The KAMAZ-master racing team arrived to the bivouac and today, July 17, took part on official tests ahead of the second round of the Russian rally-raid championship, “The Hills of Russia” Baja.
Crews of the KAMAZ-master team at the “Hills of Russia” Baja
Nikolaev E - pilot, Yakovlev E – co-pilot, Glukhov V - mechanic
Sotnikov D – pilot, Krenev S – co-pilot, Akhmetzyanov I - mechanic
Akhmedov A- pilot, Malkov I – co-pilot, Galimov I - mechanic
Avdeev D – pilot, Korolev Y- co-pilot, Islamgulov T – mechanic
As usually, on the eve of the start of the race, the official testing day was organized. The so-called shakedown could prove even more valuable given the rainy weather in Ulyanovsk today, conditions that might well persist throughout the four days of competition.
Accordingly, during the tests, the KAMAZ crews were able to further hone their wet-track driving skills and finalize the setup of their race trucks ahead of the start. The KAMAZ-master pilots noted that while the test runs did not result in any major issues, they proved challenging due to the track conditions.
Eduard Nikolaev, the Head of the team, pilot of crew N303: “Once again, we have encountered rainy weather here in Ulyanovsk. Historically, we have faced rain and mud at this Baja, through the format later changed and conditions in Ulyanovsk became drier. The organizers were hoping for the same this year, especially given that the race was moved from September to July, but the weather is unpredictable! Nevertheless, we are prepared for those conditions; we have readied our crews and vehicles, and today we held a test session at a new location. We appreciate the organizers for always introducing something new, this year it is a shakedown or a test lap. The day was at tank training ground, five-kilometer circle with good pits, bumps and high-speed section. And all of this was blurred by the rain, mud. When we first set off, the initial stretch mostly had large puddles rather than deep mud, but further along – once the puddles had been churned up-we hit this black soil that clung to the vehicles. Our trucks turned into veritable clumps of mud! That’s exactly what brought to mind that historic Ulyanovsk trip. Nevertheless, we were able to train, to tune the machines. We do not understand what the weather looks like ahead, but now we are ready and for dry, and for wet race as well. Tests were done by Nikolaev, Sotnikov, Akhmedov and Avdeev, so all the set tasks are completed. The aim was to tune with wet track, to find appropriate tire pressure, to correct the break balance, to feel gliding, because it was and mud, and high grass – it will be everywhere along the route. The grass is very specific and dangerous: it creates the effect of a slippery surface that is impossible to “grip”. The grass flattens out and the truck becomes uncontrollable. It was extremely important to feel it today, especially since there is more grass in July than in autumn. The trucks are ready and we are preparing to tomorrow’s administrative and technical checks, ceremonial opening and prologue. After, it needs to choose the positions of who will start as the second at long distance special stage”.
Dmitry Sotnikov, pilot of crew N 301: “We reached Ulyanovsk yesterday without adventures. Since morning it has been raining, probably, it will be like that for several days. Test were held today at training ground where last year prologue was. In fact, there were the paths of fields. The track is not big, overall, five kilometers. It was expected to be muddy. At first, the track was relatively untouched, albeit with some puddles, but then the other teams arrived, including the URAL and MAZ trucks, and together they churned up the ground thoroughly. It became very muddy; it started to look more like an autocross course-a short lap with a bumby track and hidden hazards in the grass. We tried to get a feel for the terrain, test a few settings, and experiment with tire setups, since the prologue tomorrow will likely take place in similar conditions – it is doubtful everything will dry out by then. The prologue course will be at the same tank training ground, just in a different section. All in all, things are going according to plan; there were hardly any issues -just a few minor technical hitches that were successfully resolved. это всё высохнет. The only challenge today is the extremely dirty state of the vehicles, which has created extra work for the mechanics. It is going to take at least three hours just to wash them! I hope the guys get them all cleaned up so they can service them properly, [ass the checks tomorrow, and start the prologue”.
Almaz Akhmedov, pilot of crew N 304: “It has been raining all day today. The track was slippery. At first, there were many puddles, very interesting, later the trucks churned up the surface. There were constant hazard warnings, black soil was constantly flying onto the windshields. And it was extremely slippery. We have settled into a rhythm, fine-tuned trucks, and now are now looking forward to tomorrow’s prologue and the opening of the competition”.
Dmitry Avdeev, pilot of crew N 308: “The rainy weather has met us – all along the road to Ulyanovsk and now at tests day. It has been raining all day. And the downpour continues. I hope it stops so the rest of the race can take place in dry conditions. The test sessions went according to plan; we tried out various setups and got a feel for the track and the weather. We hope everything goes according to plan during the race”.
*****
On Saturday, 18 July at 3:00 p.m local time (2:00 p.m Moscow time), after completing administrative and technical checks the official race will start. The ceremonial opening will be at Sobornaya square of Ulyanovsk city. An autograph session featuring the pilots is scheduled as part of the event. On opening day, residents and visitors will have access to the race bivouac, located in the center of Ulyanovsk.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the participants will head to the start of the first special stage, which is approximately 18 km. Those who achieve the best times will earn the right to choose the most advantageous starting positions for the next day of the race.
