UTV of the Month for July 2013
The arrival of the 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 reset expectations for production sport UTV performance. Its 107-horsepower ProStar engine, 64-inch stance and long-travel suspension made it an ideal starting point for something far more ambitious: XP1K.
Created by UTVUnderground.com and Mad Media, the original XP1K project transformed two brand-new RZR XP 1000s into purpose-built stunt machines. Championship UTV and Pro Lite racer RJ Anderson was selected to drive them in an over-the-top video designed to demonstrate what the new platform—and a fearless driver—could do.
Building the Original Polaris RZR XP1K
The two XP1K machines began as stock 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000s, but little remained untouched by the time the builds were finished. A team of experienced racers, fabricators and performance specialists was assembled to create UTVs capable of surviving the jumps, slides and other demanding stunts planned for the film.
Randy Anderson and Walker Evans Racing handled the suspension development. Mark Holz of Holz Racing Products built the race-ready chassis components, while Kevin Kroyer and Kroyer Racing Engines developed the engine and drivetrain package. MCX-USA supplied the turbo system, and Polaris technicians provided additional technical support throughout the project.
The result was a pair of heavily modified XP 1000s producing more than 190 horsepower at the rear wheels—an extraordinary number for a UTV in 2013. The additional power was paired with a reinforced chassis, race suspension, safety equipment and a custom turning brake that gave RJ greater control during precision stunts.
Filming XP1K at Eagle Mountain
Mad Media selected Eagle Mountain, an abandoned iron-mining community east of Palm Springs, California, as the setting for the XP1K film. Its industrial ruins, steep dirt faces, open roads and weathered structures created a dramatic off-road playground.
The location gave RJ Anderson room to display his aggressive driving style and precise car control while showcasing the power, suspension and durability of the newly introduced RZR XP 1000 platform.
XP1K was built around a simple objective: capture the excitement of driving a high-performance UTV and share it with a much larger audience. The finished film placed viewers in the driver’s seat as RJ launched, slid and charged through Eagle Mountain in a machine unlike anything previously associated with a production-based side-by-side.
For more information about the machine that provided the foundation for XP1K, see our complete 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 overview and specifications and our original Polaris RZR XP 1000 review.
Polaris RZR XP1K Build Specifications
Holz Racing Products Chassis and Suspension Components
- Holz chromoly A-arms
- Holz heavy-duty tie rods
- Holz chromoly trailing arms
- Holz sway bar
- Holz heavy-duty radius rods
- Holz rear chassis brace
- Holz skid plate
- Holz prerunner front bumper
- Holz nerf bars
- Holz chromoly race roll cage
- Aluminum roof and doors
- Window net
- Custom aluminum interior panels
- Holz billet shifter
- Custom low-mounted seat
- Holz/Walker Evans Racing-style 15-inch three-piece beadlock race wheels
Kroyer Racing Engines 1010cc Turbo ProStar Engine
- MCX-USA Polaris turbo system with intercooler
- Custom pistons designed for the turbo application
- Modified Polaris crankshaft with 7mm additional stroke
- Welded, ground and heat-treated crankshaft
- Carrillo connecting rods
- Fully CNC-ported cylinder head
- Camshafts designed to Kroyer Racing Engines specifications
- Larger custom PVD-coated lifter buckets
- Aftermarket intake and exhaust valves
- Specially designed valve springs, retainers and spring bases
- Coated engine bearings
- Custom-tuned TEAM Industries Polaris RZR clutch
- Peterson dry-sump oiling system
- More than 190 rear-wheel horsepower at 13 psi of boost
Shocks, Tires and Driver Equipment
- Walker Evans Racing 2.5-inch rear remote-reservoir, dual-rate shocks with custom valving
- Walker Evans Racing 2.5-inch front piggyback, dual-rate shocks with custom valving
- Custom-grooved 30x10R15 Falken Wildpeak A/T tires
- Custom hand-operated turning and cutting brake
- MasterCraft Safety five-point harness
- Sparco EVO II racing seat
- Joe’s Racing Products aluminum steering wheel with quick release
- Joe’s Racing Products window-net release
Why the Original XP1K Mattered
The original XP1K helped introduce high-production-value UTV action films to a much wider audience. It also demonstrated how quickly the aftermarket could transform the then-new RZR XP 1000 into a specialized performance machine.
More than a decade later, the jumps and horsepower remain impressive, but the project is also an important snapshot of a pivotal moment in Polaris RZR history. The XP 1000 had just arrived, the sport UTV market was accelerating rapidly and XP1K showed how far the new platform could be pushed.
