The folks over at Outdoor Channel are pretty much in awe of the Polaris XP 900 — and with good reason — so when they asked all the big players in the aftermarket UTV parts industry to build their own version of the car (with the code name Project X) just about everybody was onboard, including DragonFire Racing!

The idea was to have each aftermarket company install as many of their goodies on their own Polaris XP 900. Outdoor Channel camera crews would film the build and subsequent test runs. The film would then be included in upcoming segments of Destination Polaris, a television program that showcases all-terrain vehicles in their natural environment — which is, of course, outdoors in the wild and definitely off-road.

DragonFire Racing’s Polaris ZRZ XP 955
DragonFire Racing was happy to participate, but what we did was take a slight detour. We decided that if we were going to build-out an RZR XP, we were going to build one that practically anyone with even a modicum of mechanical ability could put together in a home garage or backyard shed. And we wanted to build this Polaris quickly. How quickly? Like in only three days. Like in, so fast we decided to name our vehicle Project XP 955. Yeah. That fast.

We’ve got to give special thanks and a nod of admiration for the Ron Shara Productions film crew (Jared and Nick), who stuck it out with us for three days in 100-plus degree heat in a shop with no air conditioning or fans (because of noise pollution concerns). And the minute we were finished building our DFR version, these two camera dudes hopped in and drove for an hour to shoot some riding for the Outdoor Channel show.

Three days to install all the equipment listed below is phenomenal. Our crew, led by Nick Stienman, lead technician, and Seth Bredesen, design engineer and chief of Research & Development, worked their butts off to meet a self-imposed deadline. And one thing’s for sure: We didn’t go the Extreme Makeover route. Every part is expertly and perfectly installed. No patchwork installation here. Our crews figure the average semi-mechanically minded Joe — doing the job themselves at home — could tack on another two or three days to successfully complete this build.

DragonFire’s Scott Highland takes center stage.
Nevertheless, we had a blast putting this Polaris XP together in a rapid fashion. The finished beast was on display at this week’s Polaris Dealer Show in Nashville, and it will also be a highlight at the 2011 Sand Sport Super Show in Costa Mesa, Calif., come Sept. 16-18.

You can also see us on Destination Polaris (on Outdoor Channel), which airs at 5 and 9:30 p.m. EST every Monday night, and at 2 a.m. EST on Tuesdays. Original airings of DragonFire Racing’s contribution will appear on Aug. 8, 15, 22 and 29, as well as Sept. 5 and 12. Repeat airings can be seen on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28; and Dec. 5 and 12.

And just in case you wondered how much stuff we put on our Polaris, here’s the list:

◦DragonFire Yokley Woods Suspension Kit
◦DragonFire High Rise Rear Links
◦T-7 ITP Rims
◦Baja Cross Tire
◦DragonFire 955 Cylinder Kit
◦DragonFire Stage 2 Cylinder Head
◦DragonFire Stage 2 Cams
◦DragonFire Race Prepared Tappet Buckets
◦DragonFire Dual Exhaust System
◦PIM Fuel Controller
◦PIM Data Box
◦DragonFire Carbon Fiber Velocity Stack
◦Light Weight Lithium Battery
◦FireBreather Air Intake System
◦DragonFire Clutch Mods
◦DragonFire Clutch Cooling Fan
◦DragonFire Race Pace Front V-Bar
•Race Pace Rear Bumper
•Race Pace Back Bone Bars
•Race Pace Spare Tire Mount
•Race Pace Headache Bar
◦DragonFire Front Frame Brace System
◦DragonFire Bash Front Bumper
◦Dragon Skins Number Panel System-with ID Graphics
◦DragonFire Race Steering Wheel and Quick Release
◦DragonFire Race Seats
◦DragonFire 4 Point Seat Belts
◦DragonFire CustomGrab Bar
◦DragonFire XP Trailer Hitch
◦DragonFire Custom Graphics
◦DragonFire Suicide Opening Door System
◦DragonFire 12” Single Row Light Bar
◦DragonFire 32” Double Row Light Bar
◦DragonFire Switch Panel and LED Switches
◦DragonFire Custom Shift Knob
◦DragonFire Fire Extinguisher Mount
Tune in and check us on Destination Polaris.