La Revista Mujer

By Danielle Becker, English Editor at La Revista Mujer

“Danielle, I think you’re the perfect match for this assignment.” The words of La Revista Mujer’s Chief Editor echoed in my mind as I stepped off the plane in San Diego, only a short drive from the Mexican border. My adrenaline was flowing in anticipation of experiencing the reportedly epic “Dusty Days and Neon Nights” of CampRZR in Glamis, California, the iconic off-road capital of the Southwest. CampRZR is more than an event; it’s a pilgrimage, a reunion, a celebration of those who embrace adventure at full throttle. 

As a woman diving into the ever-more popular sport of off-road UTV riding and racing, I was eager to see what the fuss was all about. And let me tell you – it didn’t disappoint! Polaris’s RZR Pro R, a machine agile and powerful enough to conquer the Baja 1000 race in Mexico has been making waves in the racing world, and I wanted to experience it firsthand. 

THE BEAUTY OF GLAMIS BY DAY

The dunes of Glamis are mesmerizing in their scale, rolling and curving endlessly into the horizon. I quickly discovered that driving in this terrain was unlike any driving I had ever done. There is no following a marked path or driving in a straight line, as the crow flies. 

Each dune rises with its own mystery and if the decline on the other side is too steep, you risk a nosedive. Instead, you snake around the dunes, carving out your own path. 

The only way to reach your destination is to tack, at full glorious speed, along the crest at the top of a dune until you gain enough visibility to choose the next curve over and around, again and again, until you find yourself miles out in this gorgeous pastel moonscape. 

This constant improvisation, the thrill of discovering what’s just beyond the next peak, combined with the power and responsiveness of the RZR Pro, gave me an incredible sense of connection to the landscape. When I crested a dune at speed, the view from the top – miles of open desert under an endless sky – left me breathless.

The rhythm of the desert unfolded around me, dune after dune, with the sound of engines revving as thousands of vehicles forged their own paths through the landscape all around me. This visceral celebration of the thrill of off-roading offered a rugged beauty that was exhilarating and humbling at the same time. 

And as much as I try to describe the beauty and thrill of it all, I can’t help but emphasize that the sensory experience is something that truly must be experienced first-hand. From my dust-coated eyelashes and wind blown sandy hair, to sunkissed arms and adrenaline fueled readiness for more, the entire experience was life-giving! So much joy in every excursion!

CAMPRZR BETWEEN RIDES | POLARIS X CALL OF DUTY

There’s even more fun to be had between rides at the official CampRZR Village, where a range of activities, a ferris wheel, demo rides, on-site free vehicle service, shopping at the vendor row, and freestyle motocross stunt shows and autograph sessions were ongoing. CampRZR Village created a beautifully family-friendly setup with vehicles and separate race tracks for children of different age ranges.

CampRZR is designed with families in mind

Polaris has nurtured this inclusive culture, welcoming everyone from seasoned racers to families, often saying that “the family that plays together stays together.” You don’t just get a thrilling ride at CampRZR; you become part of a community that values freedom, adventure, and solidarity.

I even got a chance to experience the custom one-of-a-kind RZR Pro R 4 that was created for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.  This model of the Pro R, not available for purchase, features the black and orange design exclusive to the video game. Look for this new version of the game to be released early 2025!

Danielle getting the 360-degree video experience the custom Pro R 4 created for Call of Duty: Special Ops 6

THE NIGHTTIME NEON GLOW OF CAMPRZR

After a brief walk around the Village it was time to get back to the dunes! CampRZR is aptly named for its legendary nighttime ambience. As the sun started sinking and the desert sky lit up in a fiery painted sunset, there was a clear moment of reverence among the attendees for this stunning show of nature. 

Then, without further ado, the sky darkened to night and the entire scene transformed into a neon display of lights and LED whips with the ritual gathering of all riders at the iconic “Oldsmobile Hill.”  

Oldsmobile Hill at night

Music echoed across the festival as everyone gathered to celebrate. The Polaris RZR Pro-R gleamed under the night sky, neon lights reflecting off its black and purple body, and I could see the joy and pride in the eyes of other drivers and fans alike. Strangers became friends, sharing stories of past races, getting stuck in the sand, and memorable rides. Think the camaraderie of sitting around the campfire at night, only with luminous LEDs igniting joy and making memories in a community spanning miles and miles of California sand dunes. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE RZR

For women curious about entering this realm, I can’t recommend it enough. UTV racing, particularly with vehicles as dependable as the Polaris RZR Pro lineup, is an experience that blends both thrill and empowerment. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or seeking to connect with an adventurous community, this world has it all. Polaris has created a vehicle that anyone can learn to handle with ease and trust, whether you’re a newcomer or a pro.

A woman’s first foray into the desert in a side-by-side

In a world that often tells women to play it safe, CampRZR invites us to embrace risk, let loose, and break free of any lingering fear. At the end of the weekend, I left Glamis covered in sand, exhausted from a wonderfully full agenda of rides starting at 5:30am (I could write an entire piece about the beauty of the scene at sunrise) and with a yearning to return to the desert for more. 

Driving the RZR Pro vehicles felt both powerful and surprisingly intuitive. The suspension system was impressively capable and there were many moments when I left the ground with no noticeable impact on landing. In fact, until I saw the professional footage, I had no idea I was actually catching air! 

With a temporary electronic suspension lock out feature for moments of higher impact and paddle tires that cut through sand, this machine is built to handle the elements, inviting even newcomers like me to jump in with both feet. Polaris didn’t just make a UTV; they created a vehicle that empowers people to experience the beauty of the outdoors and range the landscape without hesitation, bringing drivers with all levels of experience the freedom to explore in a world without stop signs or speed limits.

Off-roading through unpredictable terrain requires not only a solid machine but a leap of faith. And having the privilege of taking on the dunes in a side-by-side like the RZR was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

THE RZR PRO R: A GAME CHANGER

Availing me of the full experience, Polaris provided guided group rides and expert product knowledge by giving me plenty of time with the product designer, long-standing product and Polaris evangelists, and Polaris’s factory race team winning driver Cayden MacCachren for the win! I had the pleasure of testing everything from the proprietary navigation system that connected me to my riding group, to suspension and driving features that set apart the RZR lineup, and specifically the Pro-R, as superior high-performance uber-toys in an industry that is constantly pushing the envelope of performance. 

Polaris’s RZR Pro-R, the latest model of their UTV lineup, was the star of the show. The Pro-R’s reputation precedes it, as this is the same machine that powered Cayden to victory in both the 2024 Baja 500 and the 2023 Baja 1000 – legendary races that are grueling tests of both skill and endurance. Sleek, powerful, and designed with waterproof and dust-proof features, the 225 horsepower Pro-R is built to push boundaries and embrace whatever the environment throws its way.

Danielle takes a Hot Lap with Cayden MacCachren

I had the great pleasure of taking a “hot lap” in the dunes with Cayden in the RZR Pro R Race Replica Limited Edition and this powerhouse of a machine felt surreal, nothing short of empowering. As we hit peak speeds, the sand just disappeared underneath us, the machine’s intense power pulling us through sand slides in turns with a controlled stability that translated to pure exhilaration.

INTERVIEW & HOT LAP WITH RACING PRO CAYDEN MACCACHREN

After a day on the dunes, I had the chance to finally sit down with Cayden for a longer conversation. I learned that his family has been involved in off-road racing for generations. When Polaris approached him to race for their factory team he jumped at the chance. 

Cayden and the winning RZR Pro R Race Replica

Cayden’s grandfather’s interest in cars in the 1930s was the genesis of the family’s racing heritage. “My family’s been racing since the 1970s. Polaris came in and offered vehicles that made the off-road racing world accessible to a broader audience. You used to need custom-built vehicles for this, but now you can pick up a RZR, add safety features, and head out to the dunes. It’s completely changed the landscape.”

The off-road racing scene connects people all over the world. From the grueling Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where the RZR Pro R also brought home a victory this year, to the San Felipe 250 on the Baja California Peninsula, the RZR Pro R is optimally designed to win in these environments. With CampRZR being less than 25 miles from Mexico the international appeal of the off-roading community is apparent in everything from the national flags on vehicles to the music blasting from the super-fine Rockford Fosgate sound systems. 

A CULTURE OF FREEDOM & COMMUNITY | THE GROWING PRESENCE OF WOMEN IN OFF-ROADING

While I was the only female journalist in our little encampment at CampRZR, I spoke with many women, including the original owner and ongoing proprietor of The Glamis Beach Store, a once small outpost where locals have gathered for 20+ years to refuel and swap stories. The Beach Store still stands as a symbol of the desert’s culture of freedom and spirit of community.

Feeling the thrill of the open sand

It’s clear from social media and the ever popular Baja racing world, that a growing number of women are embracing the world of off-roading. Women still make up a minority of the UTV community, but a trend is emerging because of just how accessible these incredible vehicles make the experience. Polaris has empowered more women to dive in, with vehicles that prioritize safety, connectivity, and ease of use without sacrificing power.

In the dunes, there’s no distinction between male or female drivers—just people who love the thrill of the open sand. I felt it firsthand. The RZR Pro gave me the confidence to take control, to conquer the dunes. And I can’t wait to do it again!

THE CALL TO ADVENTURE

Glamis is calling, and Polaris RZR vehicles are the key!

If you’ve ever felt the pull to get out of your comfort zone, Glamis is calling. Polaris RZR vehicles and CampRZR are the perfect entrée to step into the driver’s seat, to explore the dunes, and to let go of life’s usual restrictions. This event is like a combination of Burning Man and Mad Max, but with a generous splash of high-tech off-road innovation. It’s a place where the usual rules don’t apply, where freedom reigns, and where everyone has the chance to feel like a trailblazer.

As I left Glamis, covered in sand and with a heart full of new memories, I knew I’d found something special. To any woman out there wondering if this is for her, the answer is a resounding yes. The RZR Pro lineup and the world of UTV driving at CampRZR are waiting—just jump in, put your foot “to the rug,” and let the dunes guide you.

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Follow Cayden MacCachren on Instagram @caydenmacc

Follow Polaris & RZR on Instagram @polarisrzr