Recently the major Georgian TV company “Rustavi 2” began its news program with a live feed from Rustavi, the city that is situated not far from Tbilisi. The audience saw a motor-racing track with racing cars of various modifications, including a Formula-3 race car. Its driver couldn’t be detected in the helmet, but soon the race car stopped and the driver came out of it. It appeared that it was President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili.
President stopped the car where his press service organized a huge video conference. The background of the picture included the bright stadium with unfolding flags and other race cars standing in a row. Saakashvili announced that in Rustavi construction of the first world-class motor-racing track in the whole Caucasian region was finished. It was built by the well-known Russian racing car driver Shota Abkhazava spending $30 million for it. So the track belongs to him, and he can do what he likes, invite friends from all over the world.
The motor-racing track is hardly to pay off in the nearest future, even if races are commercial only. Georgia is not the USA where people are sick with races and millions could be earned through advertisement at tracks and video broadcasting alone. At the same time, the opening of the Rustavi motor-racing track became an important part of the governmental program on promotion of Georgia and its touristic capacities. It is notable that considering tourism the most important industry, the authorities of the country turn to the system of specified tourism – for wine lovers, gamblers, and now racing fans.
Speaking at the track, President Saakashvili called Shota Abkhazava “an example of love to his mother land - Geogia” and stated that the Russian driver of Georgian origin intended to build another motor-racing track in Batumi. Probably Saakashvili hopes to organize international races of Formula-3 in Georgia, if not Formula-1. With this object in mind he invites the most glamorous musicians, actors and extravagant billionaires (like Donald Tramp), trying to improve Georgia awareness in the Western countries.
Together with Abkhazava several Russian drivers came to Georgia. They told journalists that they had doubts about the visit, but were surprised with warm welcome and comfort conditions.
The first race in the class Legends Car Racing was won by Abkhazava himself. President Saakashvili presented him the cup of the winner of the first Georgia motor racing championship. Later, Saakashvili took to the wheel of his Formula-3 racing car and offered the winners of Legends Car Racing to compete with him. They drove at a respectful distance from “the race leader,” even though they could outrun him easily.
The bright event in Rustavi was ended by the concert. Therefore, Mikhail Saakashvili made another step in his PR-campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections. It seems he follows his election technology and thinks that wise programs and economic growth figures are less effective for attraction of voters than bright beautiful performances that demonstrate optimism, energy, development, drive and confidence.
The opponents of President cannot oppose this style. They give boring press conferences and publish smart newspaper articles. However, nobody reads them.
Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to VK
