On July 11 and 12 on the Moscow Raceway track demo drives of racing Cup Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, focused on the support of the movement to protect the environment for the first time held in Russia as a part of prestigious DTM series. Performances of the participating vehicles with engines running on natural gas are included in the program of racing series DTM. In addition to the legends of motorsport, stars of other sporting disciplines took part in the race.
At the start of the demo race in the Moscow area there were 15 pilots from six countries. Andrey Karginov got to the company of drivers who are world-famous for their performances in different types of motorsport. Here were the Dutchman Jan Lammers, German Manuel Reuter, Italian Nicola Larini ... The last one is a DTM Champion in 1993 - initially considered as a favorite of the race. In the season of 2013 he won the first race of Scirocco R-Cup. Russian Roman Rusinov who takes part in world championship on endurance race (WEC) and has the victory in the race 1000 kilometers of Le Mans also participated in demo races.
The legend of DTM series 52-year-old German Manuel Reuter – the owner of a champion title in International Touring Car (ITC) series in 1996 also claimed to the victory in Moscow. Among his rivals there were rally legend Finlander Markku Alen, two-time champion in rallies of Russia Andrey Sevastyanov. Inessa Tushkanova participating in European Championship and the only regular participant of Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup series German Doreen Seidel participated in the race.
German skier Sven Hannawald the Olympic champion in 2002 in ski jumping showed his skills on the track. For the same reason, the Pole Jerzy Dudek came to Moscow. Having played 60 matches as goalkeeper of the national team of Poland, he changed football goals on racing track.
- At the beginning I was very excited by so many "stars" and by the fact that I have to participate in the circuit race on an unfamiliar car - says Andrey Karginov. - After the first training drive my hands shook. But gradually I started to feel the car and I gained confidence.
Really, the progress was noticeable from drive to drive. Firstly the lag of Andrey from the leader of the first drive was 18 seconds, but after the second and third drives it was reduced to 9 seconds, and then up to 4 seconds! If the average speed per lap of the recognized leader of series Nicola Larini for example was 126 km/h, then Andrey’s speed was slightly less - 122 km/h. The maximum speed on the track reached 200 km/h.
- Circuit races have their own specifics. - Andrey continues. - In our drives serial cars were used. Body is maximally lightened, sport seats, test devices and safety rails were set. Lightweight body and a 280-hp engine on gas fuel provided good dynamics. Although it was not enough for Nicola Larini. For example, on the track after the long straight there was a sharp turn in front of which there was a plate with a distance designation before it 200, 150, 100, 50 meters ... I am more used to the sport "KAMAZ" truck and to off-road coatings, so instinctively I started to slow down the speed for 150 meters before the entrance in turn, and experienced drivers of circuit races started to slow down for only 50 meters before turning.
During the drives there were some accidents; as a result two crews fell out. Andrey Karginov in this regard was faultless. Following the results of the race he took the 10th place.
- In a moment, carting skills were very useful. The pilot going ahead made a mistake: after the toss he did not released the brake and his car landed on the locked wheels. At these speeds, the tire from the contact with asphalt instantly destroys and the car loses control.
The winner of "Dakar-2014" considers the participation in such competitions as useful and interesting event.
- It is important to broaden your sports horizons and to communicate with colleagues from other disciplines. The attention of organizers, other riders and from the audience was pleasant. It is evident that people are interested in rally-raids, know the "KAMAZ-master" team and follow our results. The event had a great atmosphere and everyone got a good positive emotions.
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