The Can-Am Maverick R has been tearing it up in desert races throughout North America, however it must wait till 2025 earlier than it could possibly compete in occasions just like the Dakar Rally because the FIA has not accomplished the homologation course of. Within the meantime, it has been increase a rally raid portfolio outdoors of the federation’s jurisdiction with stable outcomes.
Following its launch in August, numerous rally raid groups and drivers obtained their fingers on the Maverick R to check and develop till it’s legalised for the World Rally-Raid Championship and different sequence below FIA sanction. Promoted as essentially the most highly effective UTV available on the market, it’s anticipated to compete within the W2RC’s SSV class as soon as permitted; Can-Am is at present represented within the class by the Maverick XRS Turbo R and RR whereas the Maverick X3 is utilized in Challenger for purpose-built racing UTVs.
Within the meantime, the automotive has seen motion in home and novice rallies, which have little to no FIA oversight. For instance, the Abu Dhabi Baja Problem run by FIA member membership Emirates Motorsports Group had a Maverick R compete within the SxS Professional class that follows FIA SSV regulation.
The Russian Rally-Raid Championship shortly permitted the Maverick R to race there, albeit with the caveats that solely fifteen-inch wheels are permitted and the Sensible-Shox lively suspension have to be disabled. Most Maverick R wheels are sixteen inches, although there may be sufficient clearance to accommodate 15″. The wheel restriction doesn’t exist for the Alpha Race in Bashkortostan, which is unbiased from the Russian championship, although the automotive can solely compete as an Open entry fairly than in SSV.
Can-Am’s W2RC companion South Racing débuted their very own FIA-spec Maverick R on the Morocco Desert Problem in April. Erik Van Loon dominated in the beginning by profitable the primary three phases within the SSV class earlier than retiring with a late mechanical situation. Van Loon described the automotive as like a “mini Trophy Truck” that’s “utterly totally different” from its predecessor.
Final weekend, the Maverick R gained the MudEST RallyRaid, Estonia’s solely main rally raid, courtesy of Dakar competitor Urvo Männama that he borrowed from his brother. Männama was the quickest UTV by a large margin and the one non-bike within the high 5 total.
Many W2RC regulars together with reigning SSV champion Rokas Baciuška, Challenger driver Austin Jones, and 2023 Dakar SSV victor Eryk Goczał have examined the automotive themselves. Reigning Silk Approach Rally T3 winner Sergei Kariakin was receptive concerning the car after driving it, although he famous it nonetheless has kinks to iron out earlier than it might be correctly raced. João Ferreira informed The Checkered Flag in October that the introduction of the Maverick R together with South’s successes within the class would make for “an excellent 12 months” in 2024.
Regardless of its uncommon tall-knuckle entrance suspension, the Maverick R shortly showcased its energy shortly after its launch when Dustin Jones gained in its competitors début on the 2023 Silver State 300, turning into the primary UTV to win a desert race outright. Talking with TCF after the victory, Jones known as it “the following evolution of UTVs.”
