Valcourt, Quebec - Can-Am factory racer and three-time UTV World Champion Phil Blurton won his third consecutive Best In The Desert (BITD) Vegas-To-Reno desert race over the weekend to expand his UTV Pro Turbo class points lead.
The defending two-time BITD champion wasn’t alone on the podium as Can-Am Maverick X3 Turbo side-by-side vehicle racers swept class, took the top six finishing spots and also won the UTV Unlimited division. It was one of the most dominating BITD performances ever for the brand.
"These Vegas-To-Reno results further prove that Can-Am has the best side-by-side vehicle from the factory for the desert," said Jeff Leclerc, manager Can-Am racing department. "Like the Maverick X3 vehicle's uncompromising design, our team of devoted racers and their unwavering attitude for success is the best in the industry."
Blurton and co-pilot Beau Judge, seeking their third straight BITD UTV Pro Turbo class championship, handily won the 2019 General Tire Casey Folks Vegas-To-Reno event, leading wire-to-wire. The tandem behind the No. 944 Can-Am XPS No Limit RD Can-Am Maverick X3 Turbo R side-by-side vehicle was the pre-race favorite and didn’t disappoint with a convincing victory in the Nevada desert. Their final time of 09:37:28.359 easily won the UTV Pro Turbo class by more than 20 minutes and also secured the 21st spot amongst trick trucks and other non-UTVs in the category.
“I put so much pressure on myself and my amazing team to pull this off,” said Blurton. “I couldn’t ask for a better co-pilot than Beau Judge to help guide me to the win. We started up front and ran there all day. This race was a huge success for Can-Am, and the Maverick X3 platform, taking every spot on the podium.”
Brothers Derek and Jason Murray (ITP Can-Am Murray Racing) finished in the runner-up position in their new Maverick X3 MAX Turbo RR vehicle, crossing the finish in 09:57:45.948. The Murrays, along with Blurton and third-place finisher, Can-Am racer Austin Weiland were the only three side-by-side vehicles to break the sub-10-hour mark at this year’s event, making a bold statement for both their team efforts and the Can-Am brand.
“We had a great run this year at V2R,” stated the Murrays. “We finished second out of about 60 cars. Can’t thank our team enough. It was a great day of racing for Can-Am and a clean Can-Am podium sweep. Congrats to all our Can-Am teammates on their podium finishes.”
Can-Am Maverick X3 pilot and S3 Racing’s Dustin Jones and co-pilot Dustin Henderson put in another great race but had to settle for a fourth-place finish, roughly three minutes behind the podium pace at the longest off-road race in the U.S. Lone Star Racing owner and Can-Am racer Dan Fisher rounded out the UTV Pro Turbo class top five in Nevada. Sixth place went to Can-Am Maverick racer Josh Meister. The first- through sixth-place finishes was a record for Can-Am in the Best In The Desert series.
Can-Am Maverick X3 racers also swept the UTV Unlimited class, led by Michael Isom (Mobbin’ Racing No Limit RD Can-Am), who ended up 15th amongst all UTVs. Josh Shelton, runner-up, and Travis Zollinger rounded out the podium.
For more information about Can-Am off-road products, visit CanAmOffRoad.com.
