The launch ceremony of the “China · Qaidam 2015 National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship (Delingha Station) and First China Civilian SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix” was grandly held at the Conference Center of Tianlun Dynasty Hotel in Beijing at 15:00 on July 22, 2015 (Wednesday), Beijing time. The event is composed of two major segments: the 2015 National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship (Delingha Station) and the First China Civilian SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix, spanning over 10 days. This will be a grand gathering to promote the development of motorcycle sports, civilian car sports, and automotive tourism culture, as well as to showcase the latest achievements in civilian automotive technology.
Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, named after its location west of Qinghai Lake, is administratively referred to as Haixi Prefecture. It lies in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at the junction of Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang, and Tibet, connecting southward to Tibet, northward to Gansu, westward to Xinjiang, and eastward to Qinghai Lake. Historically part of the land of the ancient Qiang people, it served as an auxiliary route of the Silk Road and was once an important corridor for cultural exchange between China and the West. Covering a total area of 300,900 square kilometers, it accounts for 41.7% of Qinghai Province’s total area. The prefecture’s main region is the Qaidam Basin—one of China’s four major basins (the name “Qaidam” comes from Mongolian, meaning “salt marsh land”). The basin occupies about 78.8% of the prefecture’s total area, hence Qaidam has also become synonymous with Haixi Autonomous Prefecture. With an average altitude of around 3,000 meters, the area features a dry climate with little rainfall, typifying a highland continental climate. As a key node along both the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Tourism Corridor and the Silk Road Tourism Belt, Haixi boasts unique natural ecology, historical culture, and ethnic customs. Snow-capped mountains and glaciers, yardang landform clusters, numerous highland lakes, deserts and Gobi landscapes, as well as rich ethnic culture and profound historical heritage, make it an ideal destination and premier venue for auto and motorcycle sports, showcasing vehicle performance, and engaging in outdoor and self-drive tourism. The vast territory, convenient road transport, and diverse, ever-changing scenery along the way provide excellent conditions for developing highland motorsports.
Event Introduction (in chronological order):
I. Overview
(1) 2015 National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship (Delingha Station)
The National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship is an official competition organized by the Auto and Motorcycle Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, and is the highest-level domestic motorcycle cross-country racing event.
1. Individual and team races for the Domestic 110CC Youth Model Category.
2. Individual and team races for the 150CC Model Category.
3. Individual and team races for the Domestic Models Under 250CC Category.
4. Individual and team races for the Imported 250CC Model Category A.
5. Individual and team races for the Imported 250CC Model Category B.
(2) First China Civilian SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix
August 26, 2015 – August 30, 2015
The SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix has developed a brand-new competition format tailored to the terrain, landforms, climate, and high-altitude characteristics of Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai. The event consists of off-road arena races and Devil City cross-country races, integrating various distinct motorsport formats such as arena off-road racing, road rallies, and fuel economy challenges. It imposes stricter requirements on vehicles in terms of energy efficiency, power, reliability, handling, safety, off-road capability, and durability—making it a comprehensive benchmarking platform for pickup trucks.
II. Event Dates:
2015 National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship: August 22, 2015 – August 24, 2015
First China Civilian SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix: August 26, 2015 – August 30, 2015
III. Event Venue: Delingha City Racing Circuit, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province
The 2015 National Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship and the First China Civilian SUV & Pickup Truck Grand Prix are primarily based in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, with the Qaidam Basin scenic area as the main focus. Leveraging the Qaidam Basin’s unique geographical and topographical features, the events will feature a variety of motorcycling and car culture showcases, as well as outdoor self-driving and experiential tourism activities. These efforts aim to promote the organic integration of car sports and tourism, and establish Qinghai as an international destination for premium auto and motorcycle tourism routes.