“Real Motorsport Festival!” Nail Khubbatullin Talks About Silk Way Snow Journey

Nail Khubbatullin, the Head of the Naikom Arena, told how the project appeared, what is its goal and what the fans will find at the bivouac and in the spectator area. 

There is less than a month before the start of the first in the history Silk Way Snow Journey International Snowmobile Rally-Raid – on February 23, the Ceremonial Opening of the three-day event will be held at the Naikom Arena that will join both professionals and amateurs.

Shortly before the event Nail Khubbatullin, the Head of the Naikom Arena that will host the rally bivouac, told how this project appeared, what is its goal and what the fans will find at the bivouac and in the spectator area.

– The snowmobile event as part of the Silk Way Rally is an unexpected way of the Project development. Tell us, please, how did the collaboration between Naikom Arena and Silk Way Rally start? How did the idea for this competition come about? 

Nail Khubbatullin, “The winter event idea was proposed by Amir Yanborisov, the Strategic Planning Director of the International Project Silk Way Rally. He is a motorcycle rider who has been involved in our sports club since the age of six, he has helped the Naikom Arena many times and ones in the conversation he mentioned the Snow Journey Rally-Raid project. 

I immediately offered our location, since it meets all the Silk Way Project requirements, the Rally Directorate inspected the territory, everyone was satisfied, and preparations began shortly. This is a huge project, and we are happy that the Naikom Arena has become the heart of this event. I have already competed in the summer Silk Way Rally and I hope that many riders from our club will be able to take part in the winter rally-raid, try their hand and get an unforgettable experience”. 

– Not only professional riders, but also amateurs will be allowed to start. How difficult will it be for those who do not yet have experience in competitions? 

Nail Khubbatullin, “To be honest, many people do not yet fully understand what rally-raids are. Professionals, of course, are aware, but when amateurs hear the word “race”, they are sure that it will be necessary to rush. But rally-raid is a competition, where you can drive the last and finish the first. That’s the mystery. 

The point is that the Silk Way Rally is a communications event. A huge number of people get together for several days and live this adventure in a friendly atmosphere. This is not only a sport, but also an alliance of like-minded people. You participate in a real competition, but after the finish you have time to take a breath, communicate with interesting people and learn something new, have fun in the evening and enjoy the atmosphere. 

In Russia, in my opinion, rally-raids are not popular enough, so many people do not fully understand the idea of such events. For example, abroad all motorcycle riders, ending their careers in motocross or enduro, continue to perform in rally-raids. And the Snow Journey goal is to reveal the uniqueness of this sports discipline so that as many fans of technical sports as possible try themselves in these events. And if, as it is said, people get it, the discipline will develop very rapidly”. 

– The Organizers promise an extensive entertainment program at the Snow Journey bivouac. Could you, please, tell us more about what the fans will find during the event days? 

Nail Khubbatullin, “Everything that I said earlier applies to the fans in full. We would like that everyone who comes to watch the rally-raid to experience the Snow Journey as a source of unforgettable emotions. The Organizers have prepared a huge entertainment program, and although I cannot reveal all the details yet, it will be a real motorsport festival! There will be meetings with motorsport stars, concerts by famous musicians, a gastronomic show and a huge range of souvenirs. The most important thing is the excellent mood and atmosphere of a bright winter festival. We will be glad to see everyone!”