Team Polaris shines at the 2009 DAKAR

Polaris industries were well represented at the 2009 DAKAR which saw 23 ATVs start and only 13 finishing. Of those 13, three of them were riding on Polaris. All of them ran the 2009 Outlaw 525 IRS with Independent Rear Suspension for this grueling and historic race.

More than a simple speed race, Dakar asks for capacities in off-road navigation and qualities of regularity, and of course, physical endurance. In rally raids, it is the endurance which precedes, any small mistake can cost a huge price. This mixture of physical rigor and technical performance has fascinated fans of off-road sports the world over, since nearly thirty years with countless champions coming from different backgrounds, all eager to be measured and apprehend this test with courage. Beyond the classification, all competitors are motivated by this desire to surmount the toughest race in the world, an almost insane dream, but one that they all share. Whether they are motor bikes, cars, trucks or ATV pilots, they share this ambition, a feeling which brings them closer to each other in a tradition of mutual aid, which belongs to the pillars of “the Dakar spirit” born from this shared passion. They all speak the same language.

Over 500 teams operating bikes, cars, trucks and quads took the start from Buenos Aires on January 3rd 2009 and performed a giant loop throughout Argentina and Chile, to complete the huge trek back in Buenos Aires 14 days later!

The 2009 DAKAR saw 23 ATVs start with only 13 finishing. Of those 13, three were Team Polaris members; french racer Hubert Deltrieu, winner of the DAKAR Series Central Europe, Lybia Desert Challenge, Pharaoh’s rally, and second at the DAKAR Series Portugal, with an excellent finish in fourth place. Eric Carlini took eighth and Betty Kraft took ninth and became the first woman to finish the DAKAR on an ATV. Italian Racer Pietro Fogliani had to leave the race due to a hand injury.

“We are very proud of the racers and their efforts at DAKAR, having three out of four finishers is a true testament of both the rider’s and machine’s grittiness and endurance, and we congratulate Deltrieu, Carlini and Kraft on their incredible achievements.” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris.