Polaris RZR Pro R Wins Its First Dakar Rally

Polaris won its first Dakar Rally on Friday, taking home the top spot in the SSV class, formerly known as T4. Xavier de Soultrait and Martin Bonnet drove the Polaris RZR Pro R Factory for Sébastien Loeb Racing Bardahl, edging second-place finisher Jérôme de Sadeleer by just two minutes and 25 seconds.

The Pro R Factory unseated the Can-Am Maverick, which had won the last six rallies in a row. South Racing Can-Am driver Sara Price was the first Can-Am across the line in SSV in fourth place, followed by Can-Am Factory Racing’s João Ferreira in fifth. Price and Ferreira had been in contention for the win until the final few stages of the rally, when they were caught out by mechanicals and penalties.

The SSV class has tight rules about suspension geometry, top speed, and engine spec. Cars are limited to 78 mph, and have to wear engine restrictors to keep horsepower in check. They’re also saddled with a heavy FIA-compliant safety cage, which means the Pro Rs that run in Dakar wouldn’t hold a candle to a stock Pro R in a drag race.

The win lays down a marker for Polaris at the Dakar, and shows that the Minnesota brand isn’t content to play second fiddle to Can-Am.

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