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Silk Road motor race to help Russia confirm its status of world auto sports centre - Putin

Specialists say the sunken submarine still holds personal belongings of its crew of 47, and human remains as well

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, July 5 (Itar-Tass) - The Silk Road-2013 race will help Russia confirm its status of a world automotive sport centre, the Kremlin press service quoted President Vladimir Putin as saying.

“Today, the most skilled sportsmen from various countries, both experiences pilots and beginners, are meeting again in Moscow’s Red Square. Ahead of them are three thousand kilometers of the most difficult route, stubborn and tense struggle for victory, an endurance test of both the vehicles and race participants. And, of course, you will have enough of friendly contacts, you will see wonderful and hospitable Russian cities and villages,” Putin said in a greeting message to the participants in the race. He expressed confidence that they would be able to cope with the route and would demonstrate their best professional and personal strains, and will favor the fans with “unforgettable moments of triumph and pride for the achievements of their favorite teams.”

“And Russia will confirm its high status of an acclaimed centre of world automotive sports,” he stressed.

Specialists say the sunken submarine still holds personal belongings of its crew of 47, and human remains as well. Its next destination is Tambov. Then the race will head for Volgograd. Among participants are 99 motor vehicles, including 73 off-roadsters and 26 trucks. The teams represent 30 countries, including Russia, countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Western Europe and Latin America. The overall length of the route exceeds 4,000 kilometers, of which 3,000 kilometers along highways. The race will finish in Russia’s southern city of Astrakhan on July 13.

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