The Polaris Factory Xtreme+ team have returned from Saudi Arabia, where they competed in the iconic Dakar Rally earlier this month.
This year saw the start of a new chapter for the Dakar Rally, with the event taking place for the first time in Saudi Arabia. introducing vast, unexplored landscapes and challenging territories that added a new level of difficulty to arguably the world’s toughest rally.
The Polaris Factory Xtreme+ team, #424 Eric Abel and Christian Manez, #406 José Luis Peña Campo and Rafael Tornabell Cordoba, and #418 Graham Knight and David Watson, battled across 7,500 kilometres of huge desert dunes, misleading stony tracks and technical rocky canyons.
“Saudi Arabia is an incredible place, completely different from the other Dakar routes from previous years,” said Marco Piana, Xtreme+ Team Manager. “The amount of effort put in by our teams was unbelievable – for two of our teams to finish the event is an amazing achievement and a real testament to their great navigational and driving skills. We faced a lot of frustrating challenges along the way, but we’re happy we completed the Dakar once again. On to the next one!”
Proud finishers, Abel/Manez and Peña Campo/Tornabell, finally reached the finishing podium of the Dakar Rally in Qiddiyah on Friday 17th January.
For more information on the Dakar Rally, please visit www.dakar.com
For further media information on Polaris ORV products, please contact the Polaris ORV Media Office on +44 (0) 1525 270100 or email us at press@polaris-orv.media or follow us on Twitter @polarisEMEA_PR
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2018 sales of $6.1 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com.
