Last night, during the presentation party that was held place in Paris, the numerous people invited, competitors, media and partners of the Silk Way Rally discovered the main details of the 2016 edition.
Actually, after a two-year-break, the Silk Way Rally is back on the eastern tracks, on a transcontinental mode, with a route linking Moscow to Beijing.
During all that time, the organizers have kept working on a new concept, keeping the same major values: speed, adventure, overcoming challenges in extreme conditions.
On 9th July 2016, the sixth edition of the Silk Way Rally will start from the Red Square in Moscow. After fifteen racing days and roughly 9.000 kms through the Russian, Kazakhs and Chinese landscapes, the Chinese capital, Beijing will welcome the competitors as heroes, on 24th July 2016.
A new adventure of modern times which will follow the legendary Silk Road, a historic route that will take the rally caravan to unknown lands, where competitors will experience leg after leg, sport, emotions, discovery and culture.
AN INTERNATIONAL PROJECT, A TOTAL SUPPORT OF THE COUNTRIES BEING CROSSED
The Moscow-Beijing project receives the highest level of support from the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China.
This support has enabled the Silk Way Rally to become a first class international sporting event, broadcasted by the world’s media, which has quickly established itself as a major and unavoidable event of the discipline
The support of the major motorsports federations, the RAF, the FAMS, the FASC and that of the FIA, will provide participants with all the sports and regulatory safeguards that they are entitled to expect on such a big race.
Silk Way Rally’s spirit: Friendliness, reliability and safety
In a few years, the Silk Way Rally has become a major event of the Cross-Country Rallies calendar, it has established itself as an exciting adventure where pushing the limits in extreme conditions has appealed both the biggest sportsmen of the discipline but also many amateur competitors.
The Silk Way is not a rally like the others. Its very specific atmosphere, made of conviviality and moments of exchanges, has made of it a very special race, where competitors and journalists can enjoy outstanding infrastructures.
GAZPROM RALLY’s PARTNER
Sponsor of the very first edition of the Silk Way Rally in 2009, the Russian company PJSC Gazprom, renews its agreement as main partner for a minimum of three years.
Alexey Miller, PJSC Gazprom President
« Our cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in the gas sector is booming. The Silk Way Rally, which will link the capitals of both our countries, will become the symbol of our strategic partnership.»
THE ORGANISATION’S KEY PEOPLE / A FIVE STAR CASTING!
Vladimir Chagin, Director of the Organisation, A motorsports living legend at the head of the Silk Way Rally!
Nicknamed the « Dakar’s Tsar », Vladimir Chagin is an accomplished sportsman. 7 times Dakar winner on his Kamaz, with a total of 63 leg victories, Vladimir Chagin holds the record of the number of victories on this race (all categories mixed).True rally-raid legend, Vladimir will use is own experience to the benefit of organising teams and competitors.
“Organising a rally with a route between Moscow and Beijing is a very ambitious task. The more difficult it is to aim the goal, the more motivated we are to reach our target.
Competitors will benefit from the traditional hospitality of our people, exceptional landscapes and from complete freedom in wide spaces, perfectly adapted to our sport.”
Frédéric Lequien, Deputy Director, in charge of the European office
After a few years at Eurosport International, Frédéric Lequien joined ASO, where he successively held the positions of Director of competitors’ relationship, then Deputy Director of the Dakar.
From 2009, he has taken part in the first edition of the Silk Way as Deputy Director, a position he still holds today.
Man of trust and dialogue, he is, together with his team, the window of the rally in Europe.
“The Silk Way is much more than just a rally raid. It is a first-class sporting event with great ambitions. We are proposing a new adventure to competitors and media and we have taken the necessary steps to aim high. Everything will be done so that participants experience an exceptional race.”
Luc Alphand, Sports’ Advisor and Competitors’ Relationship, One of the most awarded French sportsmen joins the Silk Way Rally!
Crystal Globe winner, Luc Alphand’s career peaked in 1997. Elected Champion of Champions that same year by the readers of the newspaper L’Equipe, Luc put an end to his skiing career to devote himself to his new passion: motorsports. In 2006, with the official Mitsubishi team, he won the Dakar.
“This is a new challenge for me, I take that very seriously, I’m going to be completely involved into it. The potential of the Silk Way is huge, I will share my experience of professional sportsman with organisers and competitors and try to give some tips and advice.”
Denis Simachev, Creative Director
Winner of numerous prizes and awards, Denis Simachev is a key personality of the fashion industry and design in Russia. Denis joins the Silk Way Rally Team as Creative Director and will be responsible for the design and the development of the Silk Way brand.
“I commit myself with great interest in this new direction, sports, and especially a marathon rally. This is a great source of creative energy. The teams with whom I have already started to work are extraordinary, full of will and ambition. This project to join Beijing to Moscow in July 2016 is a unique challenge.”
SILK WAY RALLY 2016 KEY POINTS
ROUTE
3 countries being crossed
8500 km out of which, around 5000 km of special stages (before reconnaissances)
15 legs
1 rest day
PROGRAM
1st December 2015 Opening of entries – Start of reduced fee
15th March 2016 End of reduced fee
16th March 2016 Start of standard fee
1st June 2016 Closure of entries
7th and 8th July 2016 Administrative checks and scrutineering in Moscow
8th July 2016 Start Podium on the Red Square in Moscow
9th to 24th July 2016 15 legs
16th July 2016 Rest day in Kazakhstan
24th July 2016 Last leg and Prize Giving in Beijing
ADMISSIBLE VEHICLES
CAR – TRUCK
SILK WAY’S EXTRA TOUCH
Free entry for 100% women crews, entered in the race.
Free entry for Team Managers entering more than 3 crews in the race.
Photos: Eric Vargiolu
