BUILT | Sara Price’s Can-Am Maverick R Rip & Dip Edition

Professional off-road racer and rally powerhouse Sara Price is preparing to set new standards in side-by-side builds with her latest custom machine, the “Rip & Dip Edition” Can-Am Maverick R X RS. Engineered by Alsup Racing Development, this powerful side-by-side showcases a blend of cutting-edge technology, durability, and agility, tailor-made for Sara's Dakar training and the grueling terrains of rally-raid racing. This isn’t just a new race car; it’s a statement on Sara's racing philosophy, her journey in partnership with Can-Am, and her dedication to pushing boundaries in motorsports.

A Rig Built for Rally Raid

The Rip & Dip Mav is no ordinary SXS. Designed to meet the specific demands of Dakar training while continuing to compete in desert races, Price’s Can-Am Maverick R X RS boasts a potent combination of power and precision. Powered by Can-Am’s robust 240-horsepower engine and their all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Maverick R X RS is purpose-built for tackling extended off-road endurance tests. For Price, this vehicle is as much a tool for practice as it is a showcase of her dedication to precision and performance on the racecourse.

As the first American female to win an FIA stage at the Dakar Rally, Price has deep insight into what a Dakar-ready T4 needs. "I knew we needed a vehicle that could do it all but, most importantly, one that was comfortable, lightweight, and versatile enough for rally-raid. With the Rip & Dip Edition, we covered every base to train stateside for Dakar, go racing, and have an all-around play car," said Price. This customized Can-Am showcases upgrades essential to rally racing, including an ARD Pro Cage and suspension components that ensure strength and stability without compromising weight or agility.

Precision Navigation for Extreme Conditions

When you’re training, you want as many details as possible of your proxy side-by-side to match the T4 you’ll actually be racing. So, a standout feature of the Rip & Dip Edition is its high-end rally navigation system, a necessity for Dakar-style racing where precise wayfinding through challenging terrains can make or break a race. The Rip & Dip is equipped with the RNS TripMaster GFX, which delivers ultra-accurate readings crucial for road book navigation. This system offers Sara’s co-pilot, Sean Berriman, precision and control, enabling her to focus on driving while he maintains the roadbook.

Performance and Durability: Key Upgrades for Dakar

To withstand the grueling demands of rally-raid, the Rip & Dip Ed. includes several endurance-ready

• Suspension Components: ARD suspension parts provide stability over rough terrain while the Fox Shocks, including front 2.5 PODIUM piggybacks and rear 3.0 PODIUM piggybacks with bypass and Smart-Shox technology, offer unmatched shock absorption and handling. Paired with Hyperco springs, these components ensure optimal performance without adding unnecessary weight.
• Wheels and Tires: Price’s Maverick R is equipped with BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR2 tires, specifically designed for rally-raid, alongside Raceline Wheels A14BG Alpha beadlocks. This setup offers maximum traction and reliability, keeping Price grounded in the toughest conditions while allowing her to push the vehicle to its limits.
• Safety and Comfort: The Rip & Dip’s safety elements include a custom ARD Pro Cage, Sparco EVO QRT-X seats, and a Sparco harness system, providing Price with security and comfort in unpredictable race conditions. With rugged durability as a priority, the cage design also allows for the Maverick’s opening doors to remain functional—a unique feature often eliminated in other racing cages.

Custom Livery: Showcasing Personality and Passion

The Rip & Dip Can-Am is as visually distinctive as it is mechanically robust. Wrapped in a custom Rip & Dip livery, the vehicle embodies Sara Price’s fearless personality and dedication to off-roading, both on the track and at her Arizona-based Rip & Dip Ranch. Price’s “Rip & Dip” branding reflects her philosophy—combining high-adrenaline adventure with moments of relaxation, a theme mirrored in her ranch’s offerings where “you can ‘rip’ through the desert and ‘dip’ in the river.”

For Price, the livery is more than a color scheme; it’s an expression of her journey in the sport and her commitment to building a unique motorsports brand alongside her racing career. This personal touch adds a dimension to the vehicle, bringing her racing heritage and lifestyle branding into one cohesive machine.

A Partnership that Fuels Innovation: Can-Am and Sara Price

Sara Price’s journey with Can-Am began in early 2023, and her partnership with the brand has since blossomed into a powerhouse collaboration in the off-road racing world. Can-Am’s innovative Maverick lineup has given Price a platform to showcase her skills, and together they’ve pushed the boundaries of UTV performance in high-stakes events like the Mint 400 and the Baja 500. With Can-Am backing her in this ambitious Dakar Rally pursuit, Price has the support and equipment necessary to compete on the world stage.

“It’s been an incredible journey with Can-Am,” Price noted. “Their support and innovation have given me the tools I need to perform at the highest level. Together, we’ve turned dreams into reality, setting new standards in the sport.” As Price gears up for Dakar 2025, this partnership is more than just a business relationship—it’s a shared vision of performance, resilience, and an unyielding passion for motorsports.

Building for Dakar: Setting Sights on January 3rd, 2025

The Dakar Rally, often called the “world’s toughest race,” begins January 3, 2025. Price, who made her Dakar debut in 2024, quickly proved her mettle by securing the Rookie Award and finishing as the first American female to win a stage in the SSV Category. For the 2025 race, Price and her Rip & Dip Maverick R will be parting ways as the true racecar awaits her in Saudi Arabia. But any successes overseas could easily be attributed to the trainer—the vehicle that has been helping her and Sean increase speed, perfect accuracy, recover from mistakes, and develop a pro rally mindset back at home.

This vehicle isn’t just a testament to advanced engineering—it’s an essential tool in Price’s pursuit of greatness. Every component, from the navigation system to the suspension and custom cage, has been selected to provide her with the advantage she needs to tackle Dakar’s punishing conditions. Her Rip & Dip rally trainer, fortified with durability, agility, and state-of-the-art instruments, reflects her extensive experience and meticulous approach to race preparation.

Riding Sand Waves to Dakar

As the Maverick R Rip & Dip helps prepare Sara for only her second appearance at the famed competition, it represents more than a rally-ready side-by-side or proxy racecar; it’s the culmination of Sara Price’s racing journey, her strong Can-Am partnership, and a future vision for off-road motorsports…with an American woman on the podium. (At least that’s how the staff at ATV.com see it playing out). 

Whether her team is tackling the unforgiving dunes of Dakar or the familiar rugged terrains of the American Southwest, Price’s Maverick R is a piece of a very intricate puzzle. One which saw her racing motocross as a child, then going pro, and simultaneously moving to four wheels and even doing regular stints in Hollywood. Price’s colorful career is a result of extreme focus, a fierce drive, and fearlessness. But her achievements are a product of many facets of competition from family and her team to sponsors, gear, and equipment. 

In the coming months, Price will continue to test in her Maverick R Rip & Dip through rigorous training, refining her setup, and preparing for the ultimate challenge. That’s why so much attention was put into building Rip & Dip; these vehicles, trainer or not, are an extension of Sara, embodying her relentless drive and dedication to excellence. The more thought that was put into the car, the better she can trust that it’ll do its job. And this transitions into more concentration that can be dedicated to perfecting her skills. 

While it’s yet the time to make a guess on the outcome of the 2025 Dakar Rally, we’re still buzzing from last year’s promising premiere. A record stage win in your first year out the gate is impressive enough. And now that she’s ripped off the Band-Aid, watching the SP Racing team drill and agonize over details, it’s no doubt she’ll be rolling up to the first special stage more experienced, more mature, and more prepared than ever. Thanks to a lot of hard work and a purpose-built rally trainer named Rip & Dip.