A native of the Dokshytsy district is participating in the world's toughest rally raid

Belarusian racers are participating in the most famous and toughest rally raid in the world. For two weeks, they will have to endure high-speed mountain descents, dangerous sand mountains and dunes, and temperature and pressure changes. Among the conquerors of "Dakar" is our compatriot, a native of the Dokshitsy district, Andrey Zhigulin.

Belarusian racers are participating in the most famous and toughest rally raid in the world. For two weeks, they will have to endure high-speed mountain descents, dangerous sand mountains and dunes, and temperature and pressure changes. Among the conquerors of "Dakar" – is our compatriot, a native of the Dokshitsy district, Andrey Zhigulin. In an interview with "Vitebskiye Vesti" on the eve of his unusual business trip, he spoke about the race conditions, training, and love for cars.

— "Dakar" is often called a survival race. Are the rally conditions really that harsh?

— That's an understatement! The race takes place in extreme conditions – a complete off-road mode. Moreover, the current "Dakar" is one of the longest and most difficult. In particular, the organizers have planned special stages with a length of over 600 km.

— But you were preparing for such challenges, weren't you?

— Absolutely. The crews of the Belarusian team "MAZ-SPORTauto" trained near Minsk. There were both practical and theoretical sessions. Of course, we would like to dedicate more time to training, but it's not always possible. Although "Dakar" is the most serious race of the year, and sports trucks are assembled specifically for it.

True, we participated in Russian championships. It was a kind of prelude to "Dakar", during which we honed our skills.

— What is the greatest danger during "Dakar"?

— There are many obstacles: these are difficult mountain passes, sand dunes, and barchans.

— And, apparently, temperature fluctuations…— They don't affect the car as much as altitude. In high-altitude conditions, our electronic engine does not have such a wide range of power regulation. Otherwise, the Belarusian equipment is perfectly prepared for harsh conditions.

— How is communication organized between the participants of the Belarusian team during the race?

— Communication is organized for us by a technical partner – one of the mobile operators in Belarus. Each participant is provided with SIM cards. If necessary, you can contact the team curator or other crew members. During breaks between races, we can call our family and friends. By the way, I take both a smartphone and a regular phone with me.

— As far as I know, each crew receives a satellite phone from the organizers.

— That's exactly where it fails. In previous rallies, there were situations where a satellite phone was useless, but GSM communication, on the contrary, worked well. This was the case in 2012 when one of our crews got stuck in the sand. Then one of the drivers climbed a dune and managed to call the team representatives using a regular mobile phone. This happened around one in the morning. The organizers were already asleep, and we had to wake them up in a hurry, as each car is equipped with a tracking system, which only they have access to. Mobile communication really helped the team back then.

— What is the team's plan for the race?

— The team's strategy is to reach the finish line among the first. But the tasks vary by crew. As a mechanic, along with the driver and navigator, I will be driving a fast support vehicle, which is designed for emergency repairs for the other two crews. That is, in case of a breakdown of the other two trucks that will be ahead of us, we must quickly come to their aid. Therefore, our race car – that's what the participants' vehicles in the "Dakar" are called – will have all the necessary spare parts. So, my tasks include maintaining the operability of both my own vehicle and the other two race cars.

— Who do you consider your competitors?

— The "Kamaz-Master", "Iveco", and "Tatra" teams. But, as our participation in the last "Silk Way" rally-raid showed, we can compete with them on equal terms.

— So, motorsport enthusiasts abroad know about Belarus firsthand?

— They not only recognize us but also acknowledge us. Currently, we are the only team representing Belarus in motorsport at the international level. This is good advertising for the country.

— What attracts you to participate in such races?

— Sport itself is captivating. It becomes a way of life. Once you try it, you can't stop. Moreover, when you are called a Belarusian race car driver, you feel pride.

— And how did you join the «MAZ-SPORTauto» team?

— I learned about its creation while I was still a student at BNTU. When it was time for job assignment, I started looking into how to join. I didn't succeed the first time – I went to work at the Minsk Automobile Plant. But soon there was an opening in the team, which I took advantage of.

— But your love for racing probably goes back to childhood.

— Of course! Every man's love for cars starts in childhood. And I am glad that the Vitebsk region is concerned about me and cheers for me. I feel it and I am proud of it.

— How developed is motorsport in our country? Is it easy for a native of our region to start participating in it?

— The Vitebsk region is attractive for motorsport enthusiasts. Of course, this is not primarily about truck motorsport. Many residents of Vitebsk participate in classic rallies. There are at least two worthy tracks in the Vitebsk region – in Lepel and Ushachi. It is pleasing that races are held there regularly. When we are invited, we always participate. In particular, we have participated in jeep trials and rally sprints in Lepel.

So the main thing is to have aspiration and desire. There are plenty of opportunities for residents of the region to realize themselves in motorsport. Just like for us, at the «Dakar».

Andrey Orlov