Today is the fifth stage of the Silk Way Rally, which will take drivers to the legendary city of Volgograd and set them on their way towards the final stage Moscow. The first phase of this grueling rally, which started in the city of Astrakhan four days ago, is thus completed. During a full of excitement first-half, the intrepid drivers had to loop twice around the Takir desert in the region of Kalmykia.

Day one: Astrakhan – Astrakhan

Fans of Spanish driver, Nani Roma had a disappointing first stage as their hero had to retire early-on complaining of sickness. Nasser Al-Attiyah, on board his Toyota Hilux, amassed a slight advantage during the first 100km, which he kept until the end, taking the first victory of the rally. British driver Harry Hunt (Peugeot 3008 DKR Maxi No 107) came in second in cars, despite having a puncture halfway through. In trucks, two of the Kamaz team, Dimitry Sotnikov and Andrey Karginov made the podium in first and third places respectively, with the Belarus Viazovich (MAZ No302) taking second.

Day two: Astrakhan – Elista  

Nasser Al-Attiyah won again on the second stage despite having to deal with some serious mechanical issues. The Qatari driver crossed the finish line followed by Briton Harry Hunt 3:34 minutes away. Dani Roma, on top form after the upset of the day before, took third place. It was also a great day for the Kamaz, as they won the first six positions on trucks with Andrey Karginov (Kamaz-Master nº 309) at the head. In the T2 category, Russian woman Anastasia Nifontova (Toyota Land Cruiser No 132) finished second, and another two women Mariia Oparina and Taisiia Shtaneva (Maverick X3 n°115) won in the T3 category.

Day three: Elista – Astrakhan

Torrential rains washed –out stage number four, which ended with most drivers stuck in the mud at some point. The chaos was such that organisers decided to cancel the stage after the first checkpoint (km 149). It was a day to forget for all Kamaz trucks but one, Dimitry Sotnikov, who won on the day keeping his lead of the standings. Harry Hunt displayed a spectacular performance given the circumstances, and took a well-deserved victory. Only two other cars managed to finish, the two MINI John Cooper of Yazeed Al-Rahji and Nani Roma.  

 Day four: Astrakhan – Astrakhan

French driver Mathieu Serradori (Buggy SRT n°108) won the fourth stage followed by Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Roma, both of which suffered with mechanical delays. After day four, Al-Raihi leads the standings followed by Serradori, 46 minutes away and Al-Attiyah 56 minutes behind. In trucks, Andrei Karginov won after beating Dutch Renault driver Van Den Brink and with Dimitry Sotnikov also having to deal with mechanical issues. The latter however, keeps at the lead of the general classification.

By T.C. – Photo:www.silkwayrally.com