DAKAR RALLY: SAUDI ARABIA

Can-Am put up a huge effort at this year’s Dakar Rally, supporting Team South and others. American driver Casey Currie raced for Team South and followed up last year’s Rookie of the Year title with a historic Dakar Rally win. Currie was the first American driver to take a class win. American motorcycle rider Ricky Brabec also brought home the top trophy for American Honda. Hopefully, both wins will encourage others to come back in 2021 and take on the very popular SSV (UTV) class.

dakar rally

dakar rally
In 2020 the Dakar Rally started its third chapter by moving the event to the sands of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia will be the host country for the foreseeable future.
dakar rally
Saudi Arabia was a true test of man and machine. Nearly the entire second half of the two-week race was held in the sand dunes. The closest competitors to Can-Ams as far as stage wins were the Red Bull cars, which ended up with motor problems.
dakar rally
Can-Am started off the 2020 season of racing with its second Dakar win. Yamaha, Polaris and Red Bull were nowhere to be found on the overall podium. Francisco Contardo (shown) took second and Casey Currie finished on top.
dakar rally
The spectacle that is Dakar is unlike any race in the U.S.. This is truly the Formula 1 of off-road endurance racing. See www.dakar.com for more.
dakar rally
Casey Currie is the first American driver to win a class overall at the Dakar Rally. This year we had another American, Ricky Brabec, win the motorcycle division, too.
dakar rally
In the Dakar race, outside help during the stage is not allowed. So, drivers must carry the tools and parts to fix anything on the car themselves.
dakar rally
In the Dakar race, outside help during the stage is not allowed. So, drivers must carry the tools and parts to fix anything on the car themselves.

NO BULL

Another manufacturer that turned heads in the SSV class was Red Bull. Yes, Red Bull built its own VW-powered, three-cylinder, turbocharged UTVs to compete in the race. Americans Mitch Guthrie Jr. (RZR driver in the States) and Blade Hildebrand (formerly with Textron/Robby Gordon Racing) drove the 6-speed, 175-horsepower Red Bull cars, along with Rally legend Cyril Despres. Unfortunately for the new team, mechanical problems took out all three cars. They will be back to battling against the Can-Am/Monster Energy Team South guys again next year, and we will bring you the action. Until then, enjoy the beauty of our favorite machines racing across the Saudi Arabian landscape.

Currie’s car was stock width using Nitto tires mounted on KMC wheels filled with Monster Seal. Aftermarket Fox shocks handled the suspension duties.

See how to win free Obor tires here! WIN FREE OBOR TIRES | UTV Action Magazine

2020 DAKAR RALLY Saudi Arabia RESULTS

1. Casey Currie Can-Am

2. Sergei Kariakin Can-Am

3. Francisco Contardo Can-Am

4. Conrad Rautenbach.. .Zephyr

5. Jose Lopez Can-Am

6. Jesus Puras Can-Am

7. Axel Alletru Can-Am

8. Austin Jones Can-Am

9. Reinaldo Verela Can-Am

10. Santiago Navarro Can-Amcan

See the wild Red Bull Dakar UTV here: https://utvactionmag.com/red-bull-ot3-racer/

See the Can-Am UTV the Dakar Rally race machines are based on here: https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/us/en/models.html

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