Snowsports Redefined: Off-Road Racing Brings New Head-to-Head Challenge To The Slopes

Eight 900-Horsepower Trucks Defy Conditions as Red Bull Frozen Rush Returns to the Northeast

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Nov 04, 2013, 02:29 ET

NEWRY, Maine, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kicking off 2014 with a rip, eight 900-horsepower off-road Pro4 trucks will race head-to-head in the snowy climate of Maine's renowned Sunday River Resort on Friday, January 10 for Red Bull Frozen Rush. Defying climate constraints, ripping figure eights and flying off jumps on steep snowy inclines and declines is what eight professional drivers will use to test their skills against one another on uncharted territory for the first time.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/LA09770)

Red Bull Frozen Rush will pit 8 off-road trucks head-to-head for the first time on snow at Sunday River Resort, Maine on 1/10/14. (PRNewsFoto/Red Bull) (PRNewsFoto/RED BULL)

Off road truck racing is normally reserved for the dirt speedways of summer, spring and fall, but there is nothing usual about Red Bull Frozen Rush. First explored by three-time TORC Series Champion Ricky Johnson in February 2013. The 49 year-old former motocross and supercross athlete enjoyed the challenge of taking on uncharted territory like soft snow, steep terrain, ice and freezing temperatures and wanted more off-road drivers to experience the thrill.

"I was really inspired by what my Pro4 could do when challenged with the unique terrain earlier this year. 2013 was a small step to the real thing," said Johnson. "I'm excited to see what these trucks are made of when the action of racing in a head-to-head is thrown in there. There is a lot to look forward to."

Conquering the slopes doesn't come without its set of technical challenges. Each racing truck must be specifically modified in order to adapt to the harsh weather conditions. One-of-a-kind, studded and specially designed Mud-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich's Research and Development team will arm the veteran motorsports racers as they attempt the nearly mile long course, rising over 550 vertical feet before beginning their decent.

Just a few short hours from Boston, skiers and snowboarders will share the contours of Sunday River's North Peak with 4x4 racing trucks blazing the trails, launching jumps and dodging slalom gates while controlling speed and outpacing their opponents. The race format will be a head-to-head, bracketed, single elimination with two drivers on course at a time. The United States Auto Club, one of auto racing's leading governing bodies and an international motorsports authority, has sanctioned the race and will oversee safety and competition to ensure that Red Bull Frozen Rush will be an amazing experience for both spectators and competitors alike.

The future of motorsports racing very well may be here and now. Red Bull Frozen Rush will take off-road racing to new heights on January 10, 2014. For more information, please visit www.redbull.com/frozenrush.

Red Bull Frozen Rush will air on NBC in 2014 as part of the Red Bull Signature Series, the most progressive action sports property in the world. For more information, please visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com.

SOURCE Red Bull