Team JB Off Road Racing / Can-Am pilot Kyle Chaney won the 2013 UTV Rally Raid Northern Series opening event in Oliver Springs, Tenn., earning the first official victory in organized competition with the new Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs side-by-side vehicle.
Chaney pulled a commanding lead over the field of more than 30 entries to win not only the series’ premier unlimited C class, but also the overall event victory at the four-hour day / night race held at Windrock Park.
“We’re thrilled to have Kyle Chaney race the Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle to victory in the growing UTV Rally Raid series. He definitely showcased the capabilities of the essentially stock Maverick 1000R X rs in the Tennessee mountains during this rugged four-hour event,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Despite drastically changing weather and track conditions throughout the grueling endurance race, Chaney used the abilities of the Can-Am Maverick to his advantage and distanced himself from the rest of the pack at the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series opener. This was a very big victory for Kyle, the Can-Am Maverick and BRP and we will build upon this success as the season progresses.”
Thirty-three side-by-side vehicles started the four-hour endurance event just before sunset on an already wet eight-mile course. However, a few hours into the race, as darkness fell upon the surrounding mountains, temperatures dropped, snow fell and standing water turned to ice.
Chaney, who started from the fourth row, took full advantage of the Maverick 1000R X rs vehicle’s performance and handling to work his way through the pack of side by sides ahead of him to take over the Class C (unlimited) lead.
He then took the overall race lead near the latter portion of the event and eventually won by more than six minutes, completing 15 laps on the course. It was the first competitive victory for Chaney and the 101-horsepower 2013 Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs.
“The new Can-Am Maverick performed extremely well for me the entire four hours of the race. The handling is incredible,” said Chaney.
“Despite the mud and snow, the Maverick worked really great in all the changing conditions that the course could throw at it.”
The UTV Rally Raid event and series served as a perfect tune-up for Chaney and the Maverick 1000R as they prepare for the 2013 Grand National Cross Country series. Chaney and the Maverick will make their GNCC series debut March 16, in Washington, Ga.
Four other Can-Am side-by-side vehicles also competed in Tennessee. White Racing put its Can-Am Commander on the podium in the Class B ranks, finishing third, and took 12th overall.
The UTV Rally Raid is a four-hour endurance racing series for side-by-side vehicles promoted by Georgia-based Quantum Racing Inc. The series is comprised of a two regional (North and South) 10-race schedules that run from February through December at Windrock Park in Tennessee and AlabamaÂ’s Stony Lonesome OHV Park. Visit www.utvrallyraid.com for more information.
For more information on Can-Am racing, the Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle, the entire 2013 schedule, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
