Silk Way Rally Dakar Series 2009 route

TURKMENISTAN
A sporting event, other than the show that it offers can have a message to bring. The discipline of rally-raid with the dimension of voyage and discovery precisely offers certain values. It is with the intention to consolidate the links between the respective countries that the presidents of Turkmenistan, Russia and Kazakhstan have imagined and conceived the international SILK WAY rally. The will to lead this common project found its inspiration in the example of cooperation given by these three united and stable countries.

It is the president of Turkménistan, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov who first had the idea of a race that would cross three fraternal countries to present to the entire world territories where the ancient civilisation lives along with modernity. Thanks to the media exposure of an international sporting event, the project of the integration of these three countries around this federative idea could indeed progress.

On the occasion of his official visit to Ashkhabad, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, decided to bring his support. The Russian and Turkmen initiative was then welcomed with enthusiasm by Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan. And that was when the itinerary of the future rally was designed and the course was baptised: the SILK WAY (“Ýüpek ýoly”).

Some history

The course of the SILK WAY could be divided in two major parts that represent two ancien routes: The Gold Way and the Silk Way.

Kazan – Turkmenbashi / The Gold WayThe Gold Way was the Scandinavia-Persia commerce route that linked the kingdoms of Scandinavia to powerful Iran. The center of this route was at Bulgar, capital of former Bulgaria of the Volga from the 10th to the 13th century. The Bulgarians of the Volga are the direct ancient ancestors of the Tatars of Kazan that became the capital after the invasions of the Mongols.

Turkmenbashi – Ashkhabad / The Silk WayAround 700 years ago, Marco Polo wrote about his voyage and his discoveries on the Great Silk Way in the “Discoveries of the World”. His main work mentioned the adventures of intrepid pioneers looking for unknown countries and treasures. Confronted to nomad attacks, as well as the aridity of the desert and the sand storms, these voyagers of extreme would often spend years to cover this route.

The term “Silk Way”, that was introduced during the 14th century actually indicates all the caravan ways that cross Europe and Asia, going from the Mediterranean all the way to China going through Central Asia. The caravans that used this route from the 3rd to the 16th century, transported merchandises but also conveyed ideas, values and religions.

Fast facts
Population: 6,224,000
Surface area: 488,000 km2
Capital: Ashgabat

“The most important feature of our country is its open, friendly people. Here in Turkmenistan, we are traditionally happy to greet visitors and they will always be given a warm welcome. I hope that participants in the Silk Way Rally will be able to enjoy the generosity and beauty and discover the spectacular colours of the Turkmen land, where centuries oftradition blend harmoniously with modern life.”

The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov

The history of the Turkmen people goes back more than 5000 years. On the 27th of October 1991, Turkmenistan became an independent state and enjoys diplomatic relations with 120 countries. It is the only country to have permanent neutrality recognised by the UN. This status enables Turkmenistan to play a strategic peacekeeping role in the region, to promote its development – technical and economic – and to stand back from military and political conflicts.

Karakoum desert : 80% of the territory

Turkmenistan is today one of the world’s biggest natural gas producers. Since independence, many major industrial companies have been set up, highly efficient textile production units have been created and the country has also seen the rapid development of its agricultural sector.

The Akhal-Teke horse is Turkmenistan’s pride and joy: traditionally known as the Horse from Heaven, it is a centuries-old breed nurtured by the horse-breeding talent of the Turkmen people. The silhouette of a horse of the legendary breed of Akhal-Teke is the central figure in independent

Turkmenistan’s coat of arms. The route of the Silk Way Rally will run along the Caspian coast, before crossing forest-covered mountains, picturesque passes and the Karakum Desert, which covers 80% of the country.

KAZAKHSTAN
Fast facts
Population: 16,800,000.
Surface area: 2,724,900 km2
Capital: Astana

” The Silk Way Rally holds particular significance for our country. The race runs through the territories of three brotherly states, bound together by a common past and now building their future with common goals. Kazakhstan is a link between continents, civilisations and cultures. It is a pleasure now to have this role to play in sport. We’d like to believe that the time spent by competitors from all around the globe on ancient Turk lands will not only satisfy their sporting ambitions, but will also add to their knowledge of the world. ”

The President of Kazakhstan, Noursultan Nazarbayev

Kazakhstan is the biggest country in Central Asia. The majority of its land is covered by steppes. In his Chronicles, the author Saki mentioned the nomadic tribes who lived in the country and waged war with the Persians before stopping Alexander the Great. Kazakhstan was subsequently the arena for fierce battles between Arab and Chinese powers, with the former eventually winning. It was at this time that the Kazakhs adopted Islam. The Mongols succeeded the Arabs and then eventually, at the end of the 19th century, Kazakhstan became part of the Russian Empire.

On the banks of the Ural River

Industrialisation was rapid, as was the construction of the Baikonur cosmodrome, from where the first sputnik and astronaut were launched. Following the Soviet programme to develop the steppes for agricultural use, the republic received an influx of several million people from throughout the Soviet Union. In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was the last republic to declare its independence. Since then, it has pursued a stable policy encouraging closer relations with countries previously belonging to the former great power. Rich in oil, natural gas and minerals, Kazakhstan is establishing itself through the vitality of its economy, which is one of the strongest of all ex-USSR countries.

The majority of the country is covered by steppes, forests and mountains (plateaux of Turgai, Ulytau, Altai, Tarbagatai, Mugodjary, Tian Shan). As they pass through Kazakhstan, Silk Way competitors will be able to discover the country’s numerous rivers, including the evocative Uraland cross the border between Europe and Asia as well as the Oustiourt plateau. The new capital, Astana, is built on the banks of the Ishim River. The west of the country is bordered by the Caspian Sea while to the south lies the Aral Sea.

RUSSIA
Fast facts
Population: 3,768,000
Area: 68,000 km2
Capital: Kazan

“Our peoples share a common history. Today, thanks to the links of friendship woven with our ancestors in Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, we cooperate closely in a variety of spheres. The race will be another bond, further strengthening this solid relationship, particularly since sport remains one of the best forms of peaceful diplomacy. I hope that the Silk Way Rally will stand as proof of the unity and brotherhood that is possible between 3 neighbouring countries, in a fastmoving world.”

The President of Russia, Dmitri Medvedev

The Republic of Tatarstan

Tatarstan has a very rich history. Thanks to its position at the crossroads of two major trade routes, Tatarstan became a link between Europe and Asia. It is no surprise, therefore, that it became a melting pot of the various cultural influences of the peoples having crossed the region. Mosques stand side-by-side with orthodox temples and inter-ethnic marriages are common. The current Tatar population is made up of 52.9% ethnic Tatars and 39.5% Russians.

Tatarstan is one of the most developed regions in Russia due to strong economic sectors, such as oil, chemicals, the car and aeronautics industries, machine production and agriculture.

Tatarstan is unique in nature: the steppes are punctuated by verdant hills and freshwater is an abundant feature running through its landscapes. In addition to the great Volga and Kama rivers and their Vyatka and Belaya tributaries, the republic also boasts a large number of freshwater lakes.

Kamaz: Tatar sporting and industrial pride

Tatarstan is considered to be one of the most sporting regions of Russia. Kazan’s FK Rubin football team, Russian champions in 2008, but also the Ak Bars hockey team, the UNIKS basketball team, the Dinamo Tattransgaz volleyball team or the Sintez waterpolo team are all big national and international names.

Motorsport takes centre stage in Tatarstan. Local autocross drivers, like the Republic’s Prime Minister, Rustam Minnikhanov, or Airat and Radik Shayimiev, are used to shining in European races. But, without doubt, it is the KAMAZmaster team from the town of Naberezhnye Chelny that is the republic’s greatest pride and joy, both in terms of motorsport and industry. Their blue trucks, which have become an integral component of any rally-raid, have been triumphant in the Dakar rally an incredible height times.