Санкт-Петербург - Северный Лес-2009

BREEF HISTORY

The summer motor sport season in Russia continues for six months only, from May till October, and several years ago, in order to extend the time margins of rally raid competitions, the first winter races were held in our country, including the «Northern Forest» Baja.

Two or three decades ago the race route of the rally «White Nights» occupied almost the same venues as the «Northern Forest» Baja route does nowadays. For its competitive route the «Northern Forest» used several sections of rally roads, which were artificially shaped into a ring. Such a solution provided a unique route, where the interchange of fast and technical sections becomes an excellent test for the off-road performance of sports cars.

Since 2003, the Northern Forest Baja has been the opening event of the motorsport season in Russia. Traditionally, all of Russia's top-rank sportsmen including Boris Gadasin, Leonid Novitsky, Ruslan Misikov, line up for the start of the event. World-famous drivers such as Christian Lavieille, Etienne Smulevici, Dominique Housieaux, and Miroslav Zapletal have also taken part in the Russian Baja in recent years.
The high level of organisation and its interesting sport action proved crucial for including the race in the FIA Interna-tional Cup for Cross-Country Bajas calendar 2009 as the 2nd round.

One of the factors for inclusion was also a good choice of time for the Baja. At the end of February, it is getting dark not so early here, and frost is usually mild. Of course, there are some exceptions, for example, in 2007 participants were forced to start at a temperature of around - 30°C, though, as a rule, the temperature stays at a more comfortable level of - 10°С. Overall, the climate has a huge influence on the event. Even in the least snowy winters there is enough snow. The special machinery begins cleaning the surface as early as in December to prepare the roads in time. Abundant snow also presets the character of the Baja, as the layer of ice and smooth snow covers the road's surface. One may drive on such a covering at almost the same pace as on asphalt, but of course, taking into account the fact that snow is often turning into ice.

The competition route goes over the most spectacular areas of the Leningrad region. The challenging special stages will follow twisty undulating forest paths, surrounded by snow-covered pinewoods sparkling in the light of the northern sun. You will get unforgettable impressions and will be able to reveal all your driving skills, tackling the route of the 2nd round of the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.

THE EVENT'S EVOLUTION

2003	The event was held for the first time. The ceremonial start took place at St.Isaac's Square in Saint-Petersburg. The competition was a round of both the Russian Cup and the Russian Championship.
2004	The race was conducted in its more compact version, with start and finish close to Sosnovo settlement (the Leningrad region). There were just 30 km of liaison to 550 kilometers of the special stages.
2005	The ceremonial start was held in Saint-Petersburg once again. The race itself used its traditional route, with 43 participants and 8 teams taking part in it. For the first time the event was visited by guests from France and Italy.
2006	The competition was included in the FIA calendar - for the first time in its history. The start took place in the city of Priozersk (the Leningrad region). There were 14 crews nominated in the international classification and 37 - in the Russian Championship one.
2007	The race was included in the FIA calendar and was held as an international competition according to the General Prescriptions. There were 23 entries from Russia, France, Latvia and Belarus in the international classification, among them - Christian Lavielle and Dominique Housieaux. The event got a high praise from the sportsmen and guests.
2008	"Northern Forest" was held as a candidate event to the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. The ceremonial start returned to Saint-Petersburg as its venue. A Super Special stage was held at the new stadium, which had been built specially for motorsport competitions.
2009	"Saint-Petersburg-Northern Forest" is the 2^nd round of the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. The ceremonial start takes place in the historical centre of Saint-Petersburg, while a spectacular Super Special stage is again run in the city's suburbs on a new stadium. The race gets a high appraisal from the FIA experts.

ALL WINNERS OF NORTHERN FOREST>>>