News conference for 2007 China Xinjiang Around-Taklimakan Cross-Country Rally (ATR) was held in Beijing. Xinjiang boasts the world’s second largest desert Taklimakan and the well-known place Lop Nur. So a great auto sport event Around-Taklimakan Rally is to become “Oriental Dakar Rally”.
The first ATR was held in 2005 and second in 2006, and it received great attentions from the press. The event was reported by tens of mass media, national or regional. In addition, Xu Lang and Luo Ding, two famous entrants of Dakar Rally, appeared on the press conference.
It was announced that 2007 ATR is scheduled to be held in May 1-12, 2007 in Xinjiang, and that the rally would cover a total length of 5000 km and pass through Urumqi, Turpan, Lop Nur, North Argin Mountains, Taklimakan Desert, Hotan, Arksu and Korla. The entire course consists of 7 stages and the total prize money for winners is RMB 500,000 yuan. Lop Nur and Hotan, the two classic stages in the previous two events, remain two stages in 2007 ATR. Besides, the course of ATR 2007 will be extended to Kliya, a secluded place, and the primary survey for this route has been finished.
At the press conference, Li Jinsheng, vice director of Sport Administration of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, stated: “Dakar Rally, with Sahara desert as its field, has grown into top auto sport event in the world. ATR, with course passing through some famous places such as Taklimakan, Lop Nur and Argin Mountains, stand every chance to become a well-known event like Dakar Rally. We’ll work to turn 2007 ATR into the top rally event with the highest prize in Asia. ”
At an interview with reporters, Wan Heping, deputy director of Motorcycle Sports Administration Center under National General Administration of Sport, pointed out: “We have upgraded 2007 ATR to a national event. Xinjiang covers vast area of land with diverse and complicated landform, it is a good advantage for auto sports. Xinjiang boasts conditions for top class rally event. ”
Auto and motorcycle sports began to develop in Xinjiang in 1990s, and relevant authorities worked to promote the sports mainly by holding matches. In 1988 and 1992, Silk Road International Auto Rally and Paris-Moscow-Beijing Auto Cross-Country Rally were successively held in Xinjiang. With the 2002 Xinjiang Around-Taklimakan Auto Rally as start, sport authorities of Xinjiang began to present brand rally event of Xinjiang. The first China Xinjiang Around-Taklimakan Auto & Motorcycle Cross Country Rally was held in Xinjiang in May 2005, greatly promoted the development of auto and motorcycle sports in Xinjiang. In 2006, 120 vehicles and 200 entrants participated in the rally, the top event in China in terms of quantity of vehicles and entrants.
ATR is hosted by Sport Administration of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, co-hosted by Around Taklimakan Auto & Motorcycle Sports Club Co., Ltd., Xinjiang Automobile Sport Association and Xinjiang Motorcycle Sport Association.
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