Home victory: Russian Team wins 3rd special test

First part: 604 km
Special test: 10 km
Second part: 372 km

The Russians Sergey Kvashnin and Alexey Pavlovskiy (Team Porsche Russia 2) have won the special test during the 3rd stage of the Transsyberia Rally 2008 powered by Sony Ericsson. They finished the 10 km long special training stretch with their Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia in 7:12 minutes. The second place went to the German crew Schwarz/Schulz (+0:21), the third to the Italian crew Tognana/Cassina (+0:22). Both teams in a Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia.

The way from Kazan to Yekaterinburg in Siberia: Almost 1000 km had to be covered by the teams of the Transsyberia Rally 2008 powered by Sony Ericsson. Suitable, the longest stage had the shortest special test, which had a kick to it: 10 km of coarse gravel track. The organizers had transformed a former country road into a speed section, which led through a valley in the Ural Mountains, reminiscent of Alpine pastures. In comparison to the first two special tests, in which driving ability and exacting navigation were required, the third test demanded speed.

The female pilots also held up well during the speed test. Once more the Spanish co-pilot Laia Peinado drove into the top ranks together with her driver Pau Soler: “It was short and fast. No risks taken. For that the rally is still too long,” said Peinado at the stage end. The women’s duo Frey/Hahn experienced the top speed stretch very differently. While Melina was happy to “finally be able to really step on the gas for a certain distance”, co-pilot Alexandra got a rush of adrenaline. “Short and painful. As the co-driver this was rather rough” so her commentary.

The evaluation test was followed by the last third (370 km) of the stage to Yekaterinburg, whose landscape was very impressive. The teams didn’t however get to see much of the city and its history. The ended the 15-hour day with the final challenge: to set their watches two hours ahead.

Go to results.
More pictures here.