The first annual UTV World Championships, held in Laughlin, NV, is now officially in the history books. The event took place Feb. 20-21 and was presented by Polaris RZR, in conjunction with Mad Media, UTV Underground and sanctioned by the Best in the Desert Racing Association.
Driver Jacob Shaw, 20 years old and from Lakeside, CA, won the huge event with his Polaris RZR in the Production 1000 class. Shaw has been racing UTVs for years and started in dirt bikes when he was very young. With the support of Shaw’s parents, Jim and Gina Shaw, and with his passion to be one of the top UTV racers in the country, it is now official, Jacob Shaw is the undisputed 2015 UTV World Champion.
Shaw drew the third starting position for the event. He entered knowing he would be racing some of the biggest names in the industry like RJ Anderson, Mitch Guthrie, Jr., Ryan Piplic, Cody Rahders and Beau Baron, which are some of the most talented drivers in the industry.
The race was 10 laps long on a six-mile course that proved to be grueling, dusty and fast with 62 competitors in class. Shaw had his share of troubles at the start of the event with his racecar going into limp mode right off the start line. Shaw dropped to the back of the first row of 15 cars exiting turn one, having to stop for five seconds and restart his Polaris RZR to reset the computer. Once the engine re-fired, he was on a mission, able to work his way up through the field. On lap No. 2 of the race, the front differential failed, forcing Shaw to run in two-wheel drive for the remainder of the event. Despite the problems, Shaw was able to persevere and pull out the win.
At the awards ceremony located at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, Shaw accepted his 1st place trophy in the Production 1000 class, the Fastest Lap award and a brand new 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000. Continuing to prove his loyalty to his sponsors, Shaw thanked GMZ Race Products for the support with his wheels and tires, Magnum Offroad for the build and preparation of the racecar and Muzzy’s Performance Exhaust.
Shaw has been sponsored by GMZ Race Products since its inception and has been an integral part of the research and development for the GMZ Wheel and Tire line of products.
