Stage 5: Astana – Balkhash
Road connection: 235.76 – Special stage: 568.24 km – Road connection: 16.75 km – Total: 820.75 km
With more than 800 km and 568 km special, the fifth stage of the Silk Way Rally is one of the longest stages of this year’s race. The landscape has changed and the regions became desert prior to the arrival to Balkhash, next to the lake of the same name. If there is still a bit of mud, there is also the steppe, some mountain, fast sinuous tracks… in summary, it was a very enjoyable stage.
ERIC MOZAS/RAFAEL TORNABELL #135 – 35th of the special in 6h53’00 – 32th in the provisional classification in 11h49´52: “The special stage was really beautiful and nice to drive. There were several changes of rhythm: stones, sand, dirt track, mud on sinuous roads and very pointed navigation from almost hidden tracks.
I truly enjoyed the special stage behind the steer wheel of the SMG 2WD buggy, it was great! We drove at a nice regular pace and passed several competitors but we were blocked by a truck that didn´t let us go through and we ate dust for 80 km! The buggy didn´t have any issues, she is healthy and I appreciating more its comfort and its power!”
