Dakar Quad Rider Juraj Varga Transitions to SSV with Polaris RZR Pro R
Juraj Varga, a prominent figure in the Dakar Rally Quad category, has announced his transition to the SSV (Side-by-Side Vehicle) class. The Slovakian driver has acquired a Polaris RZR Pro R, which he plans to race in the SSV category.
Varga’s decision comes in the wake of the recent announcement that the Quad class will be axed from the 2025 Dakar Rally. This news surfaced during the World Rally-Raid Championship’s BP Ultimate Rally-Raid, prompting Varga to withdraw from the event shortly after. He was already facing challenges due to an electrical failure in the first stage, but the decision to remove Quads from the Dakar had further diminished his motivation to continue.
Varga’s move to the SSV category is part of a broader exodus of Quad riders seeking opportunities in other classes. Many have opted to transition to SSVs, which are similar in design but classified as a separate category. This trend is exemplified by the likes of Dakar winner and newly crowned World Quad Champion Manuel Andújar, who will make his SSV debut this weekend as a co-driver, and Pablo Copetti, who will compete in an SSV in the 2025 Dakar.
“For me and the entire team, there is another new and big challenge: to move to racing at a higher level and head into a new category among the cars, buggies, and trucks,” wrote Varga. “After many months of considering the best option to continue, and thanks to Quad-Moto s.r.o. and Polaris Slovakia, we finally came to a conclusion.”
In January, Varga finished third overall in the final Dakar for Quads, with top-three stage finishes in nine of the twelve legs. This result marked an improvement from his debut in 2023, where he narrowly missed the podium. The BP Ultimate Rally-Raid was his only other start in the 2024 W2RC (World Rally-Raid Championship) so far.
Varga’s transition to the SSV category represents a significant challenge, as he aims to compete at a higher level among the cars, buggies, and trucks. His Polaris RZR Pro R was prepared by the Slovakian dealer Quadmoto centrum, and Varga expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his racing career.
As the Dakar Rally and the broader World Rally-Raid Championship evolve, Juraj Varga’s move to the SSV class reflects the adaptability and resilience of the sport’s competitors. With the Polaris RZR Pro R at his disposal, Varga is poised to embark on a new chapter in his motorsport journey, navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-changing landscape of the Dakar and the WRC.
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