Rain or Shine! WCIFIT's Premier Gymkhana Motorcycle Cone Challenge Thrills Spectators

Roaring engines, sharp turns, dramatic slides, and sudden brakes - on May 19, the highly anticipated Gymkhana Motorcycle Cone Challenge, a marquee event of the Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), electrified the outdoor northern exhibition area of Yuelai International Expo Center with 30 competitors from across China showcasing their skills aboard customized motorcycles.

▲ Races against the clock during the Gymkhana Motorcycle Cone Challenge at Chongqing International Expo Center, May 19. Photograph courtesy of reporter Qi Lansen/ Visual Chongqing

Despite persistent rainfall, neither riders nor spectators lost their fervor - compact "pocket rockets" belched exhaust fumes while screeching tires and roaring cheers created a pulsating atmosphere of intense competition.

Event organizers explained that Gymkhana, an emerging global extreme sport, requires riders to navigate color-coded plastic cones along predetermined routes within demarcated zones, executing left/right turns or circles according to cone colors, with victory going to the fastest finisher - this format's minimal venue requirements and absence of specialized tracks have made it wildly popular among motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

▲ Competition Venue. Photograph courtesy of reporter Qi Lansen/ Visual Chongqing

At the competition venue, riders demonstrated masterful control of clutches, throttles, and brakes while executing extreme maneuvers - wheelies, tail slides, and knee-dragging turns - with frequent cone collisions and dramatic spills punctuating the action, eliciting collective gasps from the captivated audience.

"The rainy conditions significantly amplified the challenge," remarked an event organizer, emphasizing that wet-surface riding demanded heightened caution and superior bike control, particularly when navigating turns where reduced lean angles necessitated anticipatory adjustments.

▲ Competition Venue. Photograph courtesy of reporter Qi Lansen/ Visual Chongqing

The day's format saw 30 competitors first battle through time trials to determine the top 16, who then advanced to head-to-head "bullfight" duels on identical mirrored courses, culminating in cash prizes for the top five finishers and consolation awards for all participants.

Since its debut two WCIFIT editions ago, this Gymkhana cone challenge has steadily gained traction, drawing growing participation and attention from motorcycle enthusiasts nationwide.

Source: Chongqing Daily Client