SideXSide Action - April 2008 - (Page 16)

POLARIS INDUSTRIES AND JAGGED X: A WINNING COMBINATION INTERVIEW BY > MIKE LASHER DOWN TIME We had the opportunity to sit down with Bill Schueler, owner of Jagged X, and Craig Scanlon, Product Line Sales Manager for the Polaris SXS Division, to discuss their recent Best in the Desert class championship in the new Polaris RZR. SXSA: Tell me about how the relationship between Jagged X and Polaris got its start? Bill Schueler: We have had support at several races. It’s nice having factory guys in the chase trucks. We probably would have DNF’ed a couple of them without the Polaris support. They can fix problems in record time! SXSA: What has this partnership meant to Polaris? RANGER RZR. RZR we met with several aftermarket SXS companies. Jagged X was chosen as a partner immediately. The strategy behind the relationship was born from the desire for us to have aftermarket accessories be available immediately upon the shipment of our first RANGER RZRs. First step was to send each of our partners a preproduction unit for them to start the development of aftermarket accessories. We didn’t know at the time that the partnerships would grow so quickly. Craig Scanlon: Six months before the launch of the Bill Schueler: Yeah, we raced Parker in our Rhino and were plagued with engine troubles. Craig called not to long after the race and asked if we would like to race a RZR and my response was, “Well, yeah!” The Terrible’s Town 250 was the first race with the RZR and we only had three weeks to build the car to Best in the Desert specs. SXSA: How involved is Polaris in supporting the Jagged X team and their RZR? SXSA: Bill, when you started the ‘07 season you were in a Rhino, weren’t you? Craig Scanlon: This partnership has been a great education for Polaris. The beauty of working with Jagged X for us is getting to see our product in the extreme applications. We have learned a ton about the capabilities of our vehicles through the partnership, including aspects that would have taken us years to test. What was born as an accessory project grew very quickly into so much more for us. The highlight was definitely the Vegas to Reno race. Being the only UTV to finish the 486 continuous miles was an indescribable accomplishment. Bill Schueler: The car still uses a majority of the factory components. We’re using the factory gearbox, suspension mounting points, electrical, front and rear diffs, stock motor, and stator. We run Jet Trim seats, Maxxis Tires, OMF Billet Center Bead Locks, Tire Balls, Vision X lights, and a Jagged X 6” long-travel kit with Elka shocks and Gorilla Axles. SXSA: Tell me a little about the car. Craig Scanlon: The first race we sent both engineers and corporate employees to get an idea of the environment that these cars would be running in and to bring Jagged X up to speed on the technology behind the 16 SIDE X SIDE ACTION MAGAZINE

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SideXSide Action - April 2008

SideXSide Action - April 2008 Contents Mailbox News Tips & Tricks Race Interview Next: Bobcat Soldier Meadows Win a Rhino CORR Season Wrap Up Race Year in Review Built For It: Rath Racing Prowler Product Review Shock Adjustments Tech: CDI & ECU Boxes Company Spotlight: Legend Off-Road Wheel Buyers Guide SXS Shoot-Out Gallery Shot New Products On The Go Photo

SideXSide Action - April 2008

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