Close to 100 entrants will line up for the initial NZ1000 offroad race at the end of this month.
Polaris New Zealand has been named as a major sponsor of the two-day international offroad race, to be held in
mature pine forests in the South Waikato.
The company will be supporting leading competitors Ben Thomasen and Dyson Delahunty, and will also become the naming rights sponsor of the flagship race of New Zealand offroad racing.
“We are proud to partner with the sport’s most challenging race and we will continue to invest in the growth of SXS racing,” said Polaris New Zealand Country Manager, Alan Collins.
“This investment and the hard work by all the Polaris racers has allowed us to take huge strides in establishing an outstanding profile for the class.”
The Polaris NZ1000 is a two day event challenging racers to complete 500 km per day in an event that blends the most testing elements of motor racing and rallying. It was formerly the Taupo 1000.
As entries in the race move closer to the organisers’ target of 100, UTVs seem likely to make up 15 – 20 per cent of the grid with Polaris dominating the current list at the end of August.
At national championship level UTVs now represent the second largest class of off-road racing. Polaris vehicles have taken podium placings at a number of major events this year, including the Woodhill 100, Twizel 250 and the Peter Howell Memorial.
With a strong field of Polaris entrants, Polaris is eyeing both UTV class and overall podium places at the NZ 1000.
“Aligning our brand and the sport with events such as the NZ 1000 is another great stepping stone given the profile and heritage of these events. We are also very pleased to have Dyson Delahunty as a member of our race team to help establish the class and the sport as an outstanding activity for the younger generation.”
The UTV class continues to grow, with new entrants attracted by close racing and the affordability of the class. It is possible to have a Polaris RZR XP 1000 race-ready for as little as $40,000 with much lower ongoing maintenance costs than other vehicles.