Drag racers make tracks around Kremlin

The night-time race took traffic police by surprise

By Sarah Rainsford BBC Moscow correspondent

Russia's only Formula One test driver, Sergei Zlobin, has taken part in an illegal race through the streets of Moscow.

He was competing against the country's top street racing team - Dima the Young and Stas BigBadWinner.

It's true I never say no to a challenge but this isn't a race

Sergei Zlobin

The amateur pair had earlier challenged Zlobin live on television to take part in the race and prove his driving prowess.

As a test driver for Minardi and Russia's most successful professional driver, Zlobin felt it was a challenge he could not refuse.

But a week later, at 0500 (0200 GMT) on Monday, he was beginning to regret his decision - and it was to get much worse.

Last minute checks

It was pitch dark and icy cold when the two teams roared-up to Gorky Park for a final briefing.

Revving their engines, raring to go, both sides had plenty to prove.

As the spectators started to gather, Zlobin had time for some last minute engine tweaking.

Russian drag racing

Russian Drag Racing Federation (RDRF) created in 2002

Race meetings attract crowds of up to 15,000

One Russian speciality is racing on frozen canals

(Source: RDRF)

His opponents next to him slipped off their standard issue number plate and slid in one reading Crazy.

Zlobin's bosses at Minardi have forbidden him from racing for anyone else and he was anxious to play down the competitive side of the night-time event.

"I can never say no to a challenge," he admitted. "But this is not a race. It's just a high-speed drive through Moscow. Today is all about making motor sport popular in Russia."

Secret route

Stas BigBadWinner was under no such illusion. He had driven the route twice already, and was sure of success.

"I don't think this is dangerous at all. I think drinking and taking drugs is far more dangerous. This is a sport, after all, and I'm confident of my own skill," he said.

The racers went right up to the Kremlin

The exact start point of the race remained secret until the last moment in an attempt to avoid any unwanted police attention.

When the convoy finally wound its way through the city to the start, the drivers kept in touch via pirate radio.

An hour later, the teams were finally ready to go, lined-up beneath the wedding-cake spires of Moscow University.

One after another, the cars disappeared beneath clouds of burning rubber.

The drivers had to make it to the Kremlin and back, via the city police headquarters, in a breakneck race against the clock.

Surprise result

Sixteen and a half minutes later the amateur speed fans had proved their point. To a roar of amazement from the crowds, Stas and Dima appeared on the horizon a full nine minutes ahead of the professional.

When he finally rolled-up, a sheepish Zlobin had to concede honest defeat.

"Mind you" he added, "that lot have got nothing to lose. I'm a professional, and if I lose my license or have an accident, then I lose everything. I did break the speed limit, but I was careful."

Stas had clearly pulled out all the stops to live up to his nickname and he was ecstatic:

"It's a fantastic feeling - I can't get over it! And the police didn't stop us once," he said.

Unfortunately for Stas, he spoke too soon. As the drivers squealed to the finish, the traffic police moved in and closed off the square leaving the organisers to do some fast talking.

Afterwards, though, they were unperturbed.

Zlobin has called for a re-race on a proper, enclosed track. And this time he promises he will win.