Mazda Route3 Challenge: All-new Mazda3 Hatchbacks Cross Russia

The all-new Mazda3 hatchbacks taking part in the "Mazda Route 3 - Hiroshima to Frankfurt Challenger Tour 2013" successfully covered the first 3,300 miles of the route. They arrived the central Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk safe and sound. The eight-car convoy completed the first three overland stages of the 9,300 mile expedition on schedule despite the often rough roads. Leg one, which started in Vladivostok, Russia’s main Pacific port, on 3 August, ran parallel to the Chinese border and had a definite East Asian flavor. One of the big highlights was crossing the famous Amur River bridge in Khabarovsk, the 2.4 mile long marvel of engineering pictured on Russia’s 5,000 rouble note. The stage ended with the Mazda3s driving into Blagoveshchensk.

OneShift Editorial Team

19 Aug 2013

Leg two welcomed a whole new group of drivers, following the course of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The 1,430 mile drive included a side trip to the Ivoglinsky Datsan, Russia's most important Buddhist temple and monastery. It also featured the tour's longest single day (More than 560 miles) and a spectacular variety of scenery and giant potholes and crumbling pieces of road.

The main highlight of stage three was undoubtedly Lake Baikal, where the newest participants were treated to a boat trip on the world’s deepest, most voluminous freshwater lake. After a stopover in the shore-side town of Listvyanka, drivers were soon back on the road under the big sky, arriving yesterday via Irkutsk in Krasnoyarsk, the final destination of the 1,000 mile leg.

The Krasnoyarsk Mazda dealer inspected the Mazda Route3 cars, paying special attention to the suspension, underbody, air filters and other components exposed to unusual levels of abuse. No problems were evident, and the new Mazda3s have heroically handled everything Siberia could throw at them. This was good news as the next service check is not until Moscow – another 4,350 miles westwards over a route that includes dangerous mountainous stretches and long segments of loose-surfaced gravel roads.

Credits: Oneshift News Team