The programme of the second day of Bakha “Krym” (Crimea) was a 222-kilometer lap, which was supposed to be conquered two times by participants. Picturesque special section blazed on fast tracks among vineyards abounded with rocks and sometimes reminded of South American “Dakar” tracks, and in this sense it was useful for KAMAZ crews as a training and a vehicle test. Tire cuts and punctures were the main problem of the day. Airat Mardeev’s crew had to change two tires during the race. Andrey Karginov’s crew changed one tire. Penalty of 8 minutes was given to Anton Shibalov’s crew. The reason is stoppage on a service point: guys had to change the shock absorber.
As a result, Andrey Karginov’s crew demonstrated the best result among trucks – 4 hours and 24 minutes (this is second result in the final standing, losing only 3 minutes and 43 seconds to the off-road car of Khoroshavzev V.) Anton Shibalov’s crew is the second among trucks – 04:34:01 (forth in the final standing +00:12:42). Airat Mardeev’s crew – third result among trucks – 04:06:38 (sixth in the final standing +00:14:47).
After two days of the race the leader among trucks is Karginov A. (04:26:10), second is Shibalov A. (04:30:17) and third is Mardeev A. (04:40:04). In the final standing KAMAZ team take 2nd, 4th, and 5th places respectively.
Airat Mardeev, pilot of crew №302:
“First special stage is behind, interesting track, quite fast. We are going at top speed, especially second half. Generally, everything is in order with the vehicle: it performs well. We need to get used to the area a bit, if we know Astrakhan well, we know where to take a shortcut and do it courageously, here we do not take risks yet. High grass, where yawners and stones are not seen, we pass carefully, furthermore we are now first among trucks. Our navigator does a great job, he manages well, keeps up with my pace, however, a few times we turned in a wrong direction, but it’s not a big deal for the first time. I am very glad with his debut”.
Dmitry Svistunov, navigator of crew №302:
“We are the first time here in Crimea, we like everything, everything is good! I had my debut in this race as a navigator of Airat Mardeev’s crew. This is a great responsibility and excitement, especially within a competition. Here are not so many vehicles ahead and there is no readable furrow. It helps a bit and interrupts that there is an experienced navigator Aidar Belyaev sitting beside me, you do not wish to strike the dust with you face. But the most important is that everything was well done and we arrived. However, there were some small shortcomings in the end where there were short distances from one point to another. I could not tell so fast and had to gesticulate, Sometimes Airat couldn’t get what I mean. We will work on it, the main thing is that we get along easily, the rest is a matter of time”.
Andrey Karginov, pilot of crew №300:
“A few months passed as we came to the finish of Dakar and Africa Eco Race. We did our best to improve our vehicles, implemented some novelties and we intended to test them here. The feeling, when you are at the wheel of a race vehicle - a champion race vehicle, comes back. Driving a vehicle with such possibilities is unforgettable. Emotions are overflowing! Crimea track is curvy and goes through fields, but there are places where one can find adventures: there are places where you can make a shortcut and save time, but you do it at your own risk, as you can lose a lot. This keeps on tenterhooks! It is always necessary to weight up the risks. You can notice that the track is not for trucks, but KAMAZ is such a vehicle when the width of track doesn’t matter. It makes the track of necessary width itself. We went carefully everywhere we could and tried not to damage the vehicle”.
