Executive Secretary of the National Motor Racing Centre of Turkmenistan Marks Orazmammedov and the coach and consultant – Master of Sports Mikhail Naryshkin from Moscow, a participant and winner of the prestigious competitions, including Dakar gave an interview about the preparation of the Turkmen crew for the Kazan-Ashgabat Rally.
M. Orazmammedov said that the main tasks set by the President of Turkmenistan to develop motor racing in the country had been fulfilled. The National Motor Racing Centre was established and the crew was built. The 2009 Silk Road Rally will be the first important examination for the Turkmen crew.

“Five crews – two on KAMAZ trucks and three on Nissan-patrol jeeps, 12 sportsmen of the main group, four reserves and eight mechanics will represent Turkmenistan in the international competitions.

“The tentative list of the crews was compiled. The pilot of the first KAMAZ truck is Kurban Danatarov, the navigator – Rafael Gaynulin and the mechanic – the youngest participant 20-year-old Sergy Yermolin. The crew of the second truck: Isa Mamedov, Muslim Mamedaliev and Alym Khudaykuliev.

“The crews of the jeeps were selected upon the results of the races in the mountains and desert. The core group consists of the pilot Parakhat Garlyev and the navigator Agamurad Annaev. The second crew consists of Mickhail Naryshkin and Gulmurad Agamuradov. The crew of the third jeep – the pilot Khydyrkuli Nazarov and the navigator Erkin Rasulov. The reserves – the experienced racing driver – Bayrammurad Annaev, Tachmurad Garaev, Bekdurdy Muratdurdyev, Andrey Sviridenko, Vadim Makagon. The coach and captain of the crew – Marks Orazmammedov.

“It is very good for the Turkmen sportsmen that they can practice in the desert. The natural conditions in Turkmenistan allow developing motor racing the country. By the way, in 1933 by the Karakum Desert hosted the famous Moscow-Karakum-Moscow rally, one of the most interesting sports events. The length of this route was equal to that of a transatlantic flight. Within 86 days the participants riding 23 cars run over 9,400 km, of which only 2,270 km were the roads (for the most part of poor quality), 1,320 km – the dirt roads, 4,580 km – the cart roads and 1,200 km – no roads.

We have received the satellite navigation devices, special equipment and trainer vehicles. The crew is planning to take part in the Khazar Steppes international rally (KHAZARIAN RAID), which will be held on August 5-8 in the Astrakhan Oblast. The participation in these prestigious competitions will be a good test for our crew. We have the worthy rivals. The Turkmen sportsmen are enthusiastic and look forward to glorifying its country. Though the crew has just started their way towards success we believe in our god luck.