If you thought that the Dakar Rally was challenging, it’s actually nothing compared to what Peugeot is planning to take on next.Three examples of the Dakar-winning Peugeot 2008 DKR will tackle the Moscow to Beijing Silk Way Rally from July 8-24: a 16-day, 15-stage, 10,000-kilometre epic that takes the crews across Russia and into China via Kazakhstan (rumours of a guest appearance from Borat are unfounded).
Instead the cars will be driven by Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel, nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb (conveniently, the event falls in a gap on the world rallycross calendar) and five-time Dakar bike winner Cyril Despres.
The three Peugeots will be running an interim specification as they prepare for the 2017 Dakar, which will include air conditioning for the drivers for the first time.
Last year, Peugeot finished one-two on the China Silk Road Rally, with Peterhansel leading home Despres. “We are delighted to be tackling the Silk Way Rally for the first time,” said Peugeot Sport’s director Bruno Famin. “We will approach this new challenge with all due humility and respect. That said, following our Dakar success earlier this year, it goes without saying that our sights will be set on victory.”
China is Peugeot’s biggest market, with more than 406,000 vehicles sold last year. The French manufacturer also has an illustrious history in Russia: the first foreign vehicle to appear on Russia’s roads was a 3.75-horsepower Peugeot in 1896.
Story and photo: Maxrally