Valcourt, Québec – Can-Am ATV and side-by-side vehicle racers came away with two podiums at the 2015 Best In the Desert Vegas To Reno desert race. The Can-Am/ITP/Murray Racing team of Derek and Jason Murray finished second in Class 1900 in their Can-Am Maverick side-by-side. Can-Am Renegade 4x4 racer Chris Robinson put in a spectacular third-place ride in the Ironman division.
“The Murray brothers continue to show great preparation, consistency and driving skills in Best In The Desert racing. It was another stellar run and we were happy to see them reach the finish line,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “We had three Can-Am Maverick racers in the top 10 and were competing for the overall win the entire day at what is considered by many to be America’s toughest and longest desert race. We also were very impressed with the podium earned by Renegade racer Chris Robinson, who competed solo.”
More than 50 side-by-side vehicles entered the 2015 General Tire Vegas To Reno, presented by Fox, the longest off-road racing in the United States. Along with thick, blinding dust, side-by-side racers also had to contend with fierce competitors, taxing desert terrain and, for the first time in BITD history, had to run along side the desert buggies and trucks. Despite the challenges, the No. 1917 Can-Am/ITP/Murray Racing Maverick MAX X ds 1000R Turbo, piloted by Derek and Jason Murray, was up to the task.
The Murray Racing team came out of the line in 20th, but were slowed initially by two sidewall punctures and dropped several positions. However, near the 280-mile marker, the team had moved into seventh. From there, Jason took over driving and pushed the Maverick Turbo X ds hard all the way to the finish to grab the second in Class 1900. The second-place finish also marked the fifth Vegas To Reno podiums in the last six events for the Murrays and their 36 consecutive BITD finish. The Can-Am/Murray Racing team is now in third place in the class standings.
"This was the most challenging Vegas To Reno we have raced, and our Can-Am Maverick MAX X ds Turbo provides the reliability, power and handling to consistently finish on the podium," said Derek Murray. “Our 1917 Maverick ran flawlessly for 545 miles in the longest off-road race in the United States, using a fully stock drivetrain. The motor, gearbox, clutch, spindles, hubs are strong and built to last. This shows the quality that goes into every Can-Am built.”
Cory Sappington (Desert Toyz/Can-Am) earned an eighth-place finish in his No. 1904 Desert Toyz Maverick Turbo. Finishing one spot behind Sappington was Can-Am Maverick pilot Logan Gastel, giving Can-Am three finishers in the top 10. The S3 Powersports/Can-Am team of Dustin Jones and Shane Dowden, BITD Mint 400 Class 1900 overall winners, nearly grabbed another victory, having led for the vast majority of the race before having to drop out near the finish line.
On the ATV front, Can-Am Renegade 1000R X xc 4x4 racer Chris Robinson completed the race in the Ironman Expert (solo) Class and came away with a very impressive third place podium finish.
“I couldn't be more pleased with the performance of my Can-Am Renegade 1000. With the exception of a few bolts, the machine is mostly stock and held up superbly to the harsh Nevada desert. Thanks to my pit crew and to S3 for making me a part of their family,” said Robinson.
