RANGER RZR XP 900 Wins Two Classes at Dakar

Posted on January 30, 2012

Official Team Polaris/Xtreme Plus participated for the first time ever at the Dakar 2012, the world’s toughest off-road race. After having developed a special new FIA class (T3) for the RZR, the Polaris/Xtreme Plus Team had run some tests in several events, and won the Dakar Series, in Russia, in July 2011.

But Dakar is definitely another story, with more than 9000 kilometers of racing, three countries crossed in South America, 469 participants, and various terrain and extreme weather conditions. ASO, the promoter, reported that the 2012 edition was the toughest event in many years.

Team Polaris/Xtreme Plus enrolled a very experienced driver Willy Alcaraz No. 374, who had participated in Dakar in several classes as a driver and co-driver, and set up one goal for the first event, reach Lima in Peru!
After two weeks of the race, Alcaraz proved the RZR XP is one of a kind, as the team reached the initial goal by crossing the finish line in Lima without any technical issues. But they also claimed the win in two different classes: T3 and solo. The No. 374 managed also to finish some of the longest and hardest stages in the top 30, finishing 42 overall in the car class. No doubt, this is a unique and an historical performance for Alcaraz, the Polaris RZR XP and Xtreme Plus Team!

“In Puerto Plata, at the start of the race, everybody was amazed to see me alone in my small car. Some of them were even laughing at me!,” said Alcaraz. “But days after days, they were less and less smiling when I was overtaking them in the dunes. Even if my top speed was inferior on some trails, the RZR XP was just incredible and fun to drive in the toughest technical section. I managed to stay always in the top 50. I had just to repair, change a couple of tires and PVT belt along the race. The vehicle was very well prepared by Xtreme Plus and the mechanic guys did a great job every night. This is an incredible result for Polaris, the team and myself!”

“We showed everybody the RZR XP is best lightweight buggy, with a dedicated class (T3) to race. It is very fun to drive and it has amazing capacities when the terrain is becoming technical,” Marco Piana, Polaris/Xtreme Plus Team Manager. “No doubt that a driver with a more expensive car and buggy will start looking at this affordable vehicle to race Bajas, Rallye Raid and Dakar.”

About Polaris
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.

Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polarisindustries.com.