Russian oil company Lukoil on April 23 decided to set up a Lukoil-Racing auto racing team.

The team will include two VAZ cars of "tourist" class (with engine capacity of up to 1,600 cubic centimeters) that will be driven by pilots Dmitry Zorin and Vladimir Cherevan, and a Honda Accord car of "super-tourist" class (engine capacity of up to 2,000 cubic centimeters) driven by well-known Russian pilot Nikolai Bolshikh.

Formula 3-type Dallar cars with engine capacity of up to 2,000 cubic centimeters are currently undergoing trial tests. A contest is also under way to pick a pilot.

The first competition in which members of the Lukoil-Racing team will participate will be Moscow's Open Championship on Ring Car Races: the Rothmans-ASPAS Cup, a major national auto racing competition in which Lukoil is the chief sponsor.

The first stage of the race will take place in May. The fourth and final stage of the race will be held in September 1997. The competition has been included in the official program to celebrate Moscow's 850th anniversary.

By creating the sports team, Lukoil intends to help make the auto racing sport in Russia more popular and prepare world-class pilots who will represent Russia and Lukoil at international competitions.

The Lukoil-Racing team will also test petroleum products, in particular motor oil, and advertise Lukoil production.

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