Russian pilot Vladimir Vasilyev together with the skilled navigator Konstantin Zhiltsov successfully opened a sports season of the 2014 FIA World Cup for cross-country rallyes by finishing second in its first round – Baja “Russia-Northern Forest 2014”.
On the wheel of powerful MINI All4Racing prepared by professional team X-Raid, Russian “duo” is looking for a great fight for podium and points in all events of World Cup and of course, in the upcoming “Italian Baja 2014”, which has a special meaning for Vasyliev.
Vladimir Vasilyev: “Italian Baja 2011” was my first international race in rally-raid sports career and the next year I won this race. It is two remarkable memories about this event. In general, Italian race is very dynamic, I like it! The specialty, also in riverbeds and stones, where you jump and pass the water fords, which are very exciting for me. Seeing the route, certainly we will have the tracks in vineyards with “right-left” turns. This year we expect a strong fight with skilled rivals on good cars. We completely understand that we need to take points in each event if we want to win the World Cup, so we try not to miss it in “Italian Baja”. The weather will be an important aspect, because if we have the rain it will be very slippery even in vineyards! Anyway, we are ready!”
Konstantin Zhiltsov: Thanks to our experience, we know very well the soil of “Italian Baja”. For me, it is one of the most technical races demanding serious piloting, ability of driving, abilities of reading the tracks and etc. All of these require keeping maximum concentration from start to finish line. Traditionally, the results will be very tight with just seconds in difference in top-5, so the mistakes are not allowed if you want to win!”
The crew Vasilyev/Zhiltsov is the leader pair in G-Energy Team project which is starting this year thanks to the official partner – G-ENERGY premium engine oils. To support the team the second crew with Ruslan Misikov, who was 6th last year, and his co-driver Vitaly Yevtekhov will be on the start of “Italian Baja 2014” on BMW X3CC.
