Phil Blurton wins inaugural American Off-Road Racing Championship UTV Pro and Limited Overall Championships while Michael McFayden finishes second at the Laughlin season finale
Phil Blurton wins inaugural American Off-Road Racing Championship UTV Pro and Limited Overall Championships while Michael McFayden finishes second at the Laughlin season finale |
| [20-October-2026] |
LAUGHLIN, Nev., Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- Can-Am, iconic brand of BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) (NASDAQ: DOO), battled to the very end as the American Off-Road Racing Championship series came to a nail biting conclusion this weekend in the Nevada desert. Following a grueling, high-octane season that started in January, Can-Am off-road racing veteran Phil Blurton has officially secured two titles: the Season Class AORC UTV Pro Champion and the 2026 Limited Overall Champion. Securing the necessary points in a dramatic showdown at the Laughlin Desert Classic, Blurton etched his name into the history books alongside Michael McFayden, who delivered a spectacular performance to finish second in the race's UTV Pro Category. The Laughlin desert, notorious for its punishing whoops and high-speed washboard straightaways, provided the ultimate proving ground. The championship battle was exceptionally tight, demanding flawless execution. Blurton experienced mechanical issues throughout the week, setting the stage for an incredibly stressful race day. However, a stroke of late-race luck saw his main championship rival knocked out of the race, bringing the title fight down to the last few laps of the series. "Just wrapped up the AORC Race series, and ended today's race with 1st overall in the series. It was a nail-biting day. We had issues all week long, but the entire season went phenomenal. I couldn't have done it without Can-Am, their UTVs are amazing out here. This is probably one of my favorite tracks and it was probably my most stressful day racing out here - but yeah #1!" — Phil Blurton, 2026 AORC UTV Pro & Limited Overall Champion Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround from the podium, Blurton added, "The 2026 season was amazing up to this point, I don't like to count points up until the last race, so last night Jeff (Gallegos - Co-Driver) and I were going through everything and figuring out what position we had to get. I mean it couldn't have gone more wrong for me today and then all of sudden it turned out perfect in the end. This Can-Am Maverick R was unreal all year long. Hopefully we can repeat next year as we are coming back to race the full 2027 AORC season and will be back battling for a championship again."
While Blurton celebrated the ultimate prize, Michael McFayden secured an impressive second place overall in the UTV Pro Class at the Laughlin Desert Classic, crossing the line P2 on Day 1 and dominating to take P1 on Day 2. Fellow competitor Dustin Jones also put in a strong showing, finishing 4th in the Laughlin race. "We just came in a P1 for day 2 and 2nd on Day 1. This Can-Am Maverick R was flawless, I beat this thing up so hard and it's still driving strong. We're about to bring it up to the podium and we are just stoked and excited about how we finished the race." — Michael McFayden, UTV Pro Category (2nd Place) Following the dominance of both Blurton and McFayden, and all the Can-Am racers taking part in the series, Can-Am is honored to win the inaugural Manufacturers Cup for the AORC Season. Can-Am racing is powered by Progressive® Insurance, reinforcing the shared values of protection, confidence, and exploration for riders and the racing community. About BRP BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of powersports products and powertrains, built on over 80 years of ingenuity, innovation, 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, Quintrex boats as well as Rotax engines for karts, recreational aircraft and jet boats, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The Company completes its product lines with a dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding experience. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP had annual sales of CA$8.4 billion from over 110 countries and employed close to 17,000 driven, resourceful people as of January 31, 2026. Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Quintrex and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE BRP Inc. | ||
Company Codes: Toronto:DOO,NASDAQ:DOO |
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