Polaris RZR Factory Racing driver Brock Heger continued his reign at the King of the Hammers (KOH) Desert Challenge, securing his third consecutive UTV Open class victory. The race, held in Johnson Valley, California, saw Heger pilot his Polaris RZR Pro R Factory to a dominant win, marking a strong start to the 2026 UTV racing season for both Heger and Polaris. The event took place this past Saturday, according to a report by UTV Guide.

Heger's victory was further bolstered by strong performances from other Polaris racers, with RZR Pro R vehicles claiming six of the top ten overall UTV positions. Chaden Minder secured a third-place podium finish, followed by Sebastian Marques in fourth and RZR Factory Racing teammate Ethan Groom in fifth. Branden Sims finished ninth, and Sierra Romo rounded out the top ten.

Key highlights from the race:

  • Dominant Performance: Heger qualified second and quickly took the lead, maintaining it throughout the four-lap, 250-mile race. He finished more than nine minutes ahead of the second-place UTV.
  • RZR Pro R Success: The Polaris RZR Pro R demonstrated its capabilities, with multiple drivers securing top positions.
  • Privateer Success: Chaden Minder, running a grassroots program, delivered a strong performance to secure a third-place finish, highlighting the RZR Pro R's durability and performance capabilities.
  • Checkpoint Issues: Cayden MacCachren initially crossed the line in third but was later adjusted to 11th due to inadvertently missing a virtual checkpoint.

According to Polaris' Director of Off-Road Motorsports, Alex Scheuerell, King of the Hammers delivered its usual drama and challenge. He further noted that Heger drove an incredible race, bringing home the trophy for Polaris, and highlighted the six top-ten finishes for the RZR Pro R, demonstrating the machine's capabilities in tough terrain.

Heger expressed his satisfaction with the win, noting the demanding nature of the King of the Hammers race and the exceptional performance of his RZR Pro R Factory. He emphasized the vehicle's power and suspension capabilities in handling the challenging desert terrain.

The Polaris Factory Racing team isn't done at King of the Hammers. Heger and CJ Greaves are scheduled to compete in the UTV Hammers Championship Race Rock, piloting modified Gen 1 RZR Pro R Factory machines specifically tuned for the rock-strewn course, including the infamous Chocolate Thunder section. The race is scheduled for Thursday, February 5th. It is not confirmed if the race already took place or if this is a scheduling error in the original report.

The original report came from UTVGuide.net.