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Still the day before the crew of Ayrat Mardeev had a palm of victory, but at the end of yesterday it became clear that guys were so exhausted after they had to repair the engine under the scorching sun that they missed one control point and it led crew to a penalty. They went down from a leading line to the fourth position, having conceded the first place to the crew of the fast assistance car of Dmitry Sotnikov. And Mardeev's crew remained at the fourth place.
- If yesterday we were suffering a misfortune that happened to us, today we were driving at our usual pace, without breakages, - Ayrat Mardeev says. - We just enjoyed a driving. Especially as the route is already familiar to us because of the championship of Russia.
The final stage of a marathon took place near Astrakhan and was the shortest – from 162 kilometers only 87 kilometers were high-speed. But it was not so easy. Organizers found such section where the winding gravel route hides in sandy waves where off-road terrain is replaced by dunes where there are hardly viewed steppe roads.
The sportsmen were waited by about ten o'clock in the morning at the finish line on the banks of the Great Russian River Volga. At first a chain of SUVs strung out, and then two "KAMAZ" appeared. Anton Shibalov and Dmitry Sotnikov's crews approached one by one. At the finish they were warmly welcomed with flowers and meet with the bread and salt of hospitality.
- At the beginning of the race we didn't expect to win, it was important to us to reach the finish at good pace and without breakages, - Dmitry Sotnikov says. – It is the second "Silk Way Rally" in my sporting career, and I assumed that it will be hard test for all our crew. We didn't realize yet that we arrived first. Now we have only one desire – we really want to relax.
Anton Shibalov's crew is at the second place on this race.
- Finally a finish line! – The first words, that Anton Shibalov said when left a stuffy cabin and went down to the ground. He completed the last stage with the best result. The crew of Dmitry Sotnikov which started today the first saw how Anton Shibalov's crew is catching up with him, and gave to Anton the way. Andrey Karginov was watching from the sidelines this game. Unfortunately, because of engine breakage his crew left the race at third stage, and Andrey immediately replaced his sporting suit to the mechanic overalls.
- Till the last moment we couldn't tell who will win – Sotnikov's crew or Shibalov's crew. We were sure that it will be honest fight. It was interesting to watch race from the sidelines. I made great discoveries for myself. If before after any failure I strongly worried, now I took this last misfortune for granted and switched to other work.
In spite of the fact that almost on the marathon equator Eduard Nikolaev’s crew lost every chance to win, the first thing that the pilot asked at the finish, with what result they arrived? It turned out that the crew completed the race in 18th place.
- I am glad that we managed to carry out serious tests of our new car. If in the first days it was a little capricious, then run like clockwork. We connect to this machine our future so "Silk Way Rally" is an ideal opportunity to carry out serious tests. From year to year this race helps us to take good pace and to work out endurance. I am very glad that Dmitry Sotnikov and Anton Shibalov's crews won this marathon. It doesn't matter that they have less experience, they took very high level.
The today's victory of KAMAZ guys is also a victory of the team leader Vladimir Chagin. At the finish under the scorching sun he met each crew to congratulate guys with a victory.
- After bright performances of the "KAMAZ-master" team at "Dakar" and "Africa race" everybody watched with great attention for our young guys - how they will behave this time, will be able to retain a level? For us it was very important not to let down the plant, not to disappoint our fans. The race was not easy for our team, but they did their best to win. The route of this year was with very long high-speed sections. It should be noted that you can’t find such a long routes at "Dakar". But the heat was exactly the same as in South America. "Silk Way Rally" allowed to our guys to test their capabilities, gain experience, and raise skills level. I am pleased with the performance of the team, how we have tested our innovations. Especially the car with the electronic engine. This is our perspective car. We will carry out the analysis of cars operation and each member of the team and we will start to prepare for "Dakar".
The victory of Dmitry Sotnikov’s crew was a total surprise for Vladimir Chagin. At the beginning of the race guys had other tasks – to reach the finish without breakage and to secure the team mates:
- Before the race we lightened the fast assistance car. It was made with one purpose – to give the chance to the crew of the fast assistance to be closer to racing cars. The result - Dmitry Sotnikov's crew is the first.
The main rival of blue armada – Ales Loprais carried out serious tests of his new car. As a result he completed the marathon at 21st place. Concerning his new car Ales said:
- Today I was finally convinced that it is necessary to change everything in it!
A complete surprise to everyone was a breakthrough of "MAZ" team at this "Silk Way Rally". This year the team set out to rise to the top lines of the overall and accomplished the task- Sergey Vyazovich's crew took the second place. Worthy victory and worthy competitors!
