Fine arts lesson

SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

8^th ROUND, 19-21^st July 2013

Thursday, July 18

There is a good tradition in eni FIM World Superbike Championship to organize on Thursdays some comic tests with national context for racers of the championship. In San-Marino they competed in crossbow shooting, in Donington there were funny fights in plush penguin suits, in Portimao it was a cookery class. In Russia they had to immerse in to the art, but this time the fine art: Vladimir Leonov, Sam Lowes, Carlos Checa, Jonathan Rea, Eugene Laverty, Leon Camier, Chaz Davies, Loris Baz and Eduard Blokhin got small plates, brushes, special paints, all necessary props and skilled experts. The aim was to create a masterpiece in a traditional “Zhostovo” style.

Zhostovo painting originated in Moscow suburbs in XVIII century. It is a decorative painting of dishes and salvers with special colors, mostly black, red, green and gold. This limited set of colors was proposed to racers today, and, with a difficult creative task, it became a serious challenge for everyone and a real competition. Loris Baz from Kawasaki Racing was first who finished, but, by the general opinion of all participants, the most creative work was made by Blokhin’s family team – Eduard’s daughter was assisting her father.

Most of the racers chose to draw on the plates their logos and standing numbers, but Camier and Laverty tried an “off-topic” theme: FIXI Crescent Suzuki racer, as far as he could, painted his home house and his pets, and Aprilia Racing lad – his helmet. 2011 WSBK champion Carlos Checa has shown, that he creates singly his helmet’s and logo’s design, when deftly painted number “7” styled as “1” with bull’s head. By the way, in the paddock Spaniard named as El Toro!

Yakhnich Motorsport racers started to work with enthusiasm. Vladimir tried to fill his work with deep sense, knowing, that the plates then will be on auction and all funds raised will be used to help children of Moscow suburbs.

Vladimir Leonov: “It was interesting! There was no task itself, so many of us decided to do the minimum. But I think I’ve done a good job. If my masterpiece will decorate any fan’s room it would be great”. Volodya also shared his thoughts about upcoming race weekend: “Last year we are started from scratch – all of us with no exception. Now we are on equal conditions, which is very important. For me, in general, there is no difference with other rounds of championship. Bike perfectly set up, and we learned Moscow track very well last year. After Imola we expect to show another very strong result.” 

Sam Lowes: “I’m not a kind of a good artist, so I tried to draw something simple and obvious, something I can draw well enough: my number, name and stars – the colors were suitable. Well, it was an entertaining test, it was quite a joy! I’m sure Moscow Raceway is well fits Yamaha. Last year we have a good race, and now we are in much better shape, I’d say. The plan for the weekend is to take another win.”