History's 'Ice Road Truckers' are back May 31, M&C has a contest!

By April MacIntyre May 27, 2009, 2:45 GMT

History presents the new season of "Ice Road Truckers" - their top-rated reality series.

“It happens real fast up there, and I don't care how good a driver you are or what— Sooner or later it will reach out and grab you..” - veteran trucker George

Just when you thought the bad boys from the Great White North had disappeared...

History presents the new season of "Ice Road Truckers" - their top-rated reality series. 

Northern Alaska is the setting as the new season premieres Sunday, MAY 31, 9PM ET/PT

History's #1 series is headed to Alaska, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle – to where a group of elite truckers face their most perilous journey yet. Chronicling both the incredible challenges as well as the history of this fascinating region, season three of "Ice Road Truckers" premieres Sunday, May 31, 9pm ET/PT.

With less than three months to shuttle critical supplies to the oil camps of Alaska’s North Slope, drivers are pushed to their limits. These are ice roads of a different breed.

From History:

The 400 plus miles stretch from Fairbanks to the remote outpost of Deadhorse, and is fraught with harrowing danger from steep mountain ice, to frozen tundra and the treacherous ice roads of the Arctic Ocean.

It is man and his machine vs. nature and the wildest, roller coaster ice road in the world. Only the strong and lucky survive. Hundreds of talented truckers have lost their lives trying to navigate this virtual obstacle course where one literally never knows what lies around the bend - from unexpected weather, virtual whiteouts and treacherous terrain, this is by far the most death defying route to date.

Ice Road legends Hugh “Polar Bear” Rowland and Alex Debogorski, each whom have never met a road that they could not get the best of, return this season to take on a road, the likes of which neither has ever seen. Only the most experienced truckers would dare to drive this route where big rigs slide off 100 foot cliffs, come head-on with other trucks around hairpin curves, and where whiteouts, avalanches and -70 degree temperatures are just a few of the fearsome challenges encountered on a daily basis. Could their luck finally run out?
 
Hugh and Alex also face the prospect of no longer being considered the kings of the road, as drivers new to Ice Road Truckers, but with experience on these treacherous pathways, attempt to knock off the reigning champions.

Their co-workers at Carlile Transportation, including veteran George Spears, the “King of the Haul Road” and the fearless Jack Jesse, know what it’s like to haul everything from giant loads of construction materials to oversized drilling rigs across the deadliest ice passage in North America.

Additional truckers followed during season three are Tim Freeman, an ice road rookie from Blackduck, Minnesota and Lisa Kelly, the first full-time female driver to be seen on the series.

Over the years, veterans and newcomers alike have been launched into snow banks or have rolled off cliffs.  The steep (12%) grades require chains and up to four “push” trucks to get heavy loads (sometimes more than 1 million pounds) over the pass.

Once at the top, the goal is to gun it downhill to reach the other side.  The Department of Transportation patrols this road daily for avalanches and blast several times a week to prevent deadly snow accumulation.  But no matter how hard they work, there’s little they can do to battle relentless snow-drifts and icy conditions.  Extreme weather blows in without warning and can leave drivers stranded in whiteouts for days.

There’s only one stop to fuel up, no cell phone service, and no emergency services for 250 miles in any direction. 

This season, fans will be encouraged to "prove their fandom" by creating a video mash up of their favorite scenes from all three seasons.

Over 20 fans with the top views and ratings will win prizes such as a limited edition Ice Road Truckers branded Flip HD Video Cameras, History Laptop Backpacks, BBQ sets and more! Videos can be created by visiting here .

Although technology has changed how people deal with the conditions of the Arctic Circle, the people of the region cling to their deep roots and traditions of which ice road trucking has been an integral part for many generations. Every day the truckers are taking their lives into their hands.

The Grand Prize is:

(1) -Ice Road Truckers BBQ Grill Set & Apron

(1) -History Channel Laptop Backpack

(1) -Ice Road Truckers Goodie Bag

(1) Runner Up Will Win:

(1) -Ice Road Truckers BBQ Grill Set & Apron

To enter, contestants need to provide a name and e-mail address. Upon notification of winning, contestants will have five days to reply with the name and address of where their prize should be sent. Sorry, but this competition is open to residents of the USA only.

Enter your name and e-mail address here: LINK