Kamaz pulls out of the Transorientale

It was becoming unbearable. The atmosphere was too heavy on the Transorientale and two days after the death of Philippe Tonin, fingers were still being pointed at lead Kamaz driver Vladimir Chagin. The four-time Dakar winner had struck the unfortunate French motorcycle competitor.


Was the Russian to blame for the tragedy? Chagin defended himself but his past doesn’t speak highly for his case.

 
René Metge didn’t mince his words. According to the rally organiser this was at least the fourth time Chagin had been involved in an accident with motorbikes. Except this time someone was killed.

 

At first, the race stewards allowed Chagin to take part in stage 8. And Chagin put the hammer down and not only set the best time among the trucks but overall, five minutes better than that of car category winner Francois Delecour. And Delecour added that the Kamaz of Chagin overtook in an un-sportsman like fashion driving at an extremely high rate of speed off the intended route.

 

As the atmosphere in the bivouac degraded. The only solution for the serenity of the event to be put in order was announced by Semion Yakoubov. The caravan was informed that the factory Kamaz team has pulled out of the Transorientale. While no one was happy about such an announcement it was received with applause by the motorbike competitors.