Can-Am ATV & UTV / SxS Racers Take Podium at 2012 Dakar
Team AGO-MD / Can-Am Wins 4x4 Quad Class Aboard Can-Am Renegade ATV

Argentinean ATV Racer Mazzucco took home the 4x4 Quad Class win aboard his Can-Am Renegade ATV

This year's edition, noted by some as "the most challenging Dakar thus far," kicked off in Mar del Plata-Argentina, leading 30 hopeful ATV racers through approximately 9,000 kilometers (5,592 miles) of unparalleled terrains across Argentina, Chile, and finally, Peru. Only 11 teams crossed the coveted finish line, among them BRP racers Daniel Mazzucco, Barry Cruces and Petar Cenkov (Team Rally Raid / Can-Am), who finished first, second and third in the 4x4 Quad category.

"Out of my three Dakar participations, this was without a doubt the toughest," Argentinean pilot Mazzucco (Team AGO-MD / Can-Am) declared upon receiving his first-place trophy. "The ATV performed extremely well … the Renegades filled the podium on the 4x4, which was a great result! I also must commend my technical support team for providing excellent support and assistance."

Cruces, runner-up in the 4x4 Quad class for Team Nextel by Can-Am and Dakar newcomer, agreed, stating, "The Renegade did not give me any issues, and our technical team was absolutely great. Being the novice at this event, I raced at my own pace with only one goal in mind: finish the race. On many occasions, I was ready to give up, but people back home, my teammates, and their support kept me going … and I did it!"

Barry Cruces took second in the 4x4 Quad class for Team Nextel by Can-Am riding a Can-Am Renegade ATV	Team Nextel's Can-Am Commander Race team were one of three UTV Race Teams to finish out of ten teams to start the race

The 2012 Dakar will forever leave its mark on side-by-side racing segment. Ten side-by-side vehicles attempted to conquer the Dakar, but only three reached the finish line in Peru. Team Nextel by Can-Am racers, and Dakar side-by-side racing pioneers, Claudio Hidalgo and Claudio Troncoso, second and third respectively, tested their off-road racing skills in the grueling terrain in Can-Am Commander side-by-side vehicles.

"People were surprised to see this little 'car' complete the Dakar," stated second-place co-pilot Sebastian Palma. "At times we felt we were not going to make it. It was really brutal! They nicknamed us the ‘Rats of the Desert’ because we were impossible to put down. Coming in second and third was a great testament for the Commander side-by-side… a great accomplishment by the team considering this is was our first Dakar appearance ever."

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