The race in Karakum will become the qualifying round for Africa Eco Race 2019
August 06, 2018 | 13:53 |2970
Amul-Hazar 2018 Rally will become a qualification round for the transcontinental Africa Eco Race 2019, which will be held next year along Nador-Dakar route connecting Europe and Africa”, Jean Louis Schlesser said at International Media Forum dedicated to Amul-Hazar 2018 Rally, which was held today in Ashgabat. Africa Eco Race is an annual rally raid organized in North of Africa and intended for the best racers from around the world who want to live the real Dakar spirit. The Africa Eco Race Rally that traditionally takes place in January, lasts for more than 6500 km over 12 stages. More than 70% of the route runs across the sands of Sahara Desert. What does it mean? It means that to miss the Amul-Hazar 2018 (or as it is referred to as Turkmen Desert Race in international classification) means to reduce its chances in Africa race.Altyn ASHYROVA
Jean-Louis Schlesser, a titled French racing driver with experience in circuit racing and cross-country rallying, who is known for his wins of many different competitions, is so called the “Fox of the Desert”. The Head of Africa Eco Race project and the Co-organizer of Amul-Hazar 2018 rally feels himself in the deserts’ sands as at home. During last six months, he and his team, together with Turkmen colleagues, prepared the Karakum trial for the participants from around the world.
“We considered that organizing of a high-level international rally in such a short period would be a difficult task. However, after we started working together with the Turkmen team, we achieved good results. For professionals, this race will be a real test of driving and navigation skills. Light and cargo vehicles and SSV class quad bikes can take part in Turkmen Desert Race”.
The route of Amul-Hazar race runs across Karakum Desert that means Black Sands Deserts. It occupies almost 80% of the territory of Turkmenistan. Karakum Desert hide more extreme subjects from adventure point of view – it is not such monotonic as African desert and visually gives more impressions and can surprise at any moment taking into consideration that this is living ecosystem that was not affected by anthropogenic impact.
The ecological side of Amul-Hazar 2018 rally comes close with Africa Eco Race. President Berdimuhamedov who is the ideological inspirer of Turkmen Desert Race and Jean-Louis Schlesser are supporters of commitment to reduce the harmful impact of cars on the environment during races. The both rally have innovated to give a special focus on security issues and sustainable development. In addition to the sporting aspect, the rally aims to put emphasis on individual awareness about eco-responsibility.
Therefore, pilots of cars with diesel engines are asked to use fuel that meets the Euro-5 standard requirements. Such fuel, produced at high-tech Turkmen oil refining enterprises, was presented at the last media forum.
At the moment, 80 participants are already registered in Amul-Hazar 2018 race, and applications are still being received. In September, racers from France, England, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan will arrive in Turkmenistan.
“I think it is the result of the interest of the participants to your beautiful country with its unforgettable natural landscape. They will pass the most difficult parts of the desert, as well as see other unique picturesque places of the Turkmen land, having made a symbolic journey from the past to the present,” Schlesser said.
