Official Team Polaris/Xtreme Plus participated for the first time ever at the Dakar 2012, the world’s toughest off-road race. After having developed a special new FIA class (T3) for the RZR, the Polaris/Xtreme Plus Team had run some tests in several events, and won the Dakar Series, in Russia, in July 2011.

But Dakar is definitely another story, with more than 9000 kilometers of racing, three countries crossed in South America, 469 participants, and various terrain and extreme weather conditions. ASO, the promoter, reported that the 2012 edition was the toughest event in many years.

Team Polaris/Xtreme Plus enrolled a very experienced driver Willy Alcaraz No. 374, who had participated in Dakar in several classes as a driver and co-driver, and set up one goal for the first event, reach Lima in Peru!

After two weeks of the race, Alcaraz proved the RZR XP is one of a kind, as the team reached the initial goal by crossing the finish line in Lima without any technical issues. But they also claimed the win in two different classes: T3 and solo. The No. 374 managed also to finish some of the longest and hardest stages in the top 30, finishing 42 overall in the car class. No doubt, this is a unique and an historical performance for Alcaraz, the Polaris RZR XP and Xtreme Plus Team!

“In Puerto Plata, at the start of the race, everybody was amazed to see me alone in my small car. Some of them were even laughing at me!,” said Alcaraz. “But days after days, they were less and less smiling when I was overtaking them in the dunes. Even if my top speed was inferior on some trails, the RZR XP was just incredible and fun to drive in the toughest technical section. I managed to stay always in the top 50. I had just to repair, change a couple of tires and PVT belt along the race. The vehicle was very well prepared by Xtreme Plus and the mechanic guys did a great job every night. This is an incredible result for Polaris, the team and myself!”

“We showed everybody the RZR XP is best lightweight buggy, with a dedicated class (T3) to race. It is very fun to drive and it has amazing capacities when the terrain is becoming technical,” Marco Piana, Polaris/Xtreme Plus Team Manager. “No doubt that a driver with a more expensive car and buggy will start looking at this affordable vehicle to race Bajas, Rallye Raid and Dakar.”

Additional photos and info can be found here: http://www.rzrforums.net/rzr-xp-900/...-pictures.html

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My 2011 PPIHC build.

Wow over 5500 Miles .. Congrats Polaris and Xtreme Plus

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A very extreme and long distance race...what an achievement! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the Polaris/Extreme Plus team!!!

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Brad


2010 RZR S
2011 RZR 900XP LE

id be interested to see what parts were used

thats so dope !!

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2010 pearl white RZR S
2012 orange RZR4 & RZR170

I'M STILL THE FAT ONE THAT YOU LOVE TO HATE

Hats off to those guys!

Only one belt in that kind of race is amazing. Now lets get some specs on this car! Of particular intesrest to me is the shocks, tire/wheels, and that funky air dam on the roof. Did they put that on a relocated radiator maybe? Or just onto the engine itself...

Again a big Congrats on such an amazing achievement!

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Way too much stuff to list here, I tried.

That's amazing.
Everyone involved should be very proud....

I'm very impressed...

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Chris Dierkens
2009 RZR LE - AAEN MPP Muffler, Roof, Half-Windshield, RZR-S Cage, Headache Net, Front Bumper, 4-Point Belts, Spare Tire, Underdash Bag, Sliders, SATV +5, Fox Shocks.

[ '09 ][ '10 ][ '11/'12 ][ '11-XP ]

Thought the "Dakar" race was from Paris to Dakar Senegal? What's this about Lima Peru...wrong continent.

The first post was updated with more great pictures - Thanks Ivan!

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My 2011 PPIHC build.