On June 27, 2026, Nizhny Novgorod became the epicenter of passion, speed, and nostalgia: the second stage of the International Circuit Racing Series for Historic Cars, "Classic Series," took place at the Nizhny Novgorod Ring (NRing) track. This iconic circuit—a home turf for some drivers and an unpredictable challenge for others—once again proved that in motorsport, there are no trifles, and any detail can decide the outcome of the battle.
The "Nizhny Novgorod Ring" is a place where experience meets ambition. For series veterans, this track is familiar down to the last turn, and knowledge of its nuances could have been their trump card. But motorsport loves surprises: sometimes the boldness and unconventional approach of newcomers prove stronger than refined technique. This stage provided plenty of topics for discussion—tension was palpable in virtually every lap.
After a bright start to the season in Smolensk, the fight for supremacy reached a new level. Drivers who secured their lead in May sought to hold their positions, while those who failed to shine in the first stage got a chance to make a comeback. And judging by the intensity of emotions, no one was ready to give in without a fight.
The geography of participants was impressive: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Nizhnekamsk, Chita and Oryol, as well as drivers from the Moscow, Tver, Leningrad, and Ryazan regions, and even from the Republic of Belarus.
The guard of legends of Russian motorsport gave the youth a run for their money, with experienced racers including masters of sport Igor Agayev, Igor Tashayev, Andrey Artyushin, Andrey Ponomarev, Andrey Tsygankov, Oleg Chebotarev, as well as titled Vladimir Cherevan and charismatic Vadim Antipov.
But special attention was focused on young talents: 14-year-old Zlata Sidorenko, 15-year-old Maxim Chmil, 16-year-old Artyom Yagodka, 17-year-old Ivan Bozhedomov, and 18-year-old Lev Introligator—these names are already echoing in the paddock, and their performances promise to make history.
The stage turned out to be tough, as a real drama unfolded even during practice sessions: several burnt-out engines and gearboxes, transmission issues, and a host of other breakdowns that drastically changed positions in the final standings. The Nizhny Novgorod Ring tested literally everyone's endurance.
Experienced drivers battled young contenders, and each lap could shift the balance of power. In classes where Zhigulis, Volgas, foreign cars from various years, and sports prototypes met, spectators saw how technology from different eras proved its right to stand on the podium.
The stage program was impressive in scale: dozens of cars, each with its own history, converged on one track. As part of the RAF Cup for Circuit Racing, races were held in classes A2-1300, A2/1-1300, A2/1-1600, A5, and A2/1-2500—from compact classic cars to powerful Volgas.
The support races were no less thrilling: Touring Classic 80 and 90, Line 2000, Tourism 1600, Open Class and Open Light, as well as CN sports prototypes—Mitjet 1300 and ShortCut. Each class is a separate story, with its own driving style and its own heroes of the day.
The stage gained special significance from being held jointly with the friendly Championship and Cup of the Republic of Belarus—further proof that the love for classic cars and speed unites people.
The event was held with the support of the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), and the title partner was the global tire manufacturer YOKOHAMA. An important role in the organization was played by the 2026 season partners—"Zemsky Bank," TSS Group, and Ilya Kamensky's School of Extreme Sports Driving.
The Series' information partners included leading media: the TV channel "Auto Plus," the portal "MOTORCITY," the online newspaper "Ridus," the publications KOLESA.RU and CARS.RU, as well as Maria Melnikova's Telegram channel "First Place – Russia." Thanks to their work, the emotions and footage of this day will be seen by thousands of motorsport fans.
A2/1 1600
A2 1300
A2/1 2500
A5
Open Class Light
Open Class
Tourism 1600
Line 2000
Touring Classic 80
Touring Classic 90
Sports Prototype CN
Team Standings
The next stage will take place on July 25 at the Moscow Raceway circuit near Volokolamsk in the Moscow region. In the meantime, fans have time to discuss the highlights of the past day, review photos and videos, and recharge their energy for the upcoming races. By the way, the Moscow stage will feature a large retro festival and retro exhibition.
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