The first stage of ice rally sprint competitions took place in Khabarovsk.
The day before, the Khabarovsk Krai Ice Burn rally sprint cup was held in the Kirov backwater area of Khabarovsk. Both beginners and experienced participants took part in the competition; a mandatory requirement was having a driver’s license and a technically sound category B vehicle on winter tires (studded or friction). The competitions were held in two categories — individual and team.
Organizers note that this is not a classic rally, but an adrenaline-fueled sprint on specially prepared frozen tracks, where the outcomes of stages are decided in a matter of minutes.
– These are short but incredibly technical special stages where what matters are: lightning-fast reaction on slippery surfaces, flawless feel for grip on ice and packed snow, and strategy in tire choice and aggression, – say representatives of the Khabarovsk Automobile Sports Federation.
It is noted that a total of five stages are planned, which will take place in January, February, and March 2026.
The winner of the competition will receive not only the title of the fastest and most cold-blooded pilot of the winter, cups, and recognition, but also the right to be the first to leave their mark on the ice in the next season.
It is recalled that last year the competition started on December 11th. The events took place in the Kirov backwater.
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is a major city in the Russian Far East, founded in 1858 as a military outpost named after the 17th-century explorer Yerofey Khabarov. Located on the banks of the Amur River near the Chinese border, it grew into a key administrative and industrial center, known for its well-preserved historic architecture from the late Tsarist era. Today, it serves as a cultural hub, featuring museums, theaters, and landmarks like the iconic cliffside overlooking the Amur.
Kirov backwater
The Kirov backwater is a large artificial reservoir on the Vyatka River in Kirov, Russia, created in 1955 with the construction of a hydroelectric dam. It serves as a major recreational area for the city’s residents and is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing. The reservoir’s creation significantly transformed the local landscape and provided a new source of power and leisure for the regional capital.
Khabarovsk Krai Ice Burn rally sprint cup
The Khabarovsk Krai Ice Burn is an annual winter motorsport rally sprint held in Russia’s Far East, typically on the frozen surface of the Khor River. The event, which began in 2012, features cars racing on a specially prepared ice track and has grown into a major regional competition that draws both professional drivers and spectators. It celebrates extreme winter driving skill and has become a significant part of the local sporting culture in Khabarovsk Krai.
Khabarovsk Automobile Sports Federation
The Khabarovsk Automobile Sports Federation is a regional organization in Russia’s Far East dedicated to promoting and regulating motorsports, including rallying, circuit racing, and autocross. Historically, it emerged from the Soviet-era development of automotive culture and amateur racing clubs, becoming a formal body to coordinate competitions, safety, and driver training in the Khabarovsk Krai region.
