Drivers and riders faced a gauntlet of swirling dust and unforgiving terrain during Stage 4 of the Taklimakan Rally in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday. The 246-kilometer special stage, set along a dried riverbed, became a high-speed chess match as competitors balanced aggression with survival instincts.
Navigating Nature's Obstacle Course
Lithuanian rider Arunas Gelazninkas of Hoto Factory Racing Team mastered the motorcycle division in 3:01:50, despite multiple competitors losing their way in reduced visibility. 'The riverbed sections were like riding through a minefield,' one participant later remarked, describing sudden drops and jagged rock formations.
Four-Wheeled Precision Prevails
In the car category, Zhu Guanghai and navigator Chen Qingkai of Duonai Shock Absorber Team clocked 2:15:58 – nearly three minutes faster than defending champions Han Wei and Ma Li. Their victory demonstrated the critical importance of pace notes in terrain where 'one wrong turn could bury your race,' according to rally officials.
Rest Before the Storm
As teams regrouped during Sunday's rest day, anticipation built for Monday's SS5 – a 282-kilometer stage canceled in 2023 due to sandstorms. This year's attempt promises to push mechanical limits and navigational skills to new extremes, with meteorologists monitoring developing weather patterns.
