The legit access checklist for the 2024 Dakar Rally tallies a capability box of 199 starters in six major classes: Final (70), Inventory (3), Challenger (43), SSV (36), and the largest boys, Vans (47). This crew does not depend the 146 bikes and quads that may also be reducing up the dunes all over a prologue and 12 phases operating from January 5-19. Ford Efficiency is coming into the race with a re-engineered model of the previous-generation Ranger within the Final elegance, this yr a finding out effort to get in a position for a complete attack in 2025 with a specifically prepped Ranger Raptor. The Challenger and SSV categories are each for so-called Light-weight Cars that get started with side-by-sides (SXS), however Challenger is for specialist prototype builds which are a step down from Final and Inventory rigs, the SSV elegance is for production-based cars. Polaris goes to be there within the SSV box with two RZR Professional R Manufacturing unit rigs campaigned by means of race spouse Sebastien Loeb Racing (SLR).

Polaris introduced a manufacturing unit racing staff and the RZR Professional R Manufacturing unit in March of this yr, the latest RZR the primary factory-designed SXS for profitable races — a Porsche 911 GT3 RS for the grime. In its preliminary season, the two-seater received its Professional UTV Open elegance on the San Felipe 250, Baja 400, Baja 500, and Baja 1000, thereby sweeping the SCORE Professional UTV Open Magnificence Championship. 

Dakar’s now not simply a special animal, it is a vicious and brutal one. The race is 4,903 miles lengthy together with the general public roads and trails used to achieve the timed particular phases; the timed phases overall 2,937 miles — a couple of dozen miles in need of riding from Boston to Los Angeles. Levels 5 and six are 451.7 miles apiece. Level 7 is longer. Competition have to mend their very own cars on some phases, and most often most effective get a pair hours to do it. If competition wreck down when staff help is authorized, they have got to attend within the Saudi Arabian wasteland for the mechanics to turn — a destiny that most effective awaits riders and drivers with in-stage improve, which is not they all. So Polaris engineers tweaked the RZR Professional R Manufacturing unit for the laws and process, including weight to satisfy the minimal; development an enclosed cab with heated windshield, wipers and washing machine, and an in-cab blower equipment; making improvements to visibility and sight strains, and including garage for equipment and spare portions.

Along with SLR’s two rigs, the Xtremplus staff has two extra signed up, the TH-Vans staff fielding 3, making seven RZR Professional R Manufacturing unit rigs for the race. 

The Dakar Rally added a class for SXS in 2017. Leandro Torres received the inaugural yr in a Polaris RZR 1000 XP. Within the six years since, six other drivers have received the class, they all riding a Can-Am Maverick X3, remaining yr’s winner a race rookie. There is not a lot more Polaris may just do to get again at the best step than create a factory-engineered SXS and spouse with Sebastien Loeb’s race staff. In not up to two weeks, you’ll be able to wager issues are going to get grimy and private. 

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