It was discussed at length at the ORANZ council meeting last weekend how the UTV class was to be run in the future. With most manufactures paused to release “Turbo” versions of the current offerings it was thought this would be a good time develop some more stringent guidelines around this class.
The UTV’s are effectively to be split into two classes (Standard and pro). The standard class is to be highly regulated with very little modifications allowed and must be normally aspirated. (Additional rear mounted fuel cell, sway bars and standard manufacture produced wheels are suggested but to be formalized at the next ORANZ executive meeting) with Pro basically being anything goes (as long as original motor and drive line remains) and includes all turbo versions of UTV’s. It was acknowledged that work may have to be done on the Turbo UTV’s safety equipment to bring them to the required ORANZ standards.
The Pro class will also have a “sunset clause” that required a minimum number of competitors by a certain date or the class will be removed.
ORANZ now has a UTV specialist on the executive that has the responsibility of overseeing the development of the regulations for this class and all the council members agreed we are expecting good things from these classes in the future.
