Can-Am Race Report: July 6-7

Zak Zakowski won the UTV overall, as well as the Open UTV and Open Utility classes at the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series.

Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs pilots picked up more victories this past weekend at the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series and the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series, while Can-Am DS 450 racers reached the podium at the Steel City ATV MX National.

Kyle Chaney dominated the QR1 class in his Maverick at round six of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series in Tennessee. Zak Zakowski won two classes and the UTV race overall in the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series. At round seven of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series, DS 450 racer Travis Spader won two classes, while Nick Gennusa earned his first career Pro-Am class podium finish aboard his Can-Am.

“Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side racer Kyle Chaney put in an outstanding effort in miserable conditions to dominate the UTV Rally Raid event at Windrock OHV park. I was thrilled by Zac Zakowski’s double victory in Iowa, which included his first official UTV overall with his new Maverick 1000R X rs,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We had tougher luck and spotty weather at round seven of the ATV MX Nationals, but I was excited for Nick Gennusa’s moto-one victory and first career Pro-Am class podium finish.”

Kyle Chaney bested the field at the UTV Rally Raid event in Tennessee.

JB Off-Road / Can-Am Maverick 1000 X rs racer Kyle Chaney won the QR1 class and race overall at round six of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series, which was held at a muddy Windrock OHV Riding Park near Oliver Springs, Tenn.

Chaney, who has also recorded a GNCC UTV overall this year and will compete in a WORCS race in the coming weeks, jumped out to an early lead by recording the fastest lap of the race on lap one. Despite heavy rain and foggy conditions, the Ohio-based racer continued to outpace the competition during the four-hour race that started in the early evening. A few hours later when the darkness had set in, Chaney increased his lead. He went on to win the QR1 class by almost 12 minutes over the nearest competitor.

“I put in a few hard laps early and built up a good lead because I knew once night fell it might get foggy and goggles would not work too well. I just put in consistent laps and stopped every two or three laps to switch out gloves and goggles. I felt I could drive my Maverick as if it were dry and the Maverick felt as if it were on rails,” said Chaney.

Two other Can-Am Maverick racing teams had top-five overall finishes. AC Racing was third overall and third in the QR1 ranks, while Team Maverick Racing took fifth overall.

Zac Zakowski took the UTV overall and won both the Open UTV and Open Utility (ATV) classes at round five of the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Driving his new Can-Am Maverick 1000 X rs, Zakowski earned his first-ever UTV class win in the competitive Open UTV class. He jumped out to an early lead and quickly outran the competition on the narrow woods course. At the finish, he had a one-lap lead over second place. Aboard his Zakowski Motorsports / Racing for Mom Can-Am Outlander 800R, Zakowski led the Open Utility class from start to finish and won by more than three minutes.

Nick Gennusa’s 1-8 Pro-Am moto finishes landed him on the podium in Steel City.

Round seven of the ATV MX Nationals was held at Steel City Raceway, near Pittsburgh, Pa. Can-Am X-Team racer and Pro-Am class rookie Nick Gennusa dominated the first Pro-Am moto on Sunday, cleanly working his way through the pack on near perfect track conditions aboard his BCS Performance-prepped Can-Am DS 450. However, a steady rain fell the entire second moto, which the made the start critical. Gennusa got a poor start, but recovered on a very slick track to earn eighth in moto two. His 1-8 score was good for third overall and first career Pro-Am class podium finish.

In the Pro class, Josh Creamer (BCS Performance / Can-Am) had a tough first moto. After starting out in fourth, Creamer moved up one spot and then was pressuring second place when he was struck by misfortune. The rear tire of ATV in front of him kicked up a rock and hit the ignition key, shutting off the engine. After Creamer diagnosed the problem, he was able to salvage a sixth-place finish. Creamer finished fourth in moto two, tallying another top-five overall finish, and also retained his current third-place spot in the point standings.

Fellow Can-Am Pro Jeffery Rastrelli (JB Racing / Can-Am) earned seventh place overall finish, matching his season best. In Amateur racing, former national champion Travis Spader won both the Veteran 30+A and the Senior 40+ classes.