July 8, 2012 by NICK SHUBIN

King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012

Odessa, Ukraine

King of Europe came to Odessa, Ukraine. The 4th round Black Sea Challenge 2012 took place on 7 and 8 of July, 2012. The first time a drift competition of such level was carried out in Ukraine. The local partner responsible for organization was Drift Edition [dead link: http://www.drift.in.ua].

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

The event was held on the parking of a shopping center. It's seven kilometers from the city center.

In the beginning, the number of guests was underestimated. During the races the organizers had to add more chairs on the VIP stand. I hope that such interest to this competition will become a good reason to conduct it in Odessa in the future.

One thing which annoyed me was the fence around the track. Being too high it didn't allow to take photos when cars passed nearby.

Unlike European traces, the configuration of this one was quite simple—it had only one left turn for drifting. The visitors couldn't see the start.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Dmitry Illyuk rides Nissan S13, Odessa, Ukraine. Since most of guests were from Odessa, they supported him in particular.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

BMW E36 M5 of French pilot Benjamin Boulbes. He is one of the best pilots in the King of Europe series. After the fourth round (Rd4), he took the second place after Francessco Conti (Italy). BMW and Nissan are the most popular cars at King of Europe. To the end of Rd4 Benjamin Boulbes' car was considered as "Dotz Best Looking Car Challenge".

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Roman Kolesar (Slovakia) near his BMW E46 M3.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Benjamin Boulbes, France.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Turkish pilot Ali Atacik.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.
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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.
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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

After the presentation, the pilots are leaving the track together with beautiful Ukrainian girls who are supporting the drift teams and sponsors.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

The battle has begun. Adam Frank (in front) and Francesco Conti. Conti follows the leader precisely.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Adam Kerenyi (Hungary) in BMW E36 M5 is the leader now.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.
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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.
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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Following the leader, one needs to pass through the dense smoke. Vladislav Barbash (aka GANGSTER) rides Nissan S14.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Vladimir Paraliev (Ukraine) rides BMW E30.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.
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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

The heat has made the races tough either for drivers and cars. Some couldn't continue because of technical reasons.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Francesco Conti (Italy) in BMW E92 M3 battles against Vitaliy Lutyi (Ukraine) in Nissan S13. "Green" Nissan is a natural gas vehicle (NGV) what is quite rare for drifting.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Francesco Conti.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Vitaliy Lutyi is the leader. Francesco Conti is right behind him.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Italian Amerigo Monteverde rides BMW E46. After Rd4 of King of Europe, he is at the fifth place.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Press photographers suffered from the heat more than anybody other. They took place inside the track circle. There wasn't any shade. This one has poured water into his cap and lets it drop onto his head.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.

Kolesar Roman (Slovakia) flashes by very close to a camera man who didn't notice that he approached the very edge of the track.

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King of Europe. Black Sea Challenge 2012. Odessa, Ukraine.