This 2008 Kawasaki Teryx was built to take on one of the toughest early UTV competitions in the country: the 2009 King of the Hammers UTV race in Johnson Valley, California.
The approximately 50-mile course combined deep whoops, high-speed lake beds, sand hills and extreme rock-crawling trails. The varied terrain created a demanding test of vehicle durability, driver skill and race preparation, with numerous competitors suffering mechanical failures along the way.
Driven by Bob Roggy with Jon Crowley serving as spotter, the Kawasaki Teryx crossed the finish line in strong running condition. Completing the punishing Johnson Valley course—and being capable of continuing beyond the finish—demonstrated the durability of the Teryx platform and the carefully selected components used throughout the build.
Building the Kawasaki Teryx for King of the Hammers
Preparing the Teryx for King of the Hammers required much more than adding horsepower. The build focused on occupant safety, chassis protection, suspension performance, drivetrain reliability, navigation and communications.
Roggy Enterprises fabricated the roll cage, doors, front bumper, UHMW skid plate and rock protection. Simpson Racing supplied critical safety equipment, while Side by Side Racing Products handled the shocks and springs. ITP beadlock wheels and tires provided traction while helping keep the tires secured to the wheels in low-pressure rock-crawling conditions.
Performance upgrades included a Dynatek CDI, Muzzys exhaust, Hart’s UTV jetting and a Dalton Industries clutch kit with an upgraded clutch cover. A Warn winch, Lowrance GPS and Rugged Race Products radio and intercom system completed the race-preparation package.
2008 Kawasaki Teryx Race Build Specifications
Seats and Safety Equipment
- Seats: TeryxGiant.com
- Seat bases: SDR Motorsports
- Harnesses and restraints: Simpson Racing
- Window nets: Simpson Racing
- Fire suits: Simpson Racing
- Panoramic rearview mirror: Axia Alloys
- Fire extinguisher mounts: Motorsports2
- Parker Pumper mount: OMF Performance
Chassis and Protection
- Roll cage: Roggy Enterprises
- Doors: Roggy Enterprises
- Front bumper: Roggy Enterprises
- UHMW skid plate: Roggy Enterprises
- Rock skids: Roggy Enterprises
Controls and Accessories
- Steering wheel and quick disconnect: Hart’s UTV
- Horn kit: Side x Side Sports
- Winch: Warn Industries
Suspension, Wheels and Tires
- Shocks and springs: Side by Side Racing Products
- Beadlock wheels: ITP
- Tires: ITP
Engine and Drivetrain
- CDI: Dynatek
- Exhaust: Muzzys
- Jetting: Hart’s UTV
- Clutch kit: Dalton Industries
- Clutch cover: Dalton Industries
- Clutch kit installation: Hart’s UTV
Navigation and Communications
- GPS: Lowrance 540C
- GPS mount: Side x Side Outfitterz
- Two-seat mobile radio and intercom: Rugged Race Products
- Radio and intercom mount: Side x Side Outfitterz
King of the Hammers Kawasaki Teryx Photo Gallery
Pictures after the race:
A Durable Early Kawasaki Teryx Race Build
This 2008 Kawasaki Teryx was built during the early years of organized UTV rock racing, when teams were still learning what it took to survive Johnson Valley. Its successful finish at the 2009 King of the Hammers UTV race showed that a carefully prepared Teryx could handle a punishing combination of desert speed, deep whoops and extreme rock crawling.
The build also highlighted a formula that remains important in modern UTV racing: prioritize safety, protection, suspension, navigation and reliability before chasing maximum horsepower.
