Vladimir Chagin: Silk Way in Kazan will be remembered forever’
A resurgent race will come back in July not only to the timetable of Cross-Country Rally World Cup but also Kazan after a two-year break. In general, it is no secret that Kazan wants to make these first two kilometres the brightest circuit in the Eurasian races. On 20 June, the organisers tested the road of Kazan that will host 150 best rally teams among off-roaders and trucks. Realnoe Vremya goes into details.
Did it come back for long?
Less than two weeks left before the start of the Silk Way rally raid, which was postponed because of financial (and other) problems for two years. Those who care about Russian car sport told it's the end of the Eurasian races as a World Cup stage. Judging by the latest tendencies, indeed this variant of the scenario was more likely when Russian sport faces closures, reduction than creation and renewal.
Head of the coming races and repeated winner of Dakars in KAMAZ-Master Vladimir Chagin was beating about a bush for a reason during the test run of the circuit. He told the renascence of an event of this level, which needs not only big financial support but also a long patient agreement at international level with both participating countries and also FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) on its own is unlikely, not to speak about the search of worthy organisers who are able to hold these competitions at a level of large international competitions.
'The first two kilometres of the big 10,000-metre route will start here in the heart of the sport capital of Russia, in Kazan. It is a unique land, a real piece of desert. I covered this road using the car of the organisation and remembered sand, Sahara,' organiser and ex-pilot of KAMAZ-Master filled with nostalgia. 'And such a small desert was quickly created here in Kazan. Indubitably, it will be the first test of the readiness of the crew and mechanical check.'
Biathlon on sand
Yes, officially the competitions will start in Moscow (how could the Russian stage do without its capital with its traditional boastful tradition of showing off everything that takes place in Russia?) in Red Square. However, if we look into the very competition, it becomes clear the Moscow-Kazan stage is just symbolic. And those two kilometres of the sandy circuit that was urgently created on the left bank of the Kazanka River will become not only a starting point of the big 10,000-metre way to the East but also be a kind of qualifying stage: the winners of the debut circuit will have a chance to start from Kazan to Ufa first. It is a so-called biathlon on sand where one has to sweat in order to get a yellow T-shirt.
By the way, the Kazan circuit near Tatneft-Arena has being prepared since May. Sand was delivered, concrete walls were taken away, and traffic circle, which became a foundation of the Kazan location, was prepared. It should be noted there was not any big work. It was planned to build a large multi-storeyed business centre with a hotel, shops and apartments. Arab investors sized the Kazanka bank up for a long time, but the construction has not started yet. And sand wash came in handy.
How does the circuit that will be ploughed by tens of heavy-weight off-roaders and trucks look like? It is two kilometres of sand and five very difficult barriers – this test is not easy even for the best pilots of the world who will be here on 9 July.
'There is a winding sandy track and several barriers here – the pilots will be able to look at the readiness of their cars' suspension. And, of course, it is a unique chance for the citizens of Kazan and guests of the city to listen to the engine roar and see how it happens in real life, not on the TV screen,' Chagin thinks.
Fans also were mentioned. There will be a special zone along the circuit on Sibgat Khakim Street's side.
'We are waiting for the start of the rally. I will say withot exaggeration: I drove a car now (last time he did it long time ago, stopped being the team's pilot in 2011), it was a real pleasure. I envy all participants of Silk Way. I'm sure they will enjoy and remember it forever,' Chagin concluded.
Will this competition be able to be compared with Dakar? Let's wait and see this 2016 Silk Way till July. Due to traditional ambitions of the heads of our republic, we can be sure they will try to organise it as the most memorable stage.