A reason for racing haulers across tundra / Arctic?
It was difficult to sum the entire question into the title, but here's more context:
I'm working on a proof of concept for a game where you are racing vehicles rally raid style across Antarctica and / or tundra where "the race" takes weeks, (including fixing the vehicle and sleep). Were it just this, it could pass as a race, but you are also hauling various cargo that needs to stay more or less intact or you are deducted points. You can also use some of the cargo for food or vehicle fixing supplies. That's the gist of it, but I feel a good reason is needed for why this event is taking place at all.
* If it's a race, why the cargo?
* If it's cargo hauling, why the rush?
It would be great if the scenario allows for: - The world is realistic in terms of technology, but does not have to be exactly the same as ours in terms of the landscape, animals and places that do not have to match. You can say there's a big city that is in the middle of a tundra and that you can drive from it to the north pole without there being a sea in the way (though Canada springs to mind). In terms of landscape, I realise realistically it would hardly be possible to drive to the Arctic even if the sea between tundra and the north pole froze as it cracks and rolls creating a landscape of ice spikes and walls, but again, some freedom is taken here. - Professional racing teams (as opposed to amateurs and enthusiasts that might fit some of the scenarios I listed below). 732
- Having racing seasons / championships.
Some previous ideas: - Probably the best one I got yet I got just while writing this (rubber ducky debugging strikes again): The cargo needs to be delivered to a remote village (or station) anyway, but once or twice a year a race is organised (like the Iditarod for example). The problem I have with this is it's only believable if it's more or less just an occasional event and rules out anything more "serious" like having racing seasons and teams. - Instead of a race to some village, you are rushing to a distress call from a haul truck and must either fix it there or carry its cargo to its destination. (Not really happy with this one as you again have no real racing) - You are hauling cargo from A to B, but getting there sooner rather than later pays better. (I am listing all that came to mind even though I am not happy with this either: No racing at all, but might include some minor survival elements) - You do cargo hauling for a living, race on the weekends (Might work if I don't find a better solution, but this splits the racing / hauling into separate events).
Notes: - Why Arctic and not Antarctica? Antarctica is a continent (ice over land) and the Arctic is only ice so this would perhaps give more fun terrain, but I also wanted to have certain animals around for which you should keep an eye out so you are not attacked when you are out of the vehicle (most likely out to do repairs). From what I know, there are no wolves or bears on Antarctica, and there are no tundras near it, so I opted for the Arctic. - The vehicles were initially supposed to be something between big haul trucks and off road vehicles, but if something else (as long as it's on land) works better for your idea, be my guest.
TL/DR: What could be the scenario where there are races being held in tundra / Arctic involving hauling cargo to the extent that it's a "serious" sport with teams, seasons and championships?
Note: If you think replacing teams with amateurs / enthusiasts could work better, go ahead.
Edit: These are all awesome answers, some of them would even make for games on their own. Thank you all for your very helpful input! 732