The finals of the Red Bull 2015 Mudstone Challenge were held on July 26 at the Rui Shi Off-Road Sports Park in Huairou District, Beijing. This event followed the Red Bull 2015 Super Moto Car Cross-Country Championship held in June, and was another major off-road competition sponsored by Red Bull. Both the two-wheeled off-road motorcycle skills and obstacle course, the ATV mud racing, and the UTV extreme hill climb were held in China for the first time. After fierce competition across these three events, Su Shanling from Puyang, Henan, won the two-wheeled off-road motorcycle skills and obstacle course championship with a single-track time of 1 minute and 31 seconds. Beijing veterans Xiang Dong and Su Shanfu took second and third place, respectively. Xu Biao and Li Pinrong claimed first place in the ATV mud racing and UTV extreme hill climb, respectively.
The "Mudstone Challenge" is best known for its flying sand, rolling stones, and splashing mud, with the main competition area covering approximately 400 acres. The off-road motorcycle skills and obstacle course featured six obstacles: ribbed road, climbing wall, stairway, water crossing, stone array, and tire array, requiring riders to pass through each one in sequence. The mud racing track had a mud pit measuring 10m x 100m, while the UTV extreme hill climb track measured 7m x 20m with a slope angle of 50 degrees.
Photo 1: Su Shanling during the off-road skills and obstacle race
It’s worth mentioning that two foreign riders, Mongolia’s KHALIUNBOLD and France’s Ren Jie, fought valiantly and secured fourth and fifth places with outstanding performances. Wang Kenian, a 13-year-old young rider from Suzhou, Anhui, was the youngest competitor in the event, demonstrating energy beyond his years.
The ATV mud racing was held in China for the first time and was a true test of the riders’ abilities. As engines roared to life and mud flew everywhere, the event not only showcased the riders’ passion but was also highly entertaining. Xu Biao, a 20-year-old rider from Beijing, ultimately claimed the championship with an incredible time of just 22.67 seconds, pushing the limits. Wang Yan, an ATV rider from the Beijing Super Cross Team and the only female competitor in the Red Bull 2015 Mudstone Challenge, didn’t make it to the finals but was awarded the Organizing Committee’s Women’s Award. With her youthful charm and pursuit of extreme driving thrills, she captured the most attention from audiences and media, bringing a fresh dynamic to the male-dominated ATV off-road scene.
Photo 2: Xu Biao during the ATV mud racing
The UTV extreme hill climb was also the first domestic event of its kind for all-terrain vehicles. While climbing a 20-meter-high, 50-degree slope is not overly difficult for UTVs built for rugged terrain, standing out among top competitors and avoiding rollovers in the shortest time is no easy feat. Competing vehicles must have exceptional performance and top-notch safety features. Riders need not only superior driving skills but also the mental fortitude to overcome fear. Li Pinrong, a 54-year-old veteran who won the championship with the best time of 5.17 seconds, proved that age is no barrier in off-road sports. However, he noted that the UTV hill climb is still very challenging—the slope is steep, and there are no reference points at the start, only blue sky and white clouds.
Photo 3: Li Pinrong during the UTV extreme hill climb
The three events of the Red Bull Mudstone Challenge each have their own unique characteristics and were all held in China for the first time. With high difficulty and great challenges, they not only fully integrate the excitement and professionalism of off-road sports but also greatly test the psychological resilience of participants. Whether they are up-and-coming new-generation riders or the most seasoned veterans, a small mistake can lead to disappointment. This is especially true in the most challenging two-wheeled motorcycle obstacle course. In short, the spirit and positive energy displayed by the riders of the Red Bull Mudstone Challenge—persevering, bravely moving forward, and giving their all—earned enthusiastic cheers and applause from many professional spectators and off-road enthusiasts on site.
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-50723