«Queens of desert», «Elenas of Troy», «Iron Ladies» – those beautiful epithets are often used by journalists to describe this crew. Elena Pravdina and Elena Golubkina grace any cross-country rally event with their presence. They always attract huge amounts of fans. In spite of difficulties, which anyone can face during every cross-country rally marathon, those sportsmen remain cheerful and energetic, and during a race itself those ladies are always concentrated and exact. Two months left before the start of the Silk Way Rally, but the crew has already processed all application documents and finished almost all organizational prestart formalities. The female crew looks forward to starting the race from the Red Square.
Elena Pravdina (co-driver), how was your year since the last Silk Way rally edition? Do you have any new technique know-hows, or maybe any changes in your team?
We spent this year in search, but finally we have decided not to change anything. We have the same car and the same team – our mechanics provide us a good service, it’s a pleasure to work with them. Enough is as good as a feast.
How do you think who will be your main rivals during the upcoming race?
Of course I would like Touaregs to be our main rivals – Elena is laughing, – but if to be serious, it can be any female crew who will take part in the race.
Traditionally the Silk Way route is famous for its wide variety of ground. Which kind of ground do you prefer?
Gravel. Actually Elena Golubkina is a classic rally driver, although we also cope with sands, nevertheless this type of route surface is more difficult for us.
What are your most memorable moments from the last Silk Way Rally?
I remember our night-time special stage in Luga, another very fast special stage which was held on a classic rally route in Peno, then our failure before Astrskhan sands and the co-driver’s sweet sleep in the Kalmyk steppe! The finish of each special stage, panorama of approaching bivouacs. And the most exciting and happy moment – was the finish podium after the Shahe River. That’s it! We did it!