A race is the world's model in small. It's easy to imagine any race in shape of a globe, with its own continents, seas and oceans, poles - often as opposed as on Earth. And each race, just like every world, has its own guardian angel, and "Northern Forest" is no exception. Today we talk to the "Northern Forest's" guardian saint - Ruslan Misikov. Any person, acquainted with the world of Russian rally-raids, can confirm: Misikov doesn't just organise the race, he makes it part of his life...

This year "Northern Forest" will be a round of the FIA Cup for Bajas for the first time. What things have been changed compared to the previous edition?

R.Misikov: There're no fundamental changes, because the event was highly praised by the FIA delegates last year, and they noted it was held at the level of other international races. However, for us it's not the maximum level, so we will try to improve even further. Our representatives attended some Cup events, watched, and learnt something from them. We have analysed all of the mistakes we used to make, and will be aiming to avoid them. We'll try to organise logistics as convenient for participants and marshalls as possible.

Will crisis influence the race' organisation?

R.Misikov: Generally not. Motorsport shouldn't be influenced by any crisis. Of course, it involves financial expenses, but the necessary budget was set in advance, and there won't be any changes made to it.  

What does a successful race start with?

R.Misikov: It's important to have a well-scheduled programme to be realised precisely. You should have backup plans so that the whole programme doesn't fail if there's a setback in one of its parts. It's very important that the weather doesn't let us down. The name "Northern Forest" speaks for itself and we'd rather have frost of C -37, like it was two years ago, than face a thaw.

At this race, you feel more a sportsman or the organiser?

R.Misikov: I'm trying to arrange everything so that the organisation stays at high level and I don't have to abstract myself from racing. Of course, I keep on following the situation out of the corner of my eye, but the many years' experience allows me to set the work without my interference. So, I'll be feeling more a competitor and will be fighting for victory.

So, when you're tackling a difficult place, you think about driving techniques and not about a marshall standing in the right place as if everything was Ok?

R.Misikov: So, if he's standing and everything's all right, what's the point of thinking about it? (Laughing). A very fast speed has always been the brand image of "Northern Forest", and there you can't divert your attention away from the road ahead. Sometimes on long straights during races I can be distracted by some business thoughts, but the "Northern Forest" Baja is not the case. It doesn't allow losing concentration for a second or thinking about anything but driving.

Does the fact that you're the race' organiser give you any advantage from the competitive side?

R.Misikov: Well, I'm the organiser, not the route chairman, I'm not responsible for preparing the route. The race will be run in the same region which is well-known by most of the competitors. As I was told by some of them, its main attraction lies in the terrain which tends to change during the passage, and each next time is like tackling a new stage. So, even if I tested on those roads, I wouldn't get any substantial advantage. Actually, none of the sportsmen appears on the route before the race.

Ruslan, there's a global crisis, people are trying to save on everything, and You're organising a race at the world's level. What for?

R.Misikov: I entered into certain commitments to both sportsmen and the FIA. And I'm going to fulfill all the obligations. There're things which can be considered a matter of honour. I just can't behave differently.

Interview by Irina Boyarskaya.