The two-day administrative vehicle inspection ended successfully. At 19:00 on the evening of July 6, the starting ceremony of the 9th Silk Road Rally officially kicked off at Irkutsk Speransky Square on the banks of the Angara River. Government representatives from China, Russia and Mongolia, event guests, media reporters and local car fans witnessed the grand departure ceremony. A total of 93 racing cars in the three groups of motorcycles, cars, and trucks drove onto the grid in turn, and started a 10-day journey of challenges and adventures amid the cheers of enthusiastic audiences and teams.
Car Group: Al Attia is unstoppable, the Chinese team is looking forward to a full blown
Al Attia was runner-up in the Volkswagen Touareg in 2010 and a Toyota Hilux in last year’s race. He will continue to compete this year. The three-time Dakar champion hopes to realize his silk road championship journey this year. His main rivals this year are likely to come from his teammates: including the 2018 Silk Road Rally champion Alaghi, the Dutch driver Bo Erik Long and the Russian driver Vladimir Vasilyev. There are also drivers who are expected to sprint for the championship, including Chinese driver Han Wei, Russian driver Andrey Rudskoy and French driver Marty. American driver Menzies, who had high hopes before the race, withdrew from the race at the last minute.
China Power will usher in a new climax in this rally. In addition to the Geely Shell Lubricating Oil Team, which once created the best results for Chinese drivers, there are also Shaanxi Yunxiang Racing Team, Zhengzhou Nissan Navara Racing Wheel Team, Longxingtianxia Rally Team, POLO Lubricating Oil Racing Team, and Qian’an Jiujiang Team. A total of 19 cars from 9 teams including Roadhang Tire Racing Team, Giti Tire Racing Team and Haoshun Henghard Racing Team participated in the competition. Whether it is a car or a driver, whether it is quality or quantity, it has demonstrated the strength of Chinese racing cars and the international competition. The horizontal integration also represents a new level of Chinese elements on the international stage. As the Chinese teams passed the grid one by one, the 10-day competition officially kicked off.
In addition, in the all-terrain vehicle group that has attracted much attention recently, a wonderful contest will be launched between Russian driver Sergey driving Maverick X3 and Spanish driver Pena Campo driving Polaris RZR.
Motorcycle group: Expect extraordinary performance in debut
This year the motorcycle group will make its debut in the Silk Road Rally as a stop of this year’s FIM World Motocross Rally Championship. Dubai and 2017 Dakar Rally winner British driver Sam Sunderland will lead the Red Bull KTM factory team; Adrian van Beveren hopes to pull his Yamaha team on the new track Take the lead. Also wanting to make a big splash is the MONSTERENERGY Honda team. The team has already recruited Catalan driver Juan Barred, who is famous for his speed, Argentine driver Kevin Benavid and Chilean driver Jose Ignacio. Income; MotoGP Super Championship winner American Andrew Short to join ROCKSTARENERGY Husqvarna factory team; Kevin Benavid and recent Chilean Juan Ignacio Under his command; the Indian team HEROMOTORSPORTS, which participated for the first time this season, will pin its hopes of winning the championship on the Portuguese driver Paulo Goncalves.
Spanish driver Lea Sanz is looking forward to her debut in the Silk Road Rally, and of course her goal is to dominate the women’s category. Other female drivers participating in this rally include Russian driver Nitova and Czech driver Novotna.
The quad bike group will also make its first appearance in the rally, led by five-time world champion and former Dakar champion Rafal Sonic on a Yamaha Raptor 700.
Truck Team: Rivalry of Giants
In the truck group, the Kamaz team will continue to be the favorite to win the championship. The exciting championship battle will be staged between Kakinov and teammate Martiff. In addition, Dutch driver van den Blake driving Renault trucks and Sugawara Teruhito driving Hino racing cars will also challenge for the championship.
Mikhailovich, the presidential plenipotentiary representative of the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russia, attended and read a congratulatory letter from President Putin: “Welcome all guests and participants. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Silk Road Rally. The route of this competition passes through three countries. , hosted by China and Russia, with Mongolia participating as a new partner. The race starts from Irkutsk and ends at Dunhuang, a historic city on the Silk Road. The addition of the motorcycle group makes the race more enjoyable. 5000 The distance of the road is a test of the driver’s will and the quality of the car. As an important global sports event, the Silk Road Rally can not only promote the development and cooperation of motor sports in various countries, but also serve as a bridge and link for friendly exchanges between people along the Silk Road. .”
Li Jianming, deputy director of the State Sports General Administration of China: “The Silk Road runs from east to west and connects Europe and Asia. It is a historical heritage shared by China and the countries along the route. Throughout the ages, on this ancient Silk Road, people of all countries have jointly written the friendship that has been passed down through the ages. Movement. Since 2016, China and Russia have jointly held the Silk Road International Car Rally, which embodies the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win results, and plays a role in promoting friendly relations among countries along the Silk Road. Positive effect. This year’s rally is held under the background of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and the two heads of state have just announced the development of a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia, which is of special significance. Not only that, this year’s event has added Mongolia In the stage, China, Russia and Mongolia jointly held a rally, creating a new form of sports cooperation and cultural exchanges among the three countries, which will inject new vitality into the development of friendly relations among the three countries, and promote the construction of the “Belt and Road” and practice the concept of “building a community with a shared future for mankind” make new contributions.”
Vladimir Chakin, Event Director of Silk Way Rally: “Welcome motorcyclists to the 2019 edition of Silk Way Rally. This year’s route is not easy, but the design is very interesting. I would love to drive a truck again. Let’s go through this route in Russia and Mongolia. I would also like to thank all the employees of the Silk Road Rally for their hard work and dedication, and hope that this race can leave unforgettable memories for all drivers.”
Le Ji’an, deputy director of the Silk Road Rally: “This year’s Silk Road not only provides drivers with a rare route, but also provides audiences from more than 190 countries with an excellent opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery of the Three Kingdoms. For the first time this year, the This will also bring the Silk Road Rally into a new era.”
