Stage IV Championship Formula Drift »

"Formula Drift" again last year has continued the tradition of nightly events - Saturday August 1 professional drifters were fighting for the victory of the night, and the toughest audiences witnessed a colorful show in the rays of searchlights. Surprises, and surprises at the weekend was enough with a vengeance. And because of the weather broke the stage for two days: on Saturday 1 August last qualifying races and race the best 16 pilots. To the pilots and the machines did not happen woes, the main contest was postponed to Sunday. And it was the right decision, as soaked spectators were frozen and could get sick, and the participants would have to be heavily in low-light and heavy downpours - the closer to the finals, the more desperate the pilots control vehicles in the drifts. Especially because of the three phases of drift and two Gymkhana asphalt rubber literally became a skating rink. For controlled drifting in inclement weather there is a special rubber with spikes, but our drifters are not ready for such a serious spending. As is known, the construction and maintenance of combat vehicle is rather big money. For one day it may take up several sets of tires. To change tires members save - tehzone in a mobile tire service. Rubber is mainly used by low-cost, second-hand, someone gets it for free. Hardly anyone is buying tires specifically for drifting, mainly professionals from sponsorship. The competition was held to have rolled the scheme - drifters passed qualification, during which was defined list of "Top 16" Series PRO. The configuration of the route was again changed - this is done at each stage, to even the odds between the new and "old men", but this time it turned out longer than usual. On a slippery track, which is more like a skating rink, pilots are constantly unfolded from the slightest peregazovki, and in fact went luminaries drift. Once it became clear that the lovers, whose competitions were scheduled for Sunday, so the track will be very difficult. Several cars were forced to retire from the fight due to technical problems. During the races, "Top 16" leading drifter this season Timothy Kosharnaya conceded victory in the novice class PRO Eugene Satyukovu. Eugene was transferred to the professional class in the previous stage for excellent performances and good technique. Spectators noted his Nissan 200SX S13 thanks to the gentle turquoise, leading to association with a known chain of pharmacies, and judges have raised him from the amateur series in the STREET PRO. For the St. Petersburg drifter this loss is very annoying, since it will affect the overall performance of the season, but the chances of both pilots were equal. No luck and Garik Khachatryan at Toyota Altezza: in the qualifying heats it launched just before the finish line after he rode the whole route perfectly. During the training sessions Nissan Skyline R33 Vladislav Ischenko out of order: transmission not sustained loads. Descended from a line in the last stage of the Nissan Silvia S15 Alberta Bugaychuka and Subaru Impreza Vladimir Fedorina could not come at Stage IV, because the reconstruction has not yet been completed. On Sunday the weather improved, and professional drifters continue. Before the final stage of the championship this season drifters have intensified - prikatalis on the highway, and a list of the best pilots of the season is almost formed. Look at the race-class PRO has been a great pleasure, and for the fans it was the perfect incentive. Returning from European competitions from the team Semyon Alexeyev Moscow Drift Team literally showed a master class - he has on his shoulders this season, winning at stage I in the Championship "Formula Drift" and great results in Europe. There is no doubt that this year it will take an honorary position as one of the best drifters in Russia. Racing legend Vladimir Ivanov turned into drifters and sat behind the wheel of Nissan Skyline R33, now it is with no less zeal and technicality wins flowery slopes. In the quarterfinals he lost to Nikita Shikov victory at Toyota Altezza, and in the fight for third place he traveled Oleg Tsaplik on Nissan Silvia S15 from the St. Petersburg team CHE Drift Team. Andrei Bogdanov, together with Semyon Alexeyev "take the rap" for Russia in Europe, temporarily moved from its powerful Toyota Altezza on Toyota Corolla Levin AE86. Beginning with qualifications Ilia Kondratiev, who finished second in the Championship "Formula Drift" in 2008, surely the rounds of his rivals at Toyota Mark II, and without reducing the pace, got to the finals, winning the gold medal. His rival was Eugene Satyukov still in the "Top 16" vybivshy Petrograders Timothy Kosharnaya, but still experienced skill Ilya outweighed technique debutant. Race series STREET removed increased stress. Razduharivshiesya to the finals PRO fans rushed on the track as if in battle, and their stage was virtually no overlap. Among the 16 drivers that have qualified were selected the best: first place went to Felix Chitipahovyanu for Mazda RX-7 from Miami Team, the second - Philippe De Klerk on the Nissan Silvia S15, and the third - Michael Hondaryanu at Toyota Mark II. Text: Olga Zabelkina. Photos: Olga Zabelkina.