The Polaris ATVs raced well despite being their first time in the Dakar.
The 2009 Dakar saw 23 ATVs start with only 13 finishing. Of that 13, three were members of Team Polaris!
French Racer Hubert Deltrieu, winner of the Dakar Series Central Europ, Lybia Desert Challenge, Pharaons Rallye and second at the Dakar Series Portugal, had a very good showing taking fourth. Eric Carlini took eighth and Betty Kraft took ninth and became the first woman to finish the Dakar on an ATV. Italian Racer Pietro Fogliani had to leave the race due to a hand injury.
Betty Kraft took ninth and became the first woman to finish the Dakar on an ATV.
“We are very proud of the racers and their efforts at Dakar,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “Having three out of four finishers is a true testament of both the riders’ and machine’s grittiness and endurance, and we congratulate Deltrieu, Carlini and Kraft on their incredible achievements.”
All racers ran the 2009 Outlaw 525 IRS for the race. The Outlaw 525 IRS is endurance race proven and its Independent Rear Suspension provided a smooth ride and reduced rider fatigue.
