Two Kazakhstan crews enter Top 5 at first stage of Africa Eco Race-2015

Two Kazakhstan crews have made it into Top 5 at the end of the first stage at the Africa Eco Race-2015 that is taking place in North Africa, Tengrinews reports citing Vesti.kz.

During the first stage of the rally marathon that ended December 30, the participants had to drive 645 kilometers from Nador to Jorf El Hamam in Morocco, and 117 km accounted for special sections.

Andrey Cherednikov and Dmitriy Tsyro (Hummer H3, #218) who represent Off Road Kazakhstan covered the special section of the route (117 km) in 1 hour 37 minutes and 19 seconds. It is only 4 seconds more than the winning time of the first stage that belonged to Jacques Loomans and Frits Driesmans from Belgium.

Kazakhstan’s crew Yuriy Sazonov and Arslan Sakhimov (Hummer H3, #216) from Mobilex Racing Team also from Kazakhstan came fourth in the general standings and third in T1 group (significantly modified all-terrain vehicles) with 1 hour 42 minutes and 36 seconds.

Another crew representing Mobilex Racing Team – Kanat Shagirov and Alexander Moroz (Toyota Hilux Overdrive, #215) ended up on the 15th line in the overall standings and 8th in T1 group. It took them 1 hour 55 minutes and 17 seconds to drive through 117 km of the very hilly route that had all the different terrains that most off road rallies do, except for sand dunes.

The only Kazakhstan’s crew in T2 group Marat Abykayev and Andrey Chipenko (Nissan Patrol, #217) from Off Road Kazakhstan team finished 30th in the overall standings and 6th in T2 group (all-terrain vehicles with small difference from production models).

The only motorcycle racer representing Kazakhstan Vadim Pritulyak (KTM 500, #104) from Mobilex Racing Team covered the distance in 2 hours 28 minutes and 18 seconds, thus finishing 18th among bikers and 4th in his +450 group. 

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

©Mobilex Racing Team

After the first stage the participants had to overcome another 11 stages in Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. The ceremonial finish will take place on January 11 at Lake Retba in Dakar (Senegal).

By Assel Satubaldina