(Salt Lake City, Utah – May 22, 2018) – Utah and Nitro Circus have always been a unique combination that has resulted in some of the greatest progression within the action sports community.
Announced today kicking off with a welcome to Utah jump by the Red Bull Air Force, that winning progressive combination of Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus and the Utah Sports Commission, once again mixes together to bring the Nitro World Games to Utah for a two-day event August 16th and 17th, with Saturday August 17th open to the public.
Returning to the competition line up is the jaw dropping Freestyle Motocross Best Trick and Moto Quarterpipe, but many within the industry think that the addition of Nitro Rallycross (NRX) in 2018 might take the spot of crowd favorite becoming the highlight of the weekend. After 2018, the track created by Pastrana, a first of its’ kind rally track, has been a fixture at the Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC) allowing for Pastrana to create new track features ahead of the event.
“Last year we proved that race cars could fly and this year we have re-designed the track to be even crazier.” said Pastrana. “All of the athletes couldn’t be more excited that we are heading back to the UMC with Nitro World Games and Nitro Rallycross. Utah has been Nitro’s home since the beginning, and we are excited to continue pushing the limits of action sports right here where it started.”
For those not familiar with Rallycross, Pastrana was all smiles talking about it but reiterated that it’s best seen not just read about.
“Rallycross is motocross with a roll cage,” said Pastrana. “Taking the most exciting elements from different rally formats we are bringing it into an exciting head to head race environment where the fans can see everything in one location rather than a spread-out course. And, in typical Nitro World Games fashion, we progress the industry by building the biggest jumps ever seen on a rallycross course to date.”
Fans won’t want to miss the jam-packed finals featuring unrivaled action, intense competition, and triumphant celebrations. After Nitro Rallycross’s 2018 debut, drivers are impatiently waiting to get back on the track that was dubbed, “The most unique, exciting, fun, amazing Rallycross track ever built.” by renowned champion driver, Tanner Foust.
“This track is exactly what you would imagine it would be from the mind of Travis Pastrana,” said Foust. “Big banked turns and massive jumps creates a spectacle that from a fans standpoint has to be stunning, but from a driver standpoint, it’s eye opening. Honestly, driving this course feels like you are in a video game. It is such a cool feeling. Having the vision to create a radical track like this is one thing, but to be able to have the ability to follow through all the way to competition ready is a game changer for the industry.”
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 venue at UMC provides.
“First of all, to take this idea from a vision to reality is an incredible achievement,” said Hansen. “In testing of the track, it feels like nothing I 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.”
Hansen also echoed similar thoughts on how this track changes rally racing.
“Rally race cars are capable of so many extreme things, but the courses that we race on, do not showcase what the car can do,” said Hansen. “This track challenges the car and driver to their full potential. Car and driver have to work together beautifully to achieve the win. This is the direction we need to be moving as an industry, it is better than I imagined.”
For the past two years of the Nitro World Games, the competition has been at Rice-Eccles Stadium but this year, the move to Utah Motorsports Campus means so much more for the future of the games.
“We needed a permanent track with the proper resources to move huge amounts of dirt,” said Pastrana. “We needed a location with a top level pit area and amenities for the teams. We needed a place that had entertainment for the entire family (like go-karting) that already had restaurants and locations for food trucks and playgrounds set up. We found all of that and much more at the Utah Motorsports Campus. And keeping to our roots in Utah, “The State of Sport,” was the cherry on top. Truly a no-brainer for Nitro Circus.”
Tickets go on sale Saturday June 1st, 2019 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.