Asian rally to start from St Pete
Published 03 April, 2008, 06:52
The Trans-oriental 2008 rally is due to set off from St. Petersburg on June 12. The grueling two-week race, covering 11,000 kilometres, will take drivers from Russia to Kazakhstan, and finally to the Great Wall of China.
The brand new course could prove a tough challenge for even the most grizzled off-road veterans. They’ll be forced to battle the elements in difficult terrain.
This summer's Tran-oriental offers that and much more, with only the very best likely to navigate the Ural mountains and Kazakhstan's plains, before eventually scooping up the awards at the Great Wall of China.
Russian drivers are in contention for top honours, with all eyes on five-time Dakar winner Vladimir Chagin. He will be representing his Kamaz-Master team with the same line-up proposed for Dakar 2008, a race that was eventually cancelled because of terrorism fears.
“There's a lot of challenging and interesting scenery in Russia. It would be great for my compatriots to see genuine Dakar vehicles, live and not just on TV. I have participated in three previous events in the late nineties and have nothing but the fondest memories,” Chagin said.
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