Master Group

      Master Group, from industry and sport in general to the Master Rallye in particular

      Master group is one of the rare Russian enterprises derived from the market economy which has acquired its renown at national level by partnering sporting events and developing sport in its country.

      In 1994, this group, directed by a young team hoping to develop its image internationally, formed the racing truck team «Kamaz-Master», to which it gives support for its structure just like a real manufacturer's team. Furthermore, the trucks flying the Kamaz-Master colours appearing on the African trails made a strong impact when they won their first laurels.

      The following year in 1995, Master decided to support the event which appeared to be a great internationally prestigious event, one of the greatest rallies in the history of automobile sport: the Paris-Moscow-Ulan Bator-Peking which also brought a new victory to the Kamaz-Master team in the truck category.

      Continuously striving towards professionalism and in view of the entry of the Master Rallye into the calendar of the FIA World Cup Cross-Country Rallies, Master group, which is present in the electronics industry, the extraction and transformation of petrol, advanced metallurgic technologies, road construction and transport, has specially formed a sports and technical department at its head office in Russia which contributes significant logistical support to the organisers of the Master Rallye.


      Three questions to
      Félix Bajanov, President General Manager of Master Group

      You are committing yourself for the third consecutive year to the Master Rallye, what does this event represent for you?
      For us the Master Rallye exceeds the simple act of advertising. It is a prestigious event for our company as well as for all East European countries, Russia and the CIS. In our country, the Master Rallye with its FIA World Cup label, encompasses a great number of cars or motorcycle races. We are certain that the drivers, the teams and the makers in the areas mentioned will rely on this event to open up to international professional sport. But the Master Rallye also goes beyond sports. With its unique characteristics, it opens the gates of oriental States to occidentals and, with its unrestricted economic perspectives, can play an important role in international politics.

      What are your aspirations regarding both competition and itineraries?
      The event will be annual up until at least the year 2000 and for this we have formed a unique multinational organisation. In the near future with the variety of possibilities for exotic courses and the invitations from several Eastern countries, the Master Rallye organisation hopes to be the most welcoming event for drivers. In 1997, the impressive finish on the Red Square in Moscow, accompanied by the chimes of the Kremlin bells and fireworks, represents the dream of numerous competitors, sponsors, Russian partners and those or who have interests in Russia. We wish to work towards those interests.

      Does the finish in Moscow for the 850th anniversary of the town encourage you to be even more involved in the 1997 edition?
      Without doubt. The preparations are already making great strides. We have the support of the Russian Government and media. Also, in view of the finish in Moscow, Russia and the CIS are going to organise a national championship of cross-country rallies which will enable new competitors to acquire the experience required to take part in our future event afterwards.


      ZAO Master Rallye Russian co-organiser of the Master Rallye 97

      Generated by the sports department of Master Group, the Russian company «ZAO Master Rallye» is today proposing an agenda comprising several activities in the touristic-sports field, in addition to its involvement in the Master Rallye organisation

      • October-November 97 and April-May 98: escape-raids in 4x4 in the tracks of the Master Rallye: Saint Petersburg - Moscow - Baïkonour - Samarkand
      • March-April each year: expedition in a parachute over the North pole
      • May-June 98: car raid Moscow-Vladivostok across the Urals and Siberia with a bivouac on the shores of Lake Baïkal
      • When rockets are launched: exclusive tour, by car for 14 days or by aeroplane for 5 days, from Moscow to the Baïkonour launching base to attend a launch.

      «ZAO Master Rallye» is also in a position to hire specially equipped 4x4 Toyota land Cruisers or to assist convoys of vehicles for all crossings in Russia and in the CIS.

      In the domain of advertising, «ZAO Master Rallye» negotiates partnerships with the organisers of sports events taking place in Russia (up to 300 events per year) or with Russian teams such as «Kamaz Master», winner in the truck category of the Paris-Dakar, the Paris-Moscow-Peking and the Paris-Moscow-Oulan Bator.

      Finally, with «Rouslan» aeroplanes, «ZAO Master Rallye» can accomplish unique transports of vehicles (up to 70 on one flight) to the four corners of the world and at very advantageous prices.

      Contact: «ZAO Master Rallye»
      2/24, Kalochine pereulok 121002 Moscow
      Tel.: ++7 095 214 56 93 / 241 54 52 / 241 57 68 Fax: ++ 7 095 241 26 62