We have final information on our new UTV Series, set to begin this weekend at the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina. Here are updated details:

We will hold four UTV races, and we will calculate points to create a series' champion.

The series kicks off at the Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina on April 12, continues at the Mountain Ridge GNCC in Somerset, Pennsylvania on July 5, and concludes with the Power Line Park GNCC on October 11 and the Ironman GNCC on October 25. Each race will run for 60 minutes and begin at 4:30 p.m.

The UTV Series will feature four classes, the same ones used at the Ironman last October. The classes are:

0-700 cc Limited (Stock, allows for changes to tires, wheels, bumpers and skid plates, air box and exhaust. No suspension or internal motor modifications allowed””no motor modifications besides airbox/filter and exhaust. No ignition or rev limiter changes allowed.)

0-700cc Modified (Production Rule, must be matching engine/frame combination. Engine and suspension modifications legal)

701-850cc Limited (Stock, allows for changes to tires, wheels, bumpers and skid plates, air box and exhaust. No suspension or internal motor modifications allowed””no motor modifications besides airbox/filter and exhaust. No ignition or rev limiter changes allowed.)

701-850cc Modified (Production Rule, must be matching engine/frame combination. Engine and suspension modifications legal)

ALL CLASSES REQUIRE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.

In the Limited classes, the list above explains what you CAN change. If it's not on the list above, you're NOT allowed to change it. A basic guideline: if it makes your machine faster or handle better, or improves suspension, it's not legal in the Limited classes. We do allow pipe and airbox changes, but they provide little performance gain in a UTV. Clutch and ignition changes are NOT allowed, and if your stock UTV had a speed governor or rev limiter built into the black box, you must use it. Yamaha Rhinos that come with reservior shocks (SE models) are legal, and yes you can put those shocks on a non-SE Rhino and still race the Limited class.

You can remove components from machines (like bed supports) in the Limited class to save weight.

All classes require a driver and passenger, but driver switches during the race are not permitted. Starts will be dead engine. Seatbelts and roll cages are required on all vehicles, and foot restraints or doors are required on all machines. Drivers must have helmets and eye protection (goggles with roll offs or tear offs are highly recommended). For foot restraints, nets or doors will suffice.

AMA cards are NOT required for drivers or passengers. The UTVs will not run under AMA sanction so cards are not required to race.

Drivers and pasengers must be 16 or older.

Entry fee is $50 per vehicle. All vehicles must have a driver and passenger. So that's $50 total between both.

We won't be using transponders for scoring, we'll use old-fashioned hand scoring. Drivers will have to stop at the finish each lap so we can record scores. At sign up, we'll print bar codes with your number for the race--numbers are not required on the machines. If you have numbers on already, ask for that number at sign up so the results sheet will match what's on your machine. There are no number plate color and number color requirements. Run what ya' brung!

The new series will run the machines on real GNCC terrain, including trees and wooded trails, mud, hills and high-speed field sections. Maneuverability and durability proved key at the Ironman UTV race last fall. We do not have a maximum width rule, and we'll build a track to accomodate all. But just like in the GNCC races for regular ATVs, narrower usually performs better.

We will race for one hour starting at 4:30 p.m.

Have fun and be safe out there. We'll see the UTVs this Saturday!