X Tour Selection Beijing

Starting in 2006, BMW China has run its Destination X-Tour for five consecutive¹ years. The tour is a long distance driving combining challenging experience with charity work. The selection² of this year's X Tour members stated last weekend. In contrast to previous routes, which are mainly arranged at climate-friendly southwest China, this year's tour is taking place in the freezing cold northwestern region of China, and in December! So it's very demanding for each participant.

Here is our reporter Li Dong.

 
With a cue³ from the staff, the driver steps hard of the accelerator, and rushes to the finish. It's not easy to achieve a good time score. It requires both speed and accuracy.

This is one of the three sections of this year's BMW X Tour member selection - the driving skill test. This contestant⁴ says he feels the pressure.

"I felt nervous, especially when I passed the last turn. My last score was 24 seconds. I hope I can do better this time."
A few drivers can finish the track in around 22 seconds. Before they rush out, the coach reminds them the key is to stay focused.

In another area, people are cheering for two contestants⁶ on the rock wall. This section tests their physical strength. This lady has just finished her competition.

"I should have worn my trainers. My hands are still shaking. I feel great deal of pressure. Because they are recording⁷ the time and I am so afraid of failing. I tried my best."

So what makes this year's X Tour member selection so demanding?

In previous years, the X Tour was organized in southwest China in climate friendly seasons.

However this year's tour is being held during the cold of winter. They will go through three of the most freezing provinces of northern China: Inner Mongolia, Jilin and Heilongjiang province.

Also, in contrast to previous years' four line tour, there are only two routes this year. The eastern one starts from Mohe in Heilongjiang province and the other, the western route starts from Manzhouli. The two BMW convoys⁸ will meet at Ha'erbin, Heilongjiang province at the end of the tour.

The most northerly province in the coldest season. This is why Bai Minfei of BMW's marketing⁹ department says this is why this year's X Tour is extremely demanding.

"In such weather, the temperature may drop to 30 degrees or more below zero. If you are out of the car for even five seconds, your hands may be hurt. But the drivers will have to get out of the car and clear the snow if their car gets stuck. Rock climbing requires them to climb as high as they can within limited time. It's a good test of their physical strength under pressure. As a lot of driving skill, you know, like driving on slippery and wet winter roads requires a lot of driving experience. Without good performance on normal roads, they snowy and icy road conditions will be dangerous for the drivers."

And Bai Minfei adds, the third section, a psychological test has been specially⁵ designed for this year's X Tour.

"We invited a professor from East China Normal University to design a set of psychological tests. Considering this year's harsh¹⁰ natural conditions, we believe that team spirit and their ability to endure pressure is more important than in previous years."

Altogether, only 96 drivers will be selected from more than 2,000 applicants¹¹ for this year's X Tour.

The X Tour member selection in Beijing has just concluded. Selection in three other cities, Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou will be held in October and November. Selected members will receive training to tackle¹² this year's unique winter routes.

This year's X Tour will be held from Dec 4 to 10.

For China Drive, I am Li Dong.

1 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

2 selection   

n.选择，挑选，精选品，可选择的东西

参考例句：

• We left the selection of the team to the captain.我们把挑选队员的工作交给了队长。
• The shop has a fine selection of cheeses.那家商店有各种精美乳酪可供选购。

3 cue   

n.暗示，信号，提示；vt.提示，暗示

参考例句：

• When she coughs,it's my cue to come onto the stage.她一咳嗽，就是给我暗号出场。
• The actor missed his cue and came onto the stage late.这演员错过了向他发出的提示，上场晚了。

4 contestant   

n.竞争者，参加竞赛者

参考例句：

• The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
• The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。

5 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

6 contestants   

n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries. 这次比赛吸引了代表8个不同国家的500多名参赛者。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency. 两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

8 convoys   

n.（有护航的）船队( convoy的名词复数 )；车队；护航（队）；护送队

参考例句：

• Truck convoys often stop over for lunch here. 车队经常在这里停下来吃午饭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A UN official said aid programs will be suspended until there's adequate protection for relief convoys. 一名联合国官员说将会暂停援助项目，直到援助车队能够得到充分的保护为止。 来自辞典例句

9 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

10 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。

11 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

12 tackle   

n.工具，复滑车，扭倒；v.处理，抓住

参考例句：

• Don't forget to bring your sports tackle with you tomorrow.别忘了明天带上你的体育用具。
• We have gained sufficient experience to tackle this problem.我们已经有了足够的经验来处理这个问题。