GWM Tank Team Ready for Silk Way Rally
Three crews, driving Tank 300 and Tank 400 vehicles from the GWM Tank brand, are ready to set off along the Silk Way Rally route and compete for podium places in the Grand Tour “from Baikal to Altai” category. The race will be a truly exciting sports adventure for the participants.
The teams will cover 4,811.58 kilometers along the shores of Lake Baikal, across the sands of the Gobi Desert and along the roads at the foot of the Altai Mountains. GWM Tank Team Crew No. 508 — Vladimir Melnikov and Vadim Gagarin — bronze medalists of the Silk Way Rally in the Grand Tour category in 2024, are driving a Tank 400 vehicle in the Premium trim. Vladimir Melnikov is an automotive journalist and blogger known for his expert approach and passion for the world of cars and racing. The columnist for the authoritative newspaper "Autoreview" combines technical reviews of cars with lively narration in his materials.
Vladimir actively maintains a video blog, in which he shares not just impressions, but entire stories: from long-distance road trips to reviews of rare, iconic cars - always with a focus on real experience and a recognizable presentation. In addition to journalistic activities, he takes part in car racing competitions, including the Russian Ring Racing Series, the Silk Way Rally, and the Great Steppe. "When I was going to the Silk Way Rally last year, I thought that the Grand Tour category was more or less a tourist trip. Partly, this is true, but it is still a race, and the sports component in it is very serious. We drove on the same roads that the sports crews drove, but we drove standard cars and maintained a speed of 80 kilometers per hour off-road. Even those who were far from motorsports felt the excitement by the middle of the race,” Vladimir Melnikov shared his experience.
Vadim Gagarin is a well-known auto expert and editor of the online portal Auto Mail, his experience in motorsports includes time attack competitions for the best lap time, participation in the Russian Circuit Racing Series, rally sprints and karting, and in 2024, his collection of automobile competitions was replenished with participation in the Grand Tour. “Last year’s Grand Tour was not without adventures on the route, but our crew still managed to rise to the third line of the final protocol and get the coveted tiger statuette. Of course, this time we want to be even higher. But the main thing is to enjoy the beautiful route and get to the finish line,” Vadim Gagarin shares. Crew No. 517 - Oskar Konyukhov and Mikhail Melikov - rally debutants, performing in a Tank 300 car in the City Premium configuration. Oscar Konyukhov is the head of the expedition headquarters of the traveler Fyodor Konyukhov, a candidate for master of sports in sailing, a yacht captain, he has crossed the Atlantic Ocean under sail seven times, climbed Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Ararat, Damavand. "For me, this is the first experience of participating in a rally. For many years, I have been following the Silk Way Rally.
Of course, this is a challenge for people and technology, and it attracts a large audience. When I was offered to take part in the Grand Tour and support the GWM Tank brand, I immediately agreed. I know what the Tank SUV is capable of, I am interested in feeling the atmosphere of the rally, communicating with the participants - these are extraordinary people, observing the interaction of pilots and teams, adopting something for my team and, of course, going through the entire route." Starting in the crew with Oscar is Mikhail Melikov, General Director of the International Travel Center of Fyodor Konyukhov.
Crew No. 518 — Dmitry Fedorov and Andrey Sukhov — winners of the Silk Way Rally in the Grand Tour category in 2024, competing in a Tank 300 Premium trim. Dmitry Fedorov is a candidate master of sports in motorsports and a prize-winner of numerous rally tournaments in Russia: “I have always followed rally marathons with interest, and when the opportunity arose, I decided to take part without hesitation. Even if not in the racing category.
Last year, our crew won the Grand Tour category. This year, the goal is also to finish on the podium.” Andrey Sukhov is a multiple winner and prize-winner of rally competitions: “The Silk Way Rally is a landmark event in motorsports and the opportunity to take part in it removes any doubts! Therefore, last year, knowing full well what awaited me, I did not hesitate for a minute. Previously participated in classic rally, rally sprints, ice racing, but the victory in the Silk Way Rally in the Grand Tour category is a special event. Route and schedule On July 12, 2025, the ceremonial start of the Silk Way Rally and an eight-kilometer prologue will take place in Irkutsk.
On July 13, the rally will take place along the Irkutsk - Baikalsk route, the crews will drive a special section through the protected areas of the Baikal zone. The third stage of the next day will go from the shores of Lake Baikal to the mountains to the heart of Buryatia - Ulan-Ude. On July 15, the caravan of participants, following the Ulan-Ude - Ulaanbaatar route, will cross the border of Mongolia.
On July 16, the participants will drive along a loop route and return to the capital of Mongolia. The sixth stage of the next day will take place along the route from Ulaanbaatar to Bayankhongor, located in central Mongolia, where the fastest special stage awaits the pilots and navigators. On July 18, the participants will leave Bayankhongor for the highest city in Mongolia, Altai, where pristine Mongolia will open up before them, and the next day they will drive along a loop route and return to Altai.
On July 20, another stage will take place entirely within Mongolia, and on July 21, on the Khovd - Kosh-Agach route, the crews will cross the border and return to the territory of the Russian Federation. The final stage will be the route from Kosh-Agach to Gorno-Altaisk, where the ceremonial finish and award ceremony for the winners and prize-winners of the Silk Way rally marathon will take place. Tank 300 SUV The Tank 300 stands out for its distinctive appearance, while its robust frame construction and serious geometric cross-country ability guarantee reliability, especially off-road. Last year, crews on the Tank 300 frame SUV took the first three places on the podium of the Silk Way Rally in the Grand Tour category.
This year, the Tank 300 model will once again undergo a durability test as part of the rally. Both the model with intelligent Torque-On-Demand all-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive type Part-Time will go on the route. Seats with ventilation and massage functions designed for long trips and an extended set of driving assistants will help the crews overcome long hauls. Tank 400 SUV The 2025 Silk Way Rally will be the debut race for the Tank 400 frame SUV. The impressive design and impressive dimensions of the Tank 400 immediately awaken a thirst for adventure. With a clearance of 235 millimetres and the ability to overcome fords up to 800 millimetres deep, the car feels confident off-road, and all-wheel drive with differential locks guarantees cross-country ability in the most difficult conditions. Double glazing will reduce external noise and help participants concentrate on the route, and a spacious interior and a large 566-litre trunk will help the crew comfortably overcome the ten-day race.
