Rumors have accelerated about a new Pure Sport SxS UTV from Can-Am. In fact, hardly a day goes by without another story or sighting.

Here’s what we know – the engine/drivetrain may be based on a system used by the Ski-Doo division at BRP to drive a rather unique vehicle called the “Elite”. This twin tracked snowmobile positioned the driver and passenger similarly to a UTV and used a ji-normous 3-cylinder 4-stroke for motivation.

The recently out-of-production Elite was built for only two model years this decade. The Elite’s CVT based drive system would be completely workable in our estimation in a wild Pure Sport UTV application.

Don’t look for a fuddy-dud utility side-by-side from Can-Am. BRP has been true to its word since announcing its mantra: to ‘not produce anything that isn’t fun and the best performing in its class’.

We think best-in-class means most powerful. Stay tuned.

Press Release –

Let the mud bog domination begin! By combining the most powerful force in Utility ATV and Side-by-Side Promotion with the strongest and most innovative ATVs and Side-by-Side machines on the market, Polaris Industries and High Lifter Products, Inc. have created Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing.

This newly-created team partners the most experienced riders, fabricators and mechanics with world-class engineers at Polaris to create a racing machine that has already won nine trophies in their first two outings.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to be partnered with High Lifter. Their expertise in the mud world is a perfect match for the capabilities of our Polaris Sportsman ATVs and RANGER Side by Sides.” said Craig Scanlon, product line sales manager for the Polaris Side by Side Division.

The sport of ATV Mud Riding is growing faster than the industry as a whole and events such as The High Lifter ATV Mud Nationals and The High Lifter ArenaBog Circuit have given the sport a voice and provided a venue for national media exposure.

The sport, much like NASCAR, was born in the backyards of the south and now it is growing into a nationwide phenomenon.

“I believe that Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing will be a promotional vehicle, which is a win-win-win. It’s a win for Polaris with the opportunity to promote their products to riders and racers all across the country. It’s a win for High Lifter Racing with the opportunity to represent a highly successful and well-known name in the ATV Industry. And it’s a win for ATV riders all across the country with open doors and open minds from other manufacturers in the industry who are taking our sport seriously and seeing mud riders as a true segment of the market,” said Scott Smith, Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing.

Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing consists of eight full-time racers, two alternates, and a complete support staff and race-team management which includes:

Scott Smith – Team Captain/President of High Lifter Products, Inc.
Jesse Johnson – Team Mechanic and Racer
Randy Miller – Team Mechanic and Racer
Jeff Newman
Maggie Robertson
Michelle Coffel
Brian Robertson
JW Otwell

Team Management:
Mike Smith – General Manager
Jason Coffel – Team Manager/Media & Sponsorship Contact
Tracie Engi – Team Public Relations Manager
Trey Thomas – Team Manager/Sponsorship Contact

The Team’s goal is to compete in at least 12 races in the 2007-2008 Season with race vehicles that include several Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O., Sportsman 800, Sportsman 800 X2, RANGER XP, RANGER RZR and the famous, hopped-up Polaris Sportsman 90 as a Pit Bike. Future race appearances include:

Summer Mudfest
Mud Creek Off-Road Park – Jacksonville, TX
August 18th, 2007

South Carolina ATV Exhibition
Orchard Park – Gaffney, SC
August 25th & 26th, 2007

4th Annual Mississippi Mudfest
Red Creek Off-Road Park – Perkinston, MS
September 1st-3rd, 2007

Gap Broadcasting ATV Mudstock
Mud Creek Off-Road Park – Jacksonville, TX
October 11th-14th, 2007

For more information on Team High Lifter-Polaris Racing see their official site at www.highlifter.com