The Sand Sports Super Show (SSSS) held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA is the premier sand sports event in the United States.  It draws sand sports fans from all over the world.  Some of the fastest, most innovative sand cars, ATVs and UTVs can be found at the SSSS along with hundreds of parts for your ride and lifestyle.  We set out to find some of the coolest parts and sand trends from this year's show.  Here's what we found.

MAC's UTV Tire Straps

Mac's Tie Downs very own DJ Lizard was spinning at the Sand Sports Super Show this year, but instead of vinyl he was turning UTVs upside down on their massive rotisserie lift.  Mac's showcased the strength and extreme load capacity for their UTV Wheel Net Pack product.  This new tire strap system was developed specifically for the UTV market and makes strapping down your rig for the long haul a cinch.  Mac's Wheel Nets are designed to lock your UTV wheels in place for safe and secure towing, while also allowing the UTVs suspension to smoothly absorb the bumps of the road while being towed/hauled.  Each wheel net tie down is constructed using 2" wide 12,000-lb capacity webbing and 5,000-lb capacity hardware.  They are also over stitched for added safety and durability. Mac's UTV Wheel Net Packs are offered for 27-, 30-, and 32-inch UTV tires.  You can check them out at http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/

UTV Sand Tires

Sand tires keep getting larger as horsepower and wheel travel continues to increase in the UTV segment.  The 13.00-15, which equates to roughly a 31-inch diameter, is one of the hottest UTV set-ups on the dunes right now according to Dave Kuskie with Fullerton Sand Sports.  Not only are these sand tires getting taller, they're also getting wider. Larger diameter sand paddles make for better ground clearance and also add room for additional paddles for better traction in 1000cc + models.  Another new innovation in tire design developed for the UTV segment is the hybrid front razor tire with inner paddles for added traction.

They're designed to increase steering response and improve flotation while adding hill climbing abilities in sand when using 4WD.  Companies like Sand Tires Unlimited and GMZ both offer these punky hybrid front sand tires.  Check out Fullerton Sand Sports for a complete UTV sand tire lineup https://www.fullertonsandsports.com/

SCORE at SSSS

SCORE International had a large display at the SSSS this year as part of the celebration for November's 50th anniversary of the iconic SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races.  This was the first time SCORE had exhibited at the show.  “SCORE is truly thrilled to be able to finally be an active part of the Sand Sports Super Show,” commented Jim Ryan, SCORE Marketing and Sales Director.  There were several desert race trucks and race vehicles on display.  SCORE International also gave show goers a taste of Baja desert racing with their high adrenaline video footage streaming on the huge SCOREvision LED screen.  Next stop is the OFF-ROAD EXPO in Pomona, CA.  http://score-international.com/

HCR Elite Long Travel Kit

HCR is known for their heavy duty fully boxed long travel suspension used in off-road racing applications. They now offer a long travel suspension system made specifically for the serious dune rider. The Elite series takes the same principles as the Pro Kit, but is engineered to be light weight. The innovative design retains strength and integrity by retaining HCR's legendary internal box and ribbing methods.  Each external weld is an internal plate structured into the design. Instead of being fully boxed, the Elite Series includes cut-outs that add dimension and also cut weight. The custom alloy used to manufacture the Elite kit is also 30% stronger in tensile and yield strength compared to 4130 Series chromoly. All HCR kits run 4130 heat treated billet ends allowing internal and external plating to be attached as well as eliminating a potential weak point. Billets are available in both balljoint and spherical applications. HCR Elite Long Travel Kits are available for Polaris RZR, Yamaha YXZ, and Can-Am Maverick. You can check out the full lineup at https://www.hcrracing.com/

SDR Motorsports / GlazzKraft Can-Am Bodykit

Restyling isn't just for the fast and furious anymore, it's very much a part of the next expansion for the UTV mod scene.  Custom paint, graphics and body panels have been on display in the high dollar UTV rodeo grounds for some time, but the guys at GlazzKraft have just blown the lid on what's next; we're talking high-end custom bodykits that completely transform the look of your UTV.  SDR Motorsports and GlazzKraft teamed up in developing a wicked concoction of fast lines that borrow from race and retro dune buggy hightail designs. 

We caught a first glimpse of their new Can-Am Maverick X3 prototype, which is fully equipped with a number of UTV performance parts and custom accessories from SDR Motorsports.  If you dig the look, SDR Motorsports also has options for the Polaris RZR.  You can learn more about bodykit options at http://www.sdrmotorsports.com/

Racepak Dash

The IQ3RZR dash kit from Racepak for the Polaris RZR 900 & 1000 is designed to replace your factory gauges with a performance aftermarket display able to monitor up to 24 different vehicle parameters including engine RPM, fuel level, voltage, belt temperature and boost, plus many more. Many professional UTV racers and off-road competitors that rely on accurate information and displays that won't quit halfway through the race trust Racepak products. Racepak's IQ3RZR high performance aftermarket dash kit is plug and play, just disconnect the factory ECU harness from the rear of the factory gauge and go. A mount panel for the IQ3RZR dash is also included for a clean, factory finish. You can learn more about https://www.racepak.com/

UTV Custom Wraps

Wolf Designs had a custom wrapped Can-Am Maverick X3 on display at the SSSS that really stood out in a sea of side-by-sides.  The cool thing is that they actually wrapped it at the show.  Wolf Designs' premium UTV wrap kits for the Can-am Maverick X3 are digitally printed on the highest quality 3M brand vinyl with Eco Solvent Inks ensuring the very best product with a finish and fit that makes it look like custom paint.  These wraps are affordable, durable, and more forgiving than a custom paint job when it comes to scratches.  They can also be removed, allowing users to change the look of their UTV often with different graphics. 

Each Wolf Designs wrap kit is made to order and cut to cover doors, fenders, hood, roof, and rockers.  They have plethora of graphic choices to choose from online, but if you don't find what you like they also offer custom colors and designs.  Look them up at http://www.wolfdesigns.biz/     

sPOD UTV

The latest offering from sPOD is the Source SE for UTVs.  It makes adding 12v powered off-road accessories simple and safe.  From LED light bars to recovery winches, air compressors and lockers—the sPOD Source SE gives UTV drivers full control of all their electrical accessories in a simple, easy to use system.  The beauty of sPOD is that it doesn't use fuses, but rather automotive grade high-power, high-temp, ultra-reliable components with a maximum 100-amp capacity.  The sPOD Source SE is a fully programmable digital CAN-Bus controlled system utilizing state-of-the-art technologies.  They're built to be super tough by off-roaders for off-roaders.  On display at the SSSS was Shannon Campbell's sPOD equipped RZR that raced and won the 2017 King of the Hammers UTV race. 

Campbell also runs the sPOD HD Switch Panel, which fits nicely inside any UTV cockpit.  The HD Switch Panel features an aluminum billet machined housing which utilizes tactile switches encapsulated in silicone.  All 8 switches are backlit and feature silicone buttons with positive touch feedback.  The all-weather panel is designed to withstand the harshest environments and also includes built in Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to program and control the sPOD Source SE with an iPhone or iPad.  You can learn more about sPOD's UTV line at http://www.4x4spod.com/

Eibach UTV Springs

Eibach PRO-UTV Springs are the fastest way to dial in your UTV for a faster, more stable off-road ride without breaking the bank.  The PRO-UTV System replaces the factory springs with Eibach Racing Off-Road springs engineered to deliver maximum performance for any terrain.  With so many late model UTVs already equipped with high quality FOX or Walker Evans off-road shocks from the factory, there's really no need to spend thousands of dollars on a new set of shocks to make your ride better.  These UTV specific spring sets come in three different configurations.  The Stage1 includes race proven Eibach dual-springs that deliver a durable, repeatable performance and a sag free ride.  Stage 2 adds control and confidence so you can stay on the gas without the fear of bucking out of control in the whoops.  An adjustable lockout collar is included to allow fine tuning of the transition point of the dual spring setup—for a smooth ride over rough terrain and preventing bottoming out in the g-outs, in addition to better tire hook up when powering out of turns.  The Stage 3 is specifically engineered for 4-seater UTVs loaded with spares, tools or passengers.  It maintains a plush ride over rough terrain and the higher spring rate helps prevent bottoming out.  They're available for Polaris RZR, Yamaha YXZ, and Can-Am Maverick.  For more information, check out http://eibach.com/america/

STEEL-IT Coating

Making its way from the industrial metal world to off-road motorsports is the Polyurethane Coating System from STEEL-IT.  This extremely durable finish is actively being used in short course and desert race vehicles with great success.  STEEL-IT made its sand debut at this year's SSSS with a lot of interest from customers tired of dealing with rusty or flaky finishes that chip easily off-road.  STEEL-IT features a unique stainless steel leafing pigment that provides optimum weather-, abrasion-, and corrosion-resistance.

The easy to apply system yields a hard, non-toxic, metallic finish that protects a multitude of metallic and non-metallic surfaces from ultraviolet rays, chemicals, oils, alkalis, acids, water immersion, abrasion, and high-pressure washdowns.  Another cool feature off-roaders love about STEEL-IT is that you can weld and make repairs without removing the finish.  You can then easily touch it up with a STEEL-IT spray can.  Check it out at http://www.steel-it.com/