BRP Announces 2016 Can-Am Race Teams

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
Contingency program and amateur support programs also unveiled


BRP has announced its 2016 Can-Am X-Team ATV and Side-by-Side vehicle racing team, as well as its racing contingency program and amateur support program.

You can expect to see Can-Am racers out in full force numerous off-road racing series across North America this year. The team will look to improve upon its Grand National Cross Country class championships and recent desert racing successes.

“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 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 success 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 (4×4 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 on their squad. 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 4×4 Pro ATV class.

BITD / SCORE

Can-Am Maverick desert racing teams have covered a lot of ground in three seasons, winning several 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.


Contingency and Amateur Support Programs


BRP will support Can-Am ATV and Side-By-Side owners by offering its Can-Am Racing Contingency and Amateur Support Programs for the 2016 racing season. Racers who compete on approved vehicles in an appropriate series in the United States and Canada are eligible for cash payouts throughout the 2016 racing season. Can-Am owners with eligible, 2013 or newer, Can-Am ATV or side-by-side vehicles may also apply for vehicle rebates as part of the Amateur Support Program.

“BRP remains faithful to racing because it is part of our core DNA. We understand the commitment levels required to contend for both amateur and professional racing championships. These Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racing programs generate incentives for our owners and reward them for their loyalty to the brand,” says Leclerc.

Contingency cash is paid out in numerous U.S. national and regional racing series for both ATV and side-by-side racing. Those series include the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series, Best In The Desert (BITD), SCORE International, 12 Hours of La Tuque, Championship Mud Racing, and many more regional series across North America. For 2016, select BITD and SCORE events have seen a 50% increase in contingency payouts. Additional championship contingency can potentially be rewarded if the qualified racer wins the class title in an authorized series.

To qualify for the Can-Am Amateur Racer Support program, participants must purchase a qualifying new or unused ATV or side-by-side vehicle and also register it with an authorized Can-Am dealer. The list of ATVs includes 2013 and newer Renegade and Outlander models at varying displacement levels and 2014-2015 DS 450 ATVs. The DS 450 program also includes a free Can-Am X-Team Stage 1 Performance Kit and $1,000 Can-Am X-Team parts account. Approved side-by-side vehicles include 2013 and newer Can-Am Maverick 1000R vehicles. A $1,000 rebate is applied for ATVs and a $1,500 rebate for side-by-side vehicles once the owner and vehicle has both been approved. The number of eligible vehicles is limited and BRP will immediately close the program once that quantity is reached.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2016 schedule, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please email: atvracing.can-am@brp.com.

Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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