Last year, two drag races were held at the airfield – 250-meter races on a flat surface. The competitions aroused the interest of Lepel residents, many came to watch and cheer with their families. This year, for various reasons, summer and early autumn passed without the favourite spectacles, and only on the second weekend of October were the races held. In addition to the Lepel racers, speed enthusiasts from Vitebsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Orsha were invited, and even Brest responded.

 One of the "features" of last year's drag racing was the races of main haulage trucks. Therefore, this year it was decided to open the celebration with this spectacular element. A "Renault" and a "MAZ" with Russian plates rolled up to the start. The "MAZ" overtook the "Renault" with a significant advantage.
 
 In the previous race, the LADA-1 class was represented by three VAZ cars, but this year only one drove onto the track, so it was entered into the races along with foreign cars. Of course, the VAZ could not offer serious competition to the "Volkswagen", "Peugeot", "Renault" and "Fiat".

 Spectators watched with interest an old "Opel Omega" from Vyaliki Pólsvizh. It was a large car, they assumed it wouldn't accelerate quickly. What a surprise it was when the "Omega" confidently overtook the "Peugeot 406"! In a word, there were plenty of reasons for surprise that day.

 Among the professionals, the entire podium was occupied by representatives from Vitebsk: Alyaksey Shandyukou in a BMW, Andrey Shakala in a Mitsubishi Colt, and Ruslan Harakhou in a Peugeot 205. Among the amateurs, Dzmitry Severyanau in a Honda Civic led, the second place was taken by Alyaksandr Hancharou in a Peugeot 205, and the third went to Dzianis Maladoŭski, who drove a Nissan Sunny. All three are also from Vitebsk.

 In addition to the races themselves and finding out whose car is the coolest, the drag became a meeting place for old acquaintances and lively conversations. Both spectators and racers agreed that drag racing is an excellent conclusion to the summer racing season.

Vasil MATYRKA