On 15 December the press-conference of “KAMAZ-master” team was held in the International News Agency “Russia Today”. The conference was devoted to the team’s participation in rallies “Dakar 2016” and “Africa Eco Race 2016”. Its leader Vladimir Chagin, the pilots Airat Mardeev, Anton Shibalov, Andrey Karginov, Eduard Nikolaev, the navigator Andrey Mokeev, the director of advertising and marketing management - vice-president of OJSC VTB BANK Alexander Erofeev, the head of press of OJSC “KAMAZ” Oleg Afanasyev, the executive director of RAF Sergey Ivanov took part in the conference.
“KAMAZ-master” presents 4 ‘combat’ crews at Dakar 2016:
No 500 Airat Mardeev - Aydar Belyaev – Dmitriy Svistunov
No 502 Eduard Nikolaev – Evgeny Yakovlev – Vladimir Rybakov
No 504 Andrey Karginov – Andrey Mokeev – Igor Leonov
No 508 Dmitry Sotnikov – Igor Devyatkin –Ruslan Akhmadeev.
Traditionally there is going to be an uncompromising struggle for the top spot in the truck category. The main competitors of the Russian “KAMAZ-master” team are IVECO, MAN, RENAULT, GINAF, TATRA, МАЗ, LIAZ and they have mobilized all resources for the race.
All in all, 354 vehicles, including 55 trucks, from 60 countries will start at “Dakar”. Before the participants, making a circle, finish in Argentinian Rosario, they will have to overcome the route of more than 9000 km. long and 5000 km. of them are special stages.
“KAMAZ-master will also take part in “Africa Eco Race”, it will start on December 27, 2015 and finish on January 10, 2016 at lake Retba (Senegal). Two ‘combat’ crews of the team are starting to “Africa Eco Race 2016”.
No 400 A. Shibalov – R. Amatych – A. Khisamiev
No 403 S. Kuprianov – A. Kuprianov – A. Tanin
As it was last year, Sergey Kuprianov’s truck will work on gas and diesel fuel.
Answering the journalists’ questions, the leader of “KAMAZ-master” team Vladimir Chagin told that this year several updates had been made in all the trucks: “Within the regulations we improved the engine – increased its capacity and torque moment. In suspension we changed characteristics of springs and shock absorbers. This year suspension movement will be particularly controlled. If last year the movement of 330 mm was allowed, this year it is only 300 mm. 30 mm less – it will seriously impair off-road performance”. The leader also mentioned about the peculiarity of the upcoming race – 5 days of mountain stages in Bolivia: “I suppose this part will have the greatest influence on the final standings. It is important, how crews are able to adapt on high, how engines will work in conditions of oxygen deficiency. And, of course, the braking system is very important. It is one thing to go up the mountain, but you also have to descend”.
The head of press of OJSC “KAMAZ” Oleg Afanasyev remarked that the team’s victories are very important for “KAMAZ” plant, but their return, healthy and without injuries, certainly overweighs.
The vice-president of VTB Alexander Erofeev mentioned that the bank is glad to collaborate with “KAMAZ-master” and they intend to continue the partnership next year, the finance support of the team will be increased for 30%.
Quotations
V.Chagin: “Competitors are prepared technically very well, the team composition is strengthened. Specific route will add challenges – Bolivian high-mountainous parts, as well as fast roads of Argentina in WRC style will not allow anyone to relax.
Mauritanian sands give spice to “Africa Eco Race”. It can be said without exaggeration that they are the most difficult sands on the planet to overcome. It is not the height of dunes that creates the challenge but the structure of the sand – powdery, looks like flour. Similar sands used to be a specific feature of “Dakar” when it was held in Africa”.
Airat Mardeev, pilot
All rivals are strong and well-prepared. We respect all of them. The team of Gerard de Rooy this year became even stronger, considering that Ales Loprais joined them. He is a good pilot, who needed a good vehicle – he was always caught by breakdowns. Being alone was his main challenge, and now he is a part of the team. Now there will be assistance, following them and helping at any moment needed. A new pilot Federico Villagra also will be a strong rival, considering his experience in classical rally and characteristic aspects of the forthcoming Dakar –winding speed stages of the rally. Hans Stacey strengthened reinforce of MAN team with Pieter Versluis. Martin Kolomy on Tatra shows a good progress. Victory of Martin van den Brink on Renault in Morocco was a great surprise. Every Dakar brings new names; everybody should be taken into consideration.
Andrey Karginov, pilot
All four trucks are prepared identically. There are no vehicles with advantages. Engines were rebuilt, transfer boxes, gear boxes, axles, shocks were replaced. We worked with brakes. As for the crews, we participated in the Russian Championship, took part in tests in Kazakhstan, had trainings in sands, in hard stony areas and, of course, compulsory trainings in the gym.
The main rival for every sportsman is he himself with his emotions, fears and concerns. One should be too much careful and at the same time control emotions, remain coolheaded and not to make mistakes
Anton Shibalov, pilot
Together with Sergey Kuprianov’s team we will try to do our best in Africa in order to show a respectful result. It will be important to use the right strategy and tactics for saving the vehicle and powers for 10000 km of the route.
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