Everyone and their mother is Formula 1 crazy these days, which is wild to see being a life-long fan. Not too long ago, seeing someone in an F1 t-shirt out and about would've had me running up to them and chatting for an hour about the intricacies of the sport, how we all miss the V8s, and why Ferrari just can't help themselves when their other cars are good.
But now, even in my little hamlet of a town in the middle of nowhere, Utah, I see Formula 1 swag on a nearly daily basis. Again, wild.
What's also wild is how everyone is being introduced to Formula 1 technology and gear, including the series' insane tire technology. And if there's ever anything insane, you know that the guys over at the Grind Hard Plumbing Co. YouTube channel will snag it and try to adapt it to a powersport vehicle. Case in point, they recently decided to throw a set of Wet Pirellis onto their Can-Am side-by-side.
Shenanigans ensue.
The Can-Am in question is a race-ready Maverick X3 that the guys at the YouTube channel picked up for desert racing. That includes new shocks, new A-arms, off-road racing lights, seat and harnesses, and of course a new top cage structure that won't bend if you push it a little too far going Mach Jesus across the desert plains or through the Johnson Valley at King of the Hammers.
As for the tires, they're Pirelli's old Wet Weather slicks, and came complete with what appear to be a set of BBS F1 rims.
Now, the guys had to fabricate a hub adapter to fit the wheels and tires onto the side-by-side, as Formula 1 uses centerlock hubs, and the Maverick does not. As you can imagine, things don't immediately go to plan, as clearances for the fabbed-up hubs and the stock Can-Am knuckles are...tight. Spacers are needed in the end to make everything fit.
The result of all their work is a very silly-looking machine, but one that definitely drives. I won't spoil the whole video, but if you're looking for some mindless fun in a sea of dark and depressing news, click the video and grab some popcorn.
