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BRP’s Can-AM ATVs and
Side-by-Side Vehicles Earn Class Podiums AT 2012
Dakar
Claudio Troncosoy & Manuel Rodriguez
Daniel Mazzucco
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Lima, Peru, January 24, 2012 — BRP's Can-Am ATV
and side-by-side teams reached their respective
class podiums in the 34th edition of the most
famous rally in the world, the Dakar Rally.
This year's edition, noted by some as
"the most challenging Dakar thus far," kicked
off in Mar del Plata-Argentina, leading 30
hopeful ATV racers through approximately 9,000
kilometers (5,592 miles) of unparalleled
terrains across Argentina, Chile, and finally,
Peru. Only 11 teams crossed the coveted finish
line, among them BRP racers Daniel Mazzucco,
Barry Cruces and Petar Cenkov (Team Rally Raid /
Can-Am), who finished first, second and third in
the 4x4 Quad category.
"Out of my three
Dakar participations, this was without a doubt
the toughest," Argentinean pilot Mazzucco
(Team AGO-MD / Can-Am) declared upon receiving
his first-place trophy. "The ATV performed
extremely well … the Renegades filled the podium
on the 4x4, which was a great result! I also
must commend my technical support team for
providing excellent support and assistance."
Cruces, runner-up in the 4x4 Quad class for Team
Nextel by Can-Am and Dakar newcomer, agreed,
stating, "The Renegade did not give me any
issues, and our technical team was absolutely
great. Being the novice at this event, I raced
at my own pace with only one goal in mind:
finish the race. On many occasions, I was ready
to give up, but people back home, my teammates,
and their support kept me going … and I did it!"
The 2012 Dakar will forever leave its
mark on side-by-side racing segment. Ten
side-by-side vehicles attempted to conquer the
Dakar, but only three reached the finish line in
Peru. Team Nextel by Can-Am racers, and Dakar
side-by-side racing pioneers, Claudio Hidalgo
and Claudio Troncoso, second and third
respectively, tested their off-road racing
skills in the gruelling terrain in Can-Am
Commander side-by-side vehicles.
"People were surprised to see this little 'car'
complete the Dakar," stated second-place
co-pilot Sebastian Palma. "At times we felt we
were not going to make it. It was really brutal!
They nicknamed us the ‘Rats of the Desert’
because we were impossible to put down. Coming
in second and third was a great testament for
the Commander side-by-side… a great
accomplishment by the team considering this is
was our first Dakar appearance ever."
About Bombardier Recreational Products
Inc.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held
company, is a world leader in the design, development,
manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized
recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and
products includes: Ski‑Doo® and Lynx™ snowmobiles,
Sea‑Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude® and
Johnson® outboard engines, direct injection technologies
such as Evinrude E‑TEC®, Can‑Am™ all-terrain vehicles
and roadsters, as well as Rotax® engines and karts.
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