The helicopter over the Tajikistan circuit: the Tajikistan racing game

Tajik Grand Prix

Tajikistan Racing GameRace a 3.7 km circuit drawn from Tajikistan's outline

Length: 3.7km
Turns: 24
Main straight: 200m
Slowest corner: 69km/h
Climb: 50m
Setting: Downtown

Twenty-four corners in 3.7 km make this Tajikistan racing game a lap with almost no rest. The track is drawn from Tajikistan's border, and its twisting outline gives every corner a name: out east into Gorno-Badakhshan and Khorugh, back west through Kulob and Khatlon, past Dushanbe, then north through Khujand and the Fergana Valley to Konibodom and Leninabad, the last of the 24.

Mist hangs over the downtown streets, and the lap climbs 50 metres.

The Tajikistan circuit map

The racing line (orange) inside Tajikistan's outline; ○ is the start and finish. Open the map

T1Tadzhikistan Territories
T2Sargay
T3Gora Kyzyl-Kul’
T4Gorno-Badakhshan
T5Kŭhi Kutoztushagon
T6Gord Ak-Tash
T7Alichuri Janubi
T8Khorugh
T9Jorf
T10Kulob
T11Qurghonteppa
T12Khatlon
T13Khrebet Koykitau
T14Kuybyshevskiy
T15Dushanbe
T16Kamar-Tash
T17Uroteppa
T18Leninobod
T19Mehnatobod
T20Khujand
T21Ashti Poyon
T22Fergana Valley
T23Konibodom
T24Leninabad

Each corner is named after the place on Tajikistan's outline it traces.

Screenshots from the Tajikistan circuit

Through the slowest corner, Konibodom

On the grid for the Tajik Grand Prix: Tajikistan racing game screenshot — On the grid for the Tajik Grand Prix

The corkscrew, Tajikistan: Tajikistan racing game screenshot — The corkscrew, Tajikistan

From the bridge, Tajikistan: Tajikistan racing game screenshot — From the bridge, Tajikistan

Chasing through a corner in Tajikistan: Tajikistan racing game screenshot — Chasing through a corner in Tajikistan

On board around Tajikistan: Tajikistan racing game screenshot — On board around Tajikistan

Around the Tajikistan track

The Pamir peaks stand behind the city, softened by the mist, and the Ismoil Somoni Monument rises over the streets. Soviet-era apartment blocks line the road, yurts sit on the open ground beyond, and cotton grows in the fields at the edge of town. Ladas and land cruisers are parked behind the fences, the banner reads Хуш омадед, and the boards name Khujand, Kulob, Iskanderkul and Dushanbe.

Ismoil Somoni Monument and Pamir
Pamir peaks
Yurts

How to drive the Tajikistan circuit

The main straight is only 200 metres long, ending at Tadzhikistan Territories, turn 1, and it's barely a breather. From there it's corner after corner through the streets, up and down the hills. The slowest is Konibodom, second from last, at 69 km/h, and a good exit there carries you through Leninabad and onto the straight.

Ways to race Tajikistan

Time TrialA lap for the Tajikistan leaderboard, chasing the record holder's ghost. Grand Prix RunRace your way across the world's circuits. One free run every day.

What country is this? Guess Tajikistan from one lap

One lap behind the leader, with the racing line drawing itself as it goes. By the flag it's Tajikistan's outline. Could you name it before the reveal?

With sound: the video has a voiceover.