King of Poland 2026: how Apex Race #99 prepared the Can-Am Maverick R for Ultra4 Europe

On August 27, theory ends. The driver, the car, and everything that has been prepared well or poorly before, are all that remains on the track.

From August 27–29, 2026, Offland Ignalin will host King of Poland, an official round of Ultra4 Europe. Apex Race with number #99 is also on the starting list for the 4900 UTV Unlimited class. We will be racing in our prepared Can-Am Maverick R.

This car was not built to look good in the parking lot. It has to withstand fast sections, rocks, heavy impacts, landings, and driving in conditions where every weakness quickly becomes apparent. Before the start, we focused not only on performance but primarily on suspension, structural durability, chassis protection, and proper setup of the entire car.

What is King of Poland?

King of Poland is one of the most important extreme off-road events in Poland and an official round of Ultra4 Europe. The competition takes place on a closed loop, and the result is determined by time. Fast sections, technical obstacles, rocks, sand, and places that mercilessly test both the crew's skills and the vehicle's preparation meet on one track.

The 2026 edition features cars from classes 4400 Unlimited and 4800 Legend, as well as UTVs in classes 4900 UTV Unlimited and 4900 UTV Stock. Apex Race #99 will compete in the 4900 UTV Unlimited class.

This is where a car must combine two features that are not always easy to reconcile: being fast on open sections and at the same time durable and predictable in difficult, technical terrain.

King of Poland vs. King of the Hammers in California

For King of the Hammers fans, the name and format of King of Poland immediately sound familiar. However, these are not the same competitions. King of the Hammers takes place in Johnson Valley, California, combining fast desert racing with extreme rock crawling. It is considered one of the toughest off-road races in the world.

King of Poland is a European event held in different conditions, but it belongs to the same Ultra4 world. The common philosophy is clear: raw power is not enough. The car must go fast, overcome obstacles effectively, and withstand stresses not encountered during ordinary off-road driving.

If King of the Hammers sets the global benchmark for this discipline, King of Poland showcases its strong European version. For us, it is also the best place to test solutions known from American off-road in real rally conditions in Poland.

How did we prepare the Can-Am Maverick R for King of Poland 2026?

The stock Can-Am Maverick R has enormous capabilities, but racing puts completely different stresses on it than recreational driving. Sustained high speed, larger wheels, continuous impacts and bumps affect not just one component, but the entire system. Therefore, we started preparing the car by focusing on its most critical points.

Reinforced AVID control arms and trailing arms

In our Maverick R, we used reinforced AVID suspension components, including control arms and trailing arms designed for heavy-duty rally use. Their purpose is not only to withstand greater loads. Maintaining geometry during high-speed driving, hard impacts, and landings is also crucial.

In tough terrain, stock components operate under much greater stress. Rocks, ledges, and rapid changes in direction can lead to deformation, play, or damage. Reinforced control arms increase the safety margin and allow the car to be built for real rally speeds.

Reinforcement of critical frame points was a complement. Simply installing stronger parts is not enough if the forces are transferred to unprepared mounts. In a rally UTV, the entire system must work as a single structure.

More on why we reinforce this area of the car can be found in the article Reinforcement of Can-Am Maverick R rear trailing arms.

ADS shock absorbers with bypass system

Another major change is the ADS suspension from Arizona, equipped with a bypass system. This type of solution allows for different control of the shock absorber's operation in specific parts of the stroke. This is crucial when a single track features fast bumps, large impacts, and technical obstacles overcome at low speeds.

However, even the most expensive shock absorber won't help if its settings don't match the car's weight, wheel size, driving speed, and track characteristics. Therefore, we didn't consider the work finished after installation. The suspension needed to be driven and tuned.

35-inch Maxxis tires

The Can-Am Maverick R also received reinforced, directional 35-inch Maxxis tires. A larger diameter means greater ground clearance and easier negotiation of large obstacles, but it also increases rotating mass and the stresses on the suspension, steering, and drivetrain.

Therefore, fitting 35-inch tires should not be treated as a separate modification. Wheels, geometry, suspension, control arms, and other components must be matched as a single set. Only then will a larger tire provide a real advantage instead of creating new weak points.

Polyurethane underbody skid plate

The underside of the car during King of Poland will be constantly exposed to contact with rocks, obstacle edges, and the ground. That's why we used a polyurethane underbody skid plate. Its task is to protect the most important chassis components and create a smooth surface that helps the car pass over obstacles without snagging.

In such a rally, underbody protection is not an accessory. It's a part that can decide whether you continue after a heavy impact.

Tests at Adrenalina Park: better to find problems before the start

We took the ready car for tests at Adrenalina Park. We wanted to check the Maverick R's behavior during faster driving, bumps, and load changes before hitting the King of Poland track.

Initial runs showed that the suspension setup was too soft. And that's exactly why tests are done. It's better to find out in controlled conditions than during the first race run.

Preparing a UTV for a rally doesn't end after installing parts. The car needs to be set up, driven, re-checked, and refined. We analyze the suspension's performance, the car's behavior on landing, stability in fast sections, and how the entire system reacts to 35-inch wheels. Each piece of information helps us bring the setup closer to the conditions awaiting us in Ignalin.

We don't want to arrive at King of Poland and only then find out what works and what doesn't.

See how we prepared and tested the Can-Am Maverick R before King of Poland 2026.

What do we check in a UTV immediately before the rally?

Even the best-built car requires a thorough inspection before the start. For the Maverick R, we check, among other things:

• play and mountings in the suspension and steering system,

• shock absorbers, limit straps, ball joints, and bearings,

• axle shafts, CV joints, driveshaft, and other drivetrain components,

• condition of rims, tires, and the spare wheel,

• cooling system, hoses, clamps, and fan operation,

• brakes, fluids, and brake lines,

• underbody protection and all mounting points,

• tightening torques of bolts after test drives,

• tools and spare parts needed during the competition.

In a time rally, a small amount of play or an untightened component quickly turns into a serious failure. That's why in preparing a UTV for rallies, procedures and comprehensive car inspection are crucial, not just a list of impressive parts.

King of Poland 2026: when does Apex Race #99 race?

King of Poland 2026 will take place at Offland Ignalin, Ignalin 3, from August 27–29. Technical inspections for King and Prince crews are scheduled for Wednesday, August 26.

Thursday will feature suspension adjustment, track reconnaissance, and qualifications. Races for classes 4900 UTV Unlimited, 4900 UTV Stock, Trophy, and Prince are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Apex Race #99 is on the starting list for the 4900 UTV Unlimited class. According to the published schedule, races for this group will begin:

• on Friday, August 28, at 9:15 AM and 3:45 PM,

• on Saturday, August 29, at 9:15 AM and 3:45 PM.

The current schedule, information for spectators, and any organizational changes should be checked before arrival on the official King of Poland website.

Source: Official Mosfy.pl website

See you at King of Poland

Ahead of us are the final adjustments, car inspection, and suspension tuning. Then, the track will verify everything.

We're not just going to King of Poland for the result. It's a test for us of all the work put into the Maverick R, a chance to gather data, and an opportunity to test rally conditions for solutions we use when building UTVs for our clients.

If you are preparing a Can-Am Maverick R, Maverick X3, or Polaris RZR for rallies, fast off-roading, or tough terrain, contact Apex Race 99. We will select the scope of reinforcements and car setup to match the track, driving style, and the goal you want to achieve.

Follow Apex Race #99. We will show the preparations, runs, and how our Maverick R performs in the 4900 UTV Unlimited class.

FAQ: King of Poland and Can-Am Maverick R preparation

When and where is King of Poland 2026 taking place?

King of Poland 2026 will take place from August 27 to 29 at Offland Ignalin, Ignalin 3, 62-237 Ignalin. Technical inspections are scheduled for August 26.

What class is Apex Race #99 competing in?

Apex Race #99 is on the official starting list for the 4900 UTV Unlimited class.

Is King of Poland the Polish version of King of the Hammers?

They are separate competitions held in different conditions. However, both events belong to the Ultra4 world and combine fast racing with technical, demanding terrain. King of the Hammers takes place in Johnson Valley, California, and King of Poland is an official round of Ultra4 Europe.

How to prepare a Can-Am Maverick R for an off-road rally?

The scope of preparation depends on the track and class, but the most important areas are safety, suspension and frame reinforcement, underbody protection, cooling, drivetrain, brakes, proper wheels, and testing the entire setup before the start.