Snowmobile Navigation: how Silk Way Snow Journey works

Navigation and ingenuity will be more important than speed!

The Silk Way Snow Journey International Snowmobile Rally-Raid starts in a month – on February 23, 2023 the Ceremonial Start of the event will take place at the Naikom Arena. The three-day competition will be held according to the Enduro on Snowmobiles Rally-Raid Regulations – in the format of GPS-orientation in natural terrain without pre-prepared tracks. In other words, it is not speed that will come to the fore, but the ability to navigate the terrain and apply ingenuity, finding the best way.

The rally route combines the hilly relief of the coast along the Nizhnekamsk Reservoir and its magnificent views with the snow-covered flat glades. The overall distance when driving along the optimal trajectories will be about 300 kilometers, however in reality, the length of the rally-raid for each particular competitor may turn out to be even longer – during the races, the riders will have to determine which way to get to the finish line independently.

The task of the Snow Journey competitor is to “collect” all the virtual points of the route using the skills of driving a snowmobile. To do this, the snowmobile will be equipped with ERTF Unik 1, a navigation device that has the functions of a compass that indicates the direction and distance to a point. It allows the rider to move from one waypoint to another in the order set by the Organizers. So, from the first rally day start the compass needle on the device display will indicate the direction where the point is located, as well as the distance to it. Using this information, the rider needs to choose the most successful path to the indicated place, bypassing natural obstacles, and maybe even crossing them.

Unik does not contain maps and indicates only the direction and distance in a straight line, without taking the landscape and possible obstacles into account, so courage, ingenuity and orienteering skills on rough terrain are put at the forefront. Navigation plays a key role in rally-raids – there are time penalties for missing a point that are often not recouped due to speed alone. It is important to specify that the device has a built-in battery, designed for three hours of off-line operation. Some snowmobile models do not have batteries, but the ERTF Unik 1 is charged when plugged into the snowmobile’s electrical system.

Another important item of safety equipment is the Aclive GPS Broadcasting Servicer loopback beacon. It allows the Organizers not only to track the position of the rider in real time, but, if necessary, promptly call for help.

The Snow Journey Rally-Raid is designed in such a way that both amateurs of outdoor snowmobile activities and professional riders receive vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions to the utmost in a cozy and friendly atmosphere.

Three rally-raid days in the picturesque snow-covered landscapes of the Nizhnekamsk Reservoir will become an unforgettable festival of technical sports not only for the event competitors, but also for the spectators. A rich show program at the Naikom Arena with performances by famous musicians and DJs, gourmet cuisine and company of the motorsport stars will appeal to everyone.

Viktor Sokolov, the First Deputy Head of the International Project Silk Way Rally,
“For many years we have been creating unique routes through the most difficult landscapes of Eurasia, the most inaccessible and amazing deserts. And we came up with the idea to transfer this format to a completely different surface – snow tracks. In the Snow Journey we have combined the passion for speed and navigational tasks in such a way that the route remains interesting for professionals and at the same time accessible to riders without racing experience. That is why the regulations allow competitors to start on any snowmobile – this approach will allow them to get acquainted with the basics of orienteering that are used in rally-raids in a comfortable environment, and get the maximum pleasure from driving a snowmobile. And, maybe, for someone it will be the first step on the way to a real sports career. The Silk Way Snow Journey is a competition for everyone”.  

The Silk Way Project is discovering a new challenge, and it will be really hot in Tatarstan in February!