The rally changes direction

4.7.2021

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Like a deja vu. The North Bohemian truck from MKR Technology arrived in the second stage of the Silk Way Rally in Russia on the same position as in the first stage. For the second time in a row, he was ranked eighth. The winner has not changed as the stage was once again dominated by Russian driver Sotnikov. On top of it, the race was affected by changes.

"It was a nice stage today. At first very it was very fast, but in the middle of it we drove into the forest. The track was very bumpy and there was a lot of mud on it, but a very nice route. It is also nice that the race is followed by a lot of spectators along the course," said Daniel Kozlovský, on-board technician of MKR Technology team, who is in charge of the red racing Renault truck of the Mammoet Rallysport team.

The second stage from Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altais had a total of five hundred and eighty kilometers, but the timed section was only one hundred and thirty kilometers. Current Dakar Russian champion Dmitry Sotnikov with his Kamaz tackled the stage in one hour and a half. The crew with Daniel Kozlovský and Dutch pilot Martin van den Brink was ten minutes behind on eighth position. "It was a really nice stage, but we can hardly keep up with the Kamaz in this area. Obviously it is their territory. We are driving more carefully," said Kozlovský and added that the crew was satisfied with the truck. "We don't have any problems that we have to solve, so all is good. But we plan to adjust the suspension a bit," said Kozlovský, whose crew is on the seventh place with a quarter-hour gap to the leading Sotnikov.

On the next 3rd stage, there are significant changes in the Silk Way Rally. Originally, the crews were to leave Russian territory and move entirely through Mongolia for the rest of the rally. However, due to the coronavirus situation in Mongolia, the crews will not head to Mongolia at all. The organizers decided to keep the rally only on Russian territory and at the same time shorten the competition to half of the original length. That's why the crews will deal with marathon stage from Gorno-Altaisk to Kosh Agach on Sunday. This means that in stage 3, only competitors are allowed to repair their vehicles - any assistance from service personnel is strictly prohibited. All service workers will stay in the Gorno-Altaisk bivouac and enjoy their "rest day".

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