Anatoly Shcherbak wins the qualification for the fourth stage of the RDS Open Championship

The anniversary festival 'Garage Fest' has kicked off at the 'Igora Drive' circuit in St Petersburg. The RDS Open Championship traditionally became one of the brightest parts of the programme, drawing thousands of spectators to the stands. On Saturday, 18 July, the winner was determined following the qualifying runs – Anatoly Shcherbak took the title. Additionally, at the RDS Open venue, drift competitions were held for participants of the 'Media Races' project – Anton Forsazh emerged victorious.

The qualifying session for the fourth stage of the RDS Open Championship proved intense and unpredictable. From the very first runs, the drivers set a high pace, but not everyone managed to complete their attempts without mistakes. The updated configuration in the 'Concrete Colosseum' became a real challenge for all participants.

The most confident in handling the judges' task was Moscow-based driver Anatoly Shcherbak, scoring 87.5 points out of a possible 100. Next came the result of Muscovite Alexander Leonov – 87 points, while Elisey Nikitin of the STAR PËR STARS AIMOL team scored 86.5 points. St Petersburg locals Matvey Vakhrushev, competing individually, and Igor Ozolin, representing the Tamashi Racing team, scored 84.5 and 84 points respectively. Omsk driver Stanislav Antropov (Tamashi Racing team) and Samara athlete Sergey Davidadze each received 82 points. Denis Bochkarev (St Petersburg) had his best attempt judged at 81.5 points, followed by Vladimir Afanasyev (Tamashi Racing team, St Petersburg) with 80.5 points. Drivers of the STAR PËR STARS AIMOL team, Sergey Korneev (Yekaterinburg) and Dmitry Dobrovolsky (Moscow), scored 80 and 78.5 points respectively. Muscovite Ruslan Arefyev (TsMRBank team) managed the updated configuration with 63 points.

As part of the anniversary festival 'GARAGE FEST Igora Drive', the 'Media Races' project is taking place. Its participants – popular bloggers Yan Dylan, Ekaterina Tyurina, Anton Forsazh, and Big Russian Boss – are testing their abilities in various motorsport disciplines. On Saturday, the media drivers showcased their controlled drift skills at the RDS Open Championship venue. After a series of solo runs, the two strongest drivers – Big Russian Boss and Anton Forsazh – held demonstration tandem runs, one highlight of which ended with the first driver's car colliding with the boundaries of the famous 'Concrete Colosseum'. In the final, Forsazh engaged in a duel with current RDS Open driver Dmitry Dobrovolsky, from which the STAR PËR STARS AIMOL team driver emerged victorious.

The first festival day concluded with a concert by Russian pop star Polina Gagarina. The diva performed her hits and gave another boost of great mood to the festival's guests and participants.

On Sunday, 19 July, the second and decisive day of the fourth stage of the RDS Open Championship will take place. Following Saturday's qualifying, the strongest drivers will meet in tandem runs to determine the stage winner. Fans can expect the most tense duels, where every mistake could prove decisive, and the intrigue surrounding the winner's name will persist until the final runs.

In addition to the RDS Open competitions, festival guests can look forward to a packed programme across the entire circuit grounds. Visitors will be able to see an exhibition of rare cars from the 'Avtokultura' project, a display of dragsters, take part in partner activities, visit the lecture hall, and explore other venues of the anniversary 'GARAGE FEST Igora Drive'.

A concert programme on the main stage will provide a vibrant conclusion to the festival weekend. Guests will be entertained by one of the country's most popular young performers, Vanya Dmitrienko, as well as the band 'Komnata Kultury', whose songs have become genuine hits on Russian music platforms in recent years.

RDS OPEN, 4th Stage, 'Igora Drive'

Participants in Tandem Runs (Double Elimination. Round 1):

1. Anatoly Shcherbak – bye run
2. Denis Bochkarev – Vladimir Afanasyev
3. Matvey Vakhrushev – bye run
4. Igor Ozolin – Ruslan Arefyev
5. Alexander Leonov – bye run
6. Sergey Davidadze – Sergey Korneev
7. Elisey Nikitin – bye run
8. Stanislav Antropov – Dmitry Dobrovolsky

You can follow the progress of the competition from the stands at 'GARAGE FEST Igora Drive' or via the online stream on the RDS TV platform after a simple registration.