Can-Am's Chad McKay Wins 2011 Finke Desert Race
Tattersall's Finke Desert Race - Alice Springs, Australia– June 13, 2011

Can-Am's Australian Pro MX ATV Racer Chad McKay took first honors at Finke Desert Race finishing first aboard his Can-Am DS 450 ATV

The 47industries race rig had an extreme makeover the week before heading up to the Northern Territory for The Finke, with a brand new wrap compliments of BRP, showcasing the entire spectrum of power sports products they produce. This was by far the stand out feature at the Finke scrutineering night, with all other brands looking like the poor cousin to the massive 47industries Can-am road show. With brand new X-Team video files on the LCD screen and the sound track pumping through the recently purchased PA system, it was hard for passers by not to be drawn in to see what the fuss was all about. As usual, X-Team riders signed posters for keen race fans, as well as spending time with them to explain why our Can-am ATV's were the cream of the Desert Racing crop.

McKay was determined to finish first even threw the pain of huge blisters

With the formalities out of the way it was down to business on Sunday Morning. Setting a blistering pace on day one McKay rolled in to the half way point and overnight stop of Finke, only minutes ahead of USA rider Wes Miller. Miller, fresh from a stage win in the infamous Baja 1000 only weeks before, was confident of an easy win, but even though this was the first ride for McKay's season, he was not going to give it up that easily. After all, he missed out on the top spot last year by a mere 83 seconds.

Even though temperatures dropped to less than zero over night at the Finke base camp, hopes were high for McKay as he boarded his trusty DS (the same one he raced last year) for the return leg, however his second stage was not to be as easy as the first. 140km from home McKay hit a tree stump, puncturing a front tire and dropping his pace significantly. This coupled with 2 nasty get off's meant that McKay had to resort to damage control and a lot of praying, in hope that the DS450 reliability and previous high pace would have him far enough in front that he could hold off the American to the end. As he crossed the finish line in Alice Springs only a minute in front of Miller, McKay punched the sky in celebration of his well-earned victory.

Can-Am's Australian X-Team took 3 top ten positions at Tattersall's Finke Desert ATV Race

Extra support for the riders was also in abundance with X-Team riders Lisa Hoyle, Chelsea Deboo, Rob Van Vliet and Cooper Van Vliet all there to help support their team mates at the mammoth event. Also a big shout out to Three Tors who always manage the X-Team refuelling during this event and Petey Wilhelms from Thumbpump.com for prepping the bike. These guy's are the pinnacle of professionalism and we would not have won without them.

About BRP
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea Doo watercraft and boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 90 countries.

www.can-am.brp.com

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