NEWRY — Off-road trucks with half-inch spikes in their tires will take to the ski slopes at Sunday River on Friday in a unique competition called Frozen Rush.

Eight pro-tour drivers wll go head-to-head in pairs as they race their 900-horsepower trucks through giant slalom gates on South Ridge.

The event, free and open to the public, will take place as part of the resort’s annual College Week.

Frozen Rush is a new wrinkle in the Pro4 truck tour, which normally competes on dirt.

Sponsor Red Bull held a Frozen Rush event at Mount Snow last February, but it was a different format than what is planned for Sunday River, according to Sunday River spokesperson Darcy Morse.

“The Mount Snow event involved only one driver, Ricky Johnson, and one Pro4 truck, and was designed to see what these trucks could do on snow specially designed tires,” she said. “Sunday River’s event is an actual race being sanctioned by the United States Auto Club and will involve eight of the world’s best Pro4 truck drivers, including Ricky Johnson.”

The drivers will climb a nearly mile-long course, ascending 550 vertical feet before returning again to the base.

The eight participating drivers include Johnson, Bryce Menzies, Greg Adler, Johnny Greaves, Scott Douglas, Rob MacCachren, Carl Renezeder and Todd Le Duc.

Morse said Red Bull approached Sunday River shortly after the event at Mount Snow with the idea to create an on-snow race.

“We’ve worked with Red Bull on a number of large events before, including our annual Dumont Cup each March, so there’s a shared understanding between us about what we’re able to do in terms of hosting large events and being able to provide ample snow and facilities,” she said.

Spectators may watch the event from the sides of the course.

“They will be asked to walk up from the South Ridge base area to a designated corridor along event venue (located roughly underneath the Chondola),” said Morse. “As for safety precautions, we’re using a combination of snow walls and cement barricades to protect spectators, team members, and resort infrastructure.”

The competition will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Frozen Rush will air on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. on NBC as part of the Red Bull Signature Series. For more information on the event go to www.sundayriver.com.

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