Vladimir Chagin

Vladimir Gennadiyevich Chagin (Russian: Владимир Геннадьевич Чагин; IPA: [vlɐˈdʲimʲɪr gʲɪˈnadʲɪɪvɪtɕ ˈtɕægʲɪn]; born 5 January 1970) is a Russian rally raid driver. He has won the Dakar Rally driving Kamaz trucks in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011,^[1] becoming the most successful single category pilot in the history of the tournament earning him the nickname "The Tsar of Dakar".

As of January 2012 he holds the following records:^[2]

• The most Dakar rally wins in the truck category with 7 (1 more than Karel Loprais)
• The record for most Dakar rally stage wins in all categories with 63, 4 more than Stéphane Peterhansel^[3]
• The record for most stage wins in a single Dakar rally season in the truck category with 9 out of 14 in 2010.

Winner

• Dakar Rally: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011
• Desert Challenge: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
• Baja Italia: 2000
• Optic 2000 Tunisia: 2000, 2001
• Master-Rally: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002
• Rally Orientale - Kappadokia: 2003, 2004
• Baja Pearl: 2000
• Kalmykia: 2000
• The Quiet Don: 2003
• Khazar Steppes: 2004, 2006

In top 3

Vladimir Chagin (right) with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left), 26 October 2010

• Dakar Rally: 2009
• Desert Challenge: 2000
• Baikonur - Moscow: 1997

Honours and awards

• Order of Merit for the Fatherland 4th class
• Order of Courage
• Order of Honour
• Order of Friendship
• Order of the Badge of Honour (USSR)
• Medal "In Commemoration of the 1000th Anniversary of Kazan"
• Medal "For Valiant Labour" (Republic of Tatarstan)

References

External links

• (Russian) Vladimir Chagin's biography at the official site of the Kamaz-Master Team
• (Russian) Vladimir Chagin's blog
• (English) Kamaz Dakar site