A constant topic here on Slotblog has been on how to involve kids in the hobby. I received this article from our friend in Russia, Andrey Zhbanov and I thought it would be of interest to the readers here. Please excuse any grammatical errors resulting from the Google translation. I'll let all of you to draw your own conclusions.
Laboratory of track automodelling "Virage"
It was opened in 1978
Students are accepted into the laboratory from the age of 10.
Honorary worker of general education of the Russian Federation. Pedagogical
experience of work is more than 35 years.
Nesterenko A.I. was awarded the "Nadezhda Rossii" prize in the "teacher" nomination for the preparation of the student of the laboratory A. Zhbanov for the title of laureate "Hope of Russia" (2005). From 1988 to 1991, Nesterenko A.I. was chairman of the committee of track models of the Federation of self-similar sports.
Students of the laboratory are winners and prize-winners of city, All-Union and All-Russian competitions
1999) Zhbanov Andrey and Chistyakov Yuri (2004, 2005).
In 1989, 1990, 1991 - the owner of the USSR Cup in track automodelling in 1992 - the third place.
In the laboratory, students get acquainted with the history of the automotive
industry , in the process of building track models they study their design.
They acquire the simplest drawing skills, work with paper and cardboard, simple metalwork
, soldering. As the models are being prepared, the students begin to train on the track,
participate in competitions.
The program of studies is designed for 3 years.
Students of the first year of training collect the simplest models, train on the track and participate in competitions.
Students of the second year of training collect simple sports models, participate in All-Russian and city competitions.
Students of the third year of training produce sports models and engines for them. They collect complex copy models, performing complex metalwork, machine tools and electrical engineering works, participate in numerous
city and All-Russian competitions.
- Class TA "Teapot" - models with self-made chassis of standard design and plastic body -1 and subsequent years.
- Class F1 - 1/24 - models of cars of Formula-1 of different years of manufacture, with a self-made chassis and a body from plastic.
- Class G-12 and Int-32 - industrial production models -2 and 3 years of training.
- Classes ES-24, SP-32, F1 - models-copies of international classes - students included in the number of candidates for the national team of St. Petersburg.
The laboratory is equipped with the necessary equipment and tools.
The WUA track, which trains students and city competitions, and the 2004
Russian Youth Championship and the Russian Championship among Adults, was presented in 2003 by the
Governor of St. Petersburg V.A. Yakovlev.
The track is among the best in the country. The results are calculated by a computer system.
Characteristics of the route:
8 tracks, 35 meters, including straight lines - 13 meters.
Electronic counter of circles with a lap-timer, time relay "Sura-2M", PC with the judicial complex "Atis Processor" Yu. ".
The financial support of the laboratory is provided by the St. Petersburg company "Ultra Star" .