Red Bull has brought an interesting twist to to off-road racing. How? By launching the first ever truck race on ice, complete with impressive jumps and slaloms.
Called the Red Bull Frozen Rush, the concept was initially explored by Ricky Johnson in February 2013 as a proof of concept, when he tested the capability of his Pro 4 truck on the rough and tough conditions of a New England winter. Due to the success and confirmed potential of taking a Pro 4 off-road truck racing to winter conditions, the event expanded to include multiple pro drivers competing on a two-lap snow covered course.
“It was great to bring motorheads to the mountain,” said Johnson after barely beating his fellow Pro 4 racer Johnny Greaves. “What a thrill to cover new ground, literally, with guys that I respect and have been racing with for years.”
Trucks tearing up the slopes for the first time came with its own set of technical challenges, such as maintaining speed while keeping traction on slippery and icy surfaces. Each 900-hp truck was specifically modified in order to adapt to the harsh weather conditions and one-of-a-kind, studded and specially designed Mud-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich’s Research and Development team that armed all the veteran motorsports racers as they ripped up and down the nearly mile-long course. While the tires provided maximum traction, they also created a dense cloud from the snow roost, obscuring the drivers’ vision.
The race format was 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, sanctioned the race and oversaw safety and competition. For more information on drivers and time scores, please visit www.redbull.com/frozenrush.