More than 30 drivers from Belarus and Russia gathered at the annual Gymkhana Drive Fest – 2025
The thrilling Gymkhana drive fest – 2025" gathers the residents of Vitebsk for the third consecutive year at the venue near the Summer Amphitheater. This year it takes place over two consecutive days. For the first time, spotlights have been installed here for an unforgettable light show and race accompaniment in the evening.
The auto festival is definitely infused with passion. Its organizer - six-time champion of Belarus in sports maneuvering, professional motorsport athlete Alexey Shendyukov has made efforts this year to attract more drivers from Russia. The result was immediate - a full house in the stands from start to finish. The audience was treated to thrilling competitions, super races with motorsport star Alexey Shendyukov, a prize draw, and an exhibition of rare cars.
The youngest participant in the races is 15-year-old Denis Kukushkin. He has participated in gymkhana competitions for the fourth time. Racing, drifting, and a passion for cars run in his blood in the most literal sense.
When asked who taught him to drive at such a young age, Denis unexpectedly began to list… all the family members. His mother, Svetlana, is a racer. Over the years, she has been a winner of ADT.BY. And although Svetlana ended her career in 2003, motorsport has remained with her forever. At the races, she met her husband (Denis's father), and after all these years, they have raised two sons who, like their parents, now cannot imagine their lives without the screeching of tires and drifting.
Until the age of 14, the boy studied cars by watching his parents, and gained his own experience through a driving simulator computer 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 eights," and shortly after debuted in competitions.
– It was scary and exciting, as I was afraid of damaging the car. Today I feel more confident. On the track, you get such a charge of drive from other participants that it is impossible to remain indifferent.
– There is definitely nothing unattainable in life, – believes Denis.
In the future, he plans to become a driver or mechanic in a Porsche racing team. By the way, he considers his older brother to be his idol and support, so there is no doubt that the boy will achieve everything he has planned when he has a reliable brotherly shoulder beside him.
With special respect, the participants regard female racers. Minsk resident Olga participates in the Gymkhana drive fest in Vitebsk for the second time. Although the girl usually competes in the capital, her first races 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 stands on this day are filled with cheers of support and applause. Alexander loves to drift in Minsk and never misses the Gymkhana drive fest in his hometown of Vitebsk. His father instilled a love for cars in him. In childhood, their shared hobby was attending sports maneuvering competitions. This year, the boy came to the auto festival with his girlfriend Yuliana. Now this is their joint tradition.
– I have always been interested in the technical structure of cars. I "get hooked" on how the drivers race, how the racing cars are equipped. I have a driver's license, and if the opportunity ever arises, I would try my hand at motorsport, – shared Alexander.