* Launched in 2005, the Taklimakan Rally has grown into Asia's longest, largest and most competitive off-road race, covering a total of more than 71,000 kilometers over the years and attracting more than 3,500 professional drivers from around the world.

* Marking a milestone in its 21-year history, the 2025 Taklimakan Rally introduced its first-ever New Energy category. 10 pioneering hybrid race vehicles are taking on a course with 65 percent in desert terrain, the highest proportion in the event's history.

* Building on its route and Xinjiang's scenic and cultural heritage, the Taklimakan Rally has become a driver of tourism and local economic growth.

by sportswriters Cao Yibo, Dong Yixing and Sun Zhe

URUMQI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Amid shifting sands and billowing dust across Gobi plains and deserts, drivers are racing toward the N39 Desert Scenic Area in Makit County, Xinjiang's Kashgar Prefecture - the finish line of the 2025 Taklimakan Rally.

This "game for the brave" has evolved from a simple race into a comprehensive platform for testing China's motorsport development, commercial systems and racing ecosystem. At the same time, its route along the ancient Silk Road has become a vivid symbol of a dynamic, modern Xinjiang.

THE RISE OF "CHINA'S DAKAR"

On May 1, 2005, the inaugural Taklimakan Rally launched from Urumqi. Dubbed the "Dakar of the East," it operated on a modest 800,000 yuan (about 110,000 U.S. dollars) budget - less than the cost of a single race car today.

That first edition lacked water and electricity at the camps, and only three of six stages were completed due to severe sandstorms. Despite these challenges, it ignited a passion among Chinese motorsport fans.

Over the years, the rally - centered on the Taklimakan Desert, the world's second-largest shifting sand desert - has grown into Asia's longest, largest and most competitive off-road race.

By 2024, the Taklimakan Rally, now part of the FIA calendar, had expanded across 14 prefectures in Xinjiang, covering a total of more than 71,000 kilometers over the years and attracting more than 3,500 professional drivers from around the world.

The 2025 edition features 23 motorcycles and 105 vehicles navigating roughly 5,200 kilometers over 13 days - including 2,350 kilometers of timed special stages - before concluding on June 1 in Makit County.

This year has seen a fierce fight for the overall lead between Fan Gaoxiang of Qian'an Jiujiang Racing and Liu Yangui of Shaanxi Yunxiang Racing. The showdown underscores how Chinese-built race cars are now going head-to-head with top international brands.

Liu is driving a Toyota Hilux Dakar, an internationally proven vehicle widely used in global competitions, while Fan is piloting the domestically developed Jiujiang JJ3 - a car that showcases China's rising motorsport engineering.

Thirteen drivers are competing in the JJ3, which boasts more than 90 percent of its components designed and produced in-house by JJ-Sport, excluding its engine. It holds full intellectual property rights in areas including its aerodynamic package, suspension system and onboard computer.

"Through the challenges of deserts and riverbeds, JJ3 has proven its stability and high-speed performance," said Fan. "This FIA-certified Chinese race car is no longer an experimental prototype -- it's a mature platform, and we are confident it's ready for the world stage."

NEW ENERGY TRIAL

Marking a milestone in its 21-year history, the 2025 Taklimakan Rally introduced its first-ever New Energy category - the production hybrid group (T2.E). 10 pioneering hybrid race vehicles from Great Wall, Chery and Dongfeng are taking on a course with 65 percent in desert terrain, the highest proportion in the event's history.

Amid temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius and punishing sandstorms, the hybrids faced a trial of battery resilience, thermal management and drivetrain durability.

"The performance of new energy vehicles has been truly outstanding, far exceeding my expectations," said Tao Pengfei, team manager for Chery Jietu.

He recalled a pivotal moment during Stage 1 when a battery pack hit a rock and sustained major damage -- but no fire, explosion or leakage followed.

"This real-world test proved far more severe than any lab simulation, silencing initial doubts among drivers," he said.

For manufacturers, the rally serves as a vital data collection opportunity. "Our goal isn't just ranking," Tao added. "It's about gathering extreme operational data under the harshest conditions to refine reliability for consumer vehicles."

Drivers praised the instant torque and responsive handling of hybrids in tough terrain. "Acceleration is phenomenal. You can overtake fuel cars instantly," said Li Jianmin, a 10-time Taklimakan veteran now racing with the Dao Feng Team.

"It feels incredibly agile and stable despite its weight, with superb comfort and air conditioning - a huge plus in the desert heat," he said.

Still, extreme conditions exposed limits in energy management. "Battery preservation is our key focus for improvement with this first-generation model," Li noted, adding that vehicle-driver synergy improved at later stages.

Yao Weiqiang, driving a hybrid Great Wall Tank Hi4, described his strategy as a balancing act. "I've only used 60 to 70 percent of the vehicle's potential load so far. A long-distance rally is a marathon," he said. "The hybrid's strength lies in its ability to deliver large-displacement power and torque from a smaller engine."

Tao also noted the broader implications of the category's debut. With China leading in electric vehicle adoption and core manufacturing, the Taklimakan Rally could establish itself as a global benchmark for off-road EV performance.

FUELING TOURISM, SHOWCASING XINJIANG

Building on its route and Xinjiang's scenic and cultural heritage, the Taklimakan Rally has become a driver of tourism and local economic growth.

In 2024, over 20 cultural and tourism events were held alongside more than 30 themed activities at scenic spots, generating 1.796 billion yuan in tourism revenue - up from 530 million yuan the previous year.

The 2025 edition roared to life in Aksu on May 20, the day after China Tourism Day, merging adrenaline-fueled action with the region's natural and historical wonders.

Drivers and spectators experienced breathtaking sites like the Wensu Grand Canyon and populus euphratica forests in Darya Boyi, as well as UNESCO-listed Silk Road landmarks including the Kizil Caves and Subash Buddhist Temple Ruins.

For many international participants, the rally offered more than a race -- it was a gateway to Xinjiang's rich culture and beauty.

Czech rider Martin Michek, a two-time Dakar Rally top-ten finisher, said: "When I entered the canyon, the scenery was so spectacular that I was completely immersed in it -- I even forgot for a moment that I was racing." He added, "The beauty of the landscape filled me with motivation and energy throughout the ride."

For newcomers to Xinjiang, the rally provided a multidimensional introduction. Li Jia, a student from Madagascar studying at Beijing Language and Culture University, joined classmates from Romania, Vietnam, Laos and Russia on a "Taklimakan Rally tour."

"What struck me most was Xinjiang's development story," said Li. "We saw how Kekeya transformed from desert to oasis, learned about the region's history at the 359th Brigade Reclamation Memorial Hall and visited Zhejiang-aided projects."

Wang Yu from Laos said the experience reshaped his view of southern Xinjiang: "Aksu's night market was buzzing, and local kids chatted with us late into the night -- it's a vibrant, welcoming place." Already, he is planning a return. "The landscapes, food and culture are more than worth a second trip."  ■