Duster TransAnatolia to Start from Izmir
Taking place between 20 and 27 August 2016, the Duster Transanatolia Rally Raid will start in Izmir and finish in Samsun, on a new route running from the west to the north of Anatolia. With its new route, upgraded technical and safety equipment, the involvement of international broadcasters, the participation of Dakar drivers and the power of its new backer Dacia Duster, the event is preparing to take the excitement to another level.
Now in its seventh year, Duster TransAnatolia is Turkey's first "rally raid", a full seven days of competition on a course of tough dirt, mud and water crossings, open to rally motorcycles, off-road vehicles, ATVs and buggies. Having proved its place among the world's toughest events, this year's edition will start from Izmir Gündoğdu Square and cover a total of 3,000 km before finishing in Samsun.
With growing interest every year and an increasing number of Turkish and foreign participants, Duster Transanatolia goes a step beyond comparable rally raids around the world this season, with a specially designed "Tourist Package" for those who want to follow this unique experience at close quarters.
Duster Transanatolia Rally Raid General Coordinator Burak Büyükpınar said: "Events like this are a great opportunity for sports tourism. Thousands of competitors, spectators and members of the press around the world visit different countries for events of this kind. Argentina provides a great deal of support and facilities so that the world's most important rally raid is held in the country. According to figures from Argentina, hosting these events brings in 170 million dollars directly and 450 million dollars in added value. Today the Duster Transanatolia Rally Raid has become one of the five best-known cross-country events in the world, but that is not enough for us. We want to expand the large tourism potential that Transanatolia Rally Raid will create and turn it into a global brand. In a period when tourism is struggling, our belief that motorsport tourism will contribute to the promotion and economy of the country is growing."
Continuing to grow in its seventh year, the event will take its name this season from Turkey's best-selling 4x4 model, the Dacia Duster. Renault-Dacia Group Communications Director Umut Canpolat said: "Having experienced Transanatolia Rally Raid for the first time last year, we saw how well its spirit fits with Turkey's best-selling 4x4, the Dacia Duster. Moreover, after seeing Transanatolia's tough and fascinating 3,000 km route, the world-famous names from different countries, some of whom have even raced in the Dakar, the competition atmosphere and the large professional team working behind it, we believed in the future of this event. This year we decided to increase our support by giving this important event the name 'Duster Transanatolia Rally'. In 2016 you will see the Duster emphasis in many places throughout the event, starting with the Transanatolia logo. Transanatolia is today one of the five best-known cross-country events in the world. Our greatest hope is that, with Dacia's support this year as well, it will be among the top three best-known and most popular events in the world. I have no doubt that it will reach that position."
Duster Transanatolia Rally Raid is preparing to host more than 100 vehicles and close to 150 participants from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, New Zealand, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Japan and Turkey, competing in the motorcycle, 4x4, buggy and truck categories.
Starting from Izmir Gündoğdu Square on 20 August 2016, the Duster Transanatolia Rally Raid will be held this year with the support of Duster, İzfaş, Spor Toto, Yokohama, KTM, GlobeScout and Red Bull.
