Drift in Russia rose to her feet

With the advent of winter in the competition drifting lull. Participants who wish to try their hand at the new season, hid in garages and deeper into this theory. And at this time in the office of the organizers of the "Formula Drift" are hard at work - in full swing preparing for next season. About me and my future plans to share with us producer Oleg Vorontsov, and one of the discoverers of drift in the Russian project leader Dennis "Marcel" cowards. "Avto.ru: How to Drift has come to Russia? Oleg: The first competition of drift have started in Vladivostok, where they have been going for four years. The Far East took over the Japanese experience on Rules and Refereeing. But beyond their region competition did not apply, although the level of the pilots is increasing every year. In Moscow drift craze came after the release of the film "The Fast and the Furious. Tokyo Drift, "about three years ago. Motorists have seen something new, interested. The guys have found information about this discipline on the Internet and began to gather in parking lots, train control skidding. Denis: In Primorye, it was easier to promote drifting, there are all without exception go to "Japanese". Cars are very cheap, order from Japan's drift car is quite simple. We were with friends was more difficult to promote this theme in the Moscow region, although we started at the same time. If Vladivostok immediately began to organize the competition, then we were just exhibition matches, amateur crowd. In 2006 tuning show "Automax in Luzhniki were supposed to arrive Dutch drifters, but their appearance fell through. Take the rap for them we had to - when spectators saw a real drift! Oleg: The Story of drift in Russia can be divided into two periods. First - it is illegal amateur "pokatushki. A few enthusiasts, usually not more than ten people have found a suitable site (for example, a large parking lot at the mall) and trained. Naturally, the level of drift at the time was low. It was not until until 2007 has not come the second period of its history in our country - in the show Japfest hosted the presentation of Formula Drift. " And in 2008, has held a full championship in this discipline. In just one year pilot skill increased so much that can not be compared with previous years of illegal competitions. "Avto.ru: How did the" Formula Drift "? Oleg: Two years ago, studying the HGV on the Internet, I saw a lot of talk about drifting. Became a "dig" deeper into this issue and found that there was no infrastructure and activities for this sport there. I contacted Dennis, who at that time was one of the pioneers of drift, and invited to the meeting. During the conversation, we decided that we should develop this culture, to talk about her youth and began to organize the event. Achievements during the first season of existence "Formula Drift" was the presentation of the project "Formula Drift" in the festival Sorochanah Japfest 2-3 June 2007, Drift-a-days in Myachkovo and participation in the exhibition "Sport Motor Tuning". In the second season we have harvested bigger - was held a full championship, consisting of five stages. We were visited by teams from the Ukraine, Peter and many other Russian cities. Denis: Drift - a hobby of mine, I know all like-minded people from Moscow and I communicate with people from other cities. In our own experience, I know I need to drifters, so the idea to create conditions for organizing official competition has fallen to my liking. I offered to do multi-stage competition with the judging, and work began on a study of the rules, the judging system and a bunch of other little things. "Avto.ru: Drift - a sport or a show? Where is it taught? Denis: Drifting - half sport, and the other half - the show. Even if the viewer does not know the rules of this discipline, he may long fascinated to watch what is happening on the track. Compared to other auto racing, drifting is very extreme. While he is not recognized as a sport, but we do not lose hope. For example, downhill skiing and snowboarding were included in the Olympics, and once it was common hobby. Many people are mistaken when called high-speed maneuvers on the ice drifting. This drift occurs only on the pavement, and "pokatushki" on the snow rather be called a sprint. In schools where driving is taught in mainly professional sportsmen, it is impossible to learn to drift. This discipline breaks down all the canons of classic sports, as coaches tend to think that skid - this is bad. Many times I talked to professional athletes, with one of us even received a dispute. He said that the drift - this children's entertainment, they say, he easily could drive a car in the drift. In response, I asked him to prove it in practice and gave the keys to his car, as soon regretted. This "mastodon sports, multiple winner of rally racing, nothing could show, but at the same time" killed "on my machine, power steering, and burnt the front tires. A similar case was in America, there is arranged a demonstration event, put NASCAR stars race against the young drifters. Athletes bought a car, put in a lot of money, work out a few days, but in the end with a bang have lost children who do not have to sport in any way. You can only learn to drift on their own, relying on the knowledge of physics, the theory of drift and experience of their comrades. Prepare to compete on the ice does not make sense. Perhaps the basic skills and will be learned, but, hitting the pavement, the driver will be shocked by increased many times over rigidity. Wheels better cling to the asphalt, you need gazovat stronger, sharper turn the wheel, working with might and main clutch and brakes. Another surprise will be appeared suddenly feeling the distribution of weight, which can not be felt on the ice. If winter machine itself asks to skid, then on dry pavement, it will level off, it should be forced to go into a skid. "Avto.ru": Under the wing of the Formula Drift "there was a big tusovka minded. How to get in your ranks? Dennis: First, in our company had a lot of people who knew each other before, we trained together in parking lots. Now our tusovka markedly expanded, new interesting people. Become one of us is very simple - just have a desire to engage in drift and come to our place of gathering. Everyone can count on help from other teams, all share with each other knowledge and technical solutions. In the area of ??the participants friendly atmosphere, we are always "pin up" each other, and nobody is offended. "Formula Drift" is very loyal to the participants. We do not want yet another burden on the team fees. And so they have to shell out - buy rubber, spare parts, training of the car ... Moreover, at our events, there is a mobile tire service, so participants can quickly pereobutsya. Oleg: We have a very friendly company in all motorsports. Unlike the drag racers, drifters did not conceal from each other by their technologies. The difference is that in drag racing machines compete, and in the drift - the pilots. In our discipline gasket between the handlebars and seat plays a huge role. Even if one team in the car "vbuhali" more money a few times, it can bypass virtually standard car when his wheel sits a good drifter. As an example of our party Nikita Shykova, which shows excellent results in almost runoff Toyota Altezza due to his skill. Those who come to us, get in the company of friends, it says everyone who visited our events. "Formula Drift" is constantly in touch with the participants: on our site is an open forum, arranged a meeting in a cafe, where we examine flight, listen to the opinions of our work, we take something to remember. Largely due to the subject matter knowledge, Denis within our events a huge success. Of course, not easy to find a compromise between commercial projects and hobbies. Teams also help us advice during preparation for competition, make suggestions for training on the structure of the highway, we will if necessary make adjustments. But, despite our friendship, we essentially anyone make no exceptions. And it is impossible, because everyone knows each other, all in the mind at all. Any podsuzhivanie immediately be revealed is unacceptable to risk his authority. Technical requirements for the machines we take from the regulations of the Russian Automobile Federation. These documents are prepared accurately and correctly, and we will be respected. Drift - a young discipline in Russia, if our fault that something happens, it will impose a stain on the reputation of the sport. "Avto.ru: How do you assess the level of the pilots on the results of the 2008 season? Oleg: Drift in Russia rose to his feet, he is growing by leaps and bounds. Next year we plan to invite the Japanese that they have shown us their skills. This summer for the competition, held in the Luzhniki Stadium, came riders from King of Europe. Denis tried their competition, and noted that their skills are not so different from the skills of our children. What the Europeans are going for five years, we have achieved in one season. Incidentally, in the contest second place went to Sergei Zaitsev - is very significant against the backdrop of the Europeans. At the beginning of the season, many have not yet managed to gather, and a little struhnuli over competitors who are engaged in drift for many years. And the last stage of our guys, "roll", so again expect to visit King of Europe, we'll show them! "Avto.ru: On what drive our cars drifters? Denis: A car for drifting like a car for a racing circuit: living as easy as possible, cut out unnecessary details, set the frame. The main conditions for the car - that it has rear-wheel drive, differential lock and a manual transmission. Everyone tries zatyuningovat his warhorse to the extent possible: body parts replaced by carbon, the engine is being finalized to increase torque. In the drift is important, not power, and the evenness of torque. On our route does not compete with horse power, and aerobatics. Independent Commission verifies that all the bolts in the wheels were twisted, do not leak, doors closed, the cabin was no loose objects ... In the drift there is no division into classes, it's very democratic discipline. A prime example - Doubles race between 2105 and VAZ Nissan Silvia with a 650-horsepower engine from the GT-R, which twice won the driver to Zhiguli. "Avto.ru: How do you ensure the safety of spectators and participants at the championship? Denis: We have banned a free pass into the zone of the participants and on the road. This is - a necessary measure so that no one got under the wheels of rushing cars. Throughout the season, we tightened the requirements to the parties themselves, to the final, they were all dressed in fireproof overalls and helmets. At each event lifeguard, first aid. Oleg: Drift - one of the safest disciplines. We have been precedents when the two cars clashed during a pair of arrival, but is ready for every pilot. Heading out on the road, the driver must know how to behave in extreme situations. Very spectacular looks, when one car overtakes another in the drift. But in briefings before the event we have been urging drivers not to experiment with it, even threatened with penalty points if overtaking will not be justified. "Avto.ru: How do you surprise us in the 2009 season? Dennis: In the following year under the auspices of the Formula Drift "is planned to do two series: for professionals and amateurs. So beginners can grow to a higher level, without interfering with "luminary" on the track. To the professionals will have more severe requirements than this year, they will be able to compete with European drifters. Oleg: We are not without reason have decided to introduce the amateur series. This summer at each stage to come on 30-40 cars, and qualifications were only 16. So we decided to come up with something for those who are not held in skill, because among them are many promising pilots. So they can develop their technique, to later join the more experienced comrades. In the cold season, we will work to popularize the drift in Russia. In late February, "Formula Drift" will show a beautiful show in a tuning show in Crocus-Expo ". We will be present wherever we would go about cars - at exhibitions, shows, various promotions Following our example, more than 10 cities in Russia began to arrange activities to Drift: Chelyabinsk, Kurgan, Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Samara, ... In other parts of the public only prepared for this competition, introduce them to drift through demonstration show. In the summer of 2009 it is planned to hold five-step championships in Russia, Ukraine and possibly in Kazakhstan. As a result of these events in September will be organized Super Final, which will unite the CIS. Now we are negotiating with other regions, so that all driftovye activities were conducted under the brand name "Formula Drift". It's not just loud and beautiful name, for their part, we demand to ensure an adequate level of competition and compliance with safety standards. Yet we are thinking about the organization of competitions in avtodistsipline "Gymkhana". They will be able to take part absolutely any car, regardless of the drive and technical training. Party should quickly pass on the highway, where you will find different cones and shapes. Races are held in the pair, who first arrived, he also won. Text: Olga Zabelkina.