The dynamic "Gymkhana drive fest – 2025" is bringing together residents of Vitebsk for the third consecutive year at the site near the Summer Amphitheatre. This year, it is held over two consecutive days. For the first time, floodlights have been installed here for an unforgettable light show and to accompany the races in the evening.
There is a clear passion invested in this car festival. Its organiser, six-time Belarusian champion in sports manoeuvring and professional racing driver Alexey Shendyukov, made an effort this year to attract more drivers from Russia. The result was not long in coming – the spectator stands were packed from start to finish. The audience was treated to exciting competitions, super-runs with motorsport star Alexey Shendyukov, prize draws, and an exhibition of rare cars.
The youngest participant in the races is 15-year-old Denis Kukushkin. This is his fourth time competing in gymkhana. The young man has racing, drifting, and a passion for cars in his blood, quite literally.
When asked who taught him to drive at such a young age, Denis unexpectedly began to list... all his family members. His mother, Svetlana, is a racer. In various years, she was a winner of ADT.BY. Although Svetlana retired from racing in 2003, motorsport has remained with her forever. She met her husband (Denis's father) at a race, and after so many years, they have raised two sons who, like their parents, cannot imagine their lives without the screech of tyres and drifting.
Until the age of 14, the young man studied cars by watching his parents, and gained his own experience through a computer driving simulator program. A year ago, for his birthday, the family decided to give their son a gift, and for the first time, on a closed track in an old Ford Sierra, he "spun his first donuts and figure eights," and shortly afterwards made his debut in competitions.
– It was scary and nerve-wracking, as I was afraid of damaging the car. Today, I feel more confident. You get such a surge of adrenaline from the other participants on the track that it's impossible to remain indifferent.
– In life, there is certainly nothing unattainable, – believes Denis.
In the future, he plans to become a driver or a mechanic in a Porsche racing team. Incidentally, the young racing driver considers his older brother his idol and support, so there is no doubt that the young man will achieve all his ambitions when he has a reliable brotherly shoulder to lean on.
Female racers are treated with particular respect at the venue. Olga from Minsk is participating in the Gymkhana drive fest in Vitebsk for the first time. Although the young woman more often competes in the capital, her very first races took place in the northern region.
– I love these competitions for the drive, action, and safety. This place is significant for me; after my first participation in the Gymkhana drive fest in Vitebsk several years ago, I bought my racing car.
The spectator stands on this day are bursting with shouts of support and applause. Alexander loves to go drifting in Minsk and never misses the Gymkhana drive fest in his native Vitebsk. His father instilled in him a love for cars. In childhood, their shared hobby was attending sports manoeuvring competitions. This year, the young man came to the car festival with his girlfriend Yuliana. Now it is their shared tradition.
– I have been interested in the technical design of cars all my life. I am fascinated by how the drivers manoeuvre and how the racing cars are equipped. I have a driving license, and if I ever get the chance, I would try myself in motorsport, – shared Alexander.