14th Silk Way Rally dates announced
The Silk Way Rally – though not getting as much coverage as the Dakar Rally – is one of the toughest cross-country rallies in the world, and even attracts the best drivers and riders from different countries.
In its 14th edition, the Silk Way Rally route has been announced, and this transcontinental marathon will be held on a of 5,243-kilometer route, including 2,992 competitive kilometers, connecting five regions of the Russian Federation: Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Regions, Altai Territory and the Republic of Altai with the regions of Western and Central Mongolia and Gobi.
The ceremonial start of the 2024 Silk Way Rally will be held at Lenin Square in Tomsk in July 5. The competitors will have to complete all of the 11 stages, including a marathon one. The finish of the Silk Way Rally will take place in Ulaanbaatar on July 15.
Stage 1: Tomsk, Russia
This will be the first visit of the International Silk Way Rally to the Tomsk Region. The regional capital will host a Service Park, Administrative Checks and Scrutineering, as well as serve as a venue for the Ceremonial Start.
It underlines the level of the city's infrastructure, capable of hosting the largest and most logistically complex events. In addition, a 25-kilometer Prologue will be held in the vicinity of Tomsk, within easy reach of spectators.
The Tomsk Region boasts beautiful and diverse nature. Most of it is occupied by forests, rivers and lakes. Tomsk is a student center, the educational capital of Siberia, and one of the largest gas hubs in the country, where gas distribution throughout the eastern part of Russia is controlled. The city is also known for its sports traditions, including a vibrant history of technical sports.
The selective section starts in the suburbs of Tomsk near the Okolitsa ethno park. The Prologue will include picturesque dirt roads and difficult sections that will require maximum concentration of the drivers.
Then the route leads through a Siberian pine forest along a wide sandy clearing with treacherous jumps and high humps. The Prologue will end on a narrow forest road, after which the crews will head to the Ceremonial Start on Lenin Square in the center of Tomsk.
Stage 2. Tomsk to Barnaul
This 618.77 km stage includes two selective sections, SS 2A and SS 2B, separated by a liaison. The first selective section runs along dirt roads with ravines and copses, where fording can be difficult in case of rain.
The last few kilometers are on fast and smooth roads through picturesque farmland — please do not cut corners, respecting the work of the farmers! The second selective section also consists of dirt roads with ravines and copses, which run along the fields closer to the finish line, creating an exciting finale.
Barnaul is the fifth largest city in Western Siberia became famous for its metallurgical plants, factories and blacksmith workshops. For the Silk Way Rally, this will not be the first trip through the Altai Territory - in 2021, the route of the selective section of the rally passed through this region, which then became one of the most important events in its motorsport life. However, Barnaul — the administrative center of the Altai Territory —has not yet hosted the rally bivouacs.
Stage 3: Barnaul to Gorno
This 351 km stage starts in the Altai Territory and finishes in the Republic of Altai. The selective section starts on a wide field, and the route will change every 30—40 km: from fast grader roads to narrow forest paths with bumps and holes, then — sticky sand and fast sandy clearings in the forest. A narrow forest road with a rut will complete the selective section.
The Altai Mountain range is a tourist region that has become the most popular one for adventure tourism, traveling to natural and often hard-to-reach attractions in Russia. The republic has a unique nature. Belukha Mountain — the highest point of the Altai Mountains is located here, as well as one of the five deepest lakes in the country — Lake Teletskoye.
The capital of the region is one of the greenest cities in Russia, where beautiful parks and squares, historical and architectural monuments, an original building of the National Theater, a unique museum and amazing natural objects are located side by side. In 2021, the Republic of Altai and Gorno-Altaisk hosted the caravan of the International Silk Way Rally, and then Altai warmly welcomed the competitors and Organizers.
Stage 4: Gorno to Kosh
The final day of the Russian RAF and MFR Championships rounds will take place at an altitude of up to 2.5 kilometers above sea level, where sports vehicles require special settings.
This 614 km route to the SS start will lead through the picturesque Chuysky Trakt in the Altai Mountains, but it is necessary to be careful: animals may appear on the road. The selective section will begin on a mountain plateau among snow-capped peaks and Martian landscapes. Sharp rocks and many mountain rivers along the way will require precise driving from everyone.
In the evening, the bivouac will host the award ceremony for the winners and runners-up of the rounds of the Russian RAF Rally-Raid Championship and the MFR Cross-Country Rally Championship.
The selective section in the vicinity of Kosh-Agach will be the final one for the competitors in the third round of the Russian Rally-Raid Championship, as well as for the riders of the second round of the Russian Cross-Country Rally Championship.
The national series will start in Tomsk simultaneously with the international marathon rally, and the finish and award ceremony for their winners and runners-up will take place in Kosh-Agach. In turn, the international rally caravan will continue moving towards the border with Mongolia.
Stage 5: Kosh to Hovd
Before the selective section starts, the rally competitors will have to cross the border between Russia and Mongolia. This 555 km route will start with fast winding roads, and pass through picturesque red hills, rocky areas with holes and bumps, past the mountain Achit Lake along rocky deposits. In the mountain gorge, the crews will have a trial section and a ford, after which the route through the canyon will lead to the finish line with fast flat roads.
Hovd is one of the oldest cities in Mongolia, founded by Galdan Boshogtu Khan more than 300 years ago, 25 kilometers from Har-Us Lake. For half of its existence, after the fall of the Dzungar Khanate, it served as a fortified base under the control of the Chinese Qing Empire.
The city is located at the foot of the Mongolian Altai mountain range in the Buyant River valley at an altitude of about 1,400 meters above sea level, which provides a mild climate. The population of Hovd is less than 30 thousand people.
Stage 6: Hovd Circle Stage
The first circle stage of the marathon rally will take place on a rocky plateau. On this day the mechanics will be able to rest a little. The competitors will find fast selective sections with many parallel tracks, making navigation challenging.
The first dunes (about 15 km) begin a difficult route with loose fine-grained sand, a descent to the lake and movement along its edge. Then there are hard roads to the "flaming" hills and yurts by the next lake, where it is important to show respect to the locals. After passing through a mountain gorge, the competitors will get to smooth roads leading to the finish line. It is necessary to follow the course and be ready for challenges!
Stage 7: Hovd to Altai
The selective section start coincides with the finish of the previous day on a rocky plateau. This is followed by a 50-kilometer navigation challenge: the co-drivers will have to untangle a web of stone roads and cross many dry streams.
The route continues at top speed along a picturesque lake and through the Mongol-Els sand dune massif, with more than 40 kilometers of impassable dunes between mountain ranges that can only be driven in one direction. The last 15 kilometers of dunes have steep reverse slopes that become invisible and dangerous. The selective section ends with winding steppe roads through a stony canyon. Total distance: 555 kilometers.
Altai is the administrative center of the Govi-Altai Province, located in the western part of the Gobi Desert, and is one of the smallest regional centers in Mongolia. The city has a population of just over 15,000 people, and its altitude makes Altai the highest city in the country. It attracts attention due to its unique location, where the Altai Mountains rise above the sandy desert plains.
Stage 8: Altai Circle Stage
The route of the second circle stage will take the crews over rocky roads to a stony riverbed that leads to the sands. After a difficult climb, they will find 100 kilometers of dunes in the sands of Zavkhan, where the surface changes color from golden to black. Towards the end of the stage, the competitors will move along mountain plateaus and rocky gorges of dry rivers, finishing the SS at maximum speed on smooth rocky roads.
Stage 9: Altai to Bayankhongor
There is another high-mountain selective section: the start is on winding rocky roads, through a mountain pass to the river bed, and then the route goes along the mountains through transverse stone gorges. The final sprint is on the hills and riverbeds with snow-white marble cliffs. In the evening, the mechanics will have to prepare the rally vehicles for the upcoming marathon stage. Total distance: 558 kilometers.
Bayankhongor is one of the largest cities in Mongolia, located in the central part of the country, surrounded by vast steppes and mountain ranges. This picturesque city is an important repository of Mongolia's cultural heritage.
Unlike typical urban landscapes, Bayankhongor is known for its serene atmosphere and unique architecture. The city's Buddhist temple plays a key role in the spiritual life of the region, attracting locals for prayer and meditation with its sophisticated architecture and decorative elements.
Stage 10: Bayankhongor to Mandalgovi
The mechanics and cars will remain at the bivouac in Bayankhongor until the final day starts. The marathon stage can change the balance of power in the standings. Competitors should carefully read the special rules for this stage in the regulations.
The surface is typical for the northern part of the Gobi Desert: fast steppe roads alternate with stony winding paths on the plateau. It is necessary to be attentive and careful with the rare deep gullies and possible small fords due to melting snow in the mountains. At the bivouac in Mandalgovi, the drivers will have to service their vehicles themselves before the final stage. Total distance: 562 kilometers.
Mandalgovi is a relatively young city in Mongolia with unique attractions and a rich cultural history. Travelers are attracted by Mandalgobiin Khurlin Buddhist Monastery and Ikh Gazriin Chuluu Nature Reserve. These are unusual and picturesque rocky mountains with jagged peaks and wind-smoothed stones, which have received the status of a special protected area. The highest point of the mountain range is Erlog Uul Mountain, 1,706 m high. More than 40 caves have been discovered in the rocks, the largest of which is more than 10 meters long.
Final Stage: Mandalgovi to Ulaanbaatar
In the morning, assistance teams and service vehicles leave Bayankhongor for Ulaanbaatar, and the crews drive to the decisive stage of the rally. The driver's skill and the co-driver's attention to the Road Book will play a key role because even a small mistake in navigation can be fatal.
The stage includes fast sections with many parallel rocky roads and crossings of dry river beds. During the selective section, the competitors will pass by the Mother Mountain landmark, where it is important to take into account the possible appearance of tourists on the road. In the evening the names of the holders of the White Tigers — the main trophies of the International Silk Way Rally —will be announced in Ulaanbaatar! Total distance: 379 kilometers.
Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital in the world, but it is home to people whose hearts burn with fire. They are incredibly hospitable and attentive to everyone who comes to the capital of Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar uniquely combines modern urban life with the traditions of a nomadic heritage, making it a fascinating place for adventurers and culture lovers.
The glorious Ceremonial Finish of the International Silk Way Rally will demonstrate the truly limitless possibilities of man, erase borders and allow nations to get to know each other better, and, as before, will attract tens of thousands of fans who dream of personally greeting the most titled drivers and riders and seeing the unique cars that have completed the entire route of more than five thousand kilometers.
