Xavier de Soultrait, Martin Bonnet, and Sebastien Loeb Racing are returning for Dakar 2025, armed with the knowledge and experience gained from their 2024 victory and backed by a proven racing pedigree.
Polaris Off Road Wins 2024 Dakar Rally with RZR Pro R Factory
This year, they’re joined by Polaris Factory Racing’s Brock Heger and Max Eddy Jr. Fresh off a Baja 1000 win and consecutive SCORE championships, Brock brings a winning edge, while Max’s prior Dakar experience adds valuable expertise. Together, they’re ready to take on the world’s toughest race.
Their mission?
Defend Dakar.
The first episode of Tough Doesn’t Quit: Chasing Dakar follows Brock Heger and Max Eddy Jr., two champions embarking on an extraordinary journey. Polaris and SLR, the reigning 2024 Dakar Rally SSV class champions led by French driver Xavier de Soultrait, are launching their first-ever U.S. team. Heger, a 2024 SCORE Baja 1000 and back-to-back SCORE Pro UTV Open Champion, will make his Dakar debut alongside his experienced teammate, Max Eddy Jr., a veteran Dakar navigator.
Driving the next-generation 2025 RZR Pro R Factory in the SSV class, this powerhouse duo represents the grit and perseverance behind Polaris RZR’s “Tough Doesn’t Quit” ethos. TDQ: Chasing Dakar highlights the preparation, obstacles, and victories leading up to the 47th running of this legendary race.
The T4 class at the Dakar Rally is a highly competitive category for modified production side-by-side vehicles (SSVs), often referred to as UTVs. These vehicles are based on commercially available models but are extensively upgraded to handle the extreme conditions of Dakar, including sand dunes, rocky trails, and harsh desert terrain.
Key Characteristics of T4 Vehicles:
- Production-Based: T4 vehicles must originate from mass-produced UTVs, ensuring that the foundation is a recognizable, commercially available model.
- Modifications: While the chassis and engine are largely stock, significant upgrades are allowed for safety, durability, and performance. This includes reinforced roll cages and upgraded suspension systems.
- Weight and Size: T4 vehicles are lighter and more agile than larger Dakar trucks, allowing them to navigate technical sections and soft sand with greater ease.
The Appeal of T4 Racing:
The T4 class has grown rapidly in popularity due to its accessibility compared to higher-tier categories like T1 (cars) or T5 (trucks). The class attracts both professional teams and privateers, offering a relatively affordable entry point into Dakar. Despite being considered a more “entry-level” category, the competition is fierce, with factory-backed teams from brands like Polaris, Can-Am, and Yamaha consistently battling for top honors.
T4 vehicles exemplify Dakar’s spirit of endurance and innovation, showcasing how production-based machines can be pushed to the limits in one of the world’s toughest races.
POLARIS TAKES OFF-ROAD RACING’S MOST DOMINANT UTV TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH GEN 2 RZR PRO R FACTORY
POLARIS OFF ROAD WELCOMES BAJA LEGEND MAX EDDY JR AS FOURTH FACTORY DRIVER FOR THE 2024 RACE SEASON