ATV Riders Message Board Articles Reviews Videos Photo Gallery wallpaper Links ATV SxS News Interviews Racing News Models Donations Quad of the Month Contact Us

Polaris ATV Industry News

Polaris ATV Manufacturer Logo

Polaris Outlaw "Dodges Kangaroos" to Win Australasian Safari

Dakar Polaris 525 IRS ATV

John Maragozidis has won the inaugural ATV Class at the “Dakar down under,” the Australasian Safari

Minneapolis, MN (9/3/2008) - After more than 2500 miles and 7 torturous days, Polaris Outlaw mounted John Maragozidis has won the inaugural ATV Class at the “Dakar down under,” the Australasian Safari. Maragozidis crossed the line in 31hr 42m, almost 2 hours ahead of his next rival.

With more than 1600 miles of timed competitive stages on some of Western Australia’s most punishing desert terrain, the Safari covers both private and public trails before finishing in the state capital, Perth.

The introduction of the quad class this year has added another dimension to the 21 year history of one of world motorsport’s most grueling events.

“Unlike the Dakar events in Europe and Africa, Australasian Safari competitors must also occasionally dodge 5ft tall Kangaroos and Australia’s maddest bird, the Emu, which is about the size of an Ostrich. They love to run along side you then cut out in front!” Said Polaris Australia’s National Sales Manager, Peter Harvey.
Unfortunately, this year an entrant in the ATV Class from South Africa hit a 150 pound Kangaroo. Reportedly he continued to race with what he thought was a painfully bruised thigh.

The Australasian Safari is a rally style event where competitors race at set intervals and compete against the clock. Cars, Motorbikes and ATVs all complete the same competitive sections.

“The Outlaw 525 IRS handled the terrain brilliantly. I don’t think I’d attempt this race on a quad without a independent rear suspension,” said Maragozidis. “When you’re belting across rocky terrain and bull dust at 100kmph, traction and handling are everything.”

“This year, Polaris Australia and its dealers have made an outstanding investment in ATV racing, and it is great to see the results,” said Harvey.

So far this year Polaris Racing has won the Australian ATV MX Tri-State Series, the Queensland ATV MX Championship, and currently has a solid lead in the Victorian ATV MX Series.

For more information visit www.polarisindustries.com.au

About Polaris:
With annual 2007 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all terrain vehicles (ATVs), including the Polaris RANGER(tm), snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure
Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Polaris ATV Manufacturer Logo Small
www.polarisindustries.com
2100 Highway 55
Medina, MN 55340
(763) 417-8650

Discuss this in ATVriders.com Forum

Copyright 2002-2022, ATV Riders All Rights Reserved - ATV Riders Forum - Message Board - Archive