Nikolaev and Karginov are in the top three at the third stage of the Silk Way Rally

The only circular stage of the Silk Way Rally 2023 on more than 5000 route took place in Magnitogorsk, located near the eastern part of the Southern Urals, which is the part of the Ural Mountains. The river Ural divided one of the biggest centers of the iron industry to Europe and Asia, being only six such geographically unique cities in the world.

But sightseeing is far from the most important point in the life of athletes at the competition, especially like the Silk Way Rally, which demands from the athlete physical and moral devotion at 100%. Otherwise, you may not get to finish line at Red Square in Moscow on your own.

Sunday special stage in Chelyabinsk region is one of the longest through the whole program of the 13^th edition of the rally. From the start to the finish line, immense 345 km were waiting (while at the first two days totally 390 km were covered) with the hardest navigation.

Comparing the yesterday’s day, the start and the finish line changed by the places, while the racetrack repeated partly and the additional loop in 100 km added the tests for the crews. The state of the road pavement remained the same – 90% ground and 10% of stony roads.

The fords did not diapear, only after Saturday race their depth significantly have raised, and the stones which were hidden at the bottom of the river suddenly revealed, being insidious for the race trucks. At one of such places, Dmitry Sotnikov hit the cooling system: the stone caught the fan baffle and destroyed it. As a result, lack of blow and heated engine at last of 40-50 km influenced at the speed of the truck and the overall truck.

Ilgiz Akhmetzyanov, mechanic of crew No. 300:

“We caught stones at one of the fords and damaged the fan baffle. The engine was being cooled not significantly, so we had to reduce the speed. It was nice that we finished in time and asked firemen to water the engine from safety point of view. There was no sense to stop at the track, because we had to waste more time for repair. We will fix it at the bivouac.

It was more successfully technically for the rest crews of the “KAMAZ-master”. The advantage in the truck standing of Eduard Nikolaev over Sergei Viazovich in 15 seconds after two stages guaranteed the vivid battle for each second. From the first km MAZ team rushed to the attack, overtaking its competitor. The Belarusian managed to win back the gap already by the neutralization zone. The competition for the result at top speeds forced Viazovich to miss the necessary turn: the gearbox blocked during braking and the hydraulics did not respond. The full stop and switch off the mass helped to recover transmission. However the Belarusian crew did not waste much time and finished after the bonneted KAMAZ, heading the general classification. Along with it, Andrey Karginov finished the passing of the special stage.

Sergei Viazovich, pilot of crew №302: “We drove merely. We attacked from the beginning. Nikolaev and Karginov in our general classification our main pursuers. They are all at full speed load. And time runs, as in a classic rally, and not in rally raids. This says that both the equipment is close in level and the crews. Now the speeds and capabilities of trucks are such that we even barely have time to perceive the road. Such a search of risk: we drive at 140 km/h no matter what the road is. I enjoy such kind stages”.

Andrey Karginov, pilot of crew No 301: “Partly the special stage was repeating, we drove back. It was a hard navigation day. The last 50 km were not easy – many narrow places for the truck, where we caught the tree with back side of the truc”.

Ivan Malkov, mechanic of crew No 301:

“The first part of the race track before neutralization seemed not so difficult. After that there were short winding road junction, standing out, which were not mentioned in the “legend”. At the end of the race track, there were difficulties with passing through the timber area, because it was narrow and wavy and as a result the rear axle was thrown up at one of the hill and the truck touched the tree. Now it is the most difficult day at the race”.

The wood area did not allow driving without damages to Alexey Vishnevsky at MAZ. The crew did not mention the big torch and crashed the windshield - the hit was in the right upper corner that did not influence on the driver’s visibility of the road. Besides, Belarusians hit two wheels and torn the rear damper. One more truck of MAZ-SPORTavto (pilot Vitaly Murylev) lost more than six hours for repair. At the one third of the distance, the nozzle at intake manifold bursted. To the moment of release publication, the crew has not finished.

The crew of Sergey Kuprianov on KAMAZ, using gas-diesel fuel, passed 345 km distance without much of difficulties. The only one stop was for repairing of punched wheel.

Sergey Kuprianov, pilot of crew No 305: “We pass each day with more confidence and dynamicity. Still it does not influence of appearing new errors. Today we were passing light bosquet: birches were not standing separately, but by bushes. It was really spectacular. There were no variants to drive around, we had to navigate among them. Also, we punched the second wheel at the race. I saw the stone, drove around, but caught it by rear wheel.

I am so delighted, that there are more participants in the truck category. We overrun URAL team two times, it was obvious, that they are at good pace.

Hou Hongning faced difficult navigation, like most of the participants, the Chinese-Russian crew of "One Zone - One Road". A lot of time were spent looking for navigation points and at the finish line, the gap from the winner was more than 21 minutes.

Sergey Krenev, mechanic of crew No. 307: “The organizers warned that the day would be difficult for the co-pilots. Therefore, it happened: we wandered more than once, but quickly oriented ourselves and found a point. There was a place where many crews lost time at off-road, it was not clear which course to go to the navigation point. We circled the field, found a way and drove on.

The equipment did not disappoint, the pilot showed himself well. How is great, he rolls in very well, he feels the truck. He physically survived the big special stage, did not lose concentration, drove without mistakes. He's progressing very quickly."

Hou Hogning, pilot of crew No. 307: “I like to get to know Russia this way, through the race. My co-pilot has a good sense of direction and gives me a tour of the country. Today it was very difficult, we got lost and wasted time. I am participating in the Silk Way Rally for the fifth time. Here everything is organized very well in comparison with other races. It is very good attitude of the organizers.”

Eduard Nikolaev, pilot of crew No. 303: “We were lucky that the bonnet was slightly lower than other trucks, so we did not catch the tree branches much. Very serious and strong birches stood in the way. Once you slightly bend the throttle, you can expect trouble. The race is very dynamic, the minimum gaps in the results indicate the good readiness of all the crews. The Chinese-Russian crew of KAMAZ-master pleasantly surprises, they perform well. But while the tracks are tough, it’s easier for pilots. The main thing is not to break the truck and not lose a lot of time in navigation. Sands and dunes will assess who is ready for what.

On Monday, the program of the Silk Way Rally will include a stage along the route Magnitogorsk - Orenburg. The fourth day consists of two special stages (118 and 75 kilometers), which will be separated by a short liaison.

Trucks standings. The results of the 3^d stage

Trucks standings. General classification after the 3^d stage