Golden Autumn has once again rightfully taken hold. And, in addition to the Indian summer and mushroom boom, another, already traditional, event awaited the residents of Lepel. This was the open individual and team karting competition "Golden Autumn", dedicated to the memory of Viktor Puzanov.
Golden Autumn has once again rightfully taken hold. And, in addition to the Indian summer and mushroom boom, another, already traditional, event awaited the residents of Lepel. This was the open individual and team karting competition "Golden Autumn", dedicated to the memory of Viktor Puzanov.
It is clear to everyone that karting is "Formula 1" in miniature. "Karting has changed a lot since my racing days. Now it's a copy of 'Formula' – the level of professionalism is very high," notes Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo. Of course, each of the racers on the Lepel tracks dreams of one day competing on the Nürburgring or Spa-Francorchamps circuits and building a similar career. However, that's not the main point.
What is the main point? Four-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher answered this question brilliantly in his time: "The main thing is enjoyment! If real talent is added to it, you get a real racing driver." The feeling of drive and the thirst for speed – that's why people go into racing. Moreover, it is hard to imagine a more dynamic sport where everything is decided by fractions of a second.
In general, karting is somewhat like chess. It's simple. After all, a racer needs not only to press the accelerator but also to use their head. To calculate various attacks and do it lightning fast. For example, if a turn is part of a combination, it must be taken in such a way as to enter the next one as accurately as possible. This means some turns need to be taken slower to get onto the straight and drive it faster. Such is "dynamic chess". And it attracted many Lepel fans.
The starting grid in the "National" class was remarkably packed. Fifteen athletes from Mogilev, Polotsk, Glubokoye, and Dokshits started. Local drivers provided worthy competition for the visiting motorsport enthusiasts. The sharp turns of Svobody Square brought Alexey Demko from the Lepel Centre for Children and Youth to first place. Alexey won the first and second heats – and rightfully took first place. Polotsk resident Dmitry Dolgov provided him with worthy competition. The podium finishes in both heats were enough for him to secure second place overall. The third place was taken by another resident of Lepel – Igor Klunduk.
While the "National" class allows for any engine modifications, the "Formula-250" regulations are more stringent. Any MМVZ-based engine without a gearbox, with a displacement of up to 125 cubic centimeters, or any four-stroke engine up to 270 cc is permitted. Seven racers competed in the "Formula-250". From the very start, the battle for victory was waged between Polotsk racers Vladislav Sukhalenok and Nikita Yatskevich. In this internal contest, Vlad proved more successful, finishing one step higher than Nikita in both heats. Vadim Rogozny from Novopolotsk secured the "bronze".
In the "F-125" class, in addition to Belarusian racers, Alexey Malakhov from Smolensk, Russia, participated. However, starting from fourth position only led him to fifth place in the first heat and seventh in the second. Thirty points and an overall seventh place undoubtedly disappointed the Russian motorsport enthusiast. Others dominated the "F-125" class. The battle for second and third places unfolded between Vyacheslav Erashov from Lepel and Dmitry Mishuto from Polotsk. A higher position in the first heat helped Vyacheslav ultimately secure first place. Dmitry Mishuto came in second. The fifty-eighth starting number proved lucky for Maxim Chimpo from Ushachi. Flying through the course like a meteor, he deservedly won first place.
The "Popular" class turned out to be not very popular among the racers. Six participants vied for the three spots that would not lead to a podium finish. The podium was geographically diverse, featuring representatives from Lepel, Dokshytsy, and Polotsk. It is also gratifying that Daniil Badyay from Lepel did not allow his rivals to even lift their heads from the cockpit. A student of the center for children and youth, he confidently won both heats and the overall standings. Konstantin Stodolnik from Dokshytsy and Kirill Krotovskikh from Polotsk took second and third places, respectively.
In the "Kid" class, the youngest participants, aged six to eight, competed. Daniil Klyashtorny from Lepel, a student of the center for children and youth, fought admirably against the Polotsk racers, but ultimately yielded to the more experienced athletes. The entire podium was "occupied" by Polotsk racers: Egor Panfilov, Konstantin Volkov, and Artur Shardiko.
The age limit in the "Mini" class is slightly higher, from eight to thirteen years old. Here, Yuri Lednitsky from Polotsk was unmatched, winning by six points over his compatriot Artyom Efimenko. Felix Makarevich from Orsha took third place.
In the "Formula" category, the car of Stanislav Makarevich from Orsha crossed the finish line first. Stepan Terentyev provided worthy competition. The efforts of the race car driver from Mogilev were enough for the second step of the podium. Artyom Kunko from Polotsk was a few points behind Stepan and took third place.
In the team championship, race car drivers from Polotsk won. The team from Lepel took second place. The third place went to athletes from Dokshitsy.