Decisive stage in the title race – RDS Grand Prix champion could be decided early in Krasnoyarsk

The fifth stage of the Grand Prix of the Russian Drift Series will take place on 1 and 2 August at the Siberian racing circuit 'Krasnoye Koltso'. In Krasnoyarsk, Irishman Tommy Kiley from the Fresh Racing team could secure the championship title early. At 'Krasnoye Koltso', Ivan Nikulin will return to the RDS GP, joining the 'Systeme Electric Oderzhimye Motorsport' team.

The fifth stage of the Grand Prix of the Russian Drift Series (RDS GP) will be held on 1 and 2 August in Krasnoyarsk at the legendary circuit 'Krasnoye Koltso'. This iconic venue for Russian drifting, where the discipline developed in the country, could crown a new champion in 2026. Irish legionnaire Tommy Kiley, representing the Fresh Racing team, has a chance to secure the title early.

The circuit in the heart of Siberia features a configuration that is not the fastest but is highly technical, making it difficult even for experienced drivers to master, let alone a foreign debutant. Adaptation will be required under the moral advantage of the opponents, as local fans actively support the Siberian drivers. However, Tommy Kiley has repeatedly proven that he can block out external distractions and deliver brilliant runs.

Championship Mathematics

At an RDS GP stage, each driver can score a maximum of 272 points by winning both the qualification and the pair runs. Before the start of the weekend in Krasnoyarsk, Kiley's lead over his nearest rival, Anton Kozlov (Carville Racing), is 288 points, 292 points ahead of Sergei Kuznetsov (Fresh Racing) in third place in the standings, and 315 points ahead of Arkady Tsaregradtsev ('Systeme Electric Oderzhimye Motorsport') in fourth.

If Tommy outperforms or matches Kozlov, Kuznetsov, and Tsaregradtsev, the Irishman will become unreachable in points and secure the championship early. If Kiley drops out earlier than this trio in Krasnoyarsk, the fate of the individual title will be decided at the final stage in Moscow. The situation for the Fresh Racing driver is challenging but manageable. However, what makes drifting interesting is that making any predictions is pointless – the situation on track can instantly change the entire balance of power.

Siberians in the Fight for the Podium

Local heroes will be contenders for victory and at least podium places at 'Krasnoye Koltso'. Chief among them are last year's RDS GP stage finalists from Takayama Forward Auto – Georgy Chivchyan and Timofey Dobrovolsky, who in 2025 achieved his first victory in pair runs at the RDS Grand Prix right here in Krasnoyarsk.

Drivers who grew up on this track and have won the Siberian RDS GP stage multiple times will also compete for the podium: Fresh Racing's Damir Idiyatulin and 'Systeme Electric Oderzhimye Motorsport' leader Arkady Tsaregradtsev. High hopes are placed on Anton Kozlov, who has found good pace this season, and Sergei Kuznetsov, who has transformed since moving to Fresh Racing.

The Return of Ivan Nikulin

A major talking point of the Krasnoyarsk stage will be the return of Ivan Nikulin to the Grand Prix of the Russian Drift Series. One of the brightest representatives of the Siberian drift school, who rose from regional competitions to the country's top tournament, last competed in the RDS GP in 2022.

In the 2026 season, the driver from Barnaul will reunite with his long-time teammate Arkady Tsaregradtsev at 'Systeme Electric Oderzhimye Motorsport', replacing Evgeny Losev, who left the team after the first two stages. At 'Krasnoye Koltso', Ivan Nikulin will drive the iconic Toyota Mark II (JZX100).

As a wild card entry, the current winner of the Open RDS Championship stage, Sergei Korneev, will take part in the fifth stage of the RDS Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk. The bronze medallist of the 2025 RDS Open PRO season, driving a Toyota Supra A80, will arrive at 'Krasnoye Koltso' after a victory at the 'concrete Colosseum' of the 'Igora Drive' circuit.

Juniors Conquer Siberia

In 2026, the Russian Drift Series, together with the Aimol Junior young driver development programme, is conducting a series of summer training camps for juniors. After competing at circuits in the European part of Russia, the young athletes will head on a Siberian tour.

At 'Krasnoye Koltso', as part of the training camp, 12-year-old Arseny Tsaregradtsev will take to the track again in a Toyota Altezza, having won the training camp stages at 'Igora Drive', 'Nizhegorodskoye Koltso', and ADM Raceway in dominant fashion. But now the son of two-time RDS GP champion Arkady Tsaregradtsev will face his toughest rival yet – in Krasnoyarsk, Roman Lovkis will compete in a Toyota Mark II (JZX100). The driver has already beaten both Arseny and Arkady Tsaregradtsev in Krasnoyarsk, albeit during the winter STAR PЁR STARS AIMOL DRIFT CUP training camp in February 2026. Now Lovkis will take on the younger Tsaregradtsev in summer runs.

RDS GP 2026 Judging Panel

In the 2026 season, the qualification and pair runs of the RDS Grand Prix drivers are judged by experienced officials Anton Novikov, Andrei Pauli, and Dmitry Ermokhin. A fourth judge, responsible for analysing replays, changes from stage to stage to ensure an effective process for training new judging personnel.

Schedule for the 5th Stage of the 2026 RDS Grand Prix at 'Krasnoye Koltso' (local time)*

1 August, Saturday

• 9:30 – Practice runs
• 11:15 – Qualification
• 16:15 – Autograph session on track
• 17:15 – Pair practice

2 August, Sunday

• 9:00 – Practice runs
• 10:10 – TOP-32 pair runs
• 12:30 – Driver parade and autograph session on track
• 14:00 – TOP-16 / TOP-8 / TOP-4 / Final pair runs
• 17:30 – Awards ceremony

* The time difference between Krasnoyarsk and Moscow is +4 hours.

You can follow the action on track from the stands of the 'Krasnoye Koltso' circuit or live on the RDS TV platform – qualification runs can be watched for free after registration, while pair runs will be available via subscription.

About the 'Krasnoye Koltso' Circuit

KGT 'Krasnoye Koltso' is a true breeding ground for talent in Russian drifting. For over 15 years, it has hosted drift competitions, including the country's main championship, the RDS GP, and also serves as a venue for winter tournaments in this discipline. The track is well known not only as a circuit for drifting and drag racing. It has hosted circuit racing events of various levels – from local to all-Russian.

RDS GP Statistics at 'Krasnoye Koltso':

2023

• Qualification: Charles Ng (95 points)
• Top 3 pair runs: Damir Idiyatulin (winner), Evgeny Losev, Charles Ng

2024

• Qualification: Georgy Chivchyan (99 points)
• Top 3 pair runs: Arkady Tsaregradtsev (winner), Damir Idiyatulin, Maxim Grossman

2025

• Qualification: Maxim Grossman (97.5 points)
• Top 3 pair runs: Timofey Dobrovolsky (winner), Georgy Chivchyan, Arkady Tsaregradtsev