This year KAMAZ-master team took part the second time in the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Ayrat Mardeev travelled 4500 km on a race truck! The winner of Dakar 2015 crossed Russia, Finland, Germany, France and the UK at the wheel of 10-tonnage KAMAZ-4326, went down a London street and got a parking ticket.
In order to get to the legendary festival, Ayrat had to manage with London traffic, narrow roads and big trees. After the festival he told us about the travel and participation in the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
You crossed Finland, Germany, France and the UK. Where did you like roads most of all?
Roads and asphalt are good everywhere. It was my first time in England and I first time drove on left-hand traffic. It was unusual. Roads are narrow – it’s not easy to drive. Somewhere in London we slipped into the oncoming lane, there was no place for maneuver. I liked that the English were understanding and everyone was calm, gave way, waited.
Were you stopped by the traffic police?
In Europe we were never stopped. And in Russia everyone knows us on the road Naberezhnye Chelny-Saint-Pete and they don’t stop. But if we drive to another region, they stop us very often to see the truck.
How much fuel did you spend for the journey?
It’s difficult to say exactly, about 2,5 tones of diesel to one way.
How did people react to the race KAMAZ?
They often took photos at the parking. We also noticed that people turned, looked at the truck. Living abroad Russians greeted us. It’s pleasant to meet our people.
How did spectators meet KAMAZ-master at the speed festival?
They welcomed very warmly. The fast big vehicle impressed them a lot. We took part in the Goodwood Festival the second time, so a lot of spectators saw our vehicle for the first time. A lot of people came to me in the park. Not all knew about Dakar and KAMAZ-master, but everyone asked where they can learn more about our team. There people are used to see Formula-1 bolides, rally and circular cars and it was new for them to see a race truck.
Can you tell more about the festival? About your performance, things you remember best.
I have never seen so many famous sportsmen at one place. Such as Jackie Stewart, top-pilots of Formula-1 and rally, a lot of spectators. The festival lasted for three days, and all three days there were plenty of spectators. I liked that they had a free access to the car park – they could communicate with racers, see their cars. It is useful for motorsport development.
