Automotive

Gallery: Peugeot prevails in the spectacular Silk Way Rally

Gallery: Peugeot prevails in the spectacular Silk Way Rally
Check out some of the best shots from the Silk Way Rally
Check out some of the best shots from the Silk Way Rally 
View 81 Images
Mini will be disappointed with its performance in the Silk Way Rally
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Mini will be disappointed with its performance in the Silk Way Rally 
Two Geely cars take on the dunes in the Silk Way Rally
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Two Geely cars take on the dunes in the Silk Way Rally
The scenery on the Silk Way Rally is sometimes more impressive than the racing
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The scenery on the Silk Way Rally is sometimes more impressive than the racing
The Silk Way Rally meanders through Russia, Kazakhstan and China
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The Silk Way Rally meanders through Russia, Kazakhstan and China 
The two Geely entrants running in formation through some stunning Silk Way scenery
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The two Geely entrants running in formation through some stunning Silk Way scenery 
Peugeot managed to secure the overall win at the Silk Way Rally, in spite of Sebastien Loeb's retirement
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Peugeot managed to secure the overall win at the Silk Way Rally, in spite of Sebastien Loeb's retirement 
A Mini Countryman is hunted down by the Kamaz team
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A Mini Countryman is hunted down by the Kamaz team 
Kamaz took out the top three spots on the truck-class podium in the Silk Way Rally
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Kamaz took out the top three spots on the truck-class podium in the Silk Way Rally 
The Silk Way Rally is almost 10,000 km long
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The Silk Way Rally is almost 10,000 km long 
The scenery of the Silk Way looks like a moonscape
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The scenery of the Silk Way looks like a moonscape
Geely took out third place behind BAICMotor
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Geely took out third place behind BAICMotor 
Chinese manufacturer BAIC secured second spot on the podium
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Chinese manufacturer BAIC secured second spot on the podium
Racers spent more than 40 hours battling through rough, tough terrain
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Racers spent more than 40 hours battling through rough, tough terrain 
Smaller buggies are nimble, but their light weight also makes them punishing to drive
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Smaller buggies are nimble, but their light weight also makes them punishing to drive
Some stunning scenery on the Silk Way Rally
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Some stunning scenery on the Silk Way Rally 
A massive Kamaz truck crests a dune on the Silk Way Rally
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A massive Kamaz truck crests a dune on the Silk Way Rally 
These trucks couldn't keep pace with the Kamaz race leaders
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These trucks couldn't keep pace with the Kamaz race leaders 
Running repairs on the Silk Way Rally
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Running repairs on the Silk Way Rally 
The dunes of the Silk Way Rally
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The dunes of the Silk Way Rally
A Toyota Hilux smashes through the sand on the Silk Way Rally
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A Toyota Hilux smashes through the sand on the Silk Way Rally 
Peugeot was the eventual winner of the Silk Way Rally
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Peugeot was the eventual winner of the Silk Way Rally 
Kamaz teammates helping each other in the wilderness
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Kamaz teammates helping each other in the wilderness
Not everyone in the Silk Way Rally was a big-budget, factory backed entrant
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Not everyone in the Silk Way Rally was a big-budget, factory backed entrant 
Tatra crests a dune in the Silk Way Rally
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Tatra crests a dune in the Silk Way Rally 
BAIC put on a good show on the Silk Way Rally, coming in second
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BAIC put on a good show on the Silk Way Rally, coming in second 
Two Peugeot 3008DKRs rolling in formation
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Two Peugeot 3008DKRs rolling in formation 
The pace shown by big trucks in rally raids is incredible
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The pace shown by big trucks in rally raids is incredible 
Peugeot seems to have nailed the endurance racing formula with the 3008DKR
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Peugeot seems to have nailed the endurance racing formula with the 3008DKR 
The Toyota Hilux is renowned for its reliability, making it a favourite for private entries in rally raids
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The Toyota Hilux is renowned for its reliability, making it a favourite for private entries in rally raids 
The Silk Way Rally did a great job of covering the race for fans
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The Silk Way Rally did a great job of covering the race for fans 
More running repairs on the Silk Way Rally
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More running repairs on the Silk Way Rally 
Mini didn't quite live up to expectations on the Silk Way Rally
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Mini didn't quite live up to expectations on the Silk Way Rally 
Geely showed impressive pace on the Silk Way Rally
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Geely showed impressive pace on the Silk Way Rally 
Cars were subjected to mountains, deserts and everything in between on the Silk Way
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Cars were subjected to mountains, deserts and everything in between on the Silk Way 
Mini winds its way through the countryside in the Silk Way
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Mini winds its way through the countryside in the Silk Way 
A massive Kamaz truck gets up on its tippy-toes during the Silk Way Rally
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A massive Kamaz truck gets up on its tippy-toes during the Silk Way Rally 
Tatra couldn't match the pace of Kamaz on the Silk Way
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Tatra couldn't match the pace of Kamaz on the Silk Way 
The Peugeot 3008DKR proved it's still got the right moves
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The Peugeot 3008DKR proved it's still got the right moves 
BAIC proved it's not far off the established names in global racing with a second-placed finish in the Silk Way Rally
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BAIC proved it's not far off the established names in global racing with a second-placed finish in the Silk Way Rally 
Red Bull is heavily involved with global motorsport, and rally raid racing is no different
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Red Bull is heavily involved with global motorsport, and rally raid racing is no different 
No, that's not a mail truck, it's a competitor at the Silk Way Rally
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No, that's not a mail truck, it's a competitor at the Silk Way Rally 
Geely kicks up the dust on the Silk Way Rally
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Geely kicks up the dust on the Silk Way Rally
The Silk Way Rally course is roughly 10,000 km long
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The Silk Way Rally course is roughly 10,000 km long 
MAZ is another Russian entrant to the Silk Way Rally
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MAZ is another Russian entrant to the Silk Way Rally
Peugeot lost Sebastien Loeb to injury, but Cyril Despres stepped up to take the win
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Peugeot lost Sebastien Loeb to injury, but Cyril Despres stepped up to take the win 
A MAZ truck catches some serious air on the Silk Way Rally
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A MAZ truck catches some serious air on the Silk Way Rally 
There's plenty of fun to be had on the Silk Way Rally, especially when you secure a stage win
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There's plenty of fun to be had on the Silk Way Rally, especially when you secure a stage win 
Some beautiful scenery on the Silk Way Rally
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Some beautiful scenery on the Silk Way Rally 
This looks like a shot out of Mad Max, but it's from the Silk Way Rally
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This looks like a shot out of Mad Max, but it's from the Silk Way Rally 
An armada of competitors prepares to take on the Silk Way Rally
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An armada of competitors prepares to take on the Silk Way Rally 
Mini has been a consistent performer in endurance racing, but it couldn't match Peugeot this time around
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Mini has been a consistent performer in endurance racing, but it couldn't match Peugeot this time around 
BAIC kicks up the dust on the Silk Way Rally
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BAIC kicks up the dust on the Silk Way Rally 
The Silk Way Rally winds through China, Kazakhstan and Russia
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The Silk Way Rally winds through China, Kazakhstan and Russia 
Peugeot has the 3008DKR well set up for races like the Silk Way
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Peugeot has the 3008DKR well set up for races like the Silk Way 
Check out some of the best shots from the Silk Way Rally
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Check out some of the best shots from the Silk Way Rally 
Tatra will be hoping to improve on its entrant and outdo Kamaz
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Tatra will be hoping to improve on its entrant and outdo Kamaz
The scale of the Silk Way Rally is stunning
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The scale of the Silk Way Rally is stunning 
MAZ gets some air on the Silk Way Rally
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MAZ gets some air on the Silk Way Rally 
Some of the scenery on the Silk Way could have come from the moon
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Some of the scenery on the Silk Way could have come from the moon 
Geely gets some air on the Silk Way Rally
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Geely gets some air on the Silk Way Rally
Tatra will be hoping to improve on its entrant and outdo Kamaz
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Tatra will be hoping to improve on its entrant and outdo Kamaz
The final stage of the rally was cancelled due to heavy rain
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The final stage of the rally was cancelled due to heavy rain 
The sea of dunes facing the Silk Way Rally competitors
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The sea of dunes facing the Silk Way Rally competitors 
Kamaz secured the top three spots for trucks at the Silk Way Rally
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Kamaz secured the top three spots for trucks at the Silk Way Rally 
Mini smashes through the sand on the Silk Way Rally
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Mini smashes through the sand on the Silk Way Rally 
Kamaz has an incredible record in rally raid racing
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Kamaz has an incredible record in rally raid racing 
Peugeot was using the Silk Way Rally as a tune up for the Dakar next year
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Peugeot was using the Silk Way Rally as a tune up for the Dakar next year
Geely showed good pace on the Silk Way Rally
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Geely showed good pace on the Silk Way Rally
Peugeot winds through the Silk Way Rally
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Peugeot winds through the Silk Way Rally
A Polaris side-by-side takes on the dunes
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A Polaris side-by-side takes on the dunes 
Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally
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Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally 
Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally
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Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally 
Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally
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Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally 
Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally
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Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally 
Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally
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Sights from the paddock in the Silk Way Rally 
Mini takes on the dunes
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Mini takes on the dunes
Don't try this at home, kids
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Don't try this at home, kids
Peugeot tops out in the spectacular Silk Way Rally
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Peugeot tops out in the spectacular Silk Way Rally
Peugeot is the champion of the Silk Way Rally this year
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Peugeot is the champion of the Silk Way Rally this year
Two Peugeots going through the wilderness going over the dunes of the Silk Way Rally
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Two Peugeots going through the wilderness going over the dunes of the Silk Way Rally
Peugeot lost one entrant, but still managed to take out the Silk Way Rally
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Peugeot lost one entrant, but still managed to take out the Silk Way Rally 
View gallery - 81 images

After almost 10,000 km (6,214 mi) of hard-fought racing through Russia, Kazakhstan and China, the Silk Way Rally has reached its (early) conclusion. Although he set a strong pace early, a wrist injury forced Sebastien Loeb to retire – putting his Peugeot teammates into the lead in the process. Here are some of the best images from the final stages of the race.

Peugeot seems to have nailed the rally raid formula with the 3008DKR, and its bigger 3008DKR Maxi sibling. Piloted by Sebastien Loeb, the DKR Maxi proved reliable and fast on the rough, tough Silk Way terrain. Unfortunately, a collision with a drain ended its race early. The car was repairable, but injuries to Loeb's thumb and wrist left him unable to hold the wheel.

Fortunately for Peugeot, Cyril Despres slotted straight into the lead after Loeb's retirement, and didn't let it go. He completed the rally in just over 41 hours and 46 mins, more than an hour clear of BAIC Motor driver Christian Lavieille. Wei Han rounded out the podium, just seven minutes short of second place.

Don't try this at home, kids
Don't try this at home, kids

In the truck class, Kamaz continued its domination of global rally raid racing. The 980-hp (731-kW) Master 43509 took out the top three spots on the grid, led by Dmitry Sotkinov, who completed the course in 43 hours and 45 minutes. Competition within the Kamaz team was seriously tight – second-placed Anton Shibalov was just six minutes behind Sotkinov, just 17 minutes ahead of Airat Mardeev in third.

Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the final stage, but poor weather couldn't put a dampener on what was a brilliant Silk Way Rally. It doesn't get the same recognition as the Paris-Dakar, but that might not be the case for much longer. The race has an interesting historical backstory – it follows a rough approximation of the ancient Silk Road – but a highlight is the brilliant online coverage.

The stunning images you see here were all taken and supplied by the rally organizers, and the live tracking site was absolutely fantastic. Fans were able to check in on where each car was and how fast it was going at any given point, and the live timing was reliable throughout the race. We'd argue the Silk Way website sets the standard for live motorsports tracking, and that's a big step toward getting people following the race.

Check out the best shots from the final few stages of the race in our gallery.

Source: Silk Way Rally

View gallery - 81 images
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