Aleksey Pesoshin: It was here in Kazan, the first Silk Way Rally was raced from in 2009
On July 9, participants of the international rally "Silk Way 2016", which started on July 8 in Moscow, reached Kazan.
A race on the unique sandy area started on the bank of the Kazanka river between the Kazan-Arena stadium and the Kazan Family Center.
Trucks have set off in Kazan. Six crews of "KAMAZ-Master" team represent this category. The crew of Dmitry Sotnikov started first.
On behalf of Tatarstan President, Tatarstan Government and himself, the Acting Prime Minister of the republic Aleskey Pesoshin greeted participants and fans in Kazan.
Pesoshin reminded that it was here in Kazan, the first Silk Way Rally was raced from in 2009.
"We are very glad that traditions are being revived and that in 2016 Kazan hosts one of the routes of the rally. In 10,000 kilometers we will know how this unique route through Astana to Beijing will be gone through," he said.
Totally, 27 trucks and 110 cross-country vehicles will take part in the Silk Way Rally.
The rally finishes at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing on July 24.