Valcourt, Québec – BRP announced its 2016 Can-Am X-Team ATV and side-by-side vehicle racing team.
From the open desert to the tight woods, Can-Am racers will partake in numerous off-road racing series across North America this year. The team will look to improve upon its many Grand National Cross Country class championships and recent desert racing successes. BRP, with its deeply rooted ties to racing, will continue to support the Can-Am X-Team and offer contingency and amateur support programs.
“Can-Am had a triumphant 2015 racing season, which was highlighted by our two GNCC Pro titles,” said Jeff Leclerc, racing project leader, Can-Am. “We remain committed to winning, showcasing the abilities of Can-Am off-road vehicles through competitive racing and using racing to enhance the product. With new teams signed, growth in class numbers and the return of our champions, we fully expect to make 2016 our best racing season in history.”
GNCC Racing
Can-Am looks to continue its dominance in the 13-round GNCC series, where it won six championships a year ago. Several ATV and side-by-side vehicle teams are part of the Can-Am X-Team for 2016. Pro champions Kyle Chaney (XC1 UTV, Maverick 1000R) and Bryan Buckhannon (4x4 Pro, Renegade 1000) return for the coming season.
The Jack’s Excavating/Can-Am team of brothers Marcus and Shannon “Mouse” Pratt have added GNCC pilot John Allen Yokley to their squad. The 2015 XC1 Pro UTV class runner-up Tim Farr (JB Racing) returns, as does 2015 late-season acquisition Steve Matko (Offroad Motorsports).
Can-Am will also support Cody Miller, Zac Zakowski in the XC1 Pro and Dave Plavi (Offroad Motorsports), Hunter Miller, Randall Rogers, Cory Bartlett and Rich Travalena Jr. in the XC2 Pro Sport UTV classes. Rob Smith, Kevin Cunningham, Tanner Bowles, Jordan Phillips, Cody Miller and Zakowski will join Buckhannon in the 4x4 Pro ATV class.
BITD/SCORE
Can-Am Maverick desert racing teams have covered a lot of ground in three seasons, winning several prestigious events and earning key season podiums at both the SCORE International and Best In The Desert racing series. Three returning teams just recently posted a BITD Parker 250 podium sweep.
Those teams of Dustin Jones and Shane Dowden (S3 Racing), Can-Am/ITP/Murray Racing returnees Derek and Jason Murray and Logan Gastel all finished on the podium and are gunning for the UTV Pro Turbo class title. Can-Am X-Team newcomer Dan Fisher (Lonestar Racing) also joined the team this month at the UTV World Championship in Nevada and has also signed a partnership with the Can-Am accessories group to offer Lonestar for Can-Am products. Can-Am Maverick racers Cory Sappington (Desert Toyz) and Dave Martinez (Unlimited class) also return for the squad in 2016.
Sappington, like the Murrays, will compete in both the BITD and SCORE series in the pro classes. S3 Racing’s Chris Robinson will pursue a BITD ATV title with his Can-Am Renegade.
Other off-road racers to earn Can-Am X-Team support include Robert Parker, Jace Cheramie and John Soileau (Championship Mud Racing) and Ken Benson (Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series). Can-Am will offer additional support for LA Cross-Country Series racers Cody Shaw, Cody Taylor, Dustin Henderson and Malcolm Sneed.
