Transsyberia Rally 2008 powered by Sony Ericsson: 3rd of August

3rd of August 2007, Moskau - Wladimir

Carles Celma and Jörn Pugmeister win the prologue

The Spaniard Carles Celma and his German co-pilot Jörn Pugmeister have won the prologue to the Transsyberia Rally 2007 near the Russian town Petuschki. They finished the 20.5 mile long special training stretch with their Porsche Cayenne Transsyberia in 34:15 minutes. With that Celma/Pugmeister are the first team to begin tomorrows special route. The second place went to the German crew Schwarz/Hilger, the third to the Polish pilots Sliwka/Bryl. Both teams in a Porsche Cayenne Transsyberia.

The special test led the Transsyberia participants through hilly forest territory. After days of rainfall in this region, the ground was partially very deep. "Slippery, difficult and muddy" judged the former European Rally Champion Armin Schwarz the cross-country test. "That was a hard trial for the car." Rally pilot Thomas Rietmüller was also impressed. "That was a demanding test, the optimal prologue. We were shaken through pretty well and our car ate a lot of sand" said Rietmüller afterwards. It took many of the drivers until the evening hours to remove the sand from the wheel-rims.

Right before the start the pilots and organizers were officially welcomed in Petuschki. As it is tradition in Russia, the mayor presented the Transsyberia organizer Richard Schalber with bread and salt as a symbol for hospitality and as protection against misfortune and fire. Russian singers gave the participants an authentic impression of Russian culture with their songs.

During the second stage from Wladmir to Kasan on Saturday the teams have to master almost 360 miles. 20.5 miles of which will bear a second special traing stretch away from the main route.

August 3rd, 2007, 1st stage Moscow - Vladimir, Start

The Transsyberia 2007 is rolling.

In the morning Moscow's first deputy mayor Juri Rossljak gave the starting signal at the Red Square for the 64 participants of the rally. "I promise you a journey through Russia full of adventures. You will have the opportunity to test the power and technical endurance of your vehicles.", Rossljak said infront of the famous Basilius Cathedral. Beforehand the drivers were greeted by the manager of Porsche Russia, Ulrich Thielemann, organizer Hermann Holzfuss, and the three time winner of the Paris-Dakar, Rene Metge. On their way to the Mongolian capital Ulan-Bator the teams have to master more than 4412 miles in the next two weeks. Escorted by police, 26 Porsche Cayenne, two Suzuki Grand Vitara, one Porsche 911, one Mercedes 250 GD, one Mercedes ML 350, one Toyota Landcruiser, as well as numerous accompanying vehicles left the Russian capital in the morning heading for the goal of this phase: Vladimir, a small provincial town about 155 miles away. About half-way, near the town of Petuschki,the drivers will face their first special test in the early afternoon.

Marc Coma, the winner of the Dakar Rally 2006 had to cancel his participation in the Transsyberia 2007 on short notice due to a foot injury.