Participants of “Lisbon - Vladivostok” run on heavy-duty trucks took their start from Lisbon on 24 May. The Ministry of Transportation of the Russian Federation has initiated this run, as it attaches the utmost importance to development of the strategic highway, which is running across the whole country from Moscow to Vladivostok. One of the most difficult parts of this road runs between the cities of Chita and Khabarovsk. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, opened it on February 26, 2004. Now this highway is the longest in the world.

Actually, there are all the necessary prerequisites to describe this run as a historical event, because this is the first official tour of haulage trucks along the longest road in the world. Undertaking this step, Russian fleet operators wished to demonstrate that the country’s railways are facing a real competitor, which is capable to deliver more expensive frights, whilst a truck’s driver ensures safety of his customer’s goods. A real competitiveness should reduce transportation costs and improve economic development of the country. This run is bringing Asia closer to Europe, it helps to expand Russia’s economical potential for further development of raw materials’ resources in the Far East of the country, and to demonstrate investment opportunities.

The run is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of All-Russia Association of Fright Transporters. The train of vehicles includes three new truck models: Mercedes Benz, KAMAZ and American prime mover with trailers of Russian origin. One of the aims is to specify weak-points of new models. E.g. KAMAZ is going to enter the world market, so it is interested to show its best. And loaded KAMAZ road train for several days runs on the highest speed without any failure. Its crew even managed to do without spare parts (this is prohibited according to the rules of the run): in Europe they are not used to repair a vehicle on roads or at parking lots - there is only done at service stations.

So, nine countries are left behind. Driving along Germany appeared to be the most difficult. There are very strict traffic rules in Germany. It is very important for the participants to test navigation systems. The run is also targeted at attraction of public’s attention to some negative fact, which drivers face while moving along Russian roads, such as corruption and bandits.

Another stop for a two-days rest, this time in Novosibirsk. Then the truck train will start towards Vladivostok, where on July 12 the run is going to finish.

© www.kamaz.net, 2004