2011 started off with a bang, when Polaris announced the new RZR XP, featuring an all-new trailing arm rear suspension and new 875cc engine producing 88 HP. Thunderhawk Performance already has preliminary designs on a number of new products for the RZR XP, and we are looking forward to an exciting year with this new “King” of the performance UTV scene.
Thunderhawk Performance would like to congratulate Rich Travalena and his team on their 2010 GNCC UTV Lites Limited championship. Winning a season championship requires top-notch driving skills, lots of hard work and a fast & reliable UTV. Team Travalena took their Kawasaki Teryx to the winner's circle in the UTV Lites Limited class at all six races of the 2010 GNCC UTV series. A season championship is not easy to win, and a six-race sweep is especially uncommon.
Thunderhawk Performance is proud to have been able to assist Team Travalena in their 2010 championship run by providing chassis parts to strengthen their Teryx for the rigors of a full season of GNCC racing. Thunderhawk Performance looks forward to continuing to support Team Travalena as they defend their championship in 2011.
Thunderhawk Performance has released CV-Max CV guards for the mid-size Polaris Rangers. Like all Thunderhawk CV-Max CV guards, we have invested the time to design and manufacture a true, full-coverage CV guard set for this vehicle. Most CV guards look alike, until you look under the vehicle. Thunderhawk CV-Max CV guards feature large deflectors on the front for superior protection, but also include large deflectors on the rear where most other CV guards leave you exposed with no protection.
Mid-Size Ranger CV-Max C.V. Guards
Thunderhawk Performance is proud to announce the introduction of our new, 2-piece front chassis brace kit for the Polaris RZR, RZR-S and RZR-4. This chassis brace kit includes a strong lower brace and our patent-pending, bolt-on upper brace. The lower brace strengthens the open frame area between the front upper control arms. The upper brace triangulates the front frame tubes and the steering rack, providing superior rigidity over a weld-in brace, while offering easy, bolt-on installation.
Thunderhawk Performance now offers the best skid plate protection available for the mid-size Polaris Ranger. We have designed this skid plate with many unique features to offer superior strength and protection. Leading and trailing edges of the Thunderhawk skid plate are formed like the front tip of a snow ski to allow the skid plate to slide up and over any trail obstacles, instead of snagging an edge. We have also extended the skid plate farther back to protect a part of the frame left exposed by the stock and other aftermarket skid plates. This main skid plate is also designed to fit with our other upcoming side, floor-board skid plates and wheel well protection.
Mid-Size Ranger Main Skid Plate
Congratulations to Shannon Bushman on completing the Borneo Equatorial Expedition driving a Polaris RZR-S. Shannon's RZR-S was the first, and only, UTV to complete this treacherous journey.
Participants from around the world converged on Borneo in December, 2009 to attempt to follow the equator across 1300 miles of jungle where roads are virtually non-existent, complicated by the fact that this expedition took place in the middle of monsoon season. Surrounded exclusively by off road trucks, which have been established as the standard for this type of expedition for many years, the RZR-S looked like an underdog. In the end, Shannon and his RZR-S proved the skeptics wrong by completing this journey, which over 20% of the trucks could not complete.
Shannon relied on about a dozen sponsors, including Thunderhawk Performance, to supply the parts needed to modify his RZR-S to complete this expedition. We are proud to say that Thunderhawk Performance products, such as the Expand-Lock frame tubes, fuel tank skid plate and chassis braces, have survived the jungles of Borneo. Once again, congratulations to Shannon for completing this difficult journey, and in making a mark in the history books as the first UTV to navigate the equator across the jungles of Borneo.
Building on the popularity of the 2010 Ranger 400, Polaris has announced two new 2011 models based on this same mid-size chassis. The Ranger 400 is unchanged for 2011, with its powerful, 29 HP, carbureted, 455 cc engine. The Ranger 500 EFI is equipped with a 32 HP, 498 cc, EFI engine and also receives a digital instrument cluster with speedometer, tach, odometer and other functions. The Ranger Crew 500 is equipped with the same 498 cc, EFI engine and digital instrument cluster, but is stretched 32 inches and features second row seating to comfortably haul four adults. The Crew 500 also receives upgraded twin-piston front brake calipers, wider front tires and an increased payload capacity.
Sept 20, 2008
Kawasaki has announced that the 750 V-twin engine in the Teryx will receive fuel injection for all 2009 models. The EFI system used on the Teryx is similar to that used on the 2008 Brute Force, with a few major differences. The Teryx receives smaller (34mm) throttle bodies for improved torque on the heavier Teryx, and the EFI computer is re-calibrated specifically for the Teryx. In addition, Kawasaki has added a fuel gauge, tilting bed and a number of other upgrades to the '09 models.
For complete details, specifications and more new model photos of the 2009 Kawasaki Teryx, go to the "Tech Talk - History & Specifications" section of our website, or click here.
Sept 20, 2008
Kawasaki has announced two new Teryx Sport models for 2009. The Teryx Sport and the special Monster Energy edition will feature the new Teryx fuel injection system, aluminum wheels, special body plastic and a fully adjustable, performance suspension.
Kawasaki's new EFI system improves torque and driveability, while eliminating carb jetting. Lightweight aluminum wheels reduce unsprung weight for improved performance and handling. The new, performance-tuned suspension features Kayaba aluminum bodied, gas-charged shocks with piggy-back reservoirs. These shocks provide adjustable preload and fully adjustable rebound and compression damping to increase control and enhance comfort on the trail.
For complete details, specifications and more new model photos of the 2009 Kawasaki Teryx Sport, go to the "Tech Talk - History & Specifications" section of our website, or click here.
November 30, 2007
This tech manual has been written to take much of the mystery out of today’s forced induction systems. Anyone considering the purchase of a turbocharger or supercharger system should be familiar with the fundamentals included in this Thunderhawk tech manual. The function of individual components is discussed, leading to a better understanding of how a powerful and efficient turbo or supercharger system is designed. Complete appendix describes the math behind these systems, with examples.
For a full-screen version of the Thunderhawk Performance FORCED INDUCTION TECH MANUAL go to the "Tech Talk" section of our website. To open within this window, click here.
October 8, 2007
The NMRA Pure Street championship came down to the season finals in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Jimmy Wilson walked away with the title. Thunderhawk Performance would like to congratulate Jimmy on his 2007 Championship. We look forward to helping Jimmy defend his title in 2008.
For a full-screen version of our race report, visit our "Competition" page under the "In Action" button at the top of our website. To open within this window,click here.
