Press release
07 July 2016
Silk Way Rally 2016 – five MINI ALL4 Racing to challenge
famous Russia-to-China trade route.
10,734 km, three countries and two continents are just three
challenges five MINI ALL4 Racing and their crews will have to face in
two weeks of long distance rally action.
Munich. MINI ALL4 Racing cars are set to compete for
the first time at the Silk Way Rally. The Silk Way Rally takes place
across some of the most spectacular landscape on the planet as this
former trade route winds its way from Russia to China.
The sixth edition of the Silk Way Rally starts with a podium ceremony
to be held at Moscow’s Red Square on 8 July. The race officially
starts with Leg 1 on 9 July as the competitors head east to Astana,
capital of Kazakhstan, and finish (Leg 15) in Beijing, China 24 July.
The route from Russia to China will cover 10,734 km, of which over
4,000 km will be special stages. All manner of terrain will be
encountered en route, from soil to gravel, to rocks and dunes.
Altitude will also play a part in the race; some sections will take
place at 2,500 metres elevation.
MINI has risen to the challenge of the Silk Way Rally with the entry
of five MINI ALL4 Racing prepared do battle against extreme arduous
conditions and an international line up of competitors.
The MINI ALL4 Racing family consists of five pairs of experienced
drivers and co-drivers. For X-raid Team, Yazeed Al Rajhi (KSA) and
co-pilot Timo Gottschalk (GER) are looking to capitalise on their
recent run of good form. Presently they hold second place in the 2016
FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. Joining them on the start
line is fellow X-raid Team pairing of Harry Hunt (GB) and Andreas
Schulz (GER). Although a relatively new pairing, this crew completed
the 2016 Dakar Rally with a well-deserved 10th place.
Three other MINI ALL4 Racing are also set to compete at the Silk Way
Rally. Under the banner of Astana Motorsport there are Aidyn
Rakhimbayev (KAZ) / Anton Nikolaev (RUS) and Bauyrzhan Issabayev (KAZ)
/ Vladimir Demyanenko (RUS).
Rakhimbayev / Nikolaev also have Dakar experience in a MINI ALL4
racing, when they finished the 2015 edition in ninth. Issabayev and
co-driver Demyanenko have no previous race experience at the controls
of a MINI ALL4 Racing, but Issabayev’s previous Dakar events will no
doubt stand him in good stead over the distance of the Silk Way Rally.
Hoping to make use of local knowledge in Russian territory and wins in
the FIA World Cup will be the massively Dakar and FIA World Cup
experienced duo of Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) and Konstantin Zhiltsov
(RUS) driving the fifth MINI ALL4 Racing in the colours of G-Energy Team.
The two week-long Silk Way Rally is without doubt a tough event and
almost mirrors the extreme racing conditions to be had at the Dakar
Rally. Despite unknown road and weather conditions as the race crosses
two continents, the five MINI ALL4 Racing crews are more than ready to
take on whatever they come across because of their vast experience.
Of course, it also helps knowing the MINI ALL4 Racing is one of the
most durable and reliable long distance rally cars ever to be produced
– four consecutive Dakar titles (2012-15) and second in 2016
reinforces this. Add to this four FIA World Cup championship titles
and you can understand why the MINI ALL4 Racing is a highly respected
competition machine.
Performance and reliability doesn’t come easy, but MINI achieved this
very early because of its commitment to ongoing development. Indeed,
because of the distance involved and the range of terrain to be
encountered, the Silk Way Rally is a perfect testing ground for MINI
and the famed MINI ALL4 Racing – especially as the cross-country rally
world is already focussed on Dakar Rally 2017.
For further information about the Silk Way Rally 2016, please visit:
www.silkwayrally.com
Silk Way Rally 2016: MINI ALL4 Racing line up
Race calendar: 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.
19/02 – 22/02 Baja Russia
02/04 – 7/04 Abu Dhabi Desert
Challenge
17/04 – 22/04 Sealine Cross-Country Rally Qatar
23/06 – 26/06 Italian Baja
22/07 – 24/07 Baja Aragón
11/08
– 14/08 HunGarian Baja
25/08 – 28/08 Baja Poland
03/10 – 08/10 Rallye Oilibya du Maroc
21/10 – 23/10 Baja
Portalegre 500
Find reports, photos and videos in high resolution of previous MINI
ALL4 Racing activity on the BMW Media Website by clicking here.