In exactly one month from today, the Nitro World Games will be underway in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Returning to the event line up is Freestyle Quarterpipe and Best Trick and Nitro Rallycross (NRX).
NRX made its’ Nitro debut in 2018 and to say it was a success would be a massive understatement.
Now, in 2019 in its’ return, the Nitro World Games team including Travis Pastrana and the staff that is building the track in Utah have had a year to develop the course and drivers from around the world are lining up to race it.
“Last year we were finishing the track as drivers were showing up to practice,” said Pastrana. “This year, we have the data and experience we gained from racing last year to grow and expand the course in true Nitro fashion. Nitro Rallycross was so successful within the racing community that drivers could not stop talking about it. As a result, we have had a massive influx of drivers commit to racing this year.”
The multiple lines and features of the innovative Nitro Rallycross track make for intense racing that cannot be matched while the massive 120’ jump keeps both drivers and spectators on the edge of their seats. Fans can expect to see the biggest names in the sport including Pastrana, 2018 Nitro Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen and Ken Block, contend for a prize purse and possibly more importantly, bragging rights for the next year.
Hansen, in addition to being the first ever Nitro Rallycross Champion is a FIA World Rallycross driver and son of 14-time European Rallycross Champion, Kenneth Hansen, knows what he is talking about when he speaks glowingly about the event and what the challenge of a course Nitro Rallycross provides.
“First of all, to take this idea from a vision to reality was an incredible achievement,” said Hansen. “When you first start to test the car on the track, it feels like nothing you have ever raced before. Transitioning from massive jumps to banked turns is an incredible feeling. There are so many possibilities created within this track. Most often in rally racing, there is one line and as a driver you have to find a way to optimize that one line to win the race. With this track for the Nitro World Games, it breeds creativity in driving and that is rare and unique. You have to drive by feeling and that is what makes it so incredible.”
So what can we expect different in year two?
“It is hard to say what to expect,” said Hansen. “There is a vision Travis has and in many ways it’s an unreal vision. It was by far the best track for rallycross ever built. We know there will be some changes, so we as drivers are so anxious to see what those are. My expectations are so high going into year two, but I have no doubt that those expectations will be met.”
Pastrana and the Nitro Circus family have become synonymous with progression action sports. Nitro World Games and Nitro Rallycross is no different.
“I don’t think there is any other place in the world that would allow us to race a course like Nitro Rallycross,” said Hansen. “With the rules from the FIA in terms of rally racing, you cannot feature this type of course, especially one with the size of jumps. Throughout the race season though, you will see new features added to some tracks that a clearly derived and inspired from the Nitro Rallycross track but within a World Championship course.”
After winning the race in 2018, where do the challenges to grow as a driver come from?
“What is so unique about this track beyond challenging the driver in aspects they haven’t been challenged before, the course challenges the car in a way that it hasn’t been pushed before either,” said Hansen. “Just because the level of the car is at a level that it can run at this pace and such a difficult track seen at Nitro, does not mean that they have been challenged before. This puts a great deal on the driver and the team around him. It is a massive team effort to win at Nitro Rallycross and it is one of the most satisfying wins.”
So what can you expect in one month?
“With more drivers this year and an evolved track, you can expect the best race you have ever seen,” said Hansen. “It will be crazy.”
Information and tickets can be purchased at NitroWorldGames.com. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $79 which afford purchasers exclusive access to a premium elevated viewing deck. General admission tickets are available at $39 while kids’ tickets (12 and under) are available at $25.