Silk Road Race

The Silk Road Race is a charity rally from Milan to the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. The Silk Road Race is organised by Partenza Intelligente, a no-profit cultural association based in Lainate (Milan) Italy. The first edition of the rally was launched 31 July 2010.

The Silk Road Race typically launches from Villa Litta Visconti Borrome an historic palace of the 16th century in Lainate near Milan, Italy, in the last week of July. The teams participate at the Start Night launch event with many people and a rock concert during the launching procedure.The teams can participate to the rally with any motor-based vehicle, there is no limit based on engine displacement or vehicle type.

The main routes to Tajikistan are typically three. The northern route, from Milan to Tajikistan via east Europe: Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan; the middle route: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and then crossing the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan; or the south route: Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and then Tajikistan. However the route is totally free, teams can choose their own route to Tajikistan but they must arrive at Dushanbe in 3 weeks to join the finish party. The Silk Road Race is approximately 8.000 km long.

The Silk Road Race charges an entry fee that is aimed at covering the costs of running the event. All funds that are generated from charity fees are donated to a project started by Cesvi that provide water and sanitation in the south region of Tajikistan. The Silk Road Race 2012 entry fee for a car or a truck team was €499 and €250 for a motorcycle. A team is composed by a single vehicle: a car/truck or a motorcycle. The Silk Road Race 2012 minimum charity fee for cars/trucks teams was €950 and €300 for a motorcycle team.

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