Representatives of 31 countries will participate in the international off-road rally "Silk Road - 2009" which will cut across Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. This was announced by rally director Semen Yakubovich during a meeting of the organizing committee held in the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan in the city of Kazan on 1 April.

According to him, factory teams of Volkswagen and BMW have agreed to take part in Silk Road rally. KAMAZ - MAN Rally Team, Tatra, Team DeRooy also submitted preliminary applications.

The 4,5 km long rally will start in Kazakh on 5 September and finish in the main square of Ashgabat on 13 September. The route will run through Central Russia and South Urals, Kazakhstan and Karakum desert in Turkmenistan. Around 500 people and 200 vehicles, including 50 trucks are expected to participate in the rally.

The Kazan-Ashgabat rally is being organized by KAMAZ and Amaury Sport Organization (A.S.O.), organizer of the legendary Dakar marathon and prestigious Tour de France cycle race. It should be recalled that Silk Road - 2009 rally got Dakar series status in March.