TransSyberia Rally

The Transsyberia Rally 2008 powered by Sony Ericsson is happening for the fifth time, from 11 to 25 July 2008.

Over 4347 miles will be driven on- and off-road from Moscow through Siberia to the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. Charming scenery and still unknown nature and civilizations are waiting for the participants. Adventure was yesterday - here human and material push their envelope.

All off-road enthusiasts with close-to-production vehicles, which comply with the organizer's regulations, can participate.

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It always leads towards the East, from Moscow through Syberia, over the Ural Mountains into the expanse of Mongolia.

Destination after more than 4347 miles is the capital of Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar. In 14 daily stages through difficult terrain the participants can demonstrate their abilities with their vehicles.

In the special stages, which extend over hundreds of miles, amateurs and professionals will push the envelope. Not only do the participants need the ability to assess the terrain correctly during river and swamp crossings, but the right tactic is also in demand. The key to success at the Transsyberia Rally is not speed.

All vehicles have to exhibit series-production standard. Only the technical changes approved in the regulations are permitted. "We don't want a technical arms race, and no teams which compete with budgets in the Millions.", so Richard Schalber.

In the end the all-round experts win who meet the challenge with series-production vehicles.

Who organizes the Transsyberia 2008? Host of the rally is Offroad Solution Ltd. The sportive and organizational management is in the hands of the expert rally specialist Richard Schalber. His experienced event team assists him.

Who can participate in the Rally? Eligible are all persons with a valid international driver's license. Only teams made up of two people, who are competing in the Transsyberia 2008 in one vehicle are admitted.

What does the participation in the Transsyberia 2008 cost? If the registration is received by May 2nd, 2008, the participation cost is 2500 Euro (~ US$ 3697) per person. Included in this is, the organization of the rally, the route description and GPS data, as well as the accommodations with breakfast and dinner (hotel or tent/camp), and the medical service. In addition a tracking system has to be rented from the organizer for each vehicle (costs: 1300 Euro; ~US$ 1922).

Not included in the participation fee is, the transfer of team and vehicle to Moscow, and the return journey from Ulaanbaatar, fuel, road charges, recovery expenses, hotel extras, and drinks. Further information is located in the regulations and the registration form.

How are board and lodging managed? Accommodations with breakfast and dinner are included in the participation fee. During the stages in Russia, the participants are placed in hotels, in the Mongolian Steppe in their own tent.

Which vehicles are admitted? All standard-equipment 4WD vehicles of a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 t or vehicles which come up to satisfy to the T 2 Reglement from the off-Road sport, and motor trucks of a gross vehicle weight of 3.6 t or more are admitted to the event. Only models produced by a manufacturer at an annual rate of least 200 units will be regarded as production vehicles. All vehicles have to comply with the road traffic licensing regulations of the country of origin and be licensed for road traffic. Vehicles with temporary, short-term or customs licence plates will not be admitted to the event. Enhancements and other modifications of the vehicles are admissible on a limited scale, as long as they are intended to improve vehicle safety, reliability or ease of maintenance, or to protect any vehicle parts. The vehicles must have a minimum range of 450 km (may be achieved using two additional jerry cans).

How do the vehicles have to be equipped? The mandatory equipment of the vehicles is precisely determined in the rally regulations. It contains a catalogue of security relevant articles and recovery equipment. Added are several equipment objects, which are highly recommended by the organization's management.

How is the rally judged? There will be an over all winner determined, as well as winners in each valuation category. The valuation category is based on the fuel type (gas/diesel) and the cubic capacity of the vehicle. For the time measurement the target times, check points and the valuation of the special tests are taken into account.