Turkmen president takes part in qualifying run at Amul-Khazar 2018 rally's opening in Karakum desert
ASHGABAT. Sept 11(Interfax) - Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took part in a qualifying run at a ceremony marking the opening of the Amul-Khazar 2018 international eco race, which will last in Turkmenistan until September 15, in Turkmenabad on Tuesday.
Berdimuhamedow drove nine kilometers of the race route in his No. 100 sports car, the Turkmen news agency Orient reported.
A total of 83 race crews from 21 countries will take part in the competition, which will end on Saturday. The 1,571-kilometer race will take place along the historical Silk Road route.
The race, which includes five stages, has started in Turkmenabad (its ancient name is Amul) and will finish in Avaz (its ancient name is Khazar), on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
The Amul-Khazar 2018 Rally should highlight environmental problems, and climate warming for society, the Turkmen president told reporters in Turkmenabad.
The Turkmenbashi compound of oil refineries has provided up to 200 tonnes of ECO-5 (Euro 5) diesel fuel to the racers that will minimize the race's impact on a fragile environmental system of the Karakum desert, he added.