Stefan - Ladoga (RUSSIA)

[zzlatev]

As you all know, we will have our own participant at this years's "Ladoga Trophy" challenge. Stefan will be the navigator of Alexander Kukushkin, one of the pilots in the "Tourism - Open" class. I open this thread to allow us to follow the preparations, the race, and the performance of "our" team. Everybody with any information - write here. What is clear for now is that Stefan will fly to Moscow on May 26, and that the preparation on site is already going at full speed.

[Ivich]

До: Ладога 2008

Yep, we'll follow the "Ladoga 2008" closely.
Good luck to Stefan, and may he keep his camera dry

For a better idea - here's where the race will be: around the Ladoga Lake




According to the official website of the promoters, http://www.ladoga-trophy.ru/ , the 12th edition of the race will have a length of 1200km (745 miles), 120km (74.5 miles) of which will be special Special Stages.

It starts on May 31, 2008 at Saint Petersburg, and, after a full lap around the lake, finishes at the same location on June 08, 2008.

Daily pictured reports of the special stages can be found at http://www.autonet.ru/ as per the promoters.

Citation from Венци: Thanks to our user Дявол-коледа, here's a collection of video materials: Ладога Трофи (колекция филми)

In short, the Ladoga Lake is the largest lake in Europe.
With a full superficy of 18135 km2 (7002 sq. miles), 219km (136 miles) in length, 83km (51.5 miles) average witdth, 230m (754 ft) average depth and 660 islands, the lake is indeed remarkable.
It's located at an altitude of only 4 meters, and its coastline is 1570km (975 miles) - which puts the definition "one lap of the lake" in perspective.
More and more interesting details can be found here: тук.



Here are a few pictures showing the beauty of the lake:









So much for the landscapes, Stefan might not have the time to look at them too much, but we hope at least he'll show us a few pics with 4x4's

[Хеликоптер]

информация

(translated from Russian)

Hi !

Here's our "platoon"

"Fighting" vehicles:

1. Daihatsu Rocky 2.8Td
Andrey BERESNEV
Alexandr KUKUSHKIN
2. CUCV M1009 6,2d
Vladimir MOISEENKI
Stefan KAZAROV

Support Vehicles:
3.Dodge Ram 5,9 Td
Andrey JIVOV
4.Jeep Cherokee 4.0
Denis FILIPPOV

+"овощи"(3ч.)..)

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Good luck, and we cross our fingers for your safe return

SAFE Return ? What other return can it be ?
Here he is, safe and sound

[Стефан]

До: Ладога 2008

From the plane, you can recognize that you've crossed in Romania not because you see the Danube behind you and not in front of you, but by the fact that everything that is not a roof or a road, is a cultivated field. Kind of makes you sad when you think about what our fields look like. Then come the clouds, then, just before Moscow, the fields become way bigger, but no longer rectangular. Most of what you see is a forest. Around Moscow - huge areas with weekend Datchas.

At the airport things look as a freshly kicked anthill - scores of Chinese people running around and stumbling on each other. Russians seem to not pay too much attention to the mess.
Helicopter, Alien and Moralez are laughing
Планета Железяк (Iron Planet) is a store for automotive parts and tools. No larger than a large six story shopping mall, that is. Acres of displays, with not two identical items. A bit overwhelming to the mind, here's where I start to understand what the full meaning of "I'm gonna blow a fuse" means.

Moralez' garage cats' name is Sonia. She lives surrounded by indescribable garage treasures - auto locking, interlocking and others, but still wants her cheeze muffin. Rich cats have their own caprices. (Translator's note: I'm taking the easy way and translating "баничка" with "cheese muffin". Still, the difference between a cheeze muffin, should such a thing exist, and a баничка, is the same as the difference between a washed Playboy magazine and a full team of real strippers. Баничка is the indesctiptibly good tasting morning snack which, along with nice women, is the second of the two main reasons which stopped Bulgaria's male population from emigrating in bulk. It can also be found in a small Serbian pastry store in Ridgewood, New York. For reasons of national pride, "Баничка" can not even be spelled in latin letters. End of note)

There's still some small stuff to fix on the vehicles before the start tomorrow. Nothing big - main axles, shocks, hydro converters, stuff like that. Tomorrow morning we leave for Piter (Note: Piter=St Petersburg in Moscovite language).

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Members of the К-5 crew

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

The preparations

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Well, everything is almost ready, only a few small thingies left - tighten the main shaft, replace the CV joints
No worries. We're on the road tomorrow morning

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Last preparations, loading, and we're ready for the start at 17-15 .
Ladoga waits
Stefan asked us to tell you that he doesn't feel anything like he's abroad. Still, he's 2500km away from home

[Венцислав Петров]

До: Ладога 2008

Ok, let's begin from the beginning...Here's Stefan at Sofia's Airport, ready to go...Sabin gave him a lift, and made a picture just in case...

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

First glitch

A wheel hub bearing on the K-5 on which Stefan was supposed to ride gave up

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Tech comission:

http://wwwboards.auto.ru/uaz/789754.html

[Нейчо Наков]

До: Ладога 2008

http://rutube.ru/tracks/739851.html?...0a69f73ec5c972
http://rutube.ru/tracks/737811.html?...7b3b2d57ded134
http://rutube.ru/tracks/736362.html?...c7cb26eb55e224

[п-к A.Moralez]

До: Ладога 2008

Time for the race on the beach. Helicopter starts on the K-5
You can call Stefan at +7-926-759-4244.
Satellite phones can't go through, some problem with the number
Stefan claims that he never saw SUCH mud

[Plamen]

До: Ладога 2008

We just spoke with Stefan. He and the whole crew are safe and sound. The machines are sort of ok, too. Yesterday they broke a front right leaf spring, managed to find a new one, replaced it and went on.

He's sorry for his silence, but he has no access to any internet connection at all. Schedule is crazy - start in the morning after a draw, then the race for the day, then repairs, and whatever time is left (if any) goes for rest, then start again. He's making as many pictures as possible. There's mud, water and action at wish.
He thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, and thanks for the support on behalf of the crew.