All the vehicles from the caravan have now arrived on the main parking at the Lebap Market. So it is here in the town of Turkmenabad that the adventure will begin for all the competitors. They have been reunited with their cars and trucks, which for some left Europe over 15 days ago. This first day is also the opportunity for the competitors to meat the staff behind this adventure, and what a better way to do so than by doing the administrative and technical checks. All day, this huge space with the beautiful building has been vibrating to echos of these powerful engines and at the same time filled with emotions while meeting up with all the rally friends. With over 80 teams in this rally, all this activity and emotions will stay high tomorrow.

A PREMIERE FULL OF HOPE
This rally is the second biggest event ever organised in Turkmenistan. Indeed the Asian Games where held here just over a year ago, and now we are here for this cross country rally-raid organised by none the less than Jean-Louis SCHLESSER and René METGE. For this country, this rally is a lot more than just a rally. The whole country is living and breathing for this rally, the airports and now the towns are decorated with many signs, flags, posters, commercial advertisements on giant screen throughout the cities, 2 meter tall letters saying : “AMUL – HAZAR 2018”. We are getting as much attention for this rally throughout the country, as the Olympic Games did in Rio in Brazil a couple of years ago. The whole population is mobilized for the rally, there are many volunteer, translators and security guards to guarantee an optimum working condition for all the competitors and staff during this first day filled with the administrative and technical checks.
Looking around you can see the organisers who all have a big smile on their face, and the premiere of this event is already ringing like a sucess:
“Thanks to the Turkmen government, everything is running smoothly here. And you will see the rest of the rally, the assistant route has brand new tarmac on all of it and the bivouac will be sumptuous” explained to us the race director René METGE.
“They [Turkmen government] have helped us so much to create such an event. The idea sprouted 7 months ago, it was finalized 3 months ago and now here we are !” Jean-Louis SCHLESSER said admiringly.

This first edition has been created in a way to show the most beautiful countryside the country has to offer while traveling from east to west. All this while staying on the original Silk Road through the mythical Karakum desert and also the many other beauties Turkmenistan has to offer us.

ALREADY A HUGE SUCESS
With over 80 competitors, this 1st Turkmen Desert Race has received a lot of attention. The idea was appreciated by many of the competitors and the entry list filled up very quickly, way above all of Jean-Louis’ expectations. And like we discovered all day, the excitement was very high throughout the Lebap Market. All the competitors are excited to finally be able to suit up, helmet on and start the race while discovering this beautiful host country that not many people event know about. So far the only concern from of the competitors is because of the temperature, where it is approaching 40 degrees and we are still a long way away from the desert. The casting for this 1st TURKMEN DESERT RACE has nothing to be ashamed of, we have Mathieu SERRADORI with Fabian LURQUIN who won the Africa Eco Race earlier this year and more recently finished 3rd in the SilkWayRally. Another big name is Nani ROMA, another famous name in the worked of off road racing thanks to his exploits on motorbikes and in cars, and he is a team mate from non the less Stephane PETERHANSEL. Let’s not forget the British driver Harry HUNT and his Dutch codriver Wouter ROSEGAAR driving their Peugeot.

In the truck category the Kamaz Master team is sure to be entertaining the whole race, and of course lets not forget the SSV’s who will have a fun and work driving around all these over powered engines

The stage is set, the vehicle are ready… but first let’s do a parade around Turkmenabad and only Tuesday morning will the race really begin.

The race is on! It was with a prologue of 9 km that the official start of the race was launched this morning. A first day of competition divided into two parts with a first small timed loop before the start of the first stage of the rally, all under a very strong morning sun to enter the desert.

OPENING WARM-UP
It was from Turkmenabat where the administrative and technical verifications took place that the prologue was launched. 2 km from Lebap Market where the parc fermé opened at 6:30 am, all competitors gathered to let the President of the Republic of Turkmen start to take the first departure and officially launch the 1st edition of the Turkmen Desert Race.
Before Jean-Louis Schlesser’s eyes who was waiting for him at the finish line, this motorsports fan completed the prologue in a few minutes before being congratulated by the organizer. A luxury opener who was able to have fun before letting the competitors trying to get the best timing. Because it was the timing of the prologue that determined the starting order of the 1st stage, a ranking important for the fastest seeking for victory.

ROMA DOING WELL IN THE COMPETITION
Trucks, buggies, 4×4, SSV … They were all able to take part in the first stage of the 1st edition of the Turkmen Desert Race. 75 vehicles launched in the morning with a very hot and sandy entry! 247 kilometers which required a careful navigation and a good concentration for the co-pilots. Because it is in the middle of the Karakum desert that the race director René Metge sent them to start the rally. A first step that has already given a lot of work to the sweep trucks that had to deal with breakdowns and other mechanical problems on the competitors who have suffered a lot with the heat. The soft sand has caused some problems of punctures and over-consumption requiring some to slow down. And the victory of the day goes to the experience since it was Nani Roma and Alex Haro (ESP – MINI) who were the fastest. The Catalan crew escaped with a simple slow puncture to perform the best timing with less than 3 hours of race. 2nd, it is the President’s Mini in the prologue that achieves a good performance, but this time driving by the Turkmen Hojaguly Annamammedow. Behind, it is the British Harry Hunt (PEUGEOT) and his new Dutch team-mate Wouter Rosegaar who take the 3rd place despite some tire concerns. The 1st French of the day is 4th, Mathieu Serradori (LCR 30) and Fabian Lurquin (BEL) ended 16 minutes behind the leader.
The first truck is a KAMAZ, it is the one of Dmitry SOTNIKOV (RUS) and his team. In the SSV category, it’s Thierry Pitavy and Gilles Colombet (CAN-AM) who were the fastest even slowing down during the special, scared to run out of gaz …
This first day ended at the Ikiuzak bivouac, where Turkmen riders led the guard on the edge of the dune while the caravan could enjoy a local show with traditional singers and dancers.

QUOTES:

Nani ROMA (ESP) – MINI: “It’s always difficult to begin a new rally. The prologue was really nice, we had fun, then the first stage was very soft at first. You have to be careful in the first stage and take the time to enter the race. It went well, I started 2nd and I passed Miroslav Zapletal (HUMMER). I just had a slow puncture but nothing serious. The navigation was good, it’s a new country that we discover and this first day was really beautiful. “

Harry HUNT (ENG) – PEUGEOT: “We had a very complicated start … Even if everything started well with the prologue. We left 3rd but we quickly stopped in the first kilometers. We changed a wheel in some soft sand and then got stuck which made us waste time again. And then we left with a slow puncture … it really was a difficult start, but for the rest it went pretty well. We got along very well with my new co-driver while it’s our first race together. “

Mathieu SERRADORI (FRA) – LCR 30: “After the prologue, we decided to speed up as we left in 4th position, but we quickly realized that we were consuming far too much fuel. So we decided to lift the foot after 50 kilometers to avoid breaking down. So we lost time on Roma, it’s a shame but the rally is just beginning and 5 days is long. Fabian has done a very good navigation, it allows us to make a great first leg and we are happy to have arrived safely because it was not obvious just like René Metge warned us. “

SURPRISES IN SURPRISES
The 2nd day racing has already given us a lot of surprises on this Turkmen Desert Race. Some good news, some bad news, especially for Matthieu Serradori and Fabian Lurquin who lost the lead of the ranking because of a mechanical issue. The rally continues its show with a stage filled with beautiful scenery whilst finishing at the « Door of hell ».

THE CHANGE IS NOW!
The competitors left the bivouac at 8am for a 161 km liaison in order to reach the start of the stage. A first part of the day on tarmac before starting another day filled with sand but faster than yesterday. Only 55 vehicles started the stage at 11:30 am, unfortunately we lost many cars on the first day of which 2 of them burnt out and some try their best to fix it before stage 3.

For these 55 vehicles, they managed to see a variety of landscapes each one more spectacular than the previous during this 230,91 km stage. A day finishing at the « Door of hell » in Darwaza. Turkmenistan’s tourist and historical site, this is an old borehole that has collapsed over a pocket of gas and has been burning for over 40 years.

HUNT 1ST, NANI STILL LEADER
A stage that belongs to the youth since it is the Peugeot of Harry Hunt (GBR) and Wouter Rosegaar (NEL) that won today. In 2h36mn, it took 2mn39 less than the Mini of Nani Roma and Alex Haro (ESP) that he managed to pass after 100 km of race. The two crews then drove together to cross the finish line a few seconds apart. At 30 years old, the British is doing well since the navigation was particularly difficult for his co-driver after losing their broken router … Then a problem of fuel pump came to add a difficulty to the duo very satisfied with the win of the day.
3rd, the Turkmen Mini Hoja Annamammedow finishes right in front of the Hummer of Miroslav Zapletal and Marek Sykora (CZE) who is about 17 minutes behind the winner of the day.
Big disappointment for Matthieu Serradori (FRA) and Fabian Lurquin (BEL), their MCM Buggy did not keep pace. While the winners of the Africa Eco Race were strong to pick up the leader, a break stopped them. It took them 1 hour to fix it under the sun with temperatures rising to more than 50 degrees … A big disappointment for the crew who claimed the podium, or even the victory as they are now out of the top 10.
The first truck is still Kamaz but this time it is the one of Airat Mardeev, Dmitrii Svitsunov and Ahkmet Galiautdinov (RUS) who takes 5th place.
At SSV, the Can-Am of Thierry Pitavy and Gilles Colombet is always the fastest.
Finally, the first T2 of the day is Toyota Yulia Migunova and Igor Petenko (RUS).
In the overall standings, Nani Roma keeps the lead 9mn24 ahead of Harry Hunt.
End of the day in song with a new concert and dance show organized for the caravan. A good beginning to celebrate this special evening dedicated to Jean-Louis Schlesser. As an emblematic organizer and legendary pilot, “JLS” celebrated its 70th anniversary, an opportunity to thank him just like the competitors did, proud to participate in this new adventure on his side.

QUOTES :

Nani Roma (ESP – MINI): « The landscapes were different from yesterday and the track was very fast. We did the first 70 kilometers, but we thought that Hunt was going to catch up with us. At kilometer 130, we saw Harry behind, we let him pass. Then we grit our teeth to pick it up and not let go. But in the straight lines, it was impossible to pass them, they went very fast, but we are happy, the car is doing well. »

Harry Hunt (GBR – PEUGEOT): « It was Really good, I think we did well. We overtooked Nani at about 100km, so that was really good. Wouter did an amazing job of a difficult navigation. We are really happy with this first proper stage. We had a fuel pressure problem the whole way through the whole stage so a little bit of monitoring but it was ok. Once we caught Nani, I thought well, we’ll overtake him and just chill. But no, yeah, super good. »

A BIG DAY FULL OF EMOTIONS
The third stage of the Turkmen Desert Race gave once again, some strong emotions to the competitors. Big dunes made a lot of mechanical and navigation issues to some of the team. It was important to be careful and focused in order to reach the finish line. Same story for the assistance which had to drive on a sandy track for 150 km to find the bivouac, by night for some…

DUNES AND TROUBLES
Across those 236,64 km of stage, fast but twisting tracks offered a tricky playground for the competitors. René Metge made them drive along the railroad strewn with sandy plots and dry lake to join an empty river where they had to drive for several kilometers. The vehicles then joined a small erg who guided them to one of the few bridges in Turkmenistan before arriving on very fast tracks on the heights of Lake Karakum.
For some, everything went well, as for Nani Roma (ESP – MINI), winner of its 2nd stage on the rally. Catalan was able to count on his co-driver Alex Haro who gave him the perfect route. The Spanish pair does a clean sheet with the best time of the day in 3h03mn35.
On their way, they passed the Peugeot of Harry Hunt (GBR) and Wouter Rosegaar (NEL) broke down at kilometer 105. A misfortune that permits Roma to feel more comfortable and to keep his advance without taking any risk.
A complicated day though for the winners of yesterday who had to leave their car an the sweeper truck because their gearbox broke.
Good day for the Kamaz truck of Airat Mardeev (RUS) finishing 2nd, 17mn28 after the leader.
He finished right in front of Miroslav Zapletal’s Hummer (CZE) who took advantage of the misfortunes of the others, because despite a small navigation error, the Czech saw the Turkmen Mini Hojaguly Annamammedow out of the track by making 3 barrels. An impressive crash but without injuries for the crew who was able to finish the stage.

The first T2 is the Kazakh Nissan Kirill Chernenkov and Alexey Mun.

HAPPY DESPITE ALL
In the SSV category, honor to Papi Ruffier! This 79-year-old driver finished first in his category and joined the camp with a smiling face. Jean-Claude was even applauded by the boss Jean-Louis Schlesser as he arrived to CP1, passing in the first 20. His Can-Am, very well guided by his co-driver Jerome Bos went into the dunes quiet easily following the roadbook. The dean of the race was able to enjoy the bivouac made by the Turkmen: “they are great, there is soap, towels and even toothpaste in the showers! It is incredible what they do, this organization is a pure success, as much on the side of the Turkmen as on the side of the teams of Jean-Louis. ”
They, too, had a smile on their faces when they arrived at the bivouac but not for the same reasons. Mathieu Serradori (FRA) and Fabian Lurquin (BEL) were just relieved to end a new day of troubles. A new mechanical problem makes them lose more than 2 hours and all hope of finishing on the podium of the 1st edition of the Turkmen Desert Race. A podium that seems on the other hand well intended for Nani Roma who is now nearly 1 hour ahead of Zapletal. The third place belongs for the moment to Mardeev’s truck only 9 minutes after Zapletal.
But no matter the result, whether being competitors or assistance, all were delighted to discover the view of the lake lining the evening camp. While waiting for the last ones, they shared their misadventures, always in a spirit of solidarity, helping each other, all while Turkmen riders paraded in front of the vehicles at sunset.

QUOTES

Nani ROMA (ESP – MINI): “It was a demanding special with parts of old tracks covered by sand and dunes. There were chotts to cross and the navigation was difficult. Besides I went straight instead of turning left at kilometer 6, my mistake, and I had trouble finding the right track. After CP2, it was faster, we passed Hunt who was stopped and we managed the race without taking risks. If we continue like this we can win, now we must stay focused and make no mistake. “

Airat MARDEEV (RUS – KAMAZ): “We are happy, it was an interesting stage with a different field from what we have seen so far. The tracks were winding, there was a lot of navigation, I am very satisfied with my young co-pilot. We managed to see Roma’s Mini and we could follow the good track as there were not really any traces. “

HUNT, THE DUSTBUSTER
Before the last day of « Amul-Hazar 2018 », the competitors have been eating the dust ! Leaving from the largest Lake of the country this morning, they crossed fesh-fesh and sandy tracks making hard to see anything, especially for those who followed a truck. A stage that went well for Hunt while Nani handled his 1st place overall.

AN EASIER DAY FOR ALL
After a long evening and some late arrival at the bivouac, today was supposed to be easier for all the participants. Some assistance were lucky enough to not do any mechanics by night so they could leave very early this morning in order to cross again 150 km sandy tracks that were pretty complicated for many yesterday. For the competitors, the day began with 49 km leg to join the start. A 245 km stage, with fast tracks close to Uzbekistan. The race director Rene Metge putted a tricky navigation with some tracks they shouldn’t miss in order not to get lost in the canyons. Some deep ruts added some difficulties for the SSV category. But the menu was mainly hard because of the dust that made impossible to see anything for the competitors behind. Therefore, it was important to be patient and careful in order to pass the cars with a wind that could make things harder.

HUNT IS BACK, NANI STAYS 1ST
Despite a complicated day yesterday where he had to give up the stage, British Harry Hunt were relieved to see his Peugeot arriving in the sweep car at 7 am as he was getting out of his tent. With a start from the bivouac at 8:45 am for the team, timing went well for the mechanics. They needed 1h30 to change the gearbox that was broken exactly the same way it happened in the Silkway rally this year. The car was able to leave right on time, ready to roll for this stage.
They took the start 11th and ate a lot of dust to pass as many vehicles as they could, some trucks as well. One puncture toward the end made them loose some time, it could have been a perfect day for the winners in 2 hours 15 minutes and 10 secondes.
They finished 2 minutes and 22 secondes before Nani Roma who wasn’t troubled with the dust as he took the start 1st. He didn’t take any risk in order to keep his leadership until the end. He is now 1 hour and 4 minutes before the second at the overall ranking, Czech Miroslav Zapletal (Hummer) and 1 hour and 10 minutes before the Russian truck of Airat Mardeev (Kamaz).
3rd place today is the truck of Siarhei Viazovich (BUL – Maz) who crossed the finish line 4 minutes after Hunt.
Mixed peelings for Mathieu Serradori (FRA) and Fabian Lurquin (BEL) who thought they went faster with their MCM buggy. They left 12th and finished 4th but hoped for a better result. The dust coming from the trucks made them brake way too much and they lost a lot of time trying to pass one.
1st in SSV category : Hervé Diers et Alain Brousse (FRA) Can-Am.
In the T2 category, Kazakhs Kirill Chernenkov and Alexey Mun (Nissan) were the fastest today.
The final podium seems to be close to what it will look like tomorrow, until then, every competitors know that they have to stay focused and spent their last night in the bivouac enjoying the great Turkmen welcome once again.

QUOTES:

Harry HUNT (GBR – PEUGEOT): « It was really good even if we had a puncture toward the end of the stage.We started 11th and we had a lot of vehicles to pass but we had fun. There were a lot of dust with the trucks though… The navigation was not too easy but Wouter did a very good job, it was almost a perfect day »

Nani ROMA (ESP – MINI): « It was quite fast today, a good stage, not too many difficulties. Landscapes were beautiful and we are happy we made it easily threw the sand. We had to be very careful with the navigation because it was easy to be on the wrong track. Now we have one last day to do the job, we must stay focused. »

Mathieu SERRADORI (FRA – MCM): « We left 12th and finished 4th … it was hell because of trucks and dust! We started very hard and then we had to slow down and use the brakes to get out of the smoke of the trucks, it was dangerous to overtake them, that’s what wastes us time. We would have liked to do better today to enjoy this day without mechanical problems! “

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 the count down has finished ! We are now at the last stage of this rally for a total racing length of 234km. Today, the survivors of the Turkmen Desert Race had to navigator a mixture of narrow corners filled and at the same time fast tracks. On the today’s menu, washboard, trial, and all of this under a thick layer of thin dust and some mistakes. The clerk of the course had announced at the previous briefing : “be carful, read your road book well because the race is not over yet, and it can still bring you many surprises. You will have to find the only way up the mountain in order to find the sacred graal at the door of heaven on the edge of the Caspian Sea.”

In the early morning the caravan started full throttle through many “pif paf” corners (a quick section of left and right hand corners). Right from the beginning the leader are doing the show and raise all the dust into the air. The first 3 leaders stay in a handkerchief and push hard throughout the whole stage. In the meantime many competitors are trying to find the perfect route that René METGE found during the creation of the road book and had explained the evening before.

Finally it is the liberation for the competitors. In the distance they can see the finish line and finally relax after such an emotional week. Happiness wins over doubt and all signs of tiredness disappear. At the foot of the finishing arch, you can find the members of the organization and a lot of public who have gathered in mass’ to see the heroes of this first ever Amul to Hazar Rally and many will never forget this special moment. Once out of the car it is the breaking point for all the emotions, tears of happiness are flowing down the dust covered faces and cuddles all around.

Jean-Louis SCHLESSER and René METGE can now blow out their first candle for a successful first rally here, which we all hope will not be the last ! Up next in the menu is prize giving and of course the party with the flavours of the local people with their unique music, amazing catering and their history filled songs.

They where 83 on the start line in Amul and they are only 59 at the finish line. Nani ROMA and his teammate Alex HARO BRAVO are the winners of this fantastic race using all the power their Mini John Cooper X-Raid has to offer.

The final ranking:

1st: N° 200 Roma/Haro Bravo
X-Raid Mini John Cooper Works Rallye Team (1st T1)
2nd: N° 201 Zapletal/Sykora
Hummer – Offoadsport
3rd: N° 401 Viazovich/Haranin/Zhyhulin
Maz – Maz-Sport Auto (1st T4)