Can-Am Factory Racer Kyle Chaney Earns Historic Win at the 2025 King of the Hammers
Rhea-AI Summary
Can-Am, a brand of BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO, NASDAQ: DOOO), achieved a historic victory at the 2025 King of the Hammers as Kyle Chaney became the first driver to win the 4400 Unlimited class in a modified UTV. Chaney and co-driver Terry Madden finished over 30 minutes ahead of competitors in their Can-Am Maverick R, marking a significant milestone as this class was traditionally dominated by custom-built trucks and high-horsepower buggies.
The race consisted of three challenging laps, with Chaney starting fourth and securing victory in 7 hours, 53 minutes, and 45 seconds. The Maverick R maintained its stock powertrain and geometry, with only chassis modifications for 37-inch tires. Additionally, Can-Am drivers swept the Pro Mod class podium in the UTV Hammers Championship race, with Cody Miller winning first, Nathan Parker second, and Paul Wolf third.
Positive
- Historic first-ever UTV victory in the prestigious 4400 Unlimited class
- Dominant performance with 30+ minute lead over competitors
- Clean sweep of Pro Mod class podium in UTV Hammers Championship
Negative
- None.
Insights
The unprecedented victory of Can-Am's modified Maverick R in the 4400 Unlimited class at King of the Hammers represents a pivotal moment for BRP Inc. This isn't just another racing victory - it's a paradigm shift in the powersports industry. By defeating purpose-built race trucks with typically triple the horsepower, Can-Am has demonstrated exceptional engineering prowess that could reshape the competitive landscape.
The strategic implications are substantial:
- This victory validates BRP's R&D investments and engineering capabilities, potentially accelerating the company's market position in the high-performance UTV segment
- The win creates powerful marketing leverage, particularly valuable as the adventure sports and recreational vehicle markets continue to grow
- Sweeping the Pro Mod podium demonstrates product consistency and reliability - important factors for both recreational and professional users
The broader market implications are significant. This achievement could catalyze increased market share in the premium UTV segment, where margins are typically higher. The timing is particularly advantageous as the powersports industry sees growing demand for high-performance vehicles capable of both recreational and competitive use.
Looking ahead, this victory could influence BRP's product development strategy, potentially leading to the introduction of more performance-oriented features in their consumer models. The proven durability and performance in extreme conditions also strengthens their position in the growing adventure sports market segment.
"We are immensely proud of Kyle's achievement and the effort our team put into this race," said Jean-Francois Leclerc, BRP Race Manager. "King of the Hammers is unlike any other race with the mix of high-speed desert terrain and technical, rocky canyons. We knew it would be difficult, but we put some of our best racers in the pack to go for the win. To see the Maverick R prevail against vehicles from major automotive manufacturers with three times the horsepower is very gratifying to say the least."
Widely considered the crown jewel of the King of the Hammers week of races, the 4400 Unlimited race consisted of three different laps, each presenting its own unique challenge to test the driver's skills and the capabilities of their machines.
After qualifying fourth, Chaney started on the second row. He remained in the top six throughout the first lap before working his way into the lead on lap two. Lap three required immense navigational skill, as this portion of the course was not made public until the day before the race and the drivers could not pre-run it. Chaney's co-driver Terry Madden kept them on track, playing a crucial role in their success. Proving the potential of the Maverick R platform, Chaney and Madden emerged victorious with a time of 7 hours, 53 minutes and 45 seconds.
"We drove our best and my crew put everything they had into this. I have to thank Can-Am and CT Race Worx for building this car for us to battle against all the top guys in the 4400 race. We picked some good lines and Terry was awesome with the navigation. The third lap was crazy, we had no idea where we were going. There were no trails, we just had to pick our lines as we went and stay close to the checkpoints. We did our best to take care of the car all day, but you know, it's a Can-Am, it never quits!"
Kyle Chaney, Cody Miller and Hunter Miller were the only drivers to contest the 4400 Unlimited race in UTVs. Can-Am partnered with CT Race Worx to modify the Maverick R to meet the specifications of the 4400 Unlimited race. The vehicles maintained the powertrain and geometry of a stock Maverick R, except for the chassis adjustments needed to fit 37-inch tires. Cody and Hunter Miller also showed promising pace, with Cody running in second place until the late stages of the race. Unfortunately, both of their races were cut short due to technical issues.
In addition to Chaney's success in the 4400 Unlimited race, Can-Am drivers swept the podium in the Pro Mod class of the UTV Hammers Championship race. Cody Miller secured the Pro Mod win and second overall, while Nathan Parker finished second in Pro Mod and third overall, and Paul Wolf rounded out the podium with third in Pro Mod. All three racers showcased the performance, reliability and toughness of the Can-Am Maverick R.
Can-Am Racers will be back in action at the 2025 San Felipe 250 on Saturday, April 5.
About BRP
BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on over 80 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive brands featuring Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft and Quintrex boats,
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Alumacraft,
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SOURCE BRP Inc.
FAQ
What historic achievement did Can-Am (DOOO) accomplish at the 2025 King of the Hammers?
How did Can-Am (DOOO) perform in the 2025 UTV Hammers Championship Pro Mod class?
What modifications were made to the Can-Am Maverick R for the 2025 King of the Hammers 4400 race?
What was Kyle Chaney's winning time in the 2025 King of the Hammers 4400 Unlimited class?
