Can-Am's factory race drivers also clinched
ten consecutive stage victories and multiple podium
sweeps.
VALCOURT, QC, Jan. 20,
2025 /CNW/ - Can-Am, iconic brand of BRP Inc.
(TSX: DOO) (NASDAQ: DOOO), earned a second-place finish and ten
stage wins in the 2025 Dakar Rally, proving the performance and
toughness of the Maverick R platform in some of the most demanding
conditions in the world. South Racing Can-Am factory racer
Francisco "Chaleco" López led the charge with five stage wins, the
most stages of any racer in the T4 Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV)
Class, en route to a second-place overall finish. Sara Price and Jeremías González Ferioli also
claimed stage wins and podiums throughout the rally, though they
were ruled out of overall contention due to issues early in the
race. South Racing's João Monteiro showed strong pace finishing
seventh, while Dakar Rally rookie Hunter
Miller notched an impressive and memorable top-ten overall
finish.
"Our team put in an incredible effort at Dakar this year," said Jean-Francois Leclerc, BRP Race Manager. "This
race always presents unique and unpredictable challenges and this
year was no exception. I'm proud of how our drivers, team and
partners at South Racing adapted and persevered throughout the
rally. With 10 stage wins and multiple stage podium sweeps, we've
proven the capabilities of the Maverick R. There are a lot of
positives to take away from this year and we look forward to coming
back even stronger next year."
Chaleco López started the rally with a strong second-place
finish on the first stage. Stage two, the 48-hour Chrono stage,
featured tricky dunes that cost the Chilean valuable time in the
overall classification. From there, Chaleco displayed impressive
determination and skill as he collected wins on stages three, five,
six, nine and ten and moved his way up the overall standings.
Chaleco and his co-pilot, Juan Pablo Latrach, finished the rally
with a total time of 61 hours 19 minutes and 15 seconds, securing a
runner-up finish in the T4 SSV Class.
"This was our first time racing the Maverick R at Dakar. The first week was tough, the car
performed great, but we faced some challenges which cost us
valuable time during the 48-hour stage. After that, things turned
around. We started winning stage after stage, and the vehicle felt
solid. We went from a rough start to a strong finish, proving that
we have a fantastic foundation to build on and to keep winning in
this category. I'm thrilled with what we've accomplished. A huge
'thank you' to the Can-Am factory and the South Racing team for
their support and for providing us with an incredible unit," said
Chaleco López.
After scoring a stage win in her rookie year at Dakar in 2024, Sara
Price was motivated to contest for the overall win in 2025.
Unfortunately, Price and her co-pilot, Sean
Berriman, encountered issues on stage two and were forced to
withdraw from the overall rally contention. In the following
stages, she showcased her driving prowess, collecting a total of
three stage wins.
"It's been crazy to look back at this year's Dakar with all of the ups and downs. There was
a lot of growth between my first and second Dakar. This is one I will never forget. I'm
also grateful to have such a great team behind me and to get to
race the incredible Maverick R with Sean. He has been an amazing
navigator and he did a phenomenal job. It also feels great to get
three stage wins. I think we progressed a lot this year.
Unfortunately, we had some bad luck that took us out of the
overall, but we showed tenacity and grit every day, never giving
up," said Sara Price.
After a strong second-place finish in the prologue, Jeremías
González Ferioli had a consistent start to the rally remaining in
the top ten overall until stage four. The Argentinian faced issues
on stage four that removed him from overall contention. Still
motivated, Ferioli and co-pilot, Pedro
Gonzalo Rinaldi, continued the rally and scored back-to-back
stage wins on stages seven and eight, in addition to several stage
podiums.
"It was a tough first week. We had some issues, but they were
very important because we learned a lot. Once we solved those
issues after our rest day, we started to have a good race and we
were very satisfied with our pace. Gonzalo also did a great job
navigating. We finished almost every stage in the top three and won
two stages. It's a bittersweet feeling because we were going to
Dakar to fight for the podium, but
we learned a lot and we will come back stronger. The whole team did
an awesome job, winning 10 consecutive stages and P2 overall. It
was a very good Dakar for the team
and the new Maverick R," said Jeremías González.
First-time Dakar Rally competitor Hunter
Miller showed his resilience, skill and determination,
fighting through every kilometer of the race to score a tenth-place
finish. Miller and co-pilot, Andrew
Short, achieved a fourth-place finish on stage four, proving
that they have the pace to run with the lead group and making their
mark in this iconic event.
"I'm relieved to have made it to the finish line of Dakar, completing every kilometer, but I'm
also disappointed at the same time. I was having the time of my
life learning a new form of racing and felt like I was really
starting to come to grips with it. Dakar is by far the most challenging thing I
have ever done. I'm excited to practice everything I learned over
the next year as well as help to develop the Maverick R into its
full potential," said Hunter
Miller.
The 12-day, 8,000-kilometer race across the unforgiving Saudi
Arabian desert is widely regarded as the ultimate test of driver
and machine. With support from South Racing, the Can-Am Factory
racers displayed the potential of the Maverick R in its inaugural
Dakar Rally appearance, capturing all but two stage wins. The
Maverick R's cutting-edge tall-knuckle suspension design,
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and turbo-chared
three-cylinder Rotax engine thrived in the grueling desert terrain.
The team leaves the Dakar Rally with a profound sense of
accomplishment and invaluable experience that will fuel their drive
for next year's challenge.
View a selection of images from the Can-Am Factory South Racing
Team here.
About BRP
BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of
powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on over 80
years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its
portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive brands featuring
Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons,
Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft and Quintrex boats,
Manitou pontoons and Rotax marine
propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and
recreational aircraft, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and
provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The
Company completes its lines of products with a dedicated parts,
accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding
experience. Committed to growing responsibly, BRP is developing
electric models for its existing product lines. Headquartered in
Quebec, Canada, BRP has annual
sales of CA$10.4 billion from over 130 countries and employs close
to 20,000 driven, resourceful people as of January 31, 2024.
www.brp.com
@BRPNews
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, and the BRP logo are
trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its
affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
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SOURCE BRP Inc.
