At 1:00 pm on Sunday, 22 September, IB Translations team, a favourite among online fans, will compete at Mercedes-Benz Classic Day 2013, the closing race of the season. Our crew is made of Stanislav Chetverikov (driver and accountant), Konstantin Golota (founder and observer), Ivan Bogachev (Twitter feed translator), Alexander Golota (passenger and red tapist), Maria Kudinova (fan and admin) and Yulia Golota (fan and lawyer). 
We will appreciate every support you can give us!

For information about the rally go to http://classic-rally.ru/developments?id_object=35.
For photos from the previous race go to http://classic-rally.ru/archive?id_object=3 (at the bottom of the page).

The autumn race will start from the Vsevolozhsky mansion (Red Rose business centre, 11 Timura Frunze St., Park Kultury metro station) and run through some of Moscow's most twisted, tangled streets.

We were once again disappointed following the announcement of the previous race's final results.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz Classic Day brought together 54 crews, one of them running a shortened race in the special Veterans category (cars manufactured before 1945). Of 53 participants, six competed in the Young Timers group (cars manufactured after 1969), and five raced out of competition. We ranked 29th among 42 competing cars. This is nothing to boast about, but the final, decisive race is still ahead!

Traditionally, our team will drive ZAZ-965A V4 887 Pumpkin Special LE decked out in the corporate colours of IB Translations. The car was made by ZAZ in 1967 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution (the 96th anniversary is coming soon). Our little Zaporozhets will speed towards the finish line powered by the air-cooled MeMZ-966A carbureted engine from the Melitopol Engine Plant. The engine can produce up to 30 hp and even more when the car is moving backwards. The vehicle is packed with some of the most advanced features, including folding front seats enabling access to a spacious rear sofa, a trunk in the bonnet, and pneumatic tires.

Stanislav Chetverikov, debut driver and chief accountant: “I'm well on track with preparations for my first race. I need just another couple of days to polish up my skills.

I have mastered driving ZAZ-965A in town and in every weather, which, thanks to intuitive controls, turned out to be much easier than expected. I soon stopped bothering about the absence of rear-view mirrors characteristic of this model as the car provided a superb outward visibility. I am also grateful to other crew members who helped me learn all manoeuvres and grasp the driving and design specifics.

I believe that machines have some kind of a soul, a temperament of their own, and I can feel positive vibes created by our Zaporozhets – they can energise both the driver and the spectators. The vehicle is reliable, and I'm sure we will not let each other down!” 
Кonstantin Golota, co-driver (navigator) and founder, after his third rally of the season: “I wish we could have done better in the previous race. This time, we expect a more successful showing. Attention to detail is what makes a good translator or navigator. We are now well-equipped to deal with the pitfalls of regulation and map intricacies. Having run two rallies in the driver's seat, I hope to perform better as a navigator. If we manage to stay on track, we are likely to make it to the Top 10!”

Ivan Bogachev, Twitter commentator and translator, first-time passenger: “On Sunday, we'll face a serious challenge, but we are well-prepared. While drivers were looking into complicated regulations, I was learning texting shorthand. Fitting all emotions into 140 characters won't be easy, but I'll do my best. It's not for nothing I've been learning all this stuff! Together we'll show Mercedes-Benz what we're made of!”
Yulia Golota temporarily out of competition due to a sports injury: “I wish I could join the team for the Sunday race which is closing the season. I hope to fully recover soon and get ready for a fresh start. Next season, our well-versed team will be setting more ambitious targets to match their skill.” 

Мaria Kudinova, admin and first-time fan: “I'm looking forward to the event! Finally, I will be able to see the classic rally with all these vintage cars on the move. Let's hope that this time IB Translations team and Pumpkin Special will excel!” 
Live stream of the race will be available from 1:00 pm on 22 July at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cgolota. 

This time we will cover the race from the start to make it even more exciting!

For live tweets from Ivan Bogachev visit @golota82 (http://twitter.com/golota82). 

IB Translations team is gearing for yet another race! From 10:00 am, the crews will be gathering at the Vsevolozhsky mansion, Red Rose business centre (11 Timura Frunze St., Park Kultury metro station http://maps.yandex.ru/-/CVbJiY7I)). We invite you to come and see a retro car expo and a beautiful start at 1:00 pm, where you can get a glimpse of our ZAZ Pumpkin Special and wave it off.

See you there!
 
Forward towards the victory of communism!