Three crews from Turkmenistan are participating in the 15th anniversary edition of the international Silk Way Rally, which started in Irkutsk and will run across the territories of Russia and Mongolia. This was reported by the online newspaper "Golden Age." Following the prologue stage, Turkmen driver Maksatmurat Danatarov took the lead in the T2 production SUV category.

Turkmenistan’s Automobile Sports Federation is represented in the T2 class by three crews driving Nissan Patrol vehicles. Among them are brothers Merdan and Shohrat Toylyev, racing under starting number 214 — winners of the 2022 edition and silver medalists of last year’s race. Bronze medalists of the 2024 Silk Way Rally, Maksatmurat Danatarov and Didar Orazmedov, are competing under number 215, while Meylis Abdullaev and Italmaz Charyev are racing under number 216.

The rally covers a distance of 4,811.6 kilometers, taking participants through the Gobi Desert and Altay Mountains. A new highlight of the route is Lake Baykal. Competitors will face 11 stages, including special sections totaling 2,402.33 kilometers.

“Great track, the weather is fine too. We’re aiming for victory, the car performed excellently, no breakdowns,” commented Maksatmurat Danatarov, the current leader in the category.

The Silk Way Rally will conclude on July 22 in Gorno-Altaysk.