Tank Biathlon 2014 World Championship Is Russian Motorsport

The Russians invented this last year, introducing the Tank Biathlon as a World Championship. Unsurprisingly, while the US was invited in 2013, the Crimea crisis means this year America is not on the list. Not that they are the only ones missing from this "international" affair.

The rules see crews navigate over a 12.5-mile (20 km) course, while juggling with maneouvering though and around obstacles and rivers, as well as doing the obvious target shooting.

All crews rely on the same hardware, namely Russian T-72B tanks, with one exception. Yes, that is correct, we are talking about China. Oh and by the way, the Russians offered their opponents (at least on this virtual battlefield) a six-week training on their tanks, in a bid to make sure all crews have equal chances of winning.

Teams from Angola, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Serbia are battling it out as part of the first round. The second heat will see Russia fight Armenia, China and Kuwait. There will also be a third wave, which will see Belarus, India an Venezuela compete.

The Russians have big plans for 2014, as infantry combat machines, together with airborne assault vehicles are expected to join the tank party.

After having enrolled in 50 races so far, Russia's Marussia F1 team scored their first points ever at this year's Monaco Grand Prix, a a ninth place. Let's just say we're expecting the Tank Biathlon situation to be a little different.