number plates
A Snapshot of the XP 900 Racing Era
This build illustrates how quickly racers and aftermarket companies developed the RZR XP 900 after its 2011 introduction. Its 88-horsepower ProStar engine, 64-inch width and trailing-arm rear suspension gave racers a strong foundation, while companies such as Cognito Motorsports and FOX helped adapt it for increasingly demanding competition.
Piplic went on to win the SxS Pro Production class at the 2013 WORCS race at Glen Helen. Later that year, he also set a new side-by-side jump record in a newer Polaris RZR XP 1000.
Photos by Neal Rideout and Jon Crowley.
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