Arctic Cat Prowlers Sweep Baja
1000 UTV Desert Race
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Arctic Cat
Prowler 1000 UTV
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Thief River Falls, MN (12/2/2008)
- The finish line at the 41st Annual SCORE Baja
1000 was as dramatic as it was historic. Racing
a pair of stock Arctic Cat Prowlers, the Bi-Polar/Arctic
Cat team beat the brutal conditions to finish first
and second place in the world’s longest, continuous
off-road race. It was the first time in race history
a side-by-side UTV vehicle has finished what is
widely regarded as the most grueling off-road race
in the world.
Reid Rutherford complemented the historic triumph
with a fifth-place finish in the Pro ATV class
on an Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 H2 EFI.
“We were the first-time finishers and first-time
winners in this greatest of all races because
of a total team effort,” said Bi-Polar team
co-owner and driver Jim Creagan of Yacott, Wash.
“From start-to-finish, every person fulfilled
their role perfectly and each Prowler performed
magnificently.”
Finishing first in the 634-mile race with a time
of 27 hours and 57 minutes was a stock 2009 Prowler
XTZ 1000 driven by Creagan and co-pilot Tim Wagner
for the first 409 miles, followed by driver/co-driver
Chris Fallon and Aaron Bahner for the remainder
of the course.
Taking second place at 28 hours and 13 minutes
was a 2009 Prowler XTX 700 EFI driven by three
driver/co-driver combinations: Shane Morgan and
Tabor Cresap, Scott Sorenson and Justin Serface,
and Casey Squires and Mike Connors.
It was just the second attempt at the Baja 1000
for the Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team. In 2007 they
made it to mile-810 before succumbing to a broken
suspension bolt. They returned this year, ready
to prove the Prowler’s durability and to
support their sponsors: Arctic Cat, Wired Energy
Drink, Vision X Lighting, GBC Motorsports, TrailReady
Beadlock Rims and King Shocks.
“These were stock Prowlers except for the
required roll-cage, extra night lights, King shocks
and tires,” said Creagan. “Nothing
broke on either machine during the race and we
had only one flat tire on the 700. Our support
crew never even had to put a tool to either machine.
It was just gas-and-go at the pit stops, which
is a testament to their durability and performance.
”
The fifth-place in Class 25 Pro ATV by Reid Rutherford,
Ben Vernadikis and Tony Valerio aboard a stock
Thundercat 1000 H2 EFI was equally compelling.
It was the first time an Arctic Cat ATV attempted
the Baja 1000, competing against and beating all
but four modified racing models.
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Reid Rutherford
- Arctic Cat ATV
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Rutherford credited his Thundercat for handling
the extra-tough course: “This was my sixth
Baja 1000 and it was the most difficult course
yet. The Thundercat handled it without a problem,
giving us an advantage over the sport models in
the rocky and silt terrain. I know we finished
stronger and fresher than the other teams, thanks
to the suspension and comfort of the big Cat.”
With a stock suspension, stock chassis and stock
engine, Rutherford’s Thundercat proved that
the most powerful production ATV is equally durable.
He was sponsored by Planet Motorsports, Speedwerx,
Douglas Wheels, Rox, Fly and RTT.
Most competitors were in agreement that this
year’s course was the toughest in race history.
In addition to the usual array of car-sized boulders,
horrible silt sections and surprise obstacles,
the course delivered a 60-mile section of 4-ft.
whoop-de-dos that claimed many of the 347 racers.
Only 227 vehicles survived to finish the famed
event.
“Team Arctic racers delivered a historic
performance at the 2008 Baja 1000 and I couldn’t
be more proud of them,” said Arctic Cat
ATV Race Manager Ted Bettin. “The Bi-Polar
Prowler team worked incredibly hard for two years.
To earn the honor and distinction of being the
first-ever UTV to finish the Baja 1000, and to
finish first and second place, speaks volumes
about their dedication and professionalism.
“The Thundercat team’s fifth place
in their first-year effort with our program proves
their capability as well as the awesome performance
of our ATV. Everyone at Arctic Cat appreciates
the hard work and success of our racers at Baja.”
About Artic Cat:
Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures
and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well
as related parts, garments and accessories. For
more information on Arctic Cat ATVs, please visit
your local dealer or log on to www.arcticcat.com.
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