Start in a bad weather is a good sign for future success!

The cars of participants of the International Baja “Northern Forest 2008”, the 1st round of the Russian Rally-Raid Championship 2008, left the start point today at 11.00 o’clock in the morning. This official ceremony was held in the historical center of Saint-Petersburg, near the first house of Peter the Great. Weather was not so friendly today, a storm warning was forecast, and spectators were scared by strong eddy wind and wet snow. But can this weather frighten the off-road professionals? Of course not! There is a belief that start in a bad weather is a good sign for future success!

Start ceremony was quick and well organised. Boris Gadasin and Alexander Mironenko – FIA International Cup Winners for Bajas – were the first to pass the starting point.

 The next ones were Leonid Novitcky and Oleg Tyupenkin – Russian Champions 2007 – followed by the other 38 rally-raid participants. Having departed, the powerful off-road cars created a single motor column and then, accompanied by the Road Patrol Service, went to the first service and Baja’s Superspecial stage. At 14:30 the first pair of participants will be racing against each other on the specially built track in the Leningrad Region. The start order for tomorrow “long” rally day will be specified in accordance with today’s results. The today Superspecial Stage involves its own summary and award ceremony. Tonight the participants and their technical service staff will come to “Igora” resort, situated 50 km. to the north from St.Petersburg. The Baja’s main office and press-center will be situated there, as well as the service park and parc ferme will.   

Anton Borisenko, rally media service. Foto: Lina Arnautova