Belarusian MAZ trucks will enter the race track of the international rally in the Polotsk region
Instead of tanks, MAZ trucks will compete on the 500-kilometer track of the former army training ground in Dretun, Polotsk district. From May 29 to 31, under the auspices of the Belarusian and Russian Automobile Federations, Vitebsk region will host what may be the most representative international rally competition in the history of Belarus - "Baha Belarus-2015". A press conference held recently in Minsk was dedicated to this event.
The competition will be held as the 3rd stage of the Russian Championship and the 1st stage of the Belarusian Championship in rally raids. It should be noted that the leitmotif of the Belarusian stage will be the promotion of natural gas (methane) as one of the most environmentally safe types of fuel. It is no coincidence that the general sponsor of the tournament is OJSC "Gazprom transgaz Belarus".
The event is organized with the support of the Vitebsk Regional and Polotsk District Executive Committees, and the organizing committee is headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Terentyev.
Vladimir Vladimirovich recalled that similar competitions were held in Dretun last year. The fact that the first attempt was not a failure and the effect exceeded all expectations served as an incentive for the participants to come here again. If everything goes "excellently" this year, then there are all prerequisites for the partners to make the track permanent, and the executive authorities are always ready to support them in this.
"excellently", then there are all prerequisites for the partners to make the track permanent, and the executive authorities are always ready to support them in this.Vladimir Terentyev noted that the Vitebsk region has always been considered a festival region. But if earlier these were mainly musical, dance, and song forums, then now it is the turn of a sports extravaganza. And this should only contribute to increasing the tourist attractiveness of our region.
Chairman of the Board of the RSOO
"Gonka Pro" Andrey Biryukov noted that the strongest crews in off-road vehicles and trucks are expected, including current World Cup champions from Russia, Baltic teams, Polish and Hungarian racers have been invited. At least 20-25 crews of Belarusian participants are also planned.Last year, the average off-road speed reached almost 100 km/h, and the maximum speed was 170-180 km/h! The track in Dretun is ideal in terms of landscape. It is very diverse, winding, with coastal sandstones, river floodplains, ravines, and undulating impassable forest roads, which make the competition attractive for professionals and allow pilots and navigators to show all their skills and spectacular racing. The length of the exciting route is about 500 kilometers. Work is currently underway at the training ground to prepare the track and, as much as possible, to expand it. The highlight of the competition is that, in addition to the
"combat" category, there will be a separate category for beginners. In fact, anyone can apply, drive along the track where masters have previously competed.For extreme sports enthusiasts who wish to watch the race, several spectator zones will be organized. From them, as promised, one can fully enjoy the competition. The possibility of installing a special screen, which will broadcast the exciting struggle of the participants online, and the placement of mobile catering points are being worked out.
The proximity of the training ground to ancient Polotsk, which is celebrating its 1153rd anniversary this year, also attracts guests. The city will be fully involved in the sports festival. It will host the grand opening and closing ceremonies, a parade of sports cars, and many other events.
It is symbolic that representative competitions are held in the jubilee year of the 70th anniversary of our common Great Victory, therefore, laying flowers at the monument to the Liberators of Polotsk will be an organic part of them. Undoubtedly, the festival will have only a positive impact on the image of the Vitebsk region.
Ales Byonkov, "Vitebskiye vesti"