International rally “Silk Road – Dakar series” to start from Kazan in September 2009

The representatives from 31 countries are going to take part in international auto rally “Silk Road 2009 – Dakar series” to get started from Kazan in September.
The future event was discussed at a meeting of organizing committee held by RT Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov. He informed that competitions of such status will be held in Kazan for the first time. In fact, the idea belongs to President of Turkmenistan and is supported by Russian President. It is meant that rally will become the largest off-road race in European and Asian part of the world (as far as the next race Dakar is planned to be held in Southern America).

Director on administrative issues of international rally Directorate, Director General of “KAMAZ-Master” team Semen Yakubov presented a detailed report on preparation for rally. He said that a French company A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation – organizer of Dakar) was attracted for holding the event. It is responsible for organization issues, medical maintenance and TV support.

About 100 motor cars, 50 trucks will take part in the rally. Totally, including guests and members of organization committee for about 900 people will arrive in Kazan.

The rally to be started on September 5 in Kazan and finish on September 3 in Ashkhabad (Turkmenistan). The way will be laid through Republic of Tatarstan, Orenburg region, Kara-Kum deserts in Kazakhstan. Total length of route is 4350 km. The route corresponds to Dakar rally by complication but it is 2 times less.
Semen Yakubov said that “Wolkswagen” and “BMW” have already agreed to take part in the rally. Preliminary applications from teams-competitors of “KAMAZ” (MAN Rally Team, TATRA, Team DeRooy) have been received.
The participants will start arriving in Kazan from September 1. 5 airplanes and 8 helicopters are planned to be used for rally maintenance. The so-called “waiting park”, press centre, will be set up on the territory of hotel “Rivera”. Briefings and other events will also be held there.
Parade of rarity cars and festive concert will be held on day of solemn opening of rally (September,5).
The rally “Silk Road – Dakar series” will be covered in mass media all over the world.