POLARIS RACING DOMINATES 2023 KING OF THE HAMMERS DESERT CHALLENGE WITH UTV OVERALL PODIUM SWEEP

Rhea-AI Summary

Polaris Racing kicked off the 2023 UTV racing season at the King of the Hammers with a dominant performance, achieving a podium sweep in the Desert Challenge. Branden Sims secured the overall victory in his race-modified RZR Pro R, finishing ahead of Doug Mittag and Brayden Baker. Sims's victory builds on his recent success at the Baja 1000. The Polaris RZR Pro R is gaining recognition as the most capable UTV in desert racing, with impressive performance and durability. Team Polaris Racing Manager Brett Carpenter emphasized the significance of this win as validation for the RZR Pro R platform.

Positive

• Branden Sims won the overall and Open Class at the Desert Challenge, marking a strong start to the 2023 season.
• Polaris RZR Pro R demonstrated outstanding performance, securing top three finishes in the race.
• The victory follows a successful run at the Baja 1000, enhancing the RZR Pro R's reputation in desert racing.

Negative

• None.

Branden Sims captures UTV Open Class and UTV Overall Victories, while Doug Mittag and Brayden Baker take 2^nd and 3^rd respectively, all behind the wheel of the Polaris RZR Pro R

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 UTV racing season kicked off this past weekend at King of the Hammers (KOH) with the 4th annual Desert Challenge, where Polaris Racing drivers registered the top three overall finishing times across all UTV classes, en route to sweeping the B3 UTV Open Class podium. Following his recent Baja 1000 win, Branden Sims continued his momentum into the new year, driving his race-modified RZR Pro R to victory via elapsed time, beating Doug Mittag by more than a minute. Mittag also put forth a stellar performance, finishing second, while Brayden Baker rounded out the Polaris podium in third. 

At the wave of the green flag, Mittag quickly took the lead and began methodically navigating his way across the Johnson Valley desert floor. He maintained the front spot throughout the two-lap 240-mile race, leading wire-to-wire to take the physical win. However, due to time adjustment, Mittag ultimately finished second in class. Sims, who started in fifth, continued to push an impressive pace as he attempted to catch Mittag. Although unsuccessful in his attempt, Sims was able to take the checkered flag and win in overall elapsed time.

"I do all forms of racing, and this is probably the closest thing to Baja in the states, because we're taking on every type of terrain – whoops, silt, dry lake beds…everything," said Sims. "I couldn't be happier with this new RZR Pro R platform. It is a total game-changer for UTV racing. I've driven it three races in a row now, capturing three podiums and wins at two of our sport's most prestigious events. Other than a few race modifications, this thing is pretty much stock, and at the pace we're pushing these vehicles, the durability and performance are nothing short of amazing."

Throughout the race, Sims leaned on his navigator, Skyler Howell, to keep him out of harm's way based on key course markers the duo identified in pre-running the course. In combination with that intel, he maintained the use of his stock RZR Pro R's 7-inch touchscreen display Powered by RIDE COMMAND for visual reference throughout the race. Using the combination of Howell in his ear, and his eyes on the stock gauge and navigation, Sims was able to make sure they were hitting their marks.

With the overall sweep at King of the Hammers, following November's Baja 1000 victory, the Polaris RZR Pro R is staking a claim as desert racing's most dominant UTV.

"I can't imagine a better way to start the 2023 season than coming out to King of the Hammers and dominating our competition with an overall UTV podium sweep in the Desert Challenge," said Brett Carpenter, Team Polaris Racing Manager. "Following up our victory in Baja with an overall sweep at the season's first event is powerful validation for the RZR Pro R as the most dynamic and capable side-by-side platform available today. When you put elite drivers like Branden (Sims), Doug (Mittag) and Brayden (Baker) behind the wheel of a RZR Pro R, incredible things can happen, as evidence by what we accomplished here today."  

The three Polaris RZR drivers will continue to be in action this week throughout the remainder of the 2023 King of the Hammers.

More information about Polaris Off-Road Vehicles and Polaris Engineered Accessories can be found at RZR.Polaris.com. Also, join the conversation and follow RZR on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

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SOURCE Polaris Inc.

FAQ

What were the results of the Polaris Racing team at the 2023 King of the Hammers?

Polaris Racing secured the top three overall positions with Branden Sims winning, followed by Doug Mittag in second and Brayden Baker in third.

What model did Branden Sims drive to win the Desert Challenge?

Branden Sims won the Desert Challenge driving a race-modified Polaris RZR Pro R.

How did the Polaris RZR Pro R perform in the Desert Challenge?

The Polaris RZR Pro R showcased exceptional performance, leading to a podium sweep at the event.

What is the significance of Polaris Racing's victories in 2023?

The victories at both the Baja 1000 and the King of the Hammers validate the RZR Pro R as a dominant UTV in desert racing.

Who are the key drivers for Polaris Racing in the 2023 season?

The key drivers for Polaris Racing include Branden Sims, Doug Mittag, and Brayden Baker.