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RANGER RZR XP 900
Wins Two Classes at Dakar
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.
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