Multi-stage and High-intensity: The Taklimakan Rally Strives to Match Internationally Renowned Events
On May 27, due to weather conditions, the sixth stage (SS6) of the 2024 Taklimakan Rally was canceled. Competitors rested at the Luo Pu County bivouac in the Hotan region, and the organizing committee made thorough preparations for the following stages.
20 years after the first edition, the Taklimakan Rally continues to show youthful vigor. Compared to previous years, the 2024 Taklimakan Rally has set up ten stages in addition to the SSS, the highest number of stages in its history. At the same time, the number of rally bivouac has been reduced, aligning more closely with international competition rules.
According to the relevant personnel of the Taklimakan Rally organizing committee, following international competition rules is aimed at increasing the intensity of the rally and making the overall pace of the event more compact. This year, the technical regulations are stricter, and the event is being managed comprehensively according to the relevant rules and standards of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). This includes considerations from technical scrutineering, competition rules, and technical upgrades.
Regarding the increased intensity of the 2024 Taklimakan Rally, competitors have deeply experienced it after the SSS and the first stage (SS1). At the finish line, many drivers commented on the high difficulty of the course. Some drivers with Dakar Rally experience remarked that the difficulty of the first stage exceeded that of the Dakar stages.
This year, the Taklimakan Rally introduced a brand new ENB system, and all the navigation systems are equipped with new devices, elevating the overall level. It's like upgrading from using a Huawei Nova 7 to a Huawei Mate 60; the performance has increased several times, making it easier for drivers to perform practical operations during the race, providing greater convenience. This represents a significant leap in the competition equipment.
Based on the actual situation of this year's T1 category, the organizing committee has increased the restrictor size from the original 37mm to 39mm. This change enhances the competitiveness between the T1 and T1+ categories, rather than making the race too predictable, where T1+ would be clearly superior to T1. Increasing from 37mm to 39mm equates to nearly a 20 horsepower boost for the cars, preventing the scenario where race results can be predicted halfway through the course. This makes the race more unpredictable this year. The T1 category previously always had a 37mm restrictor, but this year, the organizing committee made significant adjustments, breaking technical limitations, which will make the competition more exciting to watch.
In terms of event organization, the 2024 Taklimakan Rally has further enhanced its rescue operations. Previously, motorcycle rescue involved transporting the bike using cars after the rider was extracted, carrying the motorcycle to the rescue route. This year, the Taklimakan Rally organizing committee has equipped some helicopters with standard hoists. In case of special situations where using cars for rescue poses safety risks, helicopters can be used to lift motorcycles from the track, thereby reducing risks and improving rescue service capabilities. Currently, the Taklimakan Rally is the only event in China that uses helicopters for motorcycle rescue. In the internationally renowned Dakar Rally, motorcycle rescue is entirely organized by the committee using helicopters to lift the bikes off the track. This year, the Taklimakan Rally will continue to use helicopters for relay as needed.
Zhou Tian, a rider who has been participating in the motorcycle category since the first edition of the Taklimakan Rally in 2005, said: "During the second Taklimakan Rally, there was a stage where my motorcycle ran out of fuel, and even the organizing committee ran out of fuel. I have witnessed the growth of the event's organization as the rally matured, and I have grown alongside it."
There is a famous saying about the Taklimakan Rally: "The unknown and uncertainty are the charm of the Taklimakan Rally. The Taklimakan Desert has its own temperament, varying from year to year, even on the same day." With the race halfway through, both the organizing committee and the competitors have already experienced the uncertainty of the rally. The road is long and challenging, but with perseverance, the goal will be reached. In the second half of the 2024 Taklimakan Rally, the organizing committee and the competitors will continue to work together and forge ahead on their journey.
