OREANDA-NEWS. On 10 February 2009 was announced, that Turkmenistan had kicked off preparations for the off-road rally from Kazan to Ashgabat with the total length of 4,5 thousand km. The route is passing through Central Russia and South Urals, Kazakhstan and the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan. The rally is being organized by KamAZ-Master team with substantial financial support provided by Turkmenistan.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov drove yesterday a KamAZ racing truck into the Karakum desert to test the Karakum leg of the rally. Having tried the truck under Turkmenistan's conditions, the head of state instructed the minister of motor transport of Turkmenistan "to immediately start preparations for this motor rally with a view to arranging for catering facilities and car maintenance shops for racers along the prospective route."

"The level of organization of the motor rally should fully meet its international status and should work for success of the rally and the country's prestige as a whole," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said. He noted that Turkmen race drivers will make their debut in the rally.

The Silk Road rally will start in Kazan on 5 September and terminate in Ashgabat. The final reconnaissance of the route is scheduled for June 2009. It will be followed by the rally official presentations in Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan and a number of European countries. Hundreds of reporters will cover this grand sport competition, which can be compared to the World Cup rally. Live TV broadcasting will be carried out from helicopters.