The 2013 Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs made its competitive debut at the WORCS ATV and side-by-side racing series this past weekend at a waterlogged Canyon MX in Peoria, Ariz.

The opening round not only marked the first official race for the Maverick side-by-side, but also the return of the Can-Am DS 450. The dismal track conditions, which included deep mud, standing water and wet sand in additional to the normal desert obstacles, made for a challenging start to the 2013 season.

Two Can-Am racers, James Hill and David Martinez, posted top 10 finishes in the SxS Pro Production class in their Maverick 1000R X rs vehicles.

“Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and the overall event became a real race for survival in the mud and deep, standing water. In its competition debut, the Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle’s top finish was sixth, though we competed in the lead pack early on,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We are very optimistic for the upcoming events, as all the drivers are thrilled with the performance and handling of the Maverick on the race course. We all realize that it is a long season and we are carrying a positive attitude about the eight rounds of WORCS racing that remain.”

Hill (IMG Racing) finished in sixth place out of 23 competitors in the side-by-side Pro ranks. He battled through the muck, coming from 19th after the first lap to find a spot in the top 10 by lap five. He picked up two more spot on the final lap. Martinez, of Del Amo Motorsports / Murray Motorsports, finished the day in 10th.

After a good start, Motoworks / Can-Am Pro Josh Frederick was in third place in the class in his Maverick 1000R X rs. Soon after that he, and roughly a dozen other racers, missed a turn and dropped a few positions. Utilizing the speed and performance of the Maverick, Frederick eventually got back on the race course and recovered to climb into the top five during the first two laps. However, his day ended with an aftermarket drive belt failure during lap three.

The muddy conditions weren’t much kinder to Frederick on his Motoworks-tuned Can-Am DS 450 in the ATV Pro class. Frederick got off the line late and was in ninth after the first lap. One lap later, he had moved into sixth place and had his sights set on the top five racers.

However, a short time later Frederick noticed his machine was losing power and he chose to pit to correct a loose exhaust. Once fixed, he re-entered the race at full power and attempted to catch with the top five. However, he ran out of time and had to settle for sixth.

“I am so excited and so ready for this year. It is already way better with the Maverick 1000R this year, and the Maverick is nearly stock,” said Frederick. “Monday was the first time I drove this Maverick. We did a little testing with FOX on Tuesday. I was really excited coming into this weekend. The more seat time I get, the better we’ll be.”

Finishing in the seventh- and eighth-place positions, respectively, were Team GPS / Can-Am Pros Webster Collins and Dillon Zimmerman.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2013 schedule, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

BRP’s Can-Am ATVs swept the 4×4 podium in the 2013 DAKAR rally, the annual off-road endurance race covering 8,500 kilometers in South America.

Poised with their Can-Am Renegade X Xc vehicles, the triumphant Latin American pilots became figures of national pride as they shared the first, second and third places on the 4×4 podium during the awards ceremony in front of the La Moneda Palace in Santiago, Chile.

Team rider Sebastián Palma won the title of the 4×4 class, placing fifth in the overall quad category. Palma took the race by storm, securing first place in the race’s seventh stage, known as one of the most challenging due to torrential rains.

“It is great pride, as a Chilean, to arrive in Santiago celebrating our performance in the Dakar,” said Sebastián Palma. “Even more so after wining the title in my class and having won a stage among all the quads.”

In total, BRP-sponsored pilots participated aboard thirteen vehicles: nine Can-Am Renegade 800 Xxc quads and four Can-Am Commander 1000 side-by-side vehicles. The so-called “yellow-blooded” racers, a nickname honouring BRP’s legendary colour, came from all over South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) to take on one of the most challenging races known to mankind, and make history in the process.

The UTV category proved to be among the most challenging categories. BRP’s Can-Am side- by-side fleet was the only one to boast one hundred percent completion of the DAKAR. This extraordinary achievement was a nod to BRP’s dedication to innovation, performance and handling.

Of special note is Colombian competitor Martha Mariño, who was the first woman to ever race in the UTV segment for the DAKAR. She and partner Carlos Bustamante, also Colombian, placed sixth in the UTV category.

If you’ve checked out either ATVMAG.COM or DIRTTRAXTV.COM in the past couple days you’ve probably noticed a few big changes!

“With the success of the show and magazine, it simply made sense to provide our fans with the strongest online presence possible. Dirt Trax has the best fans and they deserve the best online experience.” say Dirt Trax Online Editor Mike Lester. “We’ll be updating the site regularly with exclusive editorial and video segments year round to maintain maximum enthusiasm throughout the year for the sport we all love so dearly.”

Essentially, the Dirt Trax Magazine and Dirt Trax Television websites have been merged together to bring the best of each site to one location to provide the best visitor experience possible.

Not only can you find great, regularly updated exclusive editorial, you’ll find video segments from the show as well as exclusive-to-the-site video content.

Plus, as always, you’re able to watch full episodes of Dirt Trax on the Dalton Industries Video Portal!

Check back daily and join us on Facebook for regular updates!

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is giving away a Tactical Black Special Edition Rhino 700 FI to help raise awareness and money for the Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and Feed the Children charities. Yamaha’s second ‘Assembled in U.S.A.’ sweepstakes will again raise money through $5 donations when individuals enter to win the new Rhino.

Yamaha is starting to collect donations January 15 at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), the largest outdoors industry trade show, and online at: www.yamahaoutdoors.com/rhinoforcharity

The Special Edition Rhino, which is decked out in tactical accessories, is valued at more than $13,000 and is Yamaha’s most off-road capable and durable Side-by-Side vehicle (SxS) featuring the exclusive Ultramtic automatic transmission, the most durable CVT system in the industry, and Yamaha’s On-Command push-button 2WD, 4WD and 4WD diff-lock system.

The Tactical Black Rhino that will be given away at the end of the sweepstakes features an all-new matte black body and cast aluminum wheels for tactical design and durability. Like all of Yamaha’s 4×4 Grizzly ATVs, the Rhino comes straight from Yamaha’s production line in Newnan, Ga.

“Last year’s sweepstakes was a huge success with Yamaha raising more than $11,000 for two very deserving charities, HAVA and FTC,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group marketing manager. “Yamaha is extremely proud to show our continued support to these organizations and we look forward to giving away a class-leading Rhino 700 to a deserving outdoorsman this summer.”

Yamaha is a founding sponsor of HAVA, an organization created to help disabled soldiers and veterans with the healing process through active participation in outdoors sports. Yamaha has worked with Feed the Children for more than 10 years raising several hundred thousand dollars and feeding tens of thousands of children. Yamaha will donate all money raised through the raffle evenly between the two organizations.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States. Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia.

For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.