Canadian Can-Am Wins in Dakar Rally
A Canadian designed side-by-side has won its class at this year's Dakar Rally.
The Dakar Rally is one of the most grueling races in the world. This is the 40th running of the off-road race. In the past it ran from Paris to Dakar, but since 2009 has run in South America. This year, the race ran from Lima, Peru to Cordoba, Argentina. It's a punishing event that sees specially built cars, trucks, motorcycles, and side-by-sides entered with many not finishing due to breakdowns and injuries from the harsh terrain.
This year, a Can-Am Maverick X3 won the side-by-side class. It's the first year for the new vehicle class. The South Racing team of drivers Reinaldo Varela and Gustavo Gugelmin, both from Brazil, finished the rally in 72 hours, 44 minutes, six seconds. More than an hour ahead of the second place team driving another Maverick X3.
The Maverick X3 is an aggressive looking side-by-side that offers up 381 mm of ground clearance and a massive 610 mm of suspension travel in stock form. It uses a 900 cc turbocharged Rotax engine that makes 172 hp.
