The organizers truly put their heart into the auto festival. Its organizer, six-time Belarusian champion in sports maneuvering and professional race car driver Alexey Shendyukov, made an effort this year to attract more drivers from Russia. The result was immediate – the spectator stands were packed from beginning to end. The audience was treated to exciting competitions, super-races with auto sports 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 Denis's fourth time participating in gymkhana competitions. Racing, drifting, and a passion for cars are literally in the young man's blood.

When asked who taught him to drive at such a young age, Denis unexpectedly began listing… all his family members. His mother, Svetlana, is a racer. In different years, she was a winner of ADT.BY. Although Svetlana ended her career in 2003, auto sports remained with her forever. She met her husband (Denis's father) at a race, and after so many years, they raised two sons who, like their parents, now cannot imagine their lives without the screech of tires 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 a little later debuted in competitions.

– It was scary and exciting because I was afraid of damaging the car. Today I feel more confident. You get such a charge of drive from other participants on the track that it's impossible to remain indifferent.

– There is definitely nothing unattainable in life, – believes Denis.

In the future, he plans to become a pilot or a mechanic in a Porsche racing team. By the way, the young motorsportsman considers his older brother his idol and support, so there is no doubt that the guy will achieve all his plans when he has a reliable brotherly shoulder by his side.

Female racers are treated with special respect on the track. Minsk resident Olga is participating in the Gymkhana drive fest in Vitebsk for the first time. Although the girl more often competes in the capital, her first races in life 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 a few years ago, I bought my racing car.

The spectator stands on this day are filled 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 maneuvering competitions. This year, the guy came to the auto festival with his girlfriend Yuliana. Now it is their shared tradition.

– I have been interested in the technical structure of a car all my life. I get fascinated by how pilots drive, how racing cars are equipped. I have a driver's license, and if I ever get the chance, I would try myself in motorsports, – shared Alexander.

vitebsk-region.gov.by