ATV racing series

... this year's Australian Rally Championship when Polaris and BRP meet in battle.

A new category has been added to this year's ARC series for side-by-side ATV machines or quad bikes, allowing the two North American powersports companies to compete as they have for more than 50 years overseas. The CAMS-approved ARC SxS Racing Series will allow competitors to race in four of the ARC rounds in either a Polaris RZR XP or Can-Am Commander XT made by BRP.  

"As a result, there will be no engine or transmission modifications allowed. Even the alloy wheels must be stock." BRP Australia marketing manager Kym Pardey admitted that Polaris may have an advantage with their "full-on race machine".  

"The unit which Polaris is entering is more racy while ours is a more practical allrounder that is more comfortable and has a heavy tip-tray," he says.  

"But to make it more equitable they have allowed some rule changes for us to reduce weight and increase track width; ours is narrower and was designed to fit on a pick-up truck. The wider track means much quicker cornering speed." 

The Can Am is powered by a Rotax 1000cc v-twin engine while the Polaris has a smaller 976cc engine. However, the Polaris has more top-end power for speed while the Can Am has more torque for load capacity. Polaris and BRP began their fierce competition in the 1960s with snowmobiles then ATVs or quad bikes in the 1980s and more recently Side by Side (SxS) vehicles. 

Polaris is from Minnesota, USA, and BRP which makes Can-Am ATVs and SxS is from just north of the border in Canada. SxS racing has exploded in North America in the past decade and in Australia SxS racers have competed at recent events such as the Finke Desert Race, Cliffhanger and KharnaCross, endorsed by CAMS or the Cross Country Drivers Association. 

Three-time Australian and four-time Asia-Pacific rally champion Cody Crocker will race for Polaris. "It's absolutely fantastic," Crocker says. "The jumps are different as you don't go as far. But the landing is much softer. Even though you aren't going as fast . . . the thrill factor is the same." 

Can Am has enlisted the talents of retired Australian and international rally driver Michael Guest who has driven for Mitsubishi, Subaru and Ford factory teams. BRP is also preparing race-ready Commanders for private competitors to buy and race.

ARC SxS Racing Series

Calder Park, Victoria, March 2-4
Busselton, WA, March 31-April 1
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, May 26-27
Coffs Harbour, NSW, October 13-14