Silk Road Race

The Silk Road Race is a charity rally from Milan to the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. The Silk Road Race is organised by Partenza Intelligente, a non-profit cultural association based in Lainate (Milan), Italy. The first edition of the rally was launched on 31 July 2010.

Adventure
The Silk Road Race typically launches from Villa Litta Visconti Borromeo, a historic palace of the 16th century in Lainate near Milan, Italy, in the last week of July. The teams participate in the Start Night launch event with many people and a rock concert during the launching procedure. The teams can participate in the rally with any motor-based vehicle, there is no limit based on engine displacement or vehicle type.

Routes
There are typically three main routes to Tajikistan. The northern route, from Milan to Tajikistan via east Europe: Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan; the middle route: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and then crossing the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan; or the south route: Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and then Tajikistan. However, the route is free; teams can choose their route to Tajikistan, but they must arrive at Dushanbe in 3 weeks to join the finish party. The Silk Road Race is approximately 8.000 km long.

Entry fees
The Silk Road Race charges an entry fee to cover the costs of running the event. All funds generated from charity fees are donated to a project started by Cesvi that provides water and sanitation in the south region of Tajikistan. The Silk Road Race 2012 entry fee for a car or a truck team was €499 and €250 for a motorcycle. A team comprises a single vehicle: a car/truck or a motorcycle. The Silk Road Race 2012 minimum charity fee for cars/trucks teams was €950 and €300 for a motorcycle team.

Press coverage of the Silk Road Race Milano-Dushanbe charity rally

 * Silk Road Race 2011 edition - Gazzetta dello Sport
 * Silk Road Race 2010 edition - Corriere della Sera Viaggi
 * Silk Road Race 2010 edition - Repubblica Viaggi
 * Silk Road Race 2012 edition - Turisti per Caso