I'm going to chime in too. We've raced KOH for three years, in six different vehicles. One teryx in 2011, two 800's in 2012, two XP's in 2013.
This is more or less the only race we do.
-Qualifying is huge for fans, sponsors, etc. Anything that makes the racing better, and gets viewers and sponsors is a GREAT thing.
-Wednesday is awesome. Keep EMC on Thursday. But don't overshadow UTV's by having 4400 qualifying at the same time.
-Two classes is a great idea. Sportsman has less rules, maybe even lets nearly stock ones in that showed up last minute and decided they wanted to race(limit tire size to 28", no long travel, no frame mods, etc).
-Pro should have more safety rules, and allow more modifications, but lets not go crazy:
No turbos, no nitrous, no superchargers, engine and trans must be a paired OEM powersports engine and CVT trans, up to 1050 cc?
Four wheel drive required with low and high gear. This should allow the rotax guys in, and keep the Z1/Busa swaps out. None of this 130mph+ 6 speed crotch rocket swap crap.
No tires over 32".
No full tube chassis, backhalf ok. Shock mounting positions can be changed. Chassis can be reinforced/boatsided/notched for clearance. Suspension arm mounts must be in factory location in front. (this allows people to extend wheelbases by backhalving, which is in the spirit of KOH in my opinion).
Must retain factory type independent suspension. No solid axle swaps.
Must resemble production UTV. This allows changing of body panels for aftermarket as long as you don't go full custom.
Standard safety stuff. Doors(opening ones are great, since we are getting in/out all the time), 6 point cage, horn/siren, window nets, rear lights, harnesses, seats, fire extinguisher.
I like the winch being mandatory. Don't care about a front bumper rule, though I will run one to nerf with if needed.
If you take the EMC's out of last years race, I bet 10-12 UTV's would have finished on time. I broke and gave up due to time, because I had already sat waiting for an hour. The fix would only have taken me an hour. I didn't wait in the desert, I waited in the rocks.
Keep it simple, keep it interesting.
Thanks for posting Dave! We appreciate it.